Evening star., 1915-01-02

1eQ IhOSe pUlteIS from HNe TO seven
months before they began to lay eggs
at all, and we have got to get that
money back out of the present surplus
before there will be any actual profit.
The eggs we get during the next three
months will tell the story. for when
eggs get plentiful and therefore cheap
in the spring there is very little mar
gin to be expected above the cost of
feed.
Leghorns Have a Chance.
1t is just barely possible that during
the period of cheap eggs in the spring
the leghorns may demonstrate their
superiority. Along in April and May
the rocks will begin to get broody and
suspend egg production, but they will
keep right on eating. Leghorns are
not a broody breed, though individuals
sometimes want to set. and they may
shell out enough eggs in the spring,
| even though they fetch but 20 or -
cents dozen. to demonstrate that
taking it all the year round they are
the more profitab BILE breed.
Regardless of whether there is money
in chickens, we have demonstrated to
our own satisfaction that IL pays to
keep cow. We are convinced. in fact,
that it would pay to keep two cows:
but the second COW is going to wait
until Jim is big enough to milk her
, When the cow proposition first came
up did lot of kicking on the subject
of milking. j was willing to try it in
the summer, but it struck me that to get
up on cold winter morning and build
fires and then go out and milk a COW
before daylight was a little too much
to ask of a man who had spent nearly
all his life in steam Cheated fiat.
Milking Is Not So Bad.
But. honestly. it isn't so bad. when
you get used to it. l don't mean to
say l really enjoy it or that / would
do 1t all if it didn't Sc em to be neces-
sary The point I am trying to make
IS mat IL doesn't hurt like having "A
tooth pulled or getting a leg cut on
BESIDES. l have grown to he down
right fond of our little Jersey. and
she gives every indication of returning
IN! anection- In fact, l think she is
father more of pet than any other
amman OF the place. Her daintiness
and evidence of gentle breeding are a
GOOD deal of n relief in contrast with
the undiscriminatng omnivorousness
OF the chicken and the gluttony of the
late lamented hog. Let Lady be as
thirsty as She may, the water offered
her and the pail containing 1t must be
ciean or she viii refuse to drink II
her stall wasn't clean and her bedding
dry. L think she would stand UP all
night rather than lie down in filth.
Inc eye OF Jersey COW is one of the
most gentle and beautiful things
| imaginable. This beauty of eye. by the
way, gives rise to one of the prettiest
legends l ever heard in connection with
domestic animals. over in the Island
OF Jersey, where the breed originated
they will tell you in all seriousness
that the Jersey is the result of a cross
between the deer and the sacred COW
OF India. Not only the deerlike eye
but the fawn coloring of the Jersey is
cited in support of the story The COL
oring is almost identical with that of
some species of deer, as well as that
of the sacred COW.
Horse Is Close Second.
1t would be pretty nearly a toss-up
as to which we would be willing to
part with first, the COW or the horse.
Our present steed has never won the
place in our affections that was held
by old BILL" the decrepit imitatio of
horse which Jane bought at auction,
but his greater usefulness is not to be
denied. AT present we have no vehicle
to use him to except the dayton wagon.
but when the hens have laid us enough
eggs we are going to buy a two-seated
family carriage. Jane had her mind
made up to buy sleigh this winter,
but she and Margery have had several
sleigh rides with Mrs. Brown, SO she
decided to forego that expenditure
until another time.
When planting time comes again the
horse is going to be put through his
PAGES. He is young and strong and
able to work, which Bill wasn't and
he is going to have to pay back for
well fed winter with nothing much
to do but jog to the station twice q
day on weekdays and to church once
on Sundays. e. S. NJ.