The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-05
Notes for the Farm.

Notwithstanding that the old speckled
hen is looked upon by the average South
ern farmer as an insignificant factor,
she is nevertheless one of the most i'm
portant and valuable products of Ameri-
can agriculture. Southern farmers as a
rule have never yet learned the art aof
turning their attention to the develop
ment of the smaller and apparently in
significant resources of their farms; they
have not, therefore, fully learned the
meaning and value of thrift. The farm
ers of the South, being the owners of such
large landed estates, and there being so
much more land than can be closely cul-
tivated in small farms by reason of the
absence of population comparatively that
they have always wanted things in a big
way, so much so that the diversified re-
sources of the country have largely re-
manned in an undeveloped state.
We have gone on from year to year
planting a large acreage in field crops,
trying to make both ends meet on large
SCALE and the man who undertook to
look after smaller things about the farm,
was not regarded in the light of first
class farmer. But change in the method
of Southern agriculture as it was con-
Quoted in the past is gradually taking
place. The extensive production of cotton
is not profitable to the producer 1t
makes no difference whether the demand
exceeds the supply or not, the spinners
and their allies manage to keep the prices
of that great money staple down to the
cost of production. Poultry is an inter-
esting business to any one who will give
it attention. The business becomes not
only a pleasure, but is profitable. COM
bining two most desirable propositions.
The product from one hen in two weeks
will sell for more money than three
pounds of cotton. A good hen will lay
two dozen eggs in two weeks, which will
sell for 25 cents. 1t requires ten months
hard labor to produce the three pounds
of cotton. Ninety per cent of the value
of the eggs is profit, while there is but
little or no profit in the cotton. Poultry
men estimate that every hen on the farm
will yield profit of from S100 to $3.50
per. head annually, which is from 400 to
900 per cent. on the investment. There is
a continuous demand 70 chickens and
eggs the year round at good prices in all
local markets, and for the past twelve
months the demand has far exceeded the
".
are largely depended upon to supply our
a continuous demand for chickens and
eggs required for consumption. The
money which shoulu stay at home and
go into the pockets of Southern farmers
for these necessary food products is daily
sent abroad. This one feature represents
heavy drain upon the wealth of our
country.
AN EASY BUSINESS.
The business of raising fowls for profit |
is not a hard one, neither is it compli- |
Gated Ordinarily where chickens have |
the run of the premises they require but |
little attention. OF course it is bust |
ness of minor details, and that very fact |
makes it Objectionable to the average |
farmer. Good houses are essential, they |
have TO be properly located and kept |
clean. Nice nests have to be put in |
every two or three months, and during |
the breeding sea1on the old hens and lit |
tie chicks must have care and attention. |
But these minor details are essential in |
all lines of business. They may be over
looked to a certain extent in field crops, |
but the penalty will be exacted sooner or |
later.
Another important feature of the poul- (
try business in the rural districts is that J
large numbers of the rural poplaton live I
more or less isolated, and oftentimes find |
il convenient, if not altogether imposs-
Bile, to procure fresh meat daily for the !,
table.
OF all live stock, poultry furnishes the |
most convenient and economical means of |
supplying an excellent quantity of food in \
suitable quantities. especially is this i!
true during the hot months of summer, !
when fresh meat will keep but a limited |
period of time with such facilities usually |
at the farmers command. In addition |
to supplying the table, poultry will fur |
nsh a weekly money income the year |
round. These are matters which should |
receive more than ordinary attention.
SPLENDID POULTRY COUNTRY.
Nowhere in the Uniter States is the |
climate and conditions for the production |
of chickens and eggs superior to those in
the South. With little care, and ener-
ees rightly directed, every dozen eggs
and pound of poultry required for home
and city consumption should come from
our own farms. Poultry will thrive on
the refuse of the farm and scratch for an
independent living if given the chance.