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THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



insects and disease germs. Old ground should be treated to kill these germs by 

 applying a good coating of freshly slaked lime to the entire surface and then 

 plowing a few days afterwards. It may then be cultivated 3 or 4 times with 

 intervals of a week and then sowing it finally to rye, oats or other grain. The 

 greater part of the germs will be destroyed in a few months, however, if possible 

 the ground should be left unoccupied by fowls through the winter, as the freez- 

 ing and thawing is more effective in killing the germs than continued warm 

 or cold weather. Keep the coop disinfected and whitewashed. Whitewash 

 once a year at least. In the spring or fall is a good time. 



Start Chicks Right. Be sure that the chicks are not infested with germs 

 at the start. If a hen is used to hatch the eggs, she should be free from lice 

 and mites. Keep her dusted with a good insect powder. Be sure the nest is 

 free from vermin. Avoid putting eggs to be hatched in any packing such as oats, 

 chaff, or cut straw which may be musty or moldy ; wipe the eggs with a cloth 

 wet in a solution of 70 per cent, to 80 per cent, alcohol. If an incubator is used 

 have it thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The young chicks should be free 

 from parasites and injurious germs of all kinds. To keep them in this condition 

 put them in clean, disinfected brooders, and allow them to run only upon that 

 ground which has been free from poultry for several years. If this cannot be 

 done, disinfect the soil as mentioned above. 



By beginning this way, a flock can be had practically free from parasites and 

 disease germs, but to keep them in this condition frequently clean and disinfect 

 the premises. There are several reasons for this. First, the germs of contagious 

 diseases may be brought to the place by pigeons or other birds which fly from one 

 poultry yard to another, or by rats or mice ; second, certain germs are generally 

 present in the intestines of healthy birds and are scattered with the manure, 

 which, if permitted to accumulate and become verv numerous may cause out- 

 breaks of disease ; third, grounds for the poultry are seldom entirely free from 

 infection with the eggs of parasitic worms and the spores of disease-producing 

 microbes. To keep these parasites and germs from 'developing and increasing 

 their numbers, the feed troughs and drinking fountains should be washed every 

 day or two with boiling water or other disinfectant and the brooders and run- 

 ways thoroughly disinfected. One should study diseases to know how to pre- 

 vent them. Eliminate the cause of the disease and the disease itself will soon 

 disappear. 



SIMPLE REMEDIES. 

 (Their Uses and Doses.) 



Following is a list of simple remedies and a few articles which the progres- 

 sive poultryman should include in his medicine chest. A small glass, graduated 

 into ounces for measuring liquids ; a glass tumbler in which to mix remedies a 

 teaspoon ; small pair of tweezers ; medicine dropper, small oil can with which to 

 apply roup or cold cures by direct application when several birds are affected- 

 sharp pen knife. All powders should be removed from the packages placed 

 in small, air-tight cans and neatly labeled. 



