44 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



[March 



Litiz ; Charles E. Lono:, city; William A. Schoen- 

 berger, city ; John F. Keed, city ; F. R. Diffenderffer, 

 city ; Charles Lippold, city ; Joseph F. Witmer, 

 Paradise; John C. Liuville, Gap; Amos Kingwalt, 

 city; John C. Burrowes, city; Tobias D. Martin, 

 New Haven; Colin Cameron, Brickerville ; Mrs. 

 Colin Cameron, Brickerville; S. P. Eby, citv ; IT. H. 

 Tsbudy, Litiz. 



The minutes of the previous meeting were read 

 and adopted. 



Charles E. Long, of the committee appointed to 

 inquire into the cost of printing the Constitution and 

 By-Laws reported that they had rather exceeded 

 their instructions in having had printed .500 copies of 

 the constitution. They had hit upon a plan by which 

 the printing could be done without cost, and a profit 



It appeared from the remarks of other members, 

 that Mr. J. B. Lielity, the secretary, had suggested 

 the plan of securing advertisements to be embodied 

 in th.- pamphlet, And by energetic work succeeded 

 in securing enough to pay for the work and put $5 

 in the treasury. 



On motion, it was ordered that each member re- 

 ceive five copies of the constitution. 



Joseph F. Witmer, of the committee appointed to 

 bring the matter of joining the Poultry Association 

 before the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, 

 reported that they had done so, but no action was 

 taken on the proposition. 



Chicken Cholera. 



Charles E. Long rose to answer the question, 

 " What is the most rapid cure for chicken cholera?" 

 He thought the question was a most diliicult one, as 

 a council of physicians would differ very consider- 

 ably on the subject. Chicken cholera is a great 

 scourge and the hopes of many have been blighted 

 by it. There are many dilierent reiiicilics. ' Soft 

 soap, hard soap, horse and cattle powders, sulphate 

 of iron and sulphate of copper are given, but he 

 knew of nothing that was sure. He believed that 

 crowding together of the fowls was a prime cause of 

 the disease, and he believed that one of the best 

 remedies was to give them more room, and use dis- 

 infectants liberally. 



H. II. Tsliudy said he had suffered about as much 

 from this disease as any breeder. Had tried almost 

 every remedy, but observed that since he kept the 

 chicken houses clean, he had less of it. Had ob- 

 served that the disease was most fatal in its effects 

 ■ among the Asiatic breeds, and when it got among 

 them the best and only thing to do was to cut off 

 their heads. 



S.N. Warfel said that he used carbolic acid so 

 liberally that he never had a case of cholera in his 

 coops. Had discovered that calomel and castor oil 

 were sure cures for the disease. He used consider- 

 able quantities of chalk and powdered bone about 

 his coops. 



"What must Hens have to Produce Eggs. 



" What must hens that are confined absolutely 

 have in order that they may produce eggs ?" was the 

 next question, and v.'as answered by D. C. Tobias. 

 He counseled great cnre in the laeparation of the 



the 



said the main lut_Kl is coin and oats. There is also a 

 want for green food which should be supplied. The 

 best soft I'ood is bran well prepared. If any food 

 besides these are calculated to increase the produc- 

 tion of eggs, they are the Eureka Poultry Food, and 

 the Eureka Egi; Food. But the question cannot be 

 answered to the satisfaction of all. What will satisfy 

 one fancier would not lie well received by another, 

 and the best plan is fur each fancier to experiment 

 for himself, and when he finds what food is most 

 suitable for his stock, to use it. 



S. N. Warfel said he had found by experiments 

 that chalk pounded into small pieces was eaten with 

 relish by the hens, which will eat it when they will 

 not eat lime, and he thought it had the desired effect. 

 His fowls laid all winter. 



H. H. Tshudy spoke in favor of oyster shells, 

 cracklings, and counseled a variety of food. The 

 hens should not be kept on one diet. He thought it 

 was of great importance that the hen-house should 

 be kept warm. 



A. Z. Itingwalt fed his chickens burnt corn, and 



put red pepper in their drink, and thought he had 



the liveliest lot of fowls to be found. He kept them 



clean and warm, and got plenty of eggs. 



The Best Barnyard Fowl. 



