The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-12-15
Children CRY
FOR FLETcHER'S
CA 3 T ORIA
Prepare For Winter Eggs.
The Flock Must Not Be Neglected in the
Fall, Either in Feed or Care.

Re. C. Dow of Belfast in the New York
Tribune Farmer. -"
1t is almost beyond belief that there
are so many men yet who seem to think
it is not necessary to make any special
preparation for winter eggs until about
the time the eggs are wanted. Accord
ing to their ideas it is plenty of time to
begin feeding for eggs when the pullets
get old enough to lay. These men allow
the chicks to range the fields until we'll
up to Thanksgiving time and pick up
what they can. With what they can get
on their foraging trips and a light feed
of corn or oats they are expected to grow
and develop.
They do, after fashion-they grow
old and thin and develop an appetite that
will have to be satisfied before they will
be in condition to even think about lay
ing. When pullets are treated in this
manner it takes from six to eight weeks
to overcome the effects of the neglect
from which they have suffered, and the
owner loses money from the start.
There is only one sure way of getting
winter eggs, and that is to prepare for
them in advance of winter. This does
not mean that there is only one correct
method of housing or feeding, for there
are several such methods, each of which
gives good results. But it does mean
that the pullets must have some kind of
comfortable housing and an abundance
of some kind of good food that will pro-
mote growth, create reasonable
amount of fat and develop eggs. 1t
takes more than frozen grass and the
gleanings from some grain field to do all
that; yet all that has got to be done be-
fore the eggs will be forthcoming in
profitable quantities.
Among the many things that are likely
to be neglected at this season of the
year there is one of vital Importance
that is neglected most of all. Some will
| provide everything else but this, and
then wonder why the pullets do not lay.
They get them into winter quarters in
good season, feed and care for them
well, with the exception of supplying
green food
Last November this remarkYwas made
to me: ''Of course, you don't feed the
hens any cabbage at this time Of the
year" That illustrates the idea held by
| many that hens do not need green food
supplied them as long as the ground re-
mains bare But ''of course l was
! feeding it in November, and had been
using it every day since October LIST, and
began this season to feed cabbage from
the field to my $50 hens and pullets the
| first day of October.
Experience has convinced me that it
pays to begin feeding the winter ration
of green food as soon as the frost Injuries
| or checks the growth of the grass.
Frosted grass does the hens little good,
indeed, it is likely to do them harm il
eaten too freely. Cabbage is relished in
October and November as well as, OF
better than, in winter.
1t is great appetizer and fills want
that needs to be filled if the pullets are
to develop in season for laying Thanks
giving eggs. Just what place it fills ir
the hens life is difficult to say, but {
good supply of green food that is relish
ed seems to bring the autumn conditions
in close resemblance to those of early
summer. It certainly helps the year
ling hens through the moulting season
and aids them in growing new coat O.
glossy feathers in very short time.
am fully convinced that the same hel
will moult and grow her new suit an,
get to work again in earnest in half tn,
time when plentifully supplied with cab
bage or it's equivalent that she will nee,
if such food is wholly withheld. Som
hens will continue to lay a few egg
through the moulting period when wei
fed as have>indicated. The early sup
ply of green food is important. It aid
growth, it develops flesh, it helps max
feathers, it satisfies craving of the ap
petite and it gives eggs when they ar
scarce and high. Begin the green foo
ration in the fall