The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

fort and an abundance of food are de- food especially is needed. and in the list Is none better than skim milk. On the general farm. where milk Is pro duced in quantities. the skim milk can be more profitably used in the poultry ration than in any other manner.
 The writer has also found buckwheat to be a most desirable grain for fall feeding of bullets. It will often set them to laying when other means fall.
 At this critical time do not fail to induce plenty of exercise. When on the range the birds constantly travel about in search of food, but when placed in small yards and fed heavily they are in the use of plenty of scratching ma- terial into which the whole and cracked grains may be thrown. Keep the bullets busy
 There are many other matters also may profitably be attended to at this season Consider the following:
 Judging from the great popular in terest being taken in the various lay ing competitions and the records made by individual hens. a vast number ot poultry plants will be equipped this year with trap nests. These appliances should be installed at once It is espec- ially desirable to identify the early lay CTS, as these are likely to make the highest records and certainly will pro- duce eggs having the greatest value. Any delay in getting the nests into operation causes loss of these import ant records.
 Automatic Feeders Save Labor
 There are also sufficient evidence to force one to believe that many poultry men will adopt automatic feeders this season as a means of saving labor. The remarkable records made at the laying competition plants where the birds are fed but once a week have clearly dem onstrated that the old time-consuming method of feeding little and often'' Is not necessary to heavy egg produc- titn.
 If machines of this kind are to be used. the quicker they are placed in the pens the better. Let the bullets bcome accustomed to them from the very start Then there will be no possi- ble checking of laying after 1t has once begun.
 A good supply of litter will be needed right through the winter until the coming of spring makes 1t possible for the birds to get out of doors again. Provide for this now. when 1t can most cheaply and easily be secured. On large poultry farms, straw. coarse hay or shredded corn fodder are most used. The poultryman who is operating on a small scale will find autumn leaves entirely satisfactory. These may be gathered in woods or fields, in city streets or parks, and packed into feed sacks When stored in dry place. even the house cellar. they are not offen- sive and will be ready for use when needed.
 Secure Winter Green Food
 Provision should be made for the green food required for the next few months Cabbage and mangolds (cattle beets) are best On the farm, these may be stored in vegetable pits or cellars. Those who are compelled to purchase their greens can usually do SO to best advantage in the fall. Mar ket gardeners will usually sell their soft and split cabbages at low prices. Reets may be bought direct from the field more cheaply than after they have been stored. The problem of stor- ing supply is not a serious one. The runin point is to secure 1t, and thus avoid later disappointment.
 Early next epring before the earth has dried out, dry dirt will be needed for use on brooder floors. Store some away now. It Is much easier and cer- tainly pleasanter to shovel 1t from a barrel or bin when wanted than to dry out wet earth in the oven, as so many chick growers do each spring.
 Poultry manure is the most valuable fertilizer produced by domestic stock. The farmer and market gardener can rrofitably use 1t in a great many ways Even those who have merely a patch of lawn or small home garden will find 1t valuable Provide dry place to store this material in order that 1t may not be deterforated through the action of the clements. Barrels kept under cover or a large bin with slat- ted sides and tight roof will serve ad- mlrably
 The poultrymen who make good, whose flocks yearly pay nice profits. are those who anticipate the needs of their fowls, who keep their work up to the minute. Make 1t a rule to push your work; don't let your work push you. '