Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1905-10-12
CHOOSING THE HEAD OF THE
Fl NHk

While 1t may seem to be a little early to
discuss the bird that is to head the flock
during another season, the farmer poul-
tryman must rely on his eggs for breed
Ing purposes from the birds who produce
the market eggs and whether the male is
kept with he hens during the winter or
not Ut IS better not) he should be selected
early SO that he may be trained in the way
he should go. Here are q few OF the faults
which should be sought for in selecting a
male for the pen for breeding stock. Dis
card a male with a pale face and comb or
II he shows any weakness OF legs or is
run down. He should ave no deformities
OF any kind and no disease. He should
be q rervy bird. ready and able to fight
for h.s family. If he shows any weakness
In this respect such weakness will be re-
produced in the progeny. His gait should
be proud and steady, he should be broad
OF back and there should be no nostril
discharges. If a bird Is selected with these
points in view, not all the good or the bad
points by any means, but most Of the es-
sential ones, the eggs VIII be we'll fertil-
lied and the chicks will be strong and
healthy. Once a good male is secured he
must be we'll fed whether by himself or
running with the hens. and care must be
taken, in the latter case, to see that he
has enough even II it is necessary to take
him away by himself, for feeding when
running with the hens. Old breeders say
that the male is one-half the value OF the
pen and this being the case he requires
tn best of attention.
POOR LUTHER BURBANK.
Newspaper and magazine readers are
familiar with the wonderful work per-
formed in naturalization by Mr.. Luther
Burbank of California to whom we are
indebted for the introduction of japanese
plums. Mr.. Burbank has also been won
derfully successful in improving flower
ing plants, but he has not done some Of
the wondful things credited to him by mis-
Informed magazine writer's. He has not
crossed the potato and the tomato nor the
pumpkin and the apple tree nor any other
of the ridiculous things ascribed to HIM.
Certain periodicals are laying great stress
on the results Of crossing the potato and
the tomato, which. it is claimed, Mr.. Bur-
bank has done. II he has done anything
in this direction 1t has probably been the
grating OF a tomato top to the stem Of
the potato, a thing which has been done
several times by much less skillful men
than Mr.. Burbank. This matter is men
toned here as an early caution to look
out for some Of the wonder () which are
likely to appear on the market later,
placed there by scamps who will make
free use of Mr.. Burbanks name Simply
because the public have been made more
or less familiar with some OF the things
he has actually done. but with more which
Il Is claimed he has DONE, but which, IN
truth. he nor any other man could ac-
complish. Mr.. Burbank. reputable eeeds-
men and nurserymen and the art Of hor-
ticulture itself are all injured by these
wild tales. Remember this caution a lit
tie later. If in doubt, write the editor of
this department for Information stating
by whom the wonderful things are being
offered and you'll be honestly and correct
ly advised.
GET TOGETHER THIS WINTER.
If fortunate enough to be near enough
TO get the benefit of farmers institutes or
OF the Grange. farmers will find II well
worth their while to become members. If
not so located why not start an institute
Of your own among the farmers of the
ne.gnborhood. Here is a plant. AS soon
as the fall work lets Up e bit take your
wife in the carriage and make a circuit Of
%neighbors for several miles around. Say
to each that you have called to talk over
a plan for meetings during the winter, at
the several homes. 10 discuss topics Of
mutual interest. Get those upon whom
you call to agree to come TO your home at
a certain date and agree upon details. BE
sure the wives are brought in each case.
At this first meeting talk over plans and
. lay out q program OF interesting .op!cs.
Start by having one emil who has
made a success in some particular branch
OF his work. agreeing to read q brief paper
On the subject. Then plan to rave The
bulk Of the time taken up by discussions
On this topic with . view to bringing CSt