The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-02-25
UNCLE SAM TO AID
CHICKEN FARMERS
Suggests Poultry Clubs For
Boys and Girls.
PRIZES FOR THE BEST WORK

etfNf fftt~1 ~1A -
quently Entire Family Is Clothed
From Income Derived From Hen
house-Program Laid Out For Clubs.
Washington.-In order to teach the
value and Importance of the poultry In.
dustry, the marketing of products and
the caring for poultry and eggs. the
animal husbandry division of the bu.
reau of animal industry of the agricul.
tural department advocates the form
ing Of boys and girls poultry clubs.
The plan IL advanced by Harry NJ La.
mon, senior animal ~husbandman In
poultry Investigations. and the depart
ment has promised TO cooperate with
the clubs and send speakers TO the
meetings.
Ever since the price of eggs went
soaring with the cost of living the de
partment has given scientific attention
10 the subject of eggs and poultry. For
instance. it has been discovered that
the loss due TO the improper handling
of eggs is enormous, extending into
many millions OF dollars annually. Ii
is also an established fact that If the
farmer, who is the largest producer of
eggs. would take more care in select
ing, grading and In marketing his pro
duce he would receive n higher price
than the average market price for eggs
On many farms throughout the coun
try the money derived from the sale of
poultry and eggs buys the groceries
and clothing for the entire family. The
money from this source may be sub
stantially increased by establishing a
private trade In eggs OF good quality
with hotels and restaurants.
Mr.. Lamon has outlined the organi-
zation of clubs. Ii is proposed that
any boy or girl between ten inc eight
cen years old can become a club mem
Der by signing the roll and agreeing to
set at least one setting Of thirteen eggs
during the Matching season. Members
are not to pay dues or assessments
Throughout the year." says Mr.. la.
mon, meetings should be held to dis
cuss the different problems OF poultry
management. Whenever possible the
department will have one of its spe.
cialists present TO assist i'm such prob
lens as may arise and to give informa-
ton or demonstration In the selection
Of stock and Gambling. He will also
assist in obtaining first class markets
for the sale of poultry and eggs. Each
country club should hold an exhibition
at least once a year, preferably in con-
nection with the country fair. at which
a pair of the best chickens grown by
each member should be placed on exhi-
bition. These should compete for the
regular prizes offered by the fair asso-
citation. There should also be a special
prize offered by the members OF the
poultry clubs. An exhibit OF the best
dozen eggs should also be made. 1t Is
also, in my opinion, imperative that
each boy and girl shall agree to study
the instructions of the department of
agriculture"
The program laid out Is a sort of
progressive one for the first four years
of a clubs existence. IL being evidently
figured that at the end Of the four
years the older members will have
reached the age liHit of membership
and will be graduates par excellence In
poultry raising and egg grading and
handling. 1t Is planned for the first
year of membership that each member
shall set at least three settings of eggs
from pure bred stock and shall raise
seven pullets and one cockerel. All
hatchings must be completed by May
10. A composition on poultry manage
ment must be submitted to the agent
I'm charge of club work. All meetings
must be attended and accurate records
kept and sent to the agent.
During the second year each member
shall be required to raise at least if
teen pure bred pullets and two cock
erels. All Matching must be completed
by May 10. A pair Of birds and one
dozen eggs from this stock shall be
exhibited at the county or state fair.
A composition upon some phase of the
work must also be submitted to the
agent I'm charge Of club work.
Twenty-Five pure bred pullets and
two cockerels must be raised in the
third year. a composition must also be
written and submitted and the same
sized exhibit sent to the fair as during
the second year. In this year May ]
must see the end of the Matching.
In the fourth year each member IL
required to raise at least thirty pure
bred pullets and three cockerels. The
Matching and rearing of chickens. the
condition of stock and cleanliness of
coops and poultry buildings. the cost
of producing eggs, accuracy and neat
ness of records, attendance at meet
ings, exhibits at fairs, and the written
articles shall all be considered in the
rating Of members and awarding of
prizes.