160 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



[ October, 1877. 



POULTRY. 



Packing Poultry for Market. 



The French mode of killintc, by making: an incision 

 in the roof of the mouth, is preferable when the 

 head of the bird is tojlje left on, but that is not neces- 

 sary, neither is it always desirable ; but the custom 

 in the market to which the fowls arc sent determines 

 this matter. When, however, the head is taken off 

 the skin should always be pulled over the stump and 

 tied. The mode of picking while the bird is warm is 

 called "dry picking," and is the favorite method of 

 dressing poultry for the Philadelphia market. There 

 is one objection to this system, that it does not im- 

 prove the appearance, although it does the flavor ; 

 but while cooking it w^ll "plump up" and come out 

 of the oven looking much finer than when it went in. 

 In addition, it will kee[) much longer than when 

 dressed by the other mode. 



Another plan is, after the bird is picked, as above 

 described, plunge it in a kettle of very hot water, 

 holding it there only long enough to cause the bird 

 to "plump;" then hang it up, turkeys and chickens 

 by the feet, and geese and ducks by the head, until 

 thoroughly cooled. This scalding makes the fat look 

 bright and clear, and the fowl to appear much fatter 

 than it would if picked dry. This is the usual mode 

 of dressing for the New York markets. 



All poultry should be thoroughly cooled before 

 packing. Then provide boxes, for they are preferable 

 to barrels ; place a layer of rye straw that has been 

 thoroughly cleaned from dust, on the bottom ; com- 

 mence packing by placing the head of the fowl 

 against the end of the box, the bird lying on its 

 breast, with the legs extended behind it ; the last 

 one of the layers must be reversed, the feet passing 

 under each otlier, so that the heads aie against the 

 other end of the box. Tliis gives a uniformity of ap- 

 pearance, and a firmness in packing, that will pre- 

 vent moving during transportation. Over this layer 

 place straw enough to prevent one layer coming in 

 contact with the other; then add other layers, packed 

 in the same manner, until the box is filled. 



Care should be taken to have the box filled full, 

 in order to prevent any disarrangement of the con- 

 tents; for, should it become misplaced, the skin may 

 become so badly disfigured as to cause a depreciation 

 of the value to its owner. Those having extra fine 

 poultry to send to market should put paper over 

 each layer before placing the straw on it; this pre- 

 vents the dust from settling on it, and adds much to 

 its appearance. 



The box should have the initials of the consignor, 

 the number and variety of the contents, as well as 

 the name of the consignee, marked on it. The 

 necessity for marking the number and variety of 

 contents is, that in case the box is broken open and 

 any portion of the contents missing before delivery 

 to the consignee, he will be able to make a correct 

 bill for the missing poultry. Another advantage is, 

 that the consignee knows by a glance at the box 

 whether it contains the desired variety he wishes; if 

 not he need not open it, and the contents will not 

 receive a needless handling, for some parties prefer 

 a mixed box, while others do not, and all dealers 

 prefer to sell the entire contents of the box to one 

 person, as it avoids error in weighing and keeping 

 the accounts. 



Those wishing to market capons, must bear in 

 mind that they should be dry-picked, with the feath- 

 ers on around the head and the tip of the wings; 

 also the tail feathers left in; the small or pin-feathers 

 should all be removed. 



Persons living at a distance from this or any other 

 city, and wishing to send their poultry to market for 

 any particular occasion, should forward it a day or 

 two ahead of the time needed for transportation, for 

 it is better that the dealer should receive it even a 

 couple of days too soon, than an hour too late. — 

 liiiral New Yorker. 



" Piymouth Rocks." 



Plymouth Rocks, being a composite breed, have 

 eome peculiarities that render them difficult to breed 

 by the ordinary amateur, for if a ])air that are per- 

 fectly mated for exhibitions be put into a breeding 

 pen the almost certain result will be a lot of nearly 

 black, dark-legged pullets, with cockrels that may 

 be good in color of plumage, but will be very apt to 

 fail in color of leg and beak. In fact, we know of no 

 standard variety that reijuires more judgment and care 

 in mating up for breeding than the Plymouth Rocks. 



There is no question but that Plymouth Rocks are 

 now attracting more attention than any of the new 

 varieties, at least it is so in the Western and Southern 

 States, and they are destined to become more popu- 

 lar as the economic merits become known, combining 

 in themselves, as they do, large size, good laying and 

 table qualities, handsome plumage and extreme 

 hardiness. Being good mothers, with not too great 

 propensity for sitting, there certainly would seem to 

 be nothing further to be desired. But, of course, 

 while the geneifil average of excellence is high, the 

 Plymouth Rock does not equal some of the non-sitters 

 as egg producers, nor some other varieties as a table 

 fowl, but in these two respects it will be pronounced 

 "good enough," and as a general utility fowl the 

 Plymouth Kock will hold public favor. 



Charcoal and Lime. 



Permit us again to urge all breeders of poultry 

 who wish healthy fowls, to be liberal in supplying 

 their fowls with charcoal. It is one of the best pre- 

 ventives of diseases amongst fowls that can be 

 named. 



