148 POULTRY FOR PROFIT 



them free from lice and gives a great deal of com- 

 fort. 



Government Whitewash 



A thorough whitewashing once a year, inside and 

 out, goes far to keep buildings clean and sanitary. 

 The following is the formula for whitewash which is 

 recommended by the government : 



One peck of lime slacked in boiling water and kept 

 just covered by the water while slacking. Strain 

 through coarse cloth. Add two quarts of fine salt 

 dissolved in warm water, one pound of rice meal 

 or ground rice boiled in water to a thin paste, one- 

 quarter pound of whiting, and half a pound of glue 

 dissolved in warm water. Mix all thoroughly and 

 let stand covered for two or three days, stirring occa- 

 sionally. Heat the mixture before using. Sometimes 

 a quantity of crude carbolic acid is added to this 

 wash, but this changes the color somewhat and is no 

 more effective than whitewashing the houses and 

 then painting roosts and nest boxes with the acid. 



INSECT PESTS 



Probably the control of insect pests is the hardest 

 task the poultryman has to face, and this is espe- 

 cially true in the warmer climates where they breed 

 the year round. Summer and winter the fight must 

 be waged. There is no let-up, though cleanliness and 

 properly constructed houses make it easier. Lice kill 

 baby chicks and turkeys, stunt the growing stock 

 and make hens unproductive and prone to disease. 

 The little red mite always lies in wait to devour and 

 is sure death to young stock and sitting hens. Ticks 

 and fleas are found only in certain localities, but are 

 very hard to get rid of. 



There are eight kinds of lice and eighteeen species 



