Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-20

matter In this case the feathers have
genuine value. much the same as the
wool from sheep. Goose feathers es-
They bring from SO cents to 81 a
pound. Tho down may be removed
s sep It Is worth more. When
yield about pound Of feathers a year,
This by-product Is quito source OF
revenue.
Mature geese should be plucked but
once Il year, and not several times; as
is the practice In some sections. The
best time is during the warm weather
following the breeding season. when
geese nave the least use for their
heavy coats. and when there Is no
blood I'm the ends of the quilts. AT
this time the feathers are said to be
ripe. They are just about ready to
easy to remove. and occasion no bleed
'nE ,o or ID. dise ;on,h to the birds
Of the plumage removed. Enough
IF the body to support the p @ngs siaf II
the skin Is broken in picking, which
IS not likely to occur unless too many
Little pine tar. In plucking a goose,
draw a stocking over it's head, to
lvoid being struck or bitten, BECAUSE
these birds can strike vlcious bows.
uERDING THE TURKEY FLOCK
HAS PROVED PROFITABLE.
Numbers 1t has been found profitable
% herd them much az sheep or geese
1re herded. The nocks are driven
through stubble fields where consider
abe stray grain can be CLEANED, into
pastures and meadows where grass
noDpers and other insects abound, and
anu many tid-bits to which they. are
accustomed naturally. a herder is
needed. of course: a position for which
children are qualified; and If two or
~ ore accompany. the flock the tack
VII not BIO such a dull oue.
"A peculiar thing about this method
Is that once the days route Ia cs-
collow practically the same course
lay after day. 1t is we'll to keep tur-
ta9 ,n away from ripenng grain. since
cause Indigestion.
In localities where turkey focks
are aii9@ed 10 intermingle for weeks
lie bi hime in some s ady VISA ot to mark
identification. This will prevent loss,
Derhaps. or unpleasant disputes as TO
Leg banding the fowls or punching
he webs between their toes will serve
he purpose nicely. II need be rec
some town official for verifcation.
This is the season to select breeders
y or next ne; Sears turkey flock II they
,.ill be killed for the holiday market.
,"aVing bunch OF understood culls
for reproduction. make up your
lind now how many, birds you expect
:" carry over; whether the old hens
re to be used another season; how
nany, pullets are required to replace
he hens; and what Is to be done
hbout gobblers.
Avoid inbrccding as you would a
plague. 1t is better to send thou
and miles for the assurances of UNI
sclated stock, even though 1t costs
You fair sum. than to run the risk
# breeding from nearby stock which
may be related. The practice OF ex-
hanging males with neighbors is
fonvenient: but 1t has done about as
nlch harm, in factr more harm than
good: In some sections It has re-
'uced whole 1ocks of turkeys TO the
Joint OF imbecility
Don't worry about the prices on
feed. Instead, concern yourself more
1hout methods Of management which
"iu yield more poultry with the least
vnstc. Search for leaks and stop
hem: Gull the drones and slackers.
got required for breeding purposes
next spring. but first prepare them for
he market-fatten them, so as to
1ecure top prices.