Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-01-20

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hens. As a breed they fatten readily and
If they are permitted to attain the proper
frame when young they will readily fill
out when being prepared for market, and
AT not too great cost. Some objection has
been made to them as mothers because
of their weight, but in our experience we
have learned that when they are kept on
the ground with their young they are not
more likely to injure the young chicks
I'm lowering them than are other heavy
breeds. AS an all round general purpose
fowl. and particularly on the farm, Brah-
mas arc worth consideration.
GOOD BREEDS IN SWINE.
Too many farmers work or the plan
that a pig is a pig regardless of breed,
and as a result they continue line breed
ing until they nave little left in the pig
but the form. We have no quarrel with
the breeders who argue in favor of line
breeding along certain points; they may
be right, and doubtless are, but the farm
err who raises pigs for what he can get
out of them in their gross weight at mar
ket prices cares little about the scientific
breeding. 1t is admitted that ii would be
better if he cared more, but II he Will
take pains to make the necessary changes
in line at frequent intervals he need not
worry about the intricacies OF cross or
line breeding. Yet from his very indif-
ference TO these things may come his in
difference TO the most essential points
and mainly the one point of raising the
standard of his herd. We believe just
as thoroughly in grades with swine as
with any other farm stock. and know
from experience that with high grade
swine properly bred. given good pasture,
sunshine. pure air and water and a variety
of feed. we get better results by far than
with scrub stock. If one has a fair lot
of females ii would be a good investment
to raise the standard of the herd by OBJ
tanning the services of a grade boar.
Grade up the pigs as you would the cows
composing the dairy and you'll ind II
will pay in the long run.
DoDDER THE FOE OF ALFALFA.
Just as we get to growing some crop
which promises TO make farming a bus
mess that will turn in a little more than
a bare living, then we run against some
thing which forces us to renewed EFFORT
Complaints are many concerning the M
jury TO alfalfa by dodder. and as the in
PRODUCTION of this pest to our fields is due
largely 10 the seeds being mixed with
the alfalfa seeds here is a timely argu-
ment in favor of paying the highest price
for seed IN order to obtain the best. III
the alfalfa crop was a one season crop
the dodder would not be so formidable,
hat heing- q permanent crop it seems hard
to be obliged to fight It by the ruin OF
the alfalfa fields which cost so much In
time and labor. The plan of pasturing in
tested field with sheep works fairly we'll,
although there Is danger in the droppings
from these animals when transferred TO
other. fields, so that. after all, the only
way to rid the alfalfa field of dodder Is
10 put ii into a cultivated crop for two
or more seasons before sowing 1t to al
falfa again. A field hat has been In corn
would make a good plot for alfalfa II care
was taken to obtain the pure seed after
proper soil incubation.
KEEPING FOWLS BUSY.
one need only TO have had experience
along both lines 10 recognize the import
ance of keeping fowls employed during
the winter months when they are practi-
cally i'm confinement. BY this is not meant
stufnng them with food, but furnishing a
variety of e~mployments such as a sunny
corner In which to dust. a floor covered
with chaff in which has been scattered a
small quantity of grain, a fountain OF
fresh water and a few green vegetables
which they can peck over; then do not
forget the box of grit, for besides the
NceQS OF the lCWlS lOT MS thtS ~ VIM
away many hours and be less likely 10
get into such bad habits as feather pull
ing and egg eating. The busy hen Is the
contented hen. While there may be some
question about the advisability of feeding
hens frequently or keeping food constant
" before them there can be no doubt of
the value OF enough grain feeding during
the day and to keep them employed
scratching. Try the plan before recomr
mended of giving the fowls very warm
water during the cold days of winter as
well as the one OF feeding tbs whole corn
MT night after making 1t quite hot in the
oven. Both these things will help the
fowls go through the cold weather in
better shape, and as they cost but a little
time are worth doing.
WHAT is WRONG IN FARMING?
During the past two months have had
occasion TO inquire rather closely into the
arairs OF farmers. gardeners and fruit
growers located near large. cities and
towns, aud have been much surprised az
n was seen. The first thing which att
tracted attention was. a vegetable grower
nassing the farm where I was stopping
with several bales of hay In his wagon.
and this In a section where good hay IL
grown. Then. In a few days. l noticed
several tanners at the butchers buying
meat Of various kinds. mainly pork. One
man was iokingly asked II IT. were not
possible he was buying the very pix he