" What is the farmer's best farmyard fowl ?" was 

 answered by H. H. Tshudy. If the first requisite iu 

 the farmyard is the production of eggs he had no 

 hesitation in recommending the Leghorn variety; 

 that is, if the farmer takes care of his chickens. 

 But on the other hand, the production of eggs is not 

 everything. The farmer wants a chicken that is 

 worth something in the market. He thought the 

 best chicken was the Plymouth Rock ; good layers, 

 good hatchers, etc. If only one breed can be raised 

 he would choose it. 



John C. Linville had just introduced a trio of 

 Plymouth Rocks, and believed they would come to 

 maturity sooner than the Brahma, which he raised 



before. In regard to the Leghorn he did not like 

 them. They are not suitable for the farmer, as they 

 destroy his garden and their eggs are too small. 



Chas. E. Long thought the question was : " Will 

 a farmer make more by keeping hens and selling 

 their eggs, or killing them for market?" He thought 

 the former plan was the most profitable, and the 

 Leghorns were the best in that respect. The Brah- 

 mas are the best winter layers. 



J. B. Lichty had received more eggs from foui- 

 Brahmas during the winter than from seven Brown 

 Leghorns. 



Chickens and Sunlight. 



" Will chickens do well on board floors without 

 sunli-ht ?" was answered by John F. Reed. His ex- 

 peririirc was that cliirki-ns would not do well any 

 plare witliiiul .-unli'^lit , His first coop was insufii- 

 eicni I V liiihii d and his cliirk.-iis gni sick, but his sec- 

 ond .nop was well ligliteil and the result was highly 

 satisfactory. 



S. N. Warfel said that his fowls had plenty of 

 light, but a gentleman in Boston raises his fowls in 

 the cellar and takes off the first prizes at shows. He 

 contends that raising them in the cellar improves 

 their color, and he has the prettiest chickens in the 

 show-room. 



A. Z. Ringwalt thought chickens should have 

 plenty of sunlight ; in fact he knew of nothing that 

 euuld do A\ ithout sunlight except a new carpet. 



Chas. E. Long thought there was only one side to 

 the question. No poulTy will do well without sun- 

 light, and hoard floors are the worst things upon 

 which chickens could be put. 



A. Z. Kingwalt said that a board floor was too 

 damp lor chickens, and would never use it. He 

 thought that hens must have plenty of dust. 



,i. N. Warfel had a cement floor on his hen house 

 which was scrubbed out. He did not believe in the 

 dust theory. 



Simon P. Eby said that if Mr. Warfel's plan of 

 cleanliness was adopted dust was not necessary, but 

 if not Mr. Ringwalt's plan must be followed. 



A good plan to keep off vermin is to use insect 

 powder just before the brood is hatched. He raised 

 his young chickens on a board floor. 

 Miscellaneous. 



President Tobias appointed as a committee to pre- 

 pare questions for debate in the society F. 11. Diffen- 

 derfler, J. B. Lichty and J. F. Reed. Thejcommittee 

 asked that the members of the society assist them by 

 suggesting questions. 



John L. Martin, city; Henry Wissler, Columbia; 

 W. H. Gates, city; Charles E. Stewart, city; J. B. 

 Long, city, and Wash. L. Hershey, Chickies, were 

 elected members of the society. 



A. Z. Ringwalt wanted to see the members pro- 

 pose the election of their wives and daughters as 

 members of the society. 



Mr. Diffendertfei- moved that ladies be invited to 

 become members of the society. Carried. 



A bill of ?:i.50 for furnishing and printing 200 

 postal cards was presented by the Examiner and 

 Express and ordered to be paid. 



The following questions are proposed for answers 

 at the next meeting : " How long will eggs retain 

 their fertility?" A. Z. Ringwalt. "What is the 

 proper mode to pack eggs for transportation ?" F. B. 

 Buch. 



On motion, it was resolved to pay the rent of the 

 room quarterly. 



Adjourned. 



WARWICK FARMERS' CLUB. 



[We regret that the following only came into our 

 possession after our February number had been al- 

 ready made up, but as it contains matter that has 

 not yel spoiled we insert it here.— Ei).] 



