PRIZE ESSAYS OH TURKEY CULTURE. 



ment. I have always kept my coops on the ground. An 

 experienced raiser who has tried floors prefers the ground, 

 as it is more natural and healthful. I think it is a good 

 plan to keep a box skunk trap set at night near the coops. 



When the turkeys get large enough to fly over a stone 

 wall, they will wander farther away, and there is danger 

 from hawks and foxes. I keep track of their whereabouts 

 as well as I can, which takes me out doors no more than 

 is necessary for my good health. I have had them so wild 

 that they have caused me considerable trouble, but it was 

 caused by introducing new blood through strange hens in- 

 stead of the gobbler. The latter is the better way. 



THE TURKEY DIET. The curd diet is excellent while it 

 lasts, but much is required as they grow larger. While 

 they are small a little goes a great way, even feeding five 

 times a day. I prefer whole buckwheat to any food, when 

 my supply of curd runs short. It is healthful and pre- 

 vents diarrhoea. The finest turkeys I ever raised were fed 

 almost exclusively on fresh curd and buckwheat. Cracked 

 corn, wheat and buckwheat is good food when they have 

 grown large. 



As soon as they show a desire to roost, I encourage 

 them, providing it gives promise of fair weather in which 

 to make the new departure. I accordingly introduce them 

 to the turkey tree, a large maple tree in which genera- 

 tions of turkeys have roosted before them, providing a 

 narrow board with cleats to climb upon. They are soon 

 up and off in the morning without waiting for breakfast, 

 preferring grasshoppers and crickets to anything I might 

 offer, returning often about 10 or 11 a. m. to rest and re- 

 fresh themselves with cool buttermilk, sweet skim milk or 

 whatever I have for them. I make it a point to offer 

 them something to encourage them to come home. 



A turkey regards home as a place to get something to 

 eat. It is well always to feed when shutting them up at 

 night, which should be at 5 p. m. when small, as after 



