The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-03-08
Grading I'm the Clock

The gist of one of Samuel Cushman's
| addresses at several conventions this
winter Is his discussion of the merits
of cross bred and grade poultry as com
pared with pure breeds. He says:
Too often the farmer starts from the
standpoint of common stock that paws
fairly well, kills them off and replaces
with fancy stock, pure bred fowls, Civ
ing them no extra care, and they prove
failure. Scrub stock will endure
privation better than stock that has
been bred for the show room. What
the farmer wants is not pure bred
poultry but pure bred males to cross
on common stock. He is after best re-
turns, not beauty. The best market
III the future for pure-bred stock will
he for pure bred males to cross on
common stock. The breeder. who
conld appreciate the situation could
sell all he could raise. The male is
half the flock. BY using pure bred
cocks and the best aud most thrifty of
the common hens the loclis may be
graded up and the grades have the
special qualities of the males ancestry
and the hardness of scrub females
But the mixed males should not be
used for breeding. Always breed the
grade hens back to pure-bred males.
In getting stock for crossing, it pays
to give good prices for good birds.
The choice of individuals il as impor-
tant a The choice of breeds. Secure
the best out of a large flock if possible.
There is n sale for pound and pound
and-a-half broilers in certain cities.
For this purpose, some of the smaller
breeds formerly thought undesirable
for poultry are proving useful.
Fanciers are doing their poultry in
dustry great benefit by preserving
the breeds, from which we can at any
time impart whatever qualities we de-
sire to orr common stock. | believe
some farmers can produce poultry and
eggs cheaper than the specialist. The
specialist has to pay more for care.
protection, labor, and precaution
against disease.
When fowls or people are crowed to-
gether in large numbers, risk from dis
eases increases.
When there is n market for white
eggs and white skinned poultry. the
back Minorca I believe is best.
Where yellow skin is wanted, choose
the White Leghorn or Buff Leghorn.
The Langshans are hardy and Law n
| brown egg. There are few all-pur-
pose breeds like tho Wyandot and
Plymouth Rocks, but / prefer to OBJ
tain birds of this type by means of
crosses.
The prod lctiye age of the egg lay
ing breeds is longer. We do not need
10 kill oft an egg laying breed every
year, but they are not so hardy as the
meat breeds. Brahmas and Cochins
arc hardy. they are not hustlers like
the Lcghorn, but they will stand con-
fincment and cold weather.
Many fail in poultry keeping be.
cause, although thay have learned all
about tue business in a general way.
they fail 20 carry out the details. No
rule will suit every case.
The best breed is tho ono suited To
your case and the requirements of
your market
Too many keep "beef breed" of
poultry because produces brown
| eggs.
Not every one can succeed in the
poultry business There is n great
deal to - One who thinks he can 90
into 1t without stu1y,nS, makes mis-
! take
When the price of wheat is high I
| should feed more corn and corn meal.
/ Gluten aud beef scraps and bran will
largely take the place Of wheat.
/