The Florida agriculturist., 1906-03-21

decidedly interesting. That 1,372 hens |
and bullets in good health fed three |
times a day with an abundance of
meat in the ration, did not lay an egg
for six days in succession, is simply
wonderful. 1t is twelve years since
L began keeping hens on this farm;
and the first winter we had only IL
hens, but they did not miss day all
winter, though three or four days we
got only one egg. In the whole IL
years there has never been a day when
we did not get an egg. l should be
surprised, indeed, to go around my
cOOps and not find an egg; it would be
almost incredible, and have less than
ODe-third as many fowls. Mr.. Mapes
says: "NOw, Brothers COsgrOve, Bill
dad, ZOphar and Eliphaz, what is the
matter?'' The three last named
gentlemen may understand just
what's the matter" but Brother Cos
grove freely admits that he doesn't
Some very singular things happen
in the poultry world. Here is one. An
experienced pOultryman, editor of one
of the best poultry magazines in the
country, relates in a recent number
that there was a certain pen in which
his hens would not lay. Removing
them to another coop, he put in the
hens from a pen that were laying re-
markably well. These at once began
to drop off and soon ceased laying.
Taking this second lot out, he put back
the first lot which were now laying
finely. and they stopped laying at
once. He could not see any possible
reason for it, but finally had to sub
NIT to the fact that they simply would
Inxr in, hnf NTr fn
said in The r. N. Y, that "a hen does
not have to lay if she doesn't want to-"
Most people go to work on the theory
that they can compel the hens to lay,
| and feel dreadfully put OUT when
they don't succeed. L have an idea
| that the personality of the attendant
has more influence than many would
think. The hens ought to feel content
ed and happy in his or her presence.
Doubtless that is why some women are
SO successful with poultry. Their gentle
! and kindly ways invite the confidence
of the birds. L have pullets that when
on the nest laying will begin to talk
to me as soon as L come in the coop,
and continue to talk as l approach
and pat them on the back and talk
to them, and L admit that their con-
versatiOn gives me more pleasure than
that of some humans l occasionally
hear. Not the least effort to get away,
not the ruffling of a feather, but an
evident pleasure in my company, man.
ifested by the contented tone of their
talk
L have boy living with me who is
born pOultryman; he knows nearly
every hen on the farm, can tell which
rooster is Growing by the sound, and
can catch any one L want with surpris
ing ease. A few days ago he caught
a young cOckerel L was going to kill
and have stuffed and roasted for next
days dinner. He was following me to
the chOpping block with the bird in his
hands and L saw him bend his head
down to press the bird against his
face and heard him say to it, Don't
cry, you will be an angel by and by"
Well, L was almost tempted to put the
bird back in the flock. Now, l am
afraid l haven't been of the least help
to Brother Mapes, but 1 want to say
that without doubt his article was
comforting to good many beginners
whose hens did not lay, and who, per-
haps, were getting discouraged. Now
they will see that the same thing hap
pens to the best poultrymen, and they
will be encouraged to keep on.