The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-09-15

over very carefully the conditions
which cause discomfort to the flock,
and to use every effort to overcome
these losses. When you see poultry
man begin to get lazy and neglect his
fowls, 1t is sign that the end of his
career is not far off. The poultryman
who expects winter eggs from imma-
ture or stunted pullets is going to be
badly disappointed. 1t requires good
good, good care and a steady growth
from shell to maturity to develop
winter layers. Never omit to keep
a record Of the poultry yard products.
A showing of what is done there is
sure to make converts to poultry
keeping. Do not make the mistake
of leaving the early Matched pullets
too long on the range, where they
work off much of the food that should
go to induce early laying.
They will mature quickly If con-
fined in moderate run and fed for
eggs. The genuine value of a flock
OF hens cannot be measured by a
few months egg yield. The total prod
uct of the future year, or even two
years, and the final condition of the
birds should be considered together.
Certain animals act peculiarly before
storms, or when they are clearing,
and to the observing assist in deter
mining what may be expected in the
way of weather. The croaking crows
in the morning is an indication of fine
weather. When ducks and geese fly
backward and forward, when they
plunge frequently into water, and send
forth cries and fly about. it shows rain
and storms are to be expected. If the
bees do not remove to a great dis
lance from their hives it announces
rain: and if they return to their hives
before the usual time it maybe con-
cluded the rain will soon fall.
If pigeons return slowly to the
pigeonhouse, it means the succeeding
days will be rainy. When bats remain
longer abroad than usual from their
holes, and fly about in great numbers.
perhaps to greater distance than
common, it announces that the follow
ing day will be warm and serene:
| but if they enter houses and send forth
loud. repeated cries, it indicates bad
weather.
If the owl screams in bad weather,
it is going to change to fine. 1t is a
sign of rain or wind when the SPAR
| rows chirp great deal and make a
noise to each other to assemble. When
fowls and chickens roll in the sand
more than usual, and also when the
cocks crow in the evening or at I'M
common hours, it means rain.
Peacocks which CRY in the night
have presentiment of rain. 1t is be-
lieved to be a sign of bad weather
when the swallows fly in such man
ner to brush the surface of the water,
and to touch it frequently with their
wings and breasts.
Fowls as Weather Prophets.
When flies sting more troublesome
than usual rain is coming. When
gnats, before sunset. from vortex in
the shape of column it indicates fine
weather. A sudden storm is coming
when sea fowl or other aquatic birds
retire to the seashOre or marshes. I,
cranes fly high in silence and arranged
in order it is sign of fine weather
but if they fly in disorder or return
at once with cries it announces Wind
When dolphins sport and leap fire.
quently. the sea being tranquil and
calm. it denotes that the wind will
blow from that quarter where they
proceed.
If frogs croak more than usual OF
toads issue from their holes in the
evening in great numbers, if eartl
worms come forth from the earth. anC
scorpions appear on the walks. if ants
remove their eggs from the small