The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-01-31
The Farm and Farmer
- By WILLIAM r. SANRORN


The fact that the artificial lighting
of poultry houses does actually in
crease the output of eggs in winter is
now clearly evident Commercial
poultrymen who breed winter layers
have proven this true, and many pro-
gressive farmers, owning large flocks
also have installed electric lights,
with benefit
The new practice does not neces-
sarily mean increased output for the
year, but it is an established fact
that the lights do have a definite in
fluence on the normal egg production
of the winter laying stock during their
season, and when fresh eggs bring
the best prices
Different systems of using the lights
are employed. The birds on the poul-
try farms of the Missouri university
are given artificial light two and one
half hours daily before dawn. The at
tendant who turns on the lights i'm
mediately fills all water pans. And
this is important, because the first
thing hen does on jumping from the
perch is to drink, amp if there is no
water for her, she does not become
active until it has been supplied.
Some professional poultrymen turn
on the lights at shutdown, and off at
nine O'Clock. In other instances the
lights are used both night and morn.
ing, but in either case have been
found beneficial to the egg supply.
Castor Bean Culture.
The Australian government is en-
couaging the cultivation of the castor
bean, in the belief that the suitability
~ oil
the plant should insure the 1000 tons
also provide a surplus for export.
The value of the bean has been
ranging at from $95 to $145 per ton,
depending on supply and analysis.
Australian beans are rich in oil, con-
tanning from 45 to SO per cent. The
use of castor oil as lubricant for
airplanes is largely responsible for
the advance in price in recent years.
Castor beans are grown in several
states and many cargoes are import
ed and pressed in American oil mills.
This really ornamental plant would
flourish in Wayne county.
Will Welcome Inquiry.
With reference to the fact that
Representative Jones of Texas, has in
trOduced resolution IN congress. de-
manding investigation of complaints
that the International Harvester COM
pany is to advance some of it's prices,
that concern, says:
we will welcome any inquiry. sat
isfied that the only result will be to
convince the public of the fairness of
our prices. They are now, and always
have been based solely on the cost
Of production. Our current prices are
practically the same as for the last
ten months
A Tariff Wall Vital.
Representatives of the live stock
and dairy interests now in Washing
ton, have declared that: The decline
in prices of farm products have been
more responsible for the closing Of
factories, and of the spread of unem-
ployment in the industries than AMI
other cause
Regardless of the logic of this
statement, it is very unlikely that
the emergency tariff bill will be pass
ed at this session. The bill will be
talked to death in the senate, it is
feared, and already is being over load
ed with riders. most of which have
10 bearing or the subject of the legis-
lation the farmers are demanding.
IL nv poSoCN anu uulS ~ IN'o-
ident Wilson before March the bill
will be as dead as John Barleycorn.
If vetoed by the president. as is con-
sidered probable, it is not likely that
the bill could be passed over the veto,
or that time would remain to put the
matter again squarely before this con-
gress.
Various interests are opposing the
bill in the interest of resciprocjty in
trade, claiming that a tariff on so
many commodities would tend to re-
strict our exports, which is not at
all unlikely, in numerous instances.
The special session of congress fol
lowing Mr. Harding's inauguration
will have to frame an entirely new
bill, or at least start all over again,
If the tariff bill now up fails of pas
sage.
Wholesale Beef Prices.
Swift & Co, the Chicago packers,
have been publishing their weekly