farmers' institutf.s. 229 



a rich ration". 



Even the critic will admit that this is a pretty rich diet — much better 

 in both quantity and quality than he feeds — and we are ready to admit 

 that it requires a hen with a good digestive apparatus to do the work. 

 She must have the assimilating powers of the dairy-bred Jersey or Hol- 

 stein cow to reach the mark. No dung-hills need apply. No drones need 

 undertake the management. But it has been done ; it is being done ; you 

 can do it if you will supply the comforts and conveniences that Madam 

 Hen calls for. To consume ten and two-thirds ounces of food in three 

 days and give you in return four ounces of egg is no small undertaking 

 on her part, nor is it a small business on your part to secure it. 



Remember one point just here: two-thirds of the egg is water. The 

 remaining one-third you must give her in the proper solid foods, not for- 

 getting the water, and also provide liberally at the same time for her 

 animal heat, the wear and tear of her system and for the ashes of her 

 animal fires. In other words, you must expect lots of your feed to find 

 its way to the dropping-board. but even there it is a valuable product 

 which we have not figured in. 



COMMENTS ON THE FOODS. 



A few words about these foods in the order named in our table : 



Corn. — We use it in smaller proportion than here specified, partly 

 because with us in western Pennsylvania it is very expensive, but more 

 because it is too fattening. Our hens are kept for breeding as well as 

 for egg production. The fat hen may be kept so and be made to lay 

 eggs up to our requirements of "two eggs in three days," but the eggs 

 from a fat hen do not hatch well. 



Oats. — We consider oats our very best feed. Oats cost us 2 1-3 

 cents per pound the past season, but they are cheaper now. With an 

 abundance of grit there is no danger in feeding whole oats. We bought 

 hulled oats the past year for the same price as the whole oats. Fed alone, 

 they are not satisfying to the hens. They do not furnish bulk enough. 

 Hulled oats must be accompanied with plenty of clover and other coarse 

 food. 



Wheat. — At 80 cents per bushel the past season wheat was our 

 cheapest feed. Don't think to economize by buying poor wheat or screen- 

 ings. If you buy, buy the best quality obtainable. 



Kaffir Corn and Sorghum. — These are two of the best of grains, as 

 nearly a balance ration for the fowls as you can get ; but don't depend 



