The true Democrat., 1898-02-19
Grading Up the Flock,

The glst 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 pays
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
in the future for pure-bred stock will
be for pure bred males to cross on
common stock. The breeder, who
could appreciate the situation could
sell all he could raise. The male is
half the flock. By using pure-bred
cocks and the best and most thrifty of
the common hens, the docks may be
graded up aud 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 is as impor'
tant as the choice Of breeds. Secure
the best out Of large flock if possible.
There is 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 an.
time impart whatever qualities we de
sire to our common stock. I believ'
some farmers can produce poultry AM
eggs cheaper than the specialist. Th'
specialist has to pay more for care
protection, labor, and precautio1
against disease.
When fowls or people are crowed to
gether in large numbers, risk from dis
; eases increases.
When there is market for whit
eggs and white skinned poultry, tn
black Minorca I. believe is best
Where yellow skin is wanted, choos
the White Leghorn or Buff Leghorn
The Langshans are hardy and lay
brown egg. There are few all.pu1
pose breeds like the Wyandot an
Plymouth Rocks, but I prefer to OK
! tain birds Of this type by means
crosses.
The productive age of the egg-laJ
, ing breeds is longer. We do not nee
9 10 kill off an egg-laying breed ever
year, but they are not so hardy as tt
: meat breeds. Brahmas and Cochir
are hardy. They ore not hustlers lil
f the Leghorn, but they will stand col
e tinement and cold weather.
c. Many fail in poultry keeping b
]. cause, although they have learned
+ about the business in general we
e they fail to carry out the details. \
Il rule will suit every case.
Q The best breed is the one suited
T. your case and the requirements
your market.
Too many keep ''beef breed"
6 poultry because it produces brow
!, eggs. ),
u Not every one con succeed in Il
h poultry business. There is a gre
l. deal to it One who thinks he can
le into it without studying, makes a mi
IL take.
sr When the price of wheat is high
lg should feed more corn and corn me-
le Gluten and beef scraps and bran "
L. largely take the place Of wheat.
L,
ID Thirty years ago the first patentw
Is granted to woman. At the prese
= L.-..,n. kbo aox noN ala