Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-09-02

/ ent point in which they could roost or go
in case of rain. One-half the grain allow
ance of the other lot was given them, no
meat was furnished, but they had water
and other treatment as with the first lot.
] August 10th, two months later, showed the
birds on the range quite one-third larger
and, in total bulk. nearly one-half heavier
tina nthe chicks raised in partial confine-
ment. All OF the pullets seemed eminently
suited to be used for winter layers, while
only about 60 per cent. of the lot in par
tiai confinement seem suited to the pur-
pose. This test has determined the value
of the colony house and the range so far
as the writer is concerned, and another
year all OF our chicks will be raised on
this plan.
Corn for Poultry in Summer.
Writers on poultry raising have given
, beginners the impression that to feed corn
TO the fowls, and particularly to layers,
| during tho summer is unwise. We think
| this far from the truth, for while II Is
admitted that the corn ration ought to
be materially reduced during the summer,
TO cut 1t out entirely Is to take from the
hen one of her natural foods. il eggs are
raised for sale during the summer the
corn is necessary TO obtain that golden
yoIk so much, desired; without corn the
yolk win be quite light in color, and this
Il far from desirable. ~One-quarter the
winter ration of corn may be safely fed
during the summer, even with birds on the
range, where they secure considerable in
the way of seeds. With fowls confined
the corn ration should be somewhat less,
but the amount may be considerable and
fed up to the point where the fowls appear
to be getting overfat.
Utilizing Old Orchards.
There are many farms in the country
we'll suited to sheep raising which are not
used for that purpose because their own-
ers raise other crops which are profitable.
During a recent trip the writer passed
through a section where sheep were being
raised in old orchards, and he promptly
left the train to investigate. 1t was found
that orchards in this section had been
planted about the same time and while
they were still bearing good fruit, they
were fast nearing an age when they would
be no logger profitable. New orchards had
been set, but instead Of abandoning the
old richards the ground had been seeded
down and turned into fine pastures Tor
sheep which were doing finely. Not only
this, but IL was found that the orchards
had taken on new life and were making
a profit for their owners. There is a point
in this worth any ones attention under
similar conditions. In some sections sheep
raisers make q business Of seeding down
and pasturing their orchards and while
there may be some question as to the wis
dom OF this plan with a comparatively
young and thrifty orchard, there can be
no doubt as to its value in cases like that
indicated.
Thoroughbred Fowls for Farmers.
No sensible person Of experience in poul.
try raising would advise the farmer who
wishes to raise poultry for eggs or for
the carcass market to make his start by
buying birds bred for the show room. On
the other hand there ere distinct advan-
tages IN starting the business with well
bred birds, those with a record for egg
production and whose bodies are some
where near the standard. Such birds are
always better layers than the mongrels.
assuming that both are properly fed and
cared for. the eggs are larger. they hatch
better and the progeny in turn make good
birds provided the mating is properly
done. The eggs are more uniform in size
and color and are always in demand. If IL
Is not possible TO buy good stock then by
all means buy eggs Of high quality and
raise the chicks, getting the start in that
way. Three dollars a setting for eggs viii
| give one a better start than at 81 for thir-
teen.
Profit in Hand Separators.
Hand separators average about 500
each, but this cost can be saved in a year
in any dairy where ten or more cows are
kept; this has been demonstrated time and
again so there is no doubt about II. Man
] ufacturers of separators claim that the
saving IL about SO a cow per year n IS
based ON the fact that the cream is taken
from the milk while 1t is sweet, hence
there is no danger of its becoming sour.
and because Of this almost perfect condi-
ton the cream ripens more evenly and
therefore makes a better quality OF butt
ter. Again as The separating Is lone soon
after milking the value Of the skim milk
for feeding purposes is greater, as Il is
usually given to young stock while II still
retains the animal warmth. There is ev-
erything til favor OF the hand separator
and nothing against it so that any man
with a dairy of proper size who does not
have a separator is cheating himself out
Of just so much good profit.
Bacteria for Growing Leaumes.
Those who have succeeded with crimson
clover. cow peas, alfalfa and soy beans
know that to obtain the best results the
soil must have been inoculated with the
bacteria peculiar to the species Of plant.
The same state OF affairs obtains III grow
ing the common field pea. This can be
grown on many farms whore Il might be
more or less difficult to get a stand OF
crimson clover and yet 1t might be quito
as valuable to the soil as crimson clover.
The field pea IL grown I'm nearly every Sec
ton OF the north so X viii be cornparaiivc-
ly easy toIoDtain SOL to inoculate ones
own land. 1t Is well worth rying and giv-
ing careful attention.
Tie for Horses and Cows.
when a headstall is not used tho fol-
lowing plan OF tying an animal BY pass
ing the rope o IT'S neck will be found