242 One Thousand Questions in Agriculture 



mind: nothing but wooden vessels to mix it in. When made accord- 

 ing to directions, and of this strength it is a very valuable disinfectant, 

 but is dangerous to use of any stronger mixing. After mixing, 

 it can be stored in glass bottles or earthenware jugs. Another 

 very good disinfectant for poultry houses and runs is the formalde- 

 hyde disinfectant. Formaldehyde 1 pint (40 per cent), water 2 

 gallons. This is fine for houses that you can shut up. Turn the 

 fowls out of the building, close all windows, and spray thoroughly, 

 then close the door and leave it do the work. Air well by opening 

 windows and door several hours before the fowls go to roost. 



Cloth for Brooding Houses. 



Would some good grade of white cloth on a frame do as well, or 

 would it be better than glass, for a brooder house, or would it keep 

 out too much sun-heat f 



Cheesecloth, not heavy cloth, would be better than glass, so 

 far as the sun is concerned. There would be none of the over- 

 heating during the middle of the day followed by the chilling at 

 night which are caused by a large expanse of glass. On the other 

 hand, there should not be openings on opposite sides of the house 

 to create a draft. Alro the rat and vermin question must be con- 

 sidered. It might be i^ec'ssary to have wire screens made to fit 

 firmly over the cloth at night. 



Grains for Chickens. 



What variety of grain adat^tcd for poultry food unll be the best to 

 grow, ivith and also without irrigation f 



Wheat is a standard grain for poultry feeding, and Egyptian 

 corn is also largely used. Indian corn is also satisfactory, under 

 the general rules for compounding poultry rations which are laid 

 down by all authorities on the subject. Egyptian corn is very suc- 

 cessful in the interior parts of the State, and, on lands which are 

 winter-plowed and harrow to retain moisture, very satisfactory re- 

 sults can be secured by summer growth without irrigation from 

 planting as soon as frost danger is over. 



Plucking Ducks and Geese. 



/ would like to know about how, when and how often to pick old 

 ducks so as to get the feathers for pillozus and not kill the ducks, either. 

 Will they lay any eggs ivhile growing new feathers? 



Neither ducks nor geese should be plucked until after the lay- 

 ing season is over, which will be in July. Just before the moult, 

 when the feathers begin to loosen, they may be plucked again. 

 Those most considerate of their birds make only this latter pluck- 

 ing, which does not greatly inconvenience the fowls. At no time 

 must they be plucked unless the feathers are "ripe"; that is, dry 

 at the root, so that no bleeding or injury to the skin is caused. An 



