The progressive farmer and the cotton plant., 1905-08-29

heen received to gladden. these old
oves. so | will have to plod along in
the same old rut, and do the best [
can TO instruct and amuse the read
ors of this column interested in poul-
trv; that some find amusement iii
This column there is no doubt, for
whoever had hobby, and rode it.,
that did not cause a smile, ON the
other fellows face. who was not rid
inc that particular hobby and hear
him exclaim, "Crank?" But thank
goodness the number of chicken
cranks are increasing very rapidly,
and it is only a question of time
when they will outnumber all other
cranks two to one; and the beauty of
it all is. that we chicken cranks are
not selfish, and are about equally di
yided between men and women, God
bless them. What other cranks can
make such a showing? Now will you
be good and not smile at what we
chicken lovers have to say! Now for
business. 1t requires considerable
urging to induce one possessing a
large number of beautiful pullets to
sacrifice them, but it will not pay to
keep pullets of the large breeds to
lay during winter unless such pullets
can mature before cold weather
comes. If a pullet begins to lay be-
fore winter comes, she will continue
to lay until spring, then take a rest
and soon begin again. But if the
winter sets in before she starts at
laying she will probably not lay be-
fore spring. There are exceptions to
the claims made here, but as a rule.
experience will confirm the fact that
pullet must have time in which to
grow, and mature, and that it is ex-
pensive to feed focks in winter in the
hope of an abundant supply of eggs
when the ages and conditions of the
individuals render profit an impossi-
bity.
Poultry manure accumulates rap
idly, but it can be so treated as not
only to be of greater value, but also
to lessen the disagreeable odor to a
certain extent. The roosts should be
SO arranged that the droppings will
tall on a platform. Keep the plat
form covered half an inch thick with
Well-sifted, fine, dry dirt or ashes. To
DO this, first scatter the dirt or ashes
and then over this sprinkle handful
OF kainit which will arrest the escape
OF ammonia and prevent too rapid
decomposition. Two or three times
a week (daily is better if you can
md tlme) sweep the platform with a
broom. After it is clean, sprinkle the
platform and room with a solution of
tablespoonful of carbolic acid in a
gallon of water. and then scatter the
ury dirt on the platform.
Have you provided a good dust
"a Gath for your fowls this hot weather?
| not take the spade some morning
"nlle you are resting yourself, wait
ing for fodder pulling or cotton pick
ing and spade up and pulverize
space OF ground about three or four
1ee' square and see how the chickens
IInJOy 1t. If the hens can dust free
Ihey Will assist themselves in get
5illg rld of lice. and the use of clean
o ury Glrt is cheap enough for all; the
spauihg should be done after every
Ian 5aIh' :. Boxes filled with road dust or
uIy dlrt, can be put in the hen-house
t; fuo OF the weather if you are too
u- as the picnic season is now in ''full
i,oS'' iaoS'' and nice fat fried chicken is
tIo IoNed Tor in every basket taken to |
'neSe social GATHERINGS rerbsns q