The Republican journal., 1911-03-16

possess all the qualities the customers
demand. They should be neither too fat
nor too lean.
Poultry Keeping in the Back Yard
was the subject Of another lecture by
Prof. ]. C. Graham. He spoke in part
as follows:
''Three classes of poultrymen in the
| cities include retired farmers, village
folks and fanciers. The farmers are
generally content with mongrels and
take little pride in their henhouses. They
keep few fowls to consume waste food
and to supply their table with eggs and
roast chicken. The second class take
pleasure in keeping handsome fowls and
good poultry yards. Fanciers are of two
kinds. Amateurs who have more enthu-
siasm than knowledge are generally fail
ures. A true fancier. however, succeeds
in spite of difficulties in raising prize
winners.
'There are many difficulties with back
yard poultry keeping. The limited area
is the greatest obstacle. Chickens crowd
ed cannot do well. The first generation
may flourish in cramped quarters if the
pen is moved frequently, but the second
and third generations will degenerate.
A few chickens do better than larger
flock. The ground is soon poisoned by
the poultry. To avoid these difficulties
there should be separate yards for rota-
ton. The henyard should be spaded up
and planted. Good vegetables will be
grown and they will prepare the soil for
the use of poultry again.
''The buildings required for poultry in
the city cost more than those in the
country. Saked lime should be freely
used. The manure must be carefully
preserved. Most serious trouble is caused
by cats, which seem to prefer chickens
Matched from eggs costing $40 dozen.
''More labor is necessary on the city
lot. Four or five square feet should be
allowed for each fowl if eggs and profit
are desired. Green feed may be provi-
ded by saving the grass cut from the
lawn and roots from the garden. A
good plan is to sow oats beneath wire
netting so that the chickens can eat the
tops without scratching up the roots.
High prices for eggs help the city
poultryman. The waste from the tables
is utilized. The industry is side issue
and its profits are added to the regular
income of the family. 1t affords also
amusement and healthful exercise to the
business man. Invalids untitled for hard
work and boys and girls find chicken
keeping profitable.
Prof. J. A. Foord, head of the division
Of agriculture, lectured on ''Keeping
Poultry Accounts. An abstract of his
address follows:
Improved production has not benefit
ed the poultryman as it should because
there has been a lack in business man.
agement. He has failed in buying and
selling and especially in counting the
cost of production. An accurate knowl-
edge Of the real conditions of ones bust
ness is of great Importance. To meet
competition, avoid losses and realize
profits, sources of income and cost of
production must be carefully studied.
For this, accounting is essential.
Accurate book accounts settle dis
putes between buyers and sellers and
make it possible for the poultry farmer
to know his own business and thereby to
eliminate or correct Improbable parts of
his enterprise and furnish history of
his undertakings which will be safe
guide for future plans and achievements.
This is especially useful to the man
working from year to year to produce
improved breeds Of fowls.
provision for expansion should be
made. But the great essential is to
guard against mistakes. An inventory
at the beginning and close of the year
with record of expenses are indispensa-
ble.''