The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-12-02


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 or
turning their attention 10 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 q big
way, 50 much 50 that the diversified re-
sources Of the country have largely re-
mained 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 a large
| scale, and the man who undertook to
| look after smaller things about the farm,
was not regarded in the light OF a first
class farmer But a 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. Ii
makes no difference whether the demand
| exceeds the supply not, the spinncrs
and their allies manage to keep the prices
of that great money staple down to the
F! cost of production. Poultry is an inter
| esting business to any who Will giyc
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. good hen will lay
two dozen eggs in two weeks, which Will
sell for % 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. whilc there is but
little or profit in the cotton. Poultry
men estimate that every hen on he farm
will yield profit of from $1.00 to 81 30
per head annually, Which is from 400 to
500 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 tho demand has far exceeded tho
supply. The northern and western states
are largely depended upon to supply our
n continuous demand for chickens and
eggs required for consumption. Tho
money which should stay at homo aud
go into the pockets of Southern farmers
for these necessary food products is daily
scnt abroad. This one feature represents
q heavy drain upon the wealth Of our
country.
AN EASY BUSINESS.
The business of raising fowls for profit
is not 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 d busi-
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 IL
every two or three months, and during
the breeding season the old hens and lit
tic chicks must have care and attention.
But these minor details are essential in
all lines of business. They may be over
looked to certain extent in field crops,
but the penalty will be exactcd sooner or
later.
Another important feature OF tho poul-
try business in tho rural districts is that
large numbers Of the rural poplation live
more less isolated. and oftentimes find
it convenient if not altogether impOssi-
BILE, to procure fresh meat daily for thc
table.
OF all live stock, poultry furnishes The
Supplying an excellent quantity Of food in
suitable quantities. especially is this
true during the hot months of summer
when fresh meat viii keep but a limited
period Of time with such facilities usually
at the farmers command. In addition
to supplying the table. poultry will fur
nish a weekly money income the year
round These are matters which should
receive moro 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-
eies rightly directed every dozen eggs
and pound Of poultry required for home
and city consumption should come from
our own farms. Poultry viii thrive or
the refuse Of the farm and scratch for a.
Independent living, il given the chance
They are great dcstroyers Of obnoxiou.
weeds, worms and bugs An old hen and
brood OF chickens Will soon pay for them
selves through The good thy DO in pick
ing UP thousands OF weed seed, bugs, etc
SO that We have three highly important
reasons for cmbarkng more extensively
in the production Of poultry.
Our climate is so mild that there i.
; no necessity for erecting expensive build
5 ngs as is required IN the North But the
; buildings should be located on an elevet t.
Cd piece Of dry ground Well constructed
3 , and have a good roof 1t is better for {
hen to roost III q tree. than to be in Z
poorly constructed house, through which
the wind can whistle and damp drafts
t penetrate Such buildings cause the fowls
to contract roup, one OF the most deadly
conta gious diseases by which poultry arc
s afflicted. The premises must be kcp
g clean or else cholera vii! invade the
a flock. Ny poultry have never been af-
Elected with cholera or roup, but l am in