648 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



Ciipillni'V iri-igii<ioii, so called, is coniing into notice and much is 

 claimed lor it. The Experiment Station at Fort (JoUins, Colorado, 

 is investigating the subject, and we will soon know the truth. The 

 method is simple, A vessel containing water is suspended from .4 

 tree and a twig the size of a lead pencil is bent down with the end 

 in the water. The water passes through the twig to the limb and 

 on until it pcrmeats every part of the tree. It is claimed that in- 

 jured, wilted and sick trees have been quickly restored to health 

 and growth by this process. This is an age of wonders. It is also 

 an age of fakes. If this process proves to be of the first-class, it 

 will revolutionize the fruit business. How odd it will look to see 

 each young orchard tree with its water-bottle hung to its neck and 

 maybe its fertilizer bottle and its medicine bottle as well! Kero- 

 sene, an extreme poison to trees, may be the looked-for remedy for 

 ecale when applied internally. If kerosene fails, something else will 

 avail. A^'hat a wide range of possibilities opens up to u'S, if all 

 that is claimed for the new water-cure proves true! How care- 

 fully we will watch its effect on the size, color and flavor of fruit. 

 Even the color of flowers may possibly be changed at will. It will 

 then be a water-color-cure! I have seen the flowers of a large hy- 

 drangea changed from pink to blue by watering the roots of tho 

 plant with indigo water. The ladies can test this at once on the 

 fuchsia's and other weedy plants in their window gardens. Indigo 

 is a vegetable product, and it may be risky to use poisonous mineral 

 colors. And if the color may be changed, why not the perfume also? 

 Nonsense or bonsense, if what is claimed for the process is true, it 

 will not be more wonderful than the fact that it has escaped the 

 keen search of scientists through two centuries of careful methodical 

 investigation. 



RAISING POULTRY FOR PROFIT. 



By M. G. OBERHOLTZBR, Geryville, Pa. 



The poultryman, to be successful in his avocation, must both be 

 progressive and energetic. He must not hesitate to accept new ideas 

 which, after a fair test, are found worthy to be put in practice. To 

 raise poultry for profit, he must endeavor to start on a sound foun- 

 dation. His breeding stock must be healthy, practically free from 

 disease; must not be inbred. To properly mate breeding stock, the 

 male bird should be selected from another strain or blood, to avoid 

 inbreeding. He should be thorough-bred, active and strong in vital- 

 ity. From ten to twenty-five hens can be mated to one male bird, 

 according to the breed to be mated, if a good-sized yard be provided 

 in connection with their houses for them. As a rule such eggs are 

 generally fertilized and produce robust chicks. 



In the selection of breeds the poultryman must be guided by his 

 object in view. If the production of eggs is mainly desired, the Med- 



