South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-06

system. Fowls fed heavily on rich
rations lacking in green food are
very apt 90 develop liver trouble and
digestive disorders. Because OF It's
bulky nature green food also dis
tends the inteatines and thus assists
the digestion OF the rich eround
grains. We can thus see that its
position in the ration is an import
ant one. Experiments have proven
that maximum egg prodUctiCn
cannot be realized unless the prop
or amount of green food is supplied
20 the layers.
The necessity of the greatest pos
sible production because Of the
present food crisis makes it imper-
ative that every home having a few
square feet OF yard area should
make this ground productive OF
some form of fOodstuf In many
cases a flock Of a dozen hens can
be kept 70 advantage, while in 9th
ers vegetable garden will add its
quota 10 the much-needed food sup
plr I'm the great majority Of cases
both forms Of activity can be car
ried out, and there is no question
but that this form Of patriotism will
help ia winning the war
The greatest argument in favor Of
the city and town dwellers becom-
ing producers of eggs and poultry
as far as conditions will allow. is
the fact that no nation in the world
throws away such a colossal fortune
Ia the garbage pail as America II
IS estimated that we'll over half a
billion dollars worth Of foodstuff
Soes into our garbage pail annual
ly. II a dozen or SO hens are Kept
in every back yard the bulk Of this
enormous waste can be utilized. In
the majority of homes there is
enough vegetable waste in the form
of potato and other vegetable and
fruit parings. cabbage and lettuce
leaves. pumpkin rinds and similar
substances to provide small flock
with green food throughout the
year.
Vegetable Waste from City Market.
The city poultry keeper has still
another source Of supply for green
stuff for the layers. In almost ev-
cry city market there is an enorm-
Gus quantity of clean We etable re-
fuse accumulated in the process of
trimming punches of celery, heads
OF lettuce cabbage and kale, SO that
they present "a neat appearance on
the stalls This waste can frequent
ly be had for the asking. and even
where "a price is charged for il, IL
is ridiculously cheap in compari-
son to the value received in the
form of green food. IN cases where
the family is too small 10 supply
sufficient green food for the flock,
this source of supply will be OF great
value, especially during the winter
months. This form of economy, or
food utilization, will do almost as
much to conserve our food supply
as wiz the extra production OF our
great farms II is true that the in
dividuaI effort is not so spectacular.
but the aggregate OF millions of
homes will reach such tremendous
proportions that our most liberal es-
innate will fall far short Of what
can actually be accomplished.
The problem Of a winter green
food supply for the suburban flock
is somewhat different from that OF
the city poultry keeper. In the
former case quite more fowls are
kept, and az a general rule more
land is available for the home pro-
duction OF the supply. In most
cases there is also medium sized
lawn. the clippings from which can
he saved for the fowls. The main
question here is what 70 grow for
the best results
For the early fall green food there
is nothing better or easier TO pro-
duce than green corn fodder. A
few rows of late planted corn will
last until killing frosts The only
preparation required in feeding IL
is 20 cut the stalks and blades in
pieces from one-half to an inch in
length. After the corn is no long
er available. late cabba-e can be
used for the rest of the winter There
is no reason why sprouted oats can
not lee used for the winter II the
poultry keeper wishes 10 go TO the
trouble OF preparing them. ThU
are, perhaps. the one best green
food for both layers and young
stock. Yet those already suggested
are easier 70 provide and will give
splendid results. The writer uses
nothing but cabbage the entire win
ter.
Lawn clippings are a splendid
form OF green food il properly
handled. but should Doe supplement-
ed two or three times week with
fresh sucCulence, such as cabbage
or sprouted oats. After the grass
Is cut the clippings should he raked
up as soon as they are cured suf-
Huently 90 prevent mold. After be-
ing gathered. store them in feed
sacks and hang them up So that the
mice cannot destroy them. Before
feeding the clippings steep them in
hot water until they are tender. This
is done by putting the supply In a
ALL pour on the hot water. and
cave covered with a sack for two
coz three hours.
STroGt oats at Howe.
Because OF t.e.r availability at all
sea- OBS of q scar and the case
.th which e. can be produced.
pruUtta oats are used on most of
ce LARGE poetry plants Since the
ANA facture OF cat sprouters in
ARGUS sizes. the farmer and su-
urtau poultry keeper can also use