Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-10-12

theless a faCt-that one OF tHe Ctuclii
phases OF the turkeys development be-
gins in October. The climatic change Is
strenuous At the same time nature
withdraws from them her abundant sum-
mer provision. To weather the change.
they need renewed attention. Too many
raisers linger In the lap OF laxity and
fail to provide for the increasing needs
Of the October flock. These are they who
note with disappointment the tardy condi-
tioning Of their birds while energetic
neghbors are making an early market
and pocketing the proceeds.
Every day In the turkeys life coun,s.
lnattention to feeding retards marketing
day. They reach their goal eventually,
but seldom as best sellers" This 10 the
logical time for disease to assail, vernnn
to operate and growth to rag. All oirSs
that reach this period, having wtthstood
the assaults OF early enemies. are the
survival Of the tittest." Experience
shows that II permitted 10 continue thus.
like Topsy Just ITO grow" during Oeto-
Der and November, their number grad
ually decreases, as one by one they drop
from the ranks.
Turkeys are now on the home-atretch.
Each moment OF the shortening days must
be utilized. They must be helped to
ward. Each day lost postpones their ship
ment. and delays are costly. To make tse
most Of ones flock. the turkeys must be
taken In hand early in fall. The normal
May-hatched turk begins September with
more plumage than flesh. relatively speak-
ing. His long legs have galloped over
long distances mainly in the interests nf
feathers and muscle. Thereafter mis-
greater development tends TO round out
the angles to build a tempting table
fowl. The draught upon the birds vital
ity made by feathering IL only half-rea-
lized. II accounts for the scanty fund
Of reserve strength in birds under three
months Of age. No wonder that they sue
cumb easily to various complaints.
An ever-increasing gap vawns between
the increasing needs Of the turkeys ma
turing bodies and the automatic cessa-
ton Of the summers food supply. Care
less disregard Of this fact Is one Of the
numerous leaks Of the turkey crop. Ex
perienced growers allow their hocks to
register 10 difference by beginning earl"
to nj the deficiency by feeding with
an eve to making candidates for the
Thanksgiving shipment. This il the
choicest market. as rule 1t can be
depended upon to he insuficiently sup
piled with select birds and ready TO give
good prices for plump fowls. The advan-
tage OF early clearance Of ones 40 *.
or Of its hest members Is obvious Al any
rate. neglect at the beginning OF fall nay
delay shipment till beyond Christmas.
since growth proceeds slowly in CO 4
weather. Prolonged feeding diminishes
profits. Efficiency in marketing turkeys
means shipping within a reasonable pc
Rod after fattening begins.
.
AS trees with the close Of summer
gradually retract their sap, 80 turkeys
begin to restrict their peregrinatons to
haunts near home. Orchards offer special
attractions. yet they also account for
more losses among turkeys than any one
superficially considering the matter might
suppose Birds AT that age are popula,y
considered safe. Pears. peaches and
apples are eaten to excess Pale wattles,
languid walk and indifference mark tho
more susceptible. They are suffering from
an intestinal irritation which may ne
mistaken for cholera. and is as fatei
finally. IL prolonged, Other troubles re-
suit, a young raiser became alarmed a.
the sudden loss Of hearty eight-pouni
turkeys. until post-mortem revealed
their crops full Of peach seeds.
The owner OF Kieffer pear-orchard
noted yearly that with autumn his prom
Using flock OF turkeys gradually dimin-
ished At last he connected this fac: with
their habit ~ living under his pear-trees.
Prompt removal reduced the death-rat.
The acids of fallen fruit, grapes or TO-
ratoes, IL eaten to excess, are unhea'h n
ful for all fowls, particularly TURKEY
Moral Keen turkeys from orchards UNI
loss horses, swine or sheep share the pas
ha
tho disappearing abundance Of the fields.
rs frequently Tho victim of too much
fruit, New or milky corn may he no:cd
as having much tho same effect
Turkeys are sometimes troubled with
vern1in at this time. II droopy and with
oUt appetite the raiser may suspect tho
presence Of parasites. Somewhere IN
their wanderings the birds may have
happened uron infested perches. Roost-
ing In the vicinity of infested fowls is
usually responsible for these troublesome
pests. II neglected, they hasten the work
Of disease.
Rlackhead and ailments similar In syn'p-
IONS and effect are caused by overfe. d.
ing of corn during the fall. particularly
new, immature or mouldy corn. A re-
duction is the amount given or tcta.
withdrawal is advisable
PROTECTION FROM ROUGH
WEATHER.
The classic roost for turkeys is the
barn-yard fence. Only in storms do they
seek more protection. II is preferable
to p tight house, for the turkey must
have unrestricted ventilation. The ideal
shelter, however, except In very cold
Ia titudes, is an open shed or house with
wire or Slated sides. either to he fitted
with roosts. 4 house sxlo feet with a
seven foot ridge pole, built OF fence boards
with three-inch spaces Is ample for IN
turkeys. This defends them from in.
| clement weather and from enemies. ye,
It IL freely ventilated. Ono IL apt to dis.
trust fences despite their hygienic as.
poets. in view Of the fact that the 40, k
IL likely to be destroyed by naraudinG
L dnRa I'm allnTaA a i-