The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-10

brood. The pens are large in size and each has a separate grass-covered run, z feet wide by 30 long, Plenty of light and sun are admitted to the house, there being number of skylights, in addition to the usual windows
 The unique feature of this building is the provision made for furnishing light at night. Acetylene gas is used, and suf- ficient burners are provided to brilliantly Illuminate the entire house. The lights are kept burning during the evening, thus giving the chicks an opportunity 10 exercise and feed for some hours after daylight falls. In effect, this lengthens the working day, thus causing the youngsters to develop more rapidly. The writer has used this plan for many years, and can testify to it's value, espe- cially for chicks matched early In the sea- son, when the nights are long and the days correspondingly short. The crops of baby chicks have limited capacity, but digestion is rapid. During the long nights. therefore, there must be a considerable time could be used to advantage. By lengthening the feeding period this diff culty is overcome and more rapid growth follows
 In the brooder house, as on the entire plant, great attention is paid to sanita- tion. Everything is kept sweet and clean. Feed and water dishes are scrubbed
 
 at frequent intervals.
 Mr. Barron's method of feeding chicks Is unique We might call 1t "fussy": but results are what count, and he gets re- suits. His bullets make even, rapid grow tn and come to full ,eying maturity at the expected time.
 For the first two weeks the chicks are given dry food exclusively, then two feeds daily on moist mash are supplied. The dry chick feed mixture is made up as follows: Wheat, parts; canary seed, part; red millet. part; white millet. part; hempseed. A part; red corn grits. 1'part; white corn grits, 1 part; rice, 14 part: cracked peas. # part; pinhead oat- meal parts; ants eggs, E part; dried flies F part; grit, per cent The basis of the moist feed is rice boiled in skim milk. To this is added enough of a moisture containing equal parts of biscuit dust, ground oats and thirds to make the whole mass crumbly c'Thirds' is a byprodact of wheat. re- sembiing fine middlings or feeding flour.) MIX is regarded as a necessity for the chicks. It Is supplied literally at all times In fact, it is the staple drink, and thev consume a great deal of it.
 Th1s Is another hint to American poul- trymen MT. Barron keeps several cows or his place for the especial purpose of turnishing a regular supply of this valu-
  After the chicks ara weaned they are placed on grassland range, where they remain until September. They are then transferred to winter quarters MT. Barron uses both large and small houses for adult stock. One building ac commodate 800 birds. This has run at tached, which is about an acre in extent divided into two parts. These are used alternately.
 All breeding houses are small. accom- modating usually 10 females and 1 male. The yards for the breeding birds are about S5x75 feet in size. heavily sodded. The adult stock receives moist mash uaiiy. this meal being given late in the AIternoon. At that time it is safe to let .ne pirds consume all they will eat with out uanger of causing them to loaf as irequently follows heavy feed of ma sh Tn the morning.
 Cooked Mash for Layers
 rms mash Is cooked and Is prepared in i tnis way: Four gallons of water ara placed in the cooker, and to this e,ehs quarts Of wheat are added When hotl5r = prisKiy cut clover Is thrown in and the whole permitted to stand for two hour. Then it is brought to the right cons,sfernr s by the addition of mixture consisting of one-third each of bran, middlinvs s,,s5 biscuit meal, and of 10 per cent hese scraps. In the morning the birds receive drv. grain This consists of wheat two parts: oats, one part; corn, .>ne-half part. The proportion of the latter is reduced slight i ly during warm weather. Sometimes n few peas are given at noon Litter is plentifully supplied, and all grains are thrown into this. As all yards are grassed over, the fowls can eat green grass at will during much of the year. The staple green food sup piled during the winter is mangold beets About 25 tons are used annually. l Twenty-three acres i< the total area of | this profitable establishment. Of this about 13 acres arc used by the poultry, l the remainder being In meadow. which yields big crops of the nay required by | the oows
 UnfavorabIe Conditions Overcome
 The soil 10 of q character which Amerf.