770 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



THE POULTRY YARD MONTH BY MONTH. 



By J. J. JoRDAAN, Lecturer and Instructor in Poultry, Glen, Orange Free State. 



November. 



Breeding Pens. — The breeding pens should now he broken up. 



Buns. — All the breeding pens should, if possible, he irrigated, and dug 

 over the following day at least 12 inches deep ; irrigated again, and after three 

 or four days redug and planted with a quick-growing plant : sunflower, mealies, 

 pumpkins, rape, or barley. Keep irrigating and cultivating until April or 

 May as conditions allow. Plant growth is the surest means of absorbing the 

 fowl manure and sweetening up the soil. 



Male Birds. — Confine all males it is intended to keep for next season's 

 breeding in one run if large enough. To prevent them fighting, remove them 

 at night and place them all into one house, fairly dark. Feed and water them 

 in the house for four or five days, and then let them out one evening just before 

 dark. Wherever necessary remove the spurs from such birds before putting 

 them into the house. The operation is a simple one: cut a notch on top and 

 below the spur close to the leg, and with a sharp pruning shears cut off the 

 spur at the notches. Pour a little Friar's Balsam or sear with a hot iron to 

 stop the bleeding. 



Table Poultry. — Place all the male birds it is desirable to dispose of along 

 with the culled cockerels, fatten, and get them ready for the South African 

 Christmas " chicken " trade. The hens are usually in good condition and fit 

 for killing at once ; prices are usually high at this time, so dispose of them as 

 soon as they stop laying. 



Egg Production. — Some of the early hatched pullets will continue laying. 

 Give them a lil)eral allowance of meat meal to keep them at it, or they are liable 

 to go into a partial moult and stop laying until next spring. Continue preserving 

 all surplus eggs. A scratching shed for the young pullets will also help to 

 increase and keep up the egg output. 



Cliickens. — Endeavour to remove the chickens to fresh runs and ground, 

 because there is nothing like it to promote growth. 



Incuhation. — Examine all parts of the incubators, thoroughly disinfect the 

 machines, repair and replace any broken or missing parts, and store for next 

 season. 



General. — Inland heavy rains may be expected. See that the runs are 

 well drained and that there are no stagnant pools of water about, or worms 

 will easily be contracted, especially by the young stock. 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



November, 1920. 



By H. B. Terry, Cert. R.H.S., Lecturer in Horticulture, School of 

 Agriculture, Potchefstroom. 



All summer crops should l)e sown as soon as possible; temperature will rapidly 

 increase, and no further fear of frosts need be entertained. Do not neglect 

 to keep all crops well hoed or cultivated after rains. Transplanting, except 

 when on commercial lines, should be done towards evening, and the plants 

 well watered in. 



