South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-14

h'Nt-s i"toNi0 VI every AtHitt NhV
nre expected 20 mobilize their
knowledge. Economical fowls such
as the Muscovy, OF healthy. rapid
growth and thrifty habits are de-
sirable. Ducklings in barn or
backyard are marketable IN three
10 four months and always in de
Inana.
In these days when the world is
reverting to fundamentals-over to-
morrow's food supply-the man
featured is the producer What
1nay have been last years hobby is
today's essential. TIE backyard
poultryman who dallied with hens
for homegrown delicacies. now oc-
rupies the enviable position OF be-
ing able TO contribute materially 10
the worlds dire need. Poultry ex-
perience acquired in leisure assumes
It's real value as the demand cOmeS
Tor more meat and more eggs Ev-
erywhere the farmer and his wife,
the poultryman and the man with
few hens, feel the stimulus not
only of II. c. l.. but of the appeal,
and are preparing t. do their part.
Complaining their task is the
strenuous problem OF economical
production This years poultry
must be fed largely on waste; such
as screen wheat, faulty corn, br0k-
en- grain. garden Ieft-oVers. Even
the table scraps that support indl-
gent and indolent cats can be con-
yerted into commodity Pithy
vegetables and marble sized pOta-
toes when cooked are relished by
poultry.
Worth OF Economical Fowls.
Poultry recommends itself ir-
stantly as a good investment nova
days None beside the hen has
better letter of credit than the Mus
covy duck, warranted noiseless, in
offensive. adaptable and early ma
turing. Though common fallacy
believes il musky, it is UnnOticeable.
Geese on good pasturage are as eco
nomical till fattening time. Tur-
Keys run up a big board bill after
september. No other fowl APP
preaching the weight of the Mus
covy can so satisfactorily support
Itself from start 10 finish. Though
az honest member OF the duck tribe,
il racks many faults of its kinsmen.
For that reason any person reason
ably situated can raise a few Mus
cONies
one drake and three 20 six ducSs,
according TO environment, are suf-
dcient for the average barnyard
flock. Their health and independ-
ence recommend them TO the Ne
ero. In the south they form the
chief feature first or cabin scenes;
of cabin feasts, later.
The extra grain they eat is scarce
Iv missed. Their eggs may be used.
hut are saved Tor incubation Their
thick. downy plumage is not de-
su.sed as a substitute for goose
feathers. The MuscOvy on RANGE is
practically a self-feeder, minus the
seif-feeders habit of destructive
ness. IT is not sCavengcr, but
feeds and thrives where other fowls
would subsist meaScrly. Ftsura-
lively. il IS the pig of the poultry
ward. IL grubs assiduously fer
worms. beetles and roots. Flies are
special dainties. Young Muscovies
soon seize the opportunity present
cd bv "a sleeping COW in fytime. and
forthwith establish themselves as
iu-waiting. Little ducks
.earlessly circle a calf. hopping up
and down after flies. They respond
to supplementary feeding OF meal,
wheat screenings. cracked corn
mill feed. bran. rolled oats. and so
ON Tnev can and do thrive with
out grain. but must have range to
some desree. Having no crop, This
duck is continuous feeder and
requires much roughaSe.
MuscOvy Mannerisms
Familiarity with Muscovy nature
reveals traits decidedly anomalous
10 duck disposition. The warty
knots at the base OF the brakes
bin his huge. unwieldly size and
numbering gait confer upon him a
leuicose air. The duck is gentler,
timid. but responsive to advances
~ hen accompanied with brides Of
corn ill she has estaollsheu mex
friendship. Neither has quack
worth mentioning. Fences are a
favorite perch. and there is tale
az a duck that nestled i'm tree.
when scared. young and thin Mus
rovies take prolonged flights. They
must be handled with care else they
,,s, do damage with their long.
,u~ved toe-naiIs their chief method
Of defense.
The duck nests in dark corners.
under managers and boxes. IN litter.
secretes il with turkeys cunning
and shares the guinea's Tevulsion TO
having il disturbed. Collecting her
eggs uDsets her arrangements and
She promptly seeks a new nest she
lines il with down and proceeds TO
settle herself for a nve weeks IN
cubation. Whenever she leaves IT,
She covers the eggs with downy
blanket. no matter how hot the
weather.
The Nfuscovy. originally from
rs.-,so awTrres the rlEuTs OF