THE FARM AND GARDEN. 



9>^ 



She EoULipi^Y yAi^D. 



(embodying results of actual experience.) 

 DISEASES AT THIS SEASON. 



There are but few chicks hatched during this 

 month, as a rule, and consequently no yards are 

 troubled with gapes ; nor is the cholera so preva- 

 lent as during the summer months. The roup, 

 however, is with us all the year, and especially 

 during the fall months. Of course, where fowls 

 are well fed and housed, they are neither so 

 much subject to the disease nor too enfeebled to 

 overcome it, but nevertheless the roup often ex- 

 ists, unknown to the poultryraan. To detect its 

 presence, go into the hen house after the fowls 

 are on the roost, with a candle or lantern for 

 light, and observe if any of them are breathing 

 hoarsely. The disagreeable odor from roupy 

 fowls is also easily noticeable. A sick fowl will 

 show a discharge from the nostrils, and if the 

 throat is sore the beak will be open. The comb 

 ■will also appear pale or black. Take the sick 

 fowl and place it in a warm location, and give a 

 spoonful of castor oil. The next morning give 

 two drops each of tincture of iron, tincture of 

 red pepper, first mixing with it a small pinch of 

 sulphur and assafetceda. Repeat this morning 

 and night until the fowl is better, washing the 

 nostrils also with a dilute solution of copperas. 



THE POULTRY HOUSE. 



If the poultry h<<use ha.s been well ventilated 

 with large cracks, the time has arrived for closing 

 them and rendering tiie interior as warm as pos- 

 sible. On damp days, which are more trying to 

 fowls than cold weather, there should be plenty 

 of light admitted, as fowls detest a dark and 

 gloomy place, preferring to remain outside rather 

 than stay wliere it is not clieerful. The nests 

 should be so arranged as to permit of being easily 

 removed and cleaned, and the roosts should ail 

 be of the same height. Tlie old-fashioned man- 

 ner of arranging the roosts in the shape of steps, 

 with the back higher tiian the front, does not ac- 

 commodate the fowls, as each one will endeavor 

 to get on the highest perches, thereby crowding 

 each other off, causing falls and diseased feet. 

 The first consideration is to make the coops dry 

 and warm. A cement fioor is lietter than any- 

 thing else, as it can be swept off, and arrange- 

 ments should be made for easily feeding and 

 watering the fowls in cold weather without com- 

 pelling them to come outside. It is not necessary 

 to build an expensive coop, but it should have a 

 good roof and a dry floor, with no chances for 

 draughts to enter. 



the colors of each particular part to be what are 

 required in a pure-bred fowl, not omitting the 

 heavy feathering of the legs. When he is done 

 he may have cut (or deprived) the fowl of a cer- 

 tain number of points from the possible 100 (per- 

 haps 8), and by subtracting the "cuts" from the 

 100 total, gives the score at 92 points. Thus, 

 when birds are exhibited, the prizes are not 

 awarded to the largest or strongest, but to those 

 that score the highest number of points. 



We have, from time to time, given descriptions 

 of the breeds in these columns, and trust our 

 friends have improved their opportunities. What 

 we wish to impress upon them is the advantages 

 of exhibiting at poultry shows. A beginner mav 

 not be able to take many prizes, but he will 

 have an opportunity of comparing his fowls with 

 those on exhibition, and thereby learn wliere the 

 defects exist and what changes in breeding are 

 best. If not favorable to exhibiting fowls, pay 

 a visit to the shows and make close observation, 

 but the most information is derived when the 

 visitor is an exhibitor, as then the greater interest 

 is taken, especially in the breed to which the at- 

 tention of the visitor has been bestowed. In 

 breeding poultry a full knowledge of the differ- 

 ent breeds, and their characteristics, should be 

 attained, and more can be gained by inspection 

 than by study. It would be well if every breeder 

 could be an exhibitor. 



LAYING IN OCTOBER. 



We know of a breeder wiio keeps a fiock of 

 pure White Leghorns, and although the breed is 

 not famous for winter laying, yet he has secured, 

 since the first of last January to the first of 

 October, nearly twelve dozen of eggs from each 

 flock, the best records being in the months of 

 January, February, and March (three very cold 

 months). His hens are no better than those of 

 his neighbors, but he feeds for eggs. He has 

 always managed to get plenty of eggs in winter, 

 even when eggs were scarce, and his secret is 

 only that which we have made known many 

 times here. It is to allow plenty of meat, vege- 

 tables, and pounded boneii, with warm quarters, 

 which should be kept clean. He once received 

 sixty cents a dozen for eggs, during a season 

 when they were scarce, and stated that he found 

 a profit in feeding his hens at that time on 

 chopped beef at twenty cent« a pound. W'hile 

 we would not advise such expensive food, yet we 

 are satisfied that a cheaper form of meat would 

 more than repay its cost when fed to poultry in 

 winter. It should be accompanied, however, 

 with other food of a desirable quality, and as 

 every condition must be good, strict attention 

 should be given to all the details. 