Even if the fowls are not confined, but especially 

 so If they are, charcoal pounded up into fine bits or 

 pieces about the size of a grain of corn, or a little 

 finer, should be put around in small piles where the 

 fowls can have easy access to it, and they will soon 

 make use of it. The cost of charcoal is but a trifle 

 and where the distapce from town or city is so great 

 as to prevent it from being readily obtained there- 

 from, the ashes from a wood stove may be sieved out 

 and the small bits of charred wood or charcoal used 

 in the place of that made in the regular way. 

 Especially during the spring and early summer 

 months, is it advisable to use charcoal freely. Lime, 

 too, is valuable in many ways. In the form of white- 

 wash it begets cleanliness, freedom from disease, and 

 laying hens should have lime where they can make 

 use of it, in assisting in the production of eggs. — 

 Poultry World. 



^ 



To Preserve Eggs. 



Dr. W. D. Monroe, in the Fanciers' Journal, giyes 

 the following : 



I have experimented with many nests of eggs this 

 year, and find that butter or grass of any kind with 

 me will certainly keep the eggs clear, but incubation 

 will not begin. I have tried a solution composed of 

 glycerine and olive oil, with the same result. If you 

 wish to keep eggs fresh for six months, take four 

 ounces of the best olive oil, shake well up together 

 and rub on the eggs. I had some eggs at breakfast 

 that were put down last January in a cool cellar, 

 that were treated with a coat of this egg preserver, 

 and packed, the large end down, in fine sand or salt, 

 and you could not tell them from freshly laid eggs. 

 Out of twenty-four dozen that we used this month, 

 that were put down in that way in January and Feb- 

 ruary, only five bad ones (and they only had a strong 

 musty smell, not rotten, my wife said) had been 

 found among them . 



An exchange says : "If you want chickens to get 

 well of the cholera in two days take good clear 

 water and put in a bucket of any kind; then get 

 white oak bark — that from an old tree is the best — 

 put it in the water and let it steep until the water is 

 of a copper color, and then pour it in your drinking 

 vessels or fountain and not let the fowls drink any 

 other water. Give them the usual feed, and a cure 

 will be effected in a short time. I have tried this for 

 five years, and it has never failed." 



If a hen's spur is hard, and the scales on the legs 

 rough, she is old, whether you see her head or not, 

 but her head will corroborate your observation. If 

 the underbill is so stiff that you cannot bend it down, 

 and the comb thick and rough, leave her, no matter 

 how fat and plump, for some one less particular. A 

 young hen has only the rudiments of spurs ; the 

 scales on the legs are smooth, glossy and fresh col- 

 ored, whatever the color may be; the claws tender 

 and short, the nails sharp, the underbill soft and the 

 comb thin and smooth. — Rural Neie Yorker. 



LITERARY AND PERSONAL. 



Brown Street Wharf Market on the Dela- 

 ware. — The greater extension of Philadelphia 

 northward and northwestward than in other direc- 

 tions, has necessitated a more northern wholesale 

 market on the river front than now exists. 



Owing to its proximity to the Delaware river; to 

 the Germantown, North Pennsylvania, Kensington 

 and other railroad depots ; to the Vine street and 

 Shackamaxon street ferries ; as well as to its accessi- 

 bility by the horse cars and the new Delaware ave- 

 nue steam railroad ; the above is believed to be an 

 unequaled point for the receipt and distribution of 

 market supplies by river and rail . 



Ground and wharves have been secured to ensure 

 every facility for a market of large proportions, and 

 to extend the same as increased business may call 

 for it. 



There will also be stores in the vicinity, suitable 

 for produce dealers, and extensive storage for arti- 

 cles in barrels is already provided. 



A market house at the foot of Brown street, 

 extending from Beach street to Delaware avenue, 

 will be erected immediately, and be ready for use 

 next spring, and extensive accommodations provided 

 on the opposite wharf. 



There will be a telegraph office on the premises, 

 by which dealers from all parts can secure deliveries 

 of oysters, fish, produce, fruit, etc., with the utmost 

 despatch, and the convenience of those engaged 

 there consulted as far as possible. 



The Second and Third street cars (taking passes 

 via Brown street) and the Green street and Fair- 

 mount avenue cars reach the place. , 



The Mount Joy Herald.— Of all the folios — not 

 Included in the specialty of agriculture — there is none 

 that comes to our desk more promptly and more 

 welcomly than the Mount Joy Eei-ald, and none tliat 



reflects a higher moral and domestic tone. Its liter- 

 ary selections are pure and practical ; its editorials 

 fair and liberal, and its local columns a faithful epi- 

 tome of the events of its neighborhood. But this is 

 not all, for it caters for more than the merely material 

 wants of man — it endeavors to lift up and expand 

 his moral nature — to be not only "a lamp to his feet," 

 but also "a light to his path." "The sayings of 

 Honest John," emanating from a more pretentious 

 source,would long since havebeen quoted as superior 

 and less selfish than those of "Poor Richard." But 

 more still, regularly every week, side and side with 

 its practical Agricultural and Domestic column, are 

 its contributions to the edification of the spiritual 

 man, and it is refreshing to see, in a secular journal, 

 this constant and living recognition of men's spiritual 

 nature through "Our Diary." $2.00 a year, in ad- 

 vance, for the Herald and The Farmer. 



