620 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



noyance, as cleanliness prevents the accumulation of any insects. How- 

 ever true, this may be, I have had more or less trouble every spring with 

 the mite. Second, another hindrance to success is a disease called the 

 "gapes" which invariably attacks the flock of young chickens after a spell 

 of cold, damp weather. 



Among people who raise poultry for profit the various breeds are divided 

 into two classes, the utility breeds and the fancy breeds. The utility 

 breeds are again divided into three classes, according to their weight — 

 (the light, medium, and heavy). As an example of the light might be 

 mentioned the White Leghorn; of the medium weight, the Plymouth 

 Rock, Wyandotte and Rhode Island Reds, and an example of the heavy 

 weight, the Langshan and the Brahmas. 



The different breeds which I have raised at different times are the 

 Plymouth Rock, the Black Minorcas, the Langshan, the Wyandotte, the 

 Leghorn, and the Brahmas, and of all of these varieties, the Plymouth 

 Rock has proven to be, in my opinion, the most satisfactory. 



A few days ago there came to my notice a little poem published in 

 "Successful Farming." This is the poem. 



THE HEX. 



Our poets may sing of the «agle, 



Proud theme of the prolific pen. 

 Whose figure bold adorns silver and gold, 



For the grasping clutches of men. 



But away with your gush and palaver! 



Let us get down to facts, and then 

 We'll give you some tho'ts about Wyandottes, 



Or some other kind of a hen. 



She hasn't the brilliant plumage 



Of the tropical birds of fame, 

 Nor the peacock proud with screech so loud. 



But she gets there just the same. 



She hasn't the notes of the mocking bird. 



Nor the oriole's song in May, 

 But sweeter than all from spring 'till fall. 



Is her cackle to me any day. 



It tells of food healthful and wholesome. 



Of angel cake, custards and pies, 

 And if worthy some men, why not also the hen. 



Of a mansion beyond the blue skies? 



It tells of sure profit and income. 



From her eggs with their yolk of gold, 

 And my Plymouth Rocks are far better than "stocks" 



Or King Solomon's mines of old. 



It is said from the sale of her products 



We could cancel our national debts; 

 Then from every clime, in prose and in rhyme, 



We'll proclaim that her son never sets. 



— Frank F. Freligh. 



