Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-04-01
DAIRY AND POULTRY.
INTERESTING CHAPTERS FOR
OUR RURAL READERS.
How Successful Farmers Operate This
Department OF the Farm Few
Hints to the Care of Live Stock
and Poultry.
Fodder Crops for Geeae.

, any other class of poultry. In a wild
state they do not usually stray faI
from some body of water, except in
o their migratory journeys, and then
\ some lake, pond or river is selected
2 as place of rest from flight and to
t OBTAIN food. Aquatic plants and roots,
2 win worms and insects dug out Of the
f. mud in shallow waters, and probably
some tender heritage growing along
the shores, constitute the food Of the
WlId goose. It can hardly be said to
suosist by grazing, as it depends large
iy upon water for both food and pro-
lection. The domestic goose, however,
IKE the sheep, is an epicure respecting
tender grasses and juicy fodder
plants. After the breeding season is
past, the old stock, which only re-
quires to be kept in good store con-
dltion until the approach Of another
breeding season, can be economically
Kept by combining them to a pasture
where they can easily obtain most Of
their living by grazing. They should
nave access to water at all times, and
little dry corn occasionally is ac-
ceptable. II the supply of grass is
scanty, more grain should be fed, or,
Detteri they may be supplied with
greenfoods cultivated for the purpose,
after the manner of growing soiIing
crops for feeding cattle. BY this method
people with comparatively small areas
OF land may grow large hocks of Cos
nngs, combining them upon a limited
area, and cultivating fodder crops to
De cut and fed to them day by day. Or
they can be confined upon the grow
Ing crops by the use of movable fences.
When the crop is eaten sufficiently |
close the fence is moved to a new /
area, and the vacated lot allowed to |
grow up for second feeding, or the
land plowed and planted to a new
crop.
AS almost no ground was available
Tor pasturage near the poultry yards,
preparations were made early in the
spring for growing some fodder crops
as green food for the goslins. Oats, both
Win and without Canada peas, were
sown as early as possible, at the rate
or about four bushels of oats and one
OF peas per acre, so as to get thick
stand. When the grain was three or
four inches high the goslings were
hurdled upon it, using at first wire
netting one foot high, held in place by
iron rods to confine them. Water and
sharp sand, thoroughly wet, were kept
constantly by them, and they were fed
soaked cracked corn, at intervals of
two hours, when quite small, and less
frequently as they grew older. The
oats were always before the peas, and
unless the crop was fed very closely
the peas would remain untouched
When the oats are young the goslings
should be changed from place to place {
frequently, so that the roots of the c
oats will not be killed by too close i
feeding. A succession of oats can be +
had by making several sowings at in i
-ervals of week. Green oats are ca d
yerly eaten by large goslings or old 4
geese, as long as the stems have not n
.urned yellow and grown fibrous and a
ough
The first green food in the spring II
AN be supplied by fall sown rye, but a
srass seems to be preferred by Cos T;
ings if obtainable. Sown after rye p
'egins to joint or send up seed stalks, tt
becomes hard and tough, and is not a
eIshed. Cabbage, turnips and sweet C;
orn are excellent soiling crops for 1t
eese. Sweet corn, sufficiently ad- dt
anced to be in the roasting ear stage. IL
I'LL be almost or quite devoured when B
ed at night to geese in pens. Only al
mall pieces of the largest and hard
st butts will remain uneaten. Hun
arian grass or millet was tried. but
did not appear to be relished at any pc
age of its growth. The very salts si
lctory plants used were sorghum and W
ssex rape. e. 70
The young goslings eagerly ate the vi
ayes of the Dwarf Essex rape and ce
ade excellent growth when hurdled m,
pom it. AS soon as the gos- co
lgs are removed to another place the to
pc plants begin Immediately to grow us
new supply of leaves, and thus the ha
op can be repeatedly grazed, if the
riding is properly done.
A wire fence two feet high, held in 20
ace by double pointed iron rods, ne
ade in the shape of the letter b. with ful
e top portion much higher, is used use
r combining the goslings The two ine
ints of the rod are about ten inches old
ig, and are thrust into the ground, the
2 point of the tall portion being SOL
rust through the lower edge of the are
re fencing. while tire upper edge is the
Id by notch in the top of the rod. hal
course, different lengths of rods ly
st be used for different widths of Civ
cling firm
,abbages make excellent food for MAJ
se, and are especially adapted for ate
tier use, particularly during the pills