The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-09-19


set their prices lower, in order 60
cover the loss which they expect. due
TO blood rings and heated eggs
Another source of great loss con-
sists in the dirty eggs which come to
market At this time Of the year.
about per cent OF all the eggs
brought in have TO be put in the
dirty" classification, bringing about
6 cents less a dozen than the good
No. eggs. Sometimes this percen-
tage runs up as high as u TO Is cents.
This loss can be much reduced IL the
farmers viii provide a sufficient
number of nests for their hens-say
one nest for five hens-win furnish
clean nest material, and they wiz
gather the eggs oftener, at least
twice 8 day. Then, IL a few dirty
eggs are obtained, they should be
consumed right on the farm Wash
ed eggs are not so good for market
ing or for incubation as are eggs that
have been laid clean and kept clean
The last thing that the hen does be-
fore laying is to cover the porous egg
shell with a sticky substance that
very effectively seals up the pores
and prevents the entrance OF bacteria
and molds. Washing the eggs opens
the poors, and bacteria can readily en-
ter through the shell. and can spoil
the egg very quickly.
a very important matter which
must be considered when We classify
eggs, is the size The first qualifi-
cation for a good No. 1 egg is that It
must weigh two ounces; that is. q
pound and a half to the dozen The
smaller eggs must be put into the
second class, at a lower price, no mat
ter how good the quality may be.
The size Of our farm eggs can be i'm
proved II eggs for incubation purposes
are obtained from two-year-old hens
laying good sized eggs. Too often pull
lets are used as breeding stock, re-
suiting in smaller stock with less
vitality, and also smaller eggs Use
fully matured fowls for breeding,
and select eggs Of good, uniform size
The last census report shows the
average value of poultry and eggs sold
from each Kansas farm each year, to
be $123.46. This is really less than
half what it should be. The size OF
the farm flock can safely be increased
to $50 or 300 laying hens. When as
any hens as this are kept, the poui-
uy business will warrant more time
and attention, and the eggs produced
viii be marketed oftener and in bet
ter condition
Of all questions asked about poul-
try, the one as to the best breed is
most common The variety viii de-
pend upon the purpose for which you
wish to keep chickens, and upon your
personal preference If you are going
to cater to the egg trade and care
little about the market side Of poultry
/ ing, Leghorns or any OF the other
Mediterranean varieties are satisfac-
tory. But for general farm purposes
it is best to decide on one OF the
American or English varieties, such
as Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes
Rhode Island Reds and Orpingtous
There is wide enough choice OF color
to select from in these varieties.
Above all, select the variety that you
like best You will be most success
full with that variety II you do not
already own purebreds or high grades,
begin now by working in that direc-
ton. Buy purebred male birds for
next years breeding, and grade your
flock for uniform size and color. After
selecting a variety, stick to It; don't
try Plymouth Rocks one year. Rhode
Island Reds the next, AMI so on. The
greatest argument for flock OF one
color is that you will be sure to be
better pleased with the appearance OF
the flock, and viii, therefore, give it
better care. and get better returns.