Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-11-17
KEEPING NESTS IN GOOD coNDI-
TON.

The writer Is somewhat cranky on the
subject Of nests in the poultry houses and
especially during the winter for expert
ence has shown that they are good breed
ing places for vermin; indeed, sixty per
cent. of the lice in the poultry house can
be traced to the nests, about thirty per
cent. to the roosts with the other ten per
cent. distributed throughout the house.
Not only should the nests be thoroughly
cleaned at least once a week but care
should be taken in placing them In the
house. If possible they should be placed
in dark sides of the house n If this can
not be done then arranged SO that the hen
can enter from the back or side and thus
have It as lark as possible. The laying
hens will feel more secluded, other hens
will not be tempted by seeing eggs in the
nest and there will be no d%raughts of cold
air from doors and windows to disturb the
laying hen. We should give more thought
to the process of egg laying and cater to
the Instinct OF the bird TO whom mother
hood is at the bottom of the eggs she pro-
duces and instinct teaches her to find q
dark corner for the purpose. She is not
yet so far from the wild state that She has
lost this instinct and we will be the gain
ers if We humor her as much as possible.
BUYING CHEAP TREES.
There is an almost universal complaint
among fruit growers that the trees OBJ
tanned from nurseries nowadays do not
possess the vitality nor bear the quality Of
fruit that did trees years ago. This is un-
doubtedly due to the fact that the demand
for trees at low prices has induced nur-
serymen to obtain their scions for propa-
eating purposes from trees in the nursery
rather than from selected bearing trees.
In other words, the individual merit of the
tree from which TO perpetuate is no longer
considered. We appreciate the value of
proper breeding with our stock but can
see only the cost of the tree when it comes
TO that part of the investment. 1t is ex-
pensiVe for nurseryment to obtain proper
material for first class trees and such
trees cannot be sold for a few cents each.
Fortunately there is likely to be a decided
change in this condition for some of the
larger nurseries are preparing 10 offer
trees at different prices, strictly in accord
arce with tine excellence OF the tree in all
ways. As these men arc reputable there
will be no doubt about honest dealings.
Twenty years ago, when our first orchard
was set. we paid % cents each for apple
trees in hundred lots. Last year We
bought better looking trees foT eight cents
each but we do not believe they will bear
fruit TO compare with that given by the
trees OF the old orchard for many years
bacn. Don't forget there is such a thing
as false economy.
SELECT 5EED CORN NOW.
Undoubtedly the corn 10 be used for seed
which Is allowed 10 mature on the standing
plant is much TO be preferred but X the
corn is harvested when this Is read then
the next best thing is 10 make tho selection
for seed before the crop Is placed in the
crib or in bins. Every corn grower knows
Just what he requires In seed corn and
should select ears which will give him re-
SUITS accordingly. After selecting the de-
sired ears protect thern properly during
tie winter. There liz no better way OF
dOing this than the old fashioned one OF
iying the cars 10 the raftcrs Of the house
ii the diy attic. Any suitable place will do
i II n4ltst be comparatively cool and
h slglls dry and ;he corn must be
as so a. [ NrIp.ip cannot ger ut IL: for
... ..soa js ought never - be put In