CABE OF BREEDING STOCK. 53 



ing turkeys are over -fat in the spring, having been 

 overfed, or given too fattening food. Frequently they 

 die at this time as a result of overfeeding. The prog- 

 eny of over-fat birds are less vigorous. Late-hatched 

 hens that are growing all the time need more food ; they 

 cannot store up a surplus, and will lay earlier because they 

 are thin. Feed the old 'turkey hens clover and less starchy 

 food in the latter part of winter, and they will give 

 better satisfaction. Throw thorn some grain at noon. 

 Then just before sundown, give them all the hot whole 

 grain they can eat. You may heat it in dripping 

 pans in the stove oven, or put the grain into an iron kettle 

 over the fire and fill with hot water. Let it come to a 

 boil, or until you know every kernel is hot. Then scatter 

 the hot grain well over the floor, and let the turkeys fill 

 their crops, or until they cease calling for more. A long win- 

 ter night of fourteen or fifteen hours is before them, dur- 

 ing which they cannot eat, so a full crop of whole grain 

 stands them in need. I followed this plan of feeding and 

 always fuund it kept my poultry in good condition. 



These directions, it will be seen by the observant turkey 

 grower, are adapted to our northern latitudes. In the 

 South and California the foregoing directions as to feeding 

 are not wholly applicable. As regards cleanliness they 

 are. Diseases are treated under their proper heading. 

 Presuming that we have taken one flock of the "Birds of 

 America*' through the winter, we now come to another 

 epoch, which requires even more care and watchfulness 

 the laying season. 



