Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-24

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 ii compile
Gated. Ordinarily where chickens have
the run Of the premises they require but
little attention. OF course il is a business
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 season 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 10 a certain extent in field crops,
but the penalty viii be exacted sooner or
later.
Another important feature of the poul-
try inductry in the rural districts is that
large numbers OF the rural population live
more or less isolated. and oftentimes find
II fhconvenient. II not altogether impossi-
bic. 10 procure fresh meat daily for the
table.
OF all live stock. poultry furnishes the
most convenient and economical means Of
supplying an excellent quality of food in
suitable quantities. Especially Is this
when fresh meat viii keep but a limited
period Of time with such facilities usu-
ally at the farmers command. In addi-
ton to supplying the table, poultry will
furnish a weekly money income the year
round. These are matters which should
receive more than ordinary attention.
Splendid Poultry Country.
No where in the United States is the
climate and conditions for the production
OF chickens and eggs superior TO those
in the south. With a little care. and en-
ergies 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. IL given the chance.
They are great desroyers of obnoxious
weed seeds, worms and bugs. An old hen
and a brood of chickens will soon pay
for themselves through the good they
do in picking up thousands OF weed seed,
bugs. etc. So that we have three highly
important reasons for embarking more ex-
tensiveiy in the production of poultry.
Our climate is so mild, that there is no
necessity for erecting expensive build
ings as Is required in the north. But the
buildings should be located on an elevated
piece OF dry ground, well constructed and
have a good roof. 1t is better for a hen
TO roost in a tree, than to be in a poorly
constructed house, through which the
wind can whistle and damp drafts pene-
trate. Such buildings cause the fowls TO
contract roup. one OF the most deadly
contagious diseases by which poultry are
AFFLICTED. The premises must be kept
clean or else cholera will invade the flock.
Ny poultry have never been affected with
cholera or roup, but / am informed by
reliable poultry man that a specific for
cholera, Is a small piece Of gum camphor
about the size Of a pea given to the
sick fowls every other day until they
are cured. Sick fowls should be imme-
diately separated from the flock. else con-
tagion will develop rapidly. Cleanliness
will prevent disease among poultry, es-
pecially II good houses are built for
them TO nest and roost in. The Plymouth
Rock IS the best allround fowl for the
farm. where eggs and chickens both are
wanted. For egg production alone, there
is no better hen than the small, active
brown Leghorn-
The common mixed breeds are far bet
ter than none. but in all cases a pure
cock should be used to grade up the
flock. Money, time and painstaking care
win secure larger profits and make the
business pleasure.
HARvIE JORDAN.