The Art of Propagation. — A hand-book for 

 Nurserymen, Florists, Gardeners and everybody. 

 Price, 50 cents. Published by the Jenkins Grape and 

 Seedling Nursery, Winona, Columbiana county, Ohio, 

 1877. "This is a fairly printed octavo of 36 pages. In- 

 cluding covers and 2.5 finely executed illustrations. 

 No work that we have ever seen seems to be better 

 entitled to "3/m/(«h4 in pa»-!io" than this little work 

 on a most useful and interestingsubject. The whole 

 subject of propagation is contained in a "nut-shell," 

 and from a practical standpoint. We will furnish the 

 Farmer for 1878 and a copy of this valuable treatise, 

 to all who desire it, a.t $1 .25, to those residing within 

 the county of Lancaster, and at $1.50 to those who 

 reside beyond its borders, whether they are old sub- 

 scribers or not. 



The Poultry World. — Poultry fanciers and 

 farmers who raise fowls for market will find this 

 magazine very useful, as it is devoted exclusively to 

 the discussion of matters pertaining to the breeding 

 and rearing of poultry and such other matters as are 

 connected with the pursuit. Its appearance is very 

 attractive, as it is adorned with numerous fine cuts, 

 and, in addition, the publisher furnishes to his sub- 

 scribers at a nominal price, twelve magnificent Chro- 

 nco-plates of modern varieties of fowls. Subscription, 

 $1.25 per year, or $2 with the chromo-plates. Ad- 

 dress, H. H. Stoddard, Publisher, Hartford, Conn. 



St. Francis Nurseries.— We have received the 

 illustrated wholesale price list of nursery-grown 

 European larch, evergreens, fruit, ornamental, shade 

 and deciduous tree seedlings, cultivated and for sale 

 by H. M.Thompson & Son, St. Francis, Milwaukee 

 county, Wisconsin. An octavo pamphlet of 40 pages, 

 with a large folded plate, of shelter-belts and orna- 

 mental hedges, and 11 other illustrations of choice 

 evergreens, and besides giving an unusually large 

 amouut of statistical, historical and instructive 

 matter on the subject of tree culture. 



Dear Old Homestead, is the title of a new soog, 

 by Miss Anna C. Hilts. This song has taken a strong 

 hold on the popular fancy. No doubt there are thous- 

 ands who never forget the "Dear Old Homestead," 

 where so many happy hours were spent in joyfuluess 

 and glee, during their childhood days. Price, 40 

 cents, with splendid lithograph of a country home- 

 stead. 



'Tis a place I sliall ever remember. 



Should I live to be fifty years old ; 

 'Twas the home of ua all iu our childhood, 

 And we prize it, yes higher than gold. 



Address all orders to F. W. Helmick, publishers, 

 No. .50 West Fourth street, Cincinnati, Ohio. 



N. B. — Over 200 second-hand pianos for sale cheap. 



Extensive Art Gallery. — Next to the Bible 

 no book is more useful than Webster's Dictionarj . 

 The Unabridged is an extensive art gallery, contaimag 

 over three thousand engravings, representing almost 

 every animal, insect, reptile, implementj plant, etc., 

 which we know anything about. It is a vast library, 

 giving information on almost every mentionable sub- 

 ject. It, indeed, has been well remarked that it is the 

 most remarkable compendium of human knowledge 

 iu our Isingndtgt.— Household Advocate. 



Received, for 1877 and 1878, descriptive catalogue 

 of tulips, hyacinths, crocuses, lilies, and other 

 spring-flowering bulbs, with supplementary addenda 

 of winter-blooming plants, fuchsias, geraniums, 

 roses, chrysanthemums, &c. For sale by F. K. 

 Phcenix, at the Bloomington Nursery, Bloomington, 

 McLean county, Illinois. Also, wholesale price list 

 and wholesale club rates. 



The Advertisers' Guide, a magazine devoted to 

 the interests of advertisers and newspaper pub- • 

 lishers, by N. W. Ayer & Son, Times building,, 

 Chestnut and Eighth streets, Philadelphia, Pa. A t 

 very handsome royal octavo of 20 pages and filled 

 with interesting and instructive matter on its 

 specialty. 



Centennial prize medal and diploma, awarded 

 to Gibson tV Bennett, for exhibit of fine fruit. Florists 

 and Fruit-growers, Woodbury, N. J. Illustrated 

 description and price list of the four best market 

 berries, nursery stock, roses, grapevines, &c., for sale. 



Wholesale price list of grapevines, fruit trees, 

 &c., for Autumn, 1877. T. S. Hubbard, Fredonia, 

 New York. 



Rochester Commercial Nurseries, Wm. 3. Little's 

 semi-annual circular of wholesale prices for the Au- 

 tumn of 1877. 



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