Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-03-18

must be so constructed that the fowls
will not waste the grain. If wall hop
pers are used drive long nails through
the dish of the hopper about hNe
inches apart, which will prevent the
fowls throwing the grain out.
Another great waste of feed IS IN
indiscriminate feeding. Chemists have
analyzed grains and have ascertalnea
the properties of an egg. II one
wishes a hen to lay, she must be FED
grains containing the properties
needed for egg production.
No dairyman would feed his milk
COWS the same ration he feeds when
fattening cattle, yet many poultrymen
feed quantities of fattening corn to
their hens and then wonder why they
do not lay.
They are wasting their corn as well
as their time, for corn alone has not
the properties that go to produce
frregularity in feeding is another
waste. 1t has been proven both by IN
dividual poultrymen and at expert
ment stations that fixed quantity
fed at stated intervals through the
enough to pay for the feed and proht
besides, while the same amount when
fed only once through the day or
twice one day and not at all the next
would be a total loss, for the hens
would not lay under such conditions.
Injudicious care is another source
of waste. 1t is of little avail that the
birds are fed right If other conditions
are not right. Hens may be fed a
balanced ration approved by the latest
poultry experts and yet not lay eggs
If they have not clean quarters,
warmth at night. access to fresh air
and sunshine, and If they are not
provided with means of exercise and
plenty of clean drinking water. A
great deal of good feed. valuable time
and good money can be wasted
through neglect of these essentials.
It is usually a waste to feed
dwarfed stock, mongrel stock, sickly
stock or, except in the case of valu-
able show specimens, stock that is in
their fourth year.
Young birds intended for market
should be disposed of without delay
when they reach the proper weight
sold, sell in the Fall before the moult.
ing period; don't feed them half tht
winter, getting s:o eggs. and then sell
on q cheap market. Old cocks thai
are not needed for another year
should be marketed as soon as the
breeding season is over. Save on the
feed bill wherever possible.
Every Inch OF ldlu De ulll-
ized on a poultry farm. Americans
are Just beginning to know and realize
some things about soil economy. The
crowded countries across the sea have
been compelled to cherish every foo
of soil as a precious possession almost
as precious as life itself, and it would
make us open our eyes II we could sec
how much they make from little. The
poultry farmer has an equally gooc
I opportunity. limited only by the time
at his disposal. He has the chance
to improve his soil as has the worker
in no other branch of farming. He
has the golden touch of Midas thai
enables him to take the obnoxious her
manure and with natures wonderful
alchemy convert 1t into abundant
crops of grain. hay, roots for stock
or delicious fruit and vegetables, al
of which have a marketable money
value.
Rye is a good in-between crop t.
SOW in September. BY keeping the
fowls away from it through the Fal
until 1t gets a good start it will make
an excellent feed for poultry durinl
the winter and early Spring, and viii
enrich the soil when plowed under
for the succeeding summer crop.
The poultry farmer can learn mucf
about land economy, raising severa
crops during the season. and utilizinl
every corner, If he studies the meth.