Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1899-04-20
Cost of High Bred Poultry.

Cost of High Bred Poultry.
Convinced that lie should follow the
advice Of those who knew how to i'm
prove the flock OF fowls. the farmer is
naturally anxious TO know what the
cost Of new blood will be- II the
flock is the ordinary farm stock,
mainly mongrels, and the grade is to
be raised chiefly from egg production,
new blood Of dollar head will be
good enough. II the stock already
on hand is Of one breed and Of fairly
good quality. aud the new blood is
desired to add TO the size OF eggs or
to increase egg production or size of
coming. chicks, then stock ut four or
even five dollars a head is none too
good. Il fancy fowls ere wanted, bred
to the standard, then he must expect
to pay anywhere from ten dollars uo
per bird. But where you can get
stock WHICH will add to the value Of
that you already have. If increased
egg production is wanted, buy from
breeders who are willing to guarantee
that their stock is all they claim for it
in the matter Of egg production. II
weight and markings are desired, buy
from those making a speciality of these
points. Last, but by no means least,
not be fooled by the claim that north
ern bred stock IS necessary to add
value to southern f1ocks, or vice versa.
1t is agreed that certain seeds north
ern grown are best for southern plant
ing, but the claim will not hold good
water with poultry Buy where you
can get the best value for your money
and the nearer ho,na tho better, other
.-.-os ueIng equal l.-Atlan,a o... 14'''.
Lime as a Fertilizer.
Those who believe that lime is
necessary as u fertilizer, and their
opinions are not based upon actual
tests Of the soil, they would do we'll to
test it, Stir up four or five teaspoon
fuls of the soil with enough water to
make thick paste. Allow it to stand
fifteen minutes. Then part the soil
with knife blade and insert one end
of strip of distinctly blue litmus
paper Ito be had at any apothecary
store), pressing the soil about the pa
per. After five minutes remove the
paper carefully in order not to tear it
and rinse quickly with water. If the
blue color has disappeared and red
one taken its place, the need of lime
isprobable. The fingers shouldnever
| be touched to the end of tie paper to
be inserted in the soil, for they alone
| will redden it intensely.
It would also be we'll TO test as fol
lows: Take two glasses, place three
| teaspoonfuls Of soil IN each and ado
water till half full: to one glass ado
two teaspoonfuls Of ammonia wafer,
to be obtained Of any druggist
STIR both thoroughly aud again fv'
minutes later Allow them to eetth
and if the one to which ammonia wa
| added gives black inky looking
LIQUID, and the other settles out nearl,
clear, further evidence Of the need O
lime is given.
The first test should be relied upol
if but one is used, but il the secon'
agrees with the first, the case Is f.
much the more certain. Where lin
and many Of the young plants die
On light sandy soil from 1000 t
1000 pounds OF airs lax ed lime may b
applied on the furrows and narrowed
in, preferably IN the autumn. o.
heavier soil from one 70 two tons pc
acre may be used in this manner O
heavy and moist soils, there is les
danger from spring applications tha
on light ones. II air-slaked limo
not to be had, ordinary builders lin
will answer only the quantity may b
! reduced IN that case 10 about twc
thirds the amount. Place the lump
in piles of forty to fifty pounds eac
and cover with moist soil Ia a fe
: days it will be sufficiently slaked s
that it can be spread with a shove
Harrow or cultivate in the lirae at one
II there ere any Jumps, repeat the ha
rowing or cultivating after two Or thre
days, when they will have slaked
that the lime can be mixed with II
eo.l. II the land Is very dry. spriuk
each pile with about half a pail
water before covering it with So.
Twice as much Of wood ashes as Q; a;
slaked lime, will also answer
Potatoes planted Oh lined lar
, should he treated with corrosive su
+. Innate solution or fornaIin 70 preve
"scab' Wa,ermelons should. If pc
elb!e. Se planted on unliLei lard.
where the li1e has been applied I.
/; or three years pres slr-- m eric
ARricultCrist.