SHOWING AT THE POULTRY FAIRS. 



As some of our readers may wish to enter into 

 competition at the poultry shows, we will en- 

 deavor t6 post them a little in order that they 

 may be able to select the proper fowls for exhibi- 

 tion, and will also outline the method of judging 

 the fowls : Suppose you have some particular 

 breed, the Light Braiinias for instance (though 

 the same course is pursued with all breeds), the 

 judge will first examine the head, in order to 

 observe if the plumage is white and the beak 

 yellow. Then the coinb will be noticed, and if 

 it is not pea-shaped and even, with a bright red 

 color, he will cut it a point or so. This is called 

 *' scoring." He then examines the wattles, ear- 

 lobes, neck, back, saddle feathers, breast, body, 

 wings, tail, fluff, legs, and toes. He will require 



EGG FOOD AND CONDITION POWDERS. 



No tonic or condition powder possesses value 

 in the matter of forcing egg production, unless 

 they are composed of substances that supply a 

 deficiency in the natural food of the fowls. It is 

 not to be implied that natural food is lacking in 

 quality, but as we, in our judgment, allow them 

 that which we suppose to be most natural, errors 

 often occur, even on the part of those who are 

 experienced. Tonics are invigorating, because 

 they are stimulating, but if the giving of tonics 

 is not followed by a full supply of all that the 

 system demands, the fowls become more debili- 

 tated than before receiving tonics. The best 

 tonic is tincture of chloride of iron, or a solution 

 of copperas added to the drinking water. Hav- 

 ing thus added the tonic to the drinking water it 

 becomes more or less disinfected, and assists in 

 preventing disease. 



Egg foods are compounds composed of those 

 substances that approach as nearly as possible to 

 the materials that serve to make an egg. They 

 are lime (for the shell), albumen (for tlie white), 

 and carbon (for the yolk). We can furnish lime 

 in two forms — from ground oyster shells or 

 ground bone. The first is carbonate of lime, and 

 the second phosphate of lime. The principal 

 constituent ol albumen is nitrogen, which may 

 be derived from lean meat, milk, linseed meal, 

 and many of the grains. Carbon is plentiful in 

 the grains, and especially in corn. Nearly all 

 the substances named, however, contain propor- 

 tions of nitrogen, lime, and carbon. To combine 

 an egg food and condition powder, therefore, we 

 may use a pound each of ground bone, ground 

 meat, and ground oyster shells. Then add half 

 a pound ot linseed meal, one-quarter pound of 

 sulphur, one-quartei p.^und of ienugreek, and an 

 ounce each of red jiepper and ginger. One-half 

 pound of salt may also be added. Here we have 

 five pounds of not very expensive articles, which 

 are stimulating, invigorating, and nourishing, a 

 teaspoonful to each hen every other day being 

 sufficient. A better mixture may be given, but 

 more expensive. The five pounds mentioned 

 above should not cost over five cents a pound. 

 With wanii quarters, and regular feeding, the 

 above, wi'th the use of the tonic, will induce the 

 hens to lay, and is equal, if not better, than 

 many compounds sold at a high rate. 



POULTRY SCRATCHINGS. 



Milk lor Drinh.— If plenty of skim milk or buttermilk 

 be placed where the hens can get it there will be no 

 necessity for allowing water, and it will assist materi- 

 ally in increasing the number of eggs. 



Advantageief Coal Tar.— A quart of coal tar in half a 



barrel of water should always be kept on hand. Stir it 

 up well, and sprinkle the water over the floors of the 

 coops or against the sides, and it will kill lice and purify 

 ibe coop. 



Use Wholeione Grain.— A bushel of good, sound wheat 

 is better thali a two bushels of screenings. Musty grain, 

 though eaten by poultry, is not good lood. During the 

 time when eggs are desired the pure wheat and matured 

 corn is better than a surfeit of inferior grain. 



Changing Feed. —If fowls are kept on a single diet they 

 will nut always accept at new kind to whirh they are 

 not accustomed. They should then be dei>rived of all 

 other food until tb«y eat up that which was placed be- 

 fore them, when tliey will afterwards show noobjeetion, 

 but eat the new as well as the old. 



Preserving Eggs.— One of the best methods of preserv- 

 ing eggs is to use wood ashes. Pack the eggs in a box,, 

 without allowing them to touch each other, small end 

 downward, and use plenty of ashes. They will keep^ 

 several months, and if turned two or three limes a. 

 week it wjll be so nmch the better. 



Oislntectlng Nests.— If the earth is used for the bottoms- 

 of nests, sprinkle it with a few drops of carbolic acid ia- 

 a cup of water, or crumble ujj a cigar stump very finely 

 and scatter over the earth. Either process is cheap, andj 

 not only assists in disinfection, but makes it disagree- 

 able to the lice, sliould they appear. 



