39° 



Journal of Agriculture . 



[8 July, 1907. 



toe— except those breeds having five toes such as the Faverolle, DoTkinc; 

 and Houdan breeds ; in these cases the tving should be between fourth and 

 fifth toes so as to prevent the tape slipping up the shank. 



Remedy. — Bathe the head and face with a weak solution of pennan- 

 ganate of potash. Make a paste of the following and apply to all parts 

 affected: — Sufficient sulphur to fill a small pill box, enough boracic acid 

 that will go on a threepenny-piece and five drops of eucalyptus oil with 

 sufficient soft soap or vaseline to make a paste, mix thoroughly together 

 and apply with a small camel hair brush. Do not allow the hands if 

 cut or scratched to come in contact with the crusty wart. A good and safe 

 preventive from contagion' is to use an antiseptic, consisting of either a 

 3 per cent, solution of phenyle or lysol, in which the hands should be 

 rinsed. All houses should be thoroughly fumigated with burnt sulphur 

 and floors sprinkled with lime. With care there need be little to fear, 

 but children should on no account be allowed to handle the fowls so 

 affected, neither should any person with an injured finger, as the disease 

 is far from pleasant. The irritation and sudden sickness which follow 

 are most distressing. Four to five days will effect a cure when it will be 

 seen that the crusts will fall off and the birds' appetites will return. A 

 tonic in the water should at once be given viz. : — To 2 gallons of water 

 add 80 to 90 drops of sulphuric acid (poison) and i| to 2 ozs. of sulphate 

 of iron ; allow same to remain a few hours, after which stir well and 

 give all the birds on the farm as much as they will leadily drink. This 

 will prevent the disease spreading and will tone up the flock. 



Although the complaint is not serious, yet if neglected it is sure to 

 turn to that dreaded disease — roup — attacks of which are more often fatal 

 than any other ailment of poultry in Australia. Damp houses are the 

 primary cause ; crowded yards, such as are often noticeable in our subur- 

 ban areas, are also responsible for serious complaints, especially at this 

 time of year. I would again remind cottagers of the absolute necessity of 

 sweeping up the droppings daily and of the urgent necessity of sprinkling 

 lime about the yards ; not more than twenty birds should be kept in a yard 

 cf less than 50 x 25 at least, the more crowded they are the less profitable 

 will they become. Remember, that a few good birds of a noted laying 

 strain will return a greater number of eggs than a large flock kept to- 

 gether. This has been exemplified over and over again, at the egg-laying 

 competitions throughout Australia. To those desirous of keeping a few 

 birds to supply the requisite morning egg, I cannot do better than urge 

 them to secure a broody hen as soon as possible, and thus secure the early 

 (iiick and immunitv from chicken pox. 



