Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-10

I'D rather raise chickens any time than
raise votes" Tom Ware shook the snow
from his boots and jerked an industrious
looking thumb in the direction Of his hen
nerles. lie has a flock of them In Ham
monton. N. j., fully n dozen little houses,
whose rigid white roofs flare out in
emphatic contrast to the towering trees
which cnclrcle his pretty homestead.
Tom has no desire for politics, like his
brother Bill. the Congressman, or his
brother Ed. the Senator. He spends most
of his time in his boots. He Is the abso-
lutte leader in his little colony of Ave acres
and his constituents are his chickens;
1000 OF them at this time. He gives them
square deal and they give him clear
majority of about 5000 eggs n week.
And they all stand on their merits.
There are no factions among these faith
ful fowl. They know they're sure of three
meals day and good bed. and what
more can any kind of a chicken want.
BELOVED BY GANG"
Tom IL little more than three score
years and looks good for many more, and
is known personally TO every member of
his gang They welcome him with
glad cackle when he opens the chicken
house door. He gives them tender care
that a mother would give her child. lie
thinks nothing of getting up all hours OF
the night TO administer to their ills. They
never run short of food and have nothing
to worry about.
In that respect they're better off than
many politicians, who live on hope.
The way to get work done Is TO do II
yourself is Toms motto. In addition to
being general manager of his henneries
he is also foreman and workingman. He
mixes the chickens menu, feeds them, re-
pairs the chicken houses. the machinery.
looks after the heat and ventilation and
while he rests he helps Mrs. Ware with
the housework.
He was helping his wife to lay carpet
when a visitor called. Tom dropped his
work Immediately and extended the hand
OF hospitality for which the Wares are
famous.
But Mrs. Ware could not repress a look
OF despair for any one will admit it's
most aggravating when someone calls
right In the middle of the housework.
Tom doesn't like notoriety. and was in
elined to be reticent concerning general
personal questions.
But when the subject of Chickens"
was introduced II was all off.
USED HIS OWN IDEAS,
"I read about how to raise chickens for
a long time" he said, "and my head got
so full of all sorts OF plans and schemes
that / just forgot all about 1t and tried
some OF my own ideas. The best way
TO understand what I'm doing is TO come
out and look"
Darting quickly through the chicken
door he led the visitor around the chicken
plant.
If there's such a thing as a chicken
parlor it's one OF Tom Wares hennerles.
Each is white throughout, with a sepa-
rate little drinking trough in each COM
partment and a carpet of golden shaw
are the hundreds and hundreds OF White
Leghorn chickens. They are as proud as
peacocks. incidentally, and regard visitors
with q quizzical eye.
Each house Is electrically lighted
throughout, and In addition TO having a
reliable Thermometer there Is an electri-
cal alarm connected with Toms bed
room. 1t awakens him when the tempera-
ture gets too low or too high and he's
out OF bed in a jifry with his lantern.
Rover, his faithful Airedale. also hears
the alarm and is always at the kitchen
door to accompany his industrious master
to the scene Of trouble.
MIDNIGHT ALARMS.
In the brooder house there Is also an
alarm attached to the incubators. These
happens that little chick makes its debut
at night. Sometimes when II peeps
through the shell the bird finds this world !
entirely too cold and Is about to make
a hasty exit when the alarm goes on.
In few minutes Tom Is on the scene.
He turns on the heat another notch and
the little chick peeps its gratitude
Thus the spirit Of loyalty Is born Il |
Il any wonder that all the chickens lay /
anatssfrfaraafv aud that tha 49,. ~ -