Hew Malerlat.- Very often the fowls refuse foodtowhichi 

 they liave not been accustomed, such as buckwheat^ 

 sunflower seed, or pop-corn. If they refuse to eat such, 

 when placed before them, the best plan to pursue is to- 

 allow them nothing else. Hunger will initiate them,, 

 and once they begin but little dfficulty will be experi- 

 enced afterwards. 



The Incubators.- As progress is being made in every 

 direction, artificial hatching has progressed at a rapids 

 pace also, and many of the obstacles heretofore in the- 

 way are being overcome. The time will arrive when- 

 the hen, as an iucubator, will be overlooked for the- 

 wholesale method, and as there is a wide field for opera- 

 tions no doubt many persons of small means will be- 

 largely benefitted. 



Utilizing Old Fruit Cans.— By cutting an old fruit can {nr 

 half, the lower portion may be used for holding ground 

 bone, charcoal, sulphur, or ground shells. They can be- 

 easily nailed to the coop or in any sheltered location,, 

 where the fowls may at leisure eat what they desire- 

 from them. If they are trimmed off at the lop, a hole 

 cut near the bottom, and the can filled with water and 

 inverted over a tin plate, they answer well as drinking 

 fountains. 



The Breeds of Ducks.— There are ten varieties recog- 

 nized, consisting ol the Pekin, Rouen, Aylesbury, Black. 

 East Indian, Gray Call, White Call, Colored Muscovy,. 

 Crested White, and White Muscovy. Of thesethe Pekin 

 is the largest, the Rouen the most beautiful in plumage^ 

 and .the Aylesbury the most jirolific. The Muscovy 

 makes an excellent cross on the common kinds, but the- 

 offspring is sterile. The others are more ornamental 

 than useful. 



Fences.— Fences are more expensive than coops, and 

 must be built as cheaply as possible it a large number of 

 yards are intended to be used. Lath is the cheapest, 

 material that can be used; but dear if the fences are- 

 not jiroperly made. In a former article we suggested 

 that lath fences be niadesix feel high by using half laths, 

 at the bottom and full-length ones at the top. Experi- 

 ence during the past year demonstrates that a fence so 

 constructed is very durable and cheap, compared witlk 

 the cost. 



Breeding Dorltings.— In England no fowl is as highly 

 appreciated as the Dorking, which, like the Houdan, has. 

 five toes. It is a very compactly built, fine boned fowl^ 

 though not so much a lavorite here as in England. 

 There are three varieties— the Colored Silver-gray, and 

 White. The Silver-gray may have either a rose or single- 

 comb, the Colored has a single comb, while the While 

 has a rose comb. The Colored Dorkings, when crossed 

 on Dark Brahma hens, produce the largest and best 

 capons, and they are also used for giving compactness or 

 form to other breeds. 



Garnet.- Pit Games are different from those bred for 

 beauty, being stronger, larger, and more vigorous. Iiii 

 breeding games for the table the Pit Games should 

 therefore be pueferred, as the cocks are savage, and 

 quickly attack hawks, while the hens make the most, 

 caretul of mothers. Pit Games are not pure bred fowls^ 

 in one sense, as lliey are sometimes produced by cross- 

 ing several breeds of games together, but no blood but. 

 game is permitted. A Game cock crossed on Partiidge- 

 Cochin hens produces an excellent lowl, one that i* 

 hardy and large, and which is splendid tor the table. 



Tirltevs.- The two largest breeds are the Bronze andi 

 Narragansett. The former is of a dark bronze color^ 

 with a lustre approaching gold, with dark or flesh-col- 

 ored legs. The Narragansett Is of a metallic black 

 plumage, with salmon-colored legs. No adult gobbler 

 of either variety should weigh less than 25 pounds, and 

 the hens should exceed 15 pounds. These weights, bow- 

 ever, are only minimum, for good specimens of gobblers; 

 often reach 40 pounds in weiglit. October is the best 

 time for selecting the gobbler, as the prices will soon be- 

 higher. One gobbler will be sufflcient for at least four 

 hens, and sometimes more. 



Partridge Cochins.- We have the pea comb and single- 

 comb Partridge Cochins, but tiic latter is the more popu- 

 lar. The plumage of the cwk is very different from 

 that of the hen. The cock is bright red in plumage, the 

 breast being a rich deep black. The hen is brown, and 

 distinctly penciled with a darker brown. The flesh and 

 legs are yellow, and lieavy feathering runs down the 

 shanks to the end of the outer toe. The Cochin family 

 are noted for possessing large, heavy, compact bodies,, 

 and hardy constitutions. They make admirable crosses. 

 when the bens are mated with either Games or Brown» 

 Leghorns. As they feather slowly they are not verj" 

 attractive in appearance until nearly six months old> 

 and then they are as handsome as maj" be desired. 



