The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-04-29

the opportunity to present fairly and fully
the other side Of the case.
BY PROF. FREDERICK Fl. STONEBURN.
E<'~ HERE is nothing new under the
sum-" is a saying which has been
quoted so often that it has become
decidedly the worse for wear. Of course,
it is not taken literally in these modern
days, but it must be admitted that a very
large number of ideas which to us seem
to be new and original prove upon in
v~estigation to be hoary with age.
This is as true in the poultry field as
elsewhere. OF late we have been assum-
ing much credit for the development of
the open-front or fresh-air type of poultry
house, and the general adoption of more
sanitary methods in caring for our flocks.
But a gentleman living in China writes
in an American poultry publication that
for a long period of time the poultrymen
of China have believed in and generally
used both of these new CD ideas. That
they have sheltered their birds under
thatch roofs attached to protected sides
of their buildings, the poultry shelters be-
ing open on two or three sides. Further,
that these structures are kept very clean,
IL UcluS d I'LL pl dCliNc " IcUlONc
and renew the straw-mat floors at fire.
Quent intervals.
Custom Matching Plants.
During recent years many American
poultrymen have taken up the work Of
custom Matching, operating incubators
having large egg capacity and selling
space in the machines to any one who
wishes to avoid the detail work of run
ming incubators or attending to sitting
hens, or who prefer to pay a reasonable
charge in order to secure the benefit OF
expert service.
Again, we are a trifle behind the times.
In both China and Egypt artificial incu-
baton has been successfully practiced for
many centuries, and central hatcheries
have long been in vogue. Those OF Egypt
were commented upon by Sir John Maun-
deville in a volume containing an account
of his travels, issued about the year 1850.
They were referred to again by Reaumur
some four centuries later, and frequently
by modern travellers and investigators.
The Egyptian incubators are huge brick
ovens, really buildings, constructed OF
brick and earth. The attendant does his
work while actually within the incubator.
1t might be added that some progress has
been made in America with huge Matching
rooms of somewhat similar character.
The Chinese incubators are different
in type, being merely large earthen jars,
covered with wicker work and provided
with an opening in the side, through
which the charcoal fire may be attended
to. Another jar, slightly smaller In size,
is placed inside. The baskets containing
the eggs are set in the inner jar.
A most interesting account OF the oper-
alton of the Chinese Matching establish
ments appears in Professor F. H. Kings
wonderful volume dealing with the agri-
culture of China. Some of the more i'm
portant points brought out by this dis
tinguished author are discussed below.
One hatchery visited is equipped with
80 incubators, each capable of holding
1900 eggs, or a total capacity OF $4,000
eggs at one time. In size this compares
favorably with many Of the prominent
American establishments. The machines
are operated in the dwelling, the front
room of which serves as a shop where
eggs are purchased and chicks sold.
The work is not confined to the hatch
ing of hens eggs alone. Ducklings and
goslings are also produced In large num-
bers. The eggs are not permitted to re-
main in the incubators for the entire
DerlOQ OIL lHCuDdllUu. nj q oto6N
thew are removed in padded trays, which
are kept in a suitably warmed situation
until the hatch is completed.
No breeding stock is kept by the own
ers of the hatchery, all eggs being pur-
chased, the price paid being about so
cents per 900. The chicks are sold at
about $3.50 per 100.
The Baby Chick Trade.
Here we encounter another industry
which has only recently taken root in
America-the selling of baby chicks. Very
few people, save those in intimate touch
with the poultry industry of our Nation,
realize how extensive the trade in baby
chicks is at present, and how rapidly it Is
growing. But our sellers of chicks have
something to learn from those in China.
The latter nave learned the trick of dis
tinguishing the sex of the newly Matched
chicks, and they sort them accordingly.
Each purchaser may designate just how
many pullets and how many cockerels
Ghou1d ba inctuded in each order PRO,