The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1912-09-11
Hints for the Orchard
- = and Farm = =

0AAO C0I ia
s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-
Getting Ready for the Fall Show
Unless the chickens are very badly
soiled from dirty runs and lack Of
shade, 1t IL not necessary to wash
young stock for the early fairs; in
fact, the plumage rarely looks as well
after washing as before. Clean the
feet and head, see that the feathers
are not soiled by droppings and that
the bird looks clean and is gentle.
Few things are more annoying to a
judge than to have badly frightened
chickens in the show room. He can
neither do justice to them nor to
himself.
For old birds, parti-colored varie-
ties require cleansing of the feet and
legs, white birds must be washed un-
less they have Just finished moulting,
when they may be in show shape
without. II there are any worn or
broken feather, pull them.
To wash white birds, have suds
Of warm soft water, wash the legs
and feet, then immerse the bird, get
ting 1t wet to the skin. Wash
thoroughly, then rinse, having an as
sistant pour water over and through
the feathers. Float the outspread
wing ON the water, and spread out the
tail. Rinse in two waters II neces-
sary, and finally in water blued as for
clothes. With heavy towel mop up
all the moisture from the feathers
and dry the body. If a warm day,
put the birds in the sunshine. Take
them out occasionally while drying,
and, holding firmly by the legs, toss
them up to make them open and flap
the wings, thus drying them more
naturally. Loosen any feathers that
are inclined to mat together, and
when nearly dry. fan the feathers. II
the day is not warm, dry the birds
by the kitchen fire, keeping tenn
perature of from IS to 80 degrees,
and being specially careful not to let
the males tail feathers get too hot,
or they will curl. When quite dry,
II the birds are to be shipped, dust
corn starch through the feathers to
prevent soiling.-Wallace's Farmer.
Balancing the Ration
Few farmers seem to realize the
value of balanced ration for their
stock. Many of them, even after
corn has been grown, do not take
care Of the fodder which is valuable
to feed in connection with alfalfa
hay or pasture. When fed in this
connection it is worth even more
thar. its composition would indicate,
as compared with other foodstuffs.
The same Is true Of straw and other
coarse roughage 1t would pay the
farmer to take good care Of the
straw, and especially this season when
there Is SO much foreign material
mixed with the straw. The season
being damp, wild grasses and tame
grasses and clover as well, have
made considerable growth in the grain
fields. which makes the straw all the
more valuable for feeding. Much OF
the straw could be used to advantage
If it were placed inalternate layers Ia
the alfalfa stacks, especially with the
last cutting of hay, which is not cured
as easily: as a rule as the cearlier cut
tings If put up in this way tho
straw will be eaten as readily as the
hay and will make better ration for
cattle than the alfalfa alone.
Some Of the late oats should be
made into hay to feed with the al
falfa, rather than cut for the grain.
1t will be so late before the oats can
be cured, if at all, that the crop may
be ruined entirely by the fall rains.
Rye and barley can be used to adj
vantage as roughage to feed with al
falfa hay In some sections beardless
barley Is sown in alfalfa fields and
cut with the alfalfa, making SPLEEN
did ration for cattle.
Corn cut at the proper stage and
carefully shocked will furnish one OF
the best rough fodder materials to
feed during fall and early winter
months. If the season Is favorable 1t
will keep until January or February,
thus making a ration for the entire
winter.
BY using the silo for storing the
corn feeding period may be extended
through the entire season, and when
once introduced this system will give
the best results for either beef or
dairy stock.-Gem State Rural.