B48 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



at the same tipie admitted through a sufficient number of windows. This 

 constant intercljianging of air can only be affected by large ventilators 

 being built opening into the stable through the ceiling and extending 

 upward through the roof by means of tubes, or shafts, which serve as a 

 passage for the impure air and assure its exit from the building. These 

 shafts may be so constructed as to. be used for hay and grain shutes at 

 feeding time. Fresh air can be admitted through slatted windows opening 

 through the outside walls. These should be placed on all sides of the 

 building, each being made so it may be opened and closed, thus making 

 it easy to prevent injurious drafts from reaching the animals. In mild 

 weather, and when the direction of the wind will permit, more of the 

 windows may be opened, thus increasing the supply of air, which, if ad- 

 mitted free from drafts, can never exceed the demand. This, with thorough 

 drainage of the surroundings, a clean interior, good beds, and the frequent 

 removal of all manure and soiled litter from the vicinity of the building, 

 will constitute a shelter which so closely resembles the outdoor life, in 

 all, but freedom, that together with proper food and pure water an added 

 revenue from your farm animals is insured, that will amply compensate 

 for. the trouble and expense incurred in its construction. 



I have omitted all mention of medicinal sanitary agents, such as the 

 ^different coal tar preparations, carbolic acid, the sulphates of iron and 

 copper, chloride of lime, corrosive sublimate and other antiseptics, deodor- 

 izers and disinfectants, for the reason that these, without proper ventila- 

 tion, light and drainage, while of some value, are inadequate to perform 

 any lasting service, and are totally unable for a moment, to impart any 

 of the benefits which constantly attend those three indispensable agents of 

 science. 



POULTRY RAISING. 

 August Hoch, Before Buena Vista County Farmers' Institute. 



De we realize what the American hen really is? From a profitable 

 point of view, nothing on our farms today will yield as good returns 

 proportionally on labor and capital invested. Today Iowa leads the whole 

 United States in its poultry and egg supplies. Thousands have engaged 

 in ix)ultry culture. As many have failed. The last census states that the 

 average farmer received but seventy-five eggs per hen yearly. The poultry 

 and egg value for Iowa is over twenty million dollars. Aside from its 

 impdrtance as an egg producer the hen finds all the waste grain scat- 

 tered about, which would otherwise be lost. She searches the orchard for 

 insects and bugs injurious to the fruit trees, thus keeping the fruit trees 

 free from these pests at a time when the farmer is least able to give this 

 matter pioper attention. 



But what is the average farmer's hen. A hen of no particular breed, 

 ainiost every size, age, shape, and Color, layers and drones all mixed to- 

 •gether, with no particular care, other than the housewife is able to give 

 from her household duties. The fcare generally consists in setting a few 

 brooding hens and caring for them and the chicks for a week, or possibly 

 two, and then biddy is turned loose with her flock to shift for herself. 



