The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-08-28

OoSG DreederS seldom take eggs older
than eight days for raising the best
quality. Care is taken that the eggs
given to one hen should be of the
same age. The eggs when collected
arc kept at a very even and medium
temperature until given to the hen,
and are turned daily. This measure
is taken, am informed, to prevent
the yOlk, which is lighter than the
white of the egg, from adhering to
the top of the shell. The eggs chosen
for the purpose above mentioned are
also of an average size, those above
medium being rejected, as they often
contain double yolks. Eggs received
from a distance, and consequently
exposed to more or less shaking, are
allowed to stand day or two before
being put under the hen. Great
care is also taken that the eggs
should be perfectly clean.
The nest is prepared of straw or
cut hay, perfectly clean, dry; and
odorless. AS rule, the sitting hens
are located in corners where the
greatest quiet is obtainable, and are
not exposed to great light. When so
located they are not disturbed for
any other purpose than the placing
before them of their daily supply of
food and water. AS the hen leaves
her nest at least once a day to search
for food, to take exercise, ETC., care
is taken to put her food and water
within reach of the nest, in order
that the time that she is off the eggs
may be materially shortened.
RAISING AND FEEDING.
When the young bird is Matched,
it retains in it's body part of the yolk
of the egg from which it was pro-
duced, which suffices to nourish it
for the first twenty-four hours, dur
ing which period only warmth is re-
quired, which is furnished either by
the mother hen or must be afforded
by warm cloth, in case of the neces-
sity OF awaiting the Matching of the
rest of the brood.
The food first given can he varied,
but must be made up of ingredients
containing large quantities Of nitro
gen, as this is required for the for
nation of the tissues. It is neces-
sary, in fact, that the food should be
composed of matter resembling in
character an egg, together with
milk. 1t is customary to mix with
the food eggs, milk, and the blood of
earthworms, field worms, and that
of a cOmmoner variety of fish also
to introduce, for the formation of
bone, certain quantities OF phosphate
of lime found in grain and -four. In
the early days, flour should be given,
on account of the facility of its
digestion, grain being substituted
therefor as the birds begin to gather
strength. Wheat flour is generally
used. The grain given is wheat,
rice, mi1let, buckwheat, and corn,
raw or cooked. Cooked potatoes are
also often given, as a change of diet.
It is customary to vary the grain
diet as much as possible and to fire.
quently administer it mixed. The
food ordinarily employed is made UP
as follows: Hard boiled eggs and
wheat flour are mixed in milk, a lit
tie water being added. To this paste
is added a small onion finely cut up,
! together with lettuce when green
food is scarce. The mixture is ordi,
narily quite stiff, as too moist food
is considered harmful for the young
brood.
After the first few days, a small
quantity of whole grain is mixed into
the paste; but if rapid development
is desired, the simple paste should
be continued alone.
Great care is taken to keep the
Young brood in dry, warm locality,
which precaution, together with the
proper food, prevents Inflammation
of the intestines and like troubles
AS a rule, the birds are confined on
wet days and allowed to run about
as much as possible only in fine
sunny weather. In winter a more
generous diet is given to enable them
to withstand the cold. The daily
ration of grain for the fowls is from
21a to 3 ounces. B.
Washington, D. g.
The difficult part of good temper