Evening star., 1915-06-13

is capable Of producing 125.ooo descend
ants in eight weeks. Is 1t any wonder
, that experienced poultrymen are con-
stantly on the lookout for these pests.
in order that they may be kept out
Of their focks?
In an eleven month egg-laying con-
test recently concluded at Victoria. b.
&C., a pen of single-comb white Leg
horns from New Zealand won first prize
in the non-weight classes with total
of 1880 eggs for six birds A pen
Of White Wyandottes. bred and owned
in British Columbia, took first prize in
the weight classes, with 1858 eggs for
the pen of six.
Farm Poultry in a recent issue stated
that some New York retailers. trying
to make drive on eggs. advertised to
sell eleven for a quarter. Selling eggs
by the quarters worth, the half dollars
worth, or even the dimes worth. is
becoming favorite method in some
eastern cities, the plan having been
adopted from foreign countries. Mar
ket reports from England show that
in many cities eggs are sold at so
many for a shilling, while in other
cities in England and other countries
prices are quoted by the score.
1t is a fact capable Of demonstration
that chicks. as well as fowls. that are
kept In close confinement will devour
almost any kind of green stuff that
may be thrown in their pens or yards,
while the same fowls, allowed con-
siderable liberty and range, will be
very choice in their selection of green
feed. Closely yarded fowls will eat
every particle of bean vines pea vines
and the like, but the same fowls, given
their liberty in garden. will hardly
touch the growing beans and peas. AS
matter of fact. fowls that have the
range of large garden hardly ever
IL.
case of tomatoes. which, when they are
ripening, are too tempting to be re-
sisted. The fowls. furthermore, pay for
what damage they do by the number
of bugs. slugs. worms, etc, they search
out and devour.
A few elderberry shoots planted now
in the corners of the poultry yard and
literally watered for a few days after
planting will make rapid and perma-
come shade during the summer and
for many summers. Shoots of sumac
are also easily rooted, and by the
sumac's habit of spreading will in a
couple of years cover wide area with
their low bushy growth.
Shade of some kind is an absolute
necessity in the poultry yard during
the hot weather. Without it the fowls,
as well as the chicks. cannot keep
SoIilol ldUle, luc lOIlST refusing TO
lay. while the latter will not grow
properly or feather out as they should
If nothing better is to be had, plant a
row of sunflowers entirely around the
yard. covering the seeds with poultry
netting or brush until the plants are
up far enough to be safe from injury
by the fowls. They will make a great
deal of shade. and also the big seed
heads will make valuable addition to
the ration of the fowls, either as soon
as the seeds are ripe or for use during
the winter.
If the incubator is now out of COM
mission give the machine thorough
cleaning and overhauling before it is
closed up and put away. Take off the
regulator arm and cover the bearing
with vaseline. Screw out the ther-
mostat rod and coat it with vaseline,
also. Take out the diaphragms and
wash the burlap, removing it from the
frame and drying it in the sun Brush
all dust. etc, off the felt diaphragm
and give it a thorough summing before
replacing in the machine Clean out
every corner of the machine itself;
take the lamp out of the holder, pour
ing out all the oil and removing the
old wick. Store the machine in a dry
place, closing it up tightly with all
the parts inside. Then when it is
wanted for use next season everything
Will be found in good shape, SO that
no delay will be occasioned by having
to send to the maker for something
that has become lost or that has been
ruined by neglect.