Tl]« second meeting to organize a farmers' club 

 was hehl on February 1, ls79, on the farm of John 

 Grossman, New Haven, Warwick township, Uriah 



in the 



In the aiisunie of the former Secretary, John 

 Grustnian was upixiinted in his stead. The follow 

 ing persons were present : Uriah Carpenter, John 

 Grossman, John Huber, Peter Robertson, Henry 

 Long, Isaac Grube, Abraham Bear, Nathaniel Bru- 

 baker, Frank Swally, John Behmer, Aaron Gross- 

 man, Moses Grossman, Mrs. Carpenter, Mrs. Gross- 

 man and others. 



The proceedings of the former meeting not bemg 

 accessible, their reading had to be dispensed with. 

 The chairman stated the object of the meeting. 



John Grossman stated that he did not agree with 

 certain chemists, that only 20 bushels of lime should 

 be put on an acre of ground. He never had made 

 the experiment of so small a quantity himself. He 

 applied more liberally — 100 bushels to an acre. 

 Some of his neighboring farmers apply it more 

 sparingly, and by that he can see the difference. 

 Liberal liming ivill pay. He stated that if 50 bushels 

 were applied to an acre, with only half as long an 

 interval as when 100 bushels are applied, it would be 

 better. Twenty bushels might do if it was applied 

 every year. 



Mr. Huber stated that lime always was beneficial 

 to the soil whenever he applied it. When lime is in- 

 corporated with th« soil in the form of a fine dust, 



or pulverized, it is a great deal better than when wet 

 and merely crumbling. The application of a small 

 quantity of lime dust may have as much effect upon 

 the soil and be more beneflcial to the crops than a 

 larger quantity of crumbling lime in first year. He 

 also said he experieueed good effects from lime when 

 applied to grass lands. He top-dressed in March, 

 and it doubled his hay crop the same season. 



Mr. Carpenter said he could not agree with such a 

 chemist under any circumstances, and he would like 

 to see where Lancaster county would be if it would 

 not be for lime. Chemists may make of it what they 

 please, he was too well convinced of the use of lime. 



Mr. Huber asked if any one present had any ex- 

 perience with phosphates. He said he tried it on 

 wheat. He harvested each separate, and when 

 weighed he found the difference so small that it did 

 not pay to use phosphates. 



Mr. Grossman said he applied phosphate to pota- 

 toes and corn, several years ago, and found no differ- 



Mr. Carpenter asked : How can we get our farms 

 to produce double crops ? 



Mr. Huber said, one good step iu that direction is 

 to sell very little grain. Feed it to stock on the farm; 

 save all you can and make it into manure. 



Mr. Grossman also recommended the saving of 

 manure ; scrape it together everywhere in the yard ; 

 where the cattle go to water ; every animal while 

 out to water loses daily enough to make a hill of 

 corn grow by the droppings, and what they carry out 

 of the stable attached to their hoofs, and that 

 amounts to a great deal during the course of a year 

 where 25 or 30 head of cattle are kept. 



Mr. Carpenter said 25 head of cattle lose a wheel- 

 barrow load every day, and that would make 365 j 

 barrow loads in a year. J 



Mr. Huber said much can be done by keeping the 9 

 manure well heaped together. It will not wash 1 

 away so much as when it is more scattered. • 



Mr. Carpenter asked : Which is best, to leave the 

 cattle stand on the manure pile or not? He stated 

 that he keeps the cattle on the manure pile during 

 the day, when not in the stable, and very seldom any 

 water runs out, and he gets more manure than he 

 woidd if he kept the cattle off, and of a better quality, 

 as it assists the rotting together. 



Mr. Grossman said much manure might be made 

 by saving the contents of our cesspools ; on the most 

 of farms the night soil is entirely wasted. We see it 

 behind barns and sheds, and corners where nothing 

 is raised but tremendous stalks of all kinds of noxious 

 weeds. The water-closet should be built at a con- 

 venient place over a tight box, or better still, over a 

 well-walled and plastered or cemented cesspool. It 

 should be sufficiently large to store in it a reasonable 

 quantity of dry earth, and every time it is u.sed a 

 sufficient quantity of this earth sli'iuM be iliscliarged, 

 which acts as a deodorizer, aTnl the contents is con- 

 verted into the well-known fertilizer that is sold 

 under the name of "poudret ;'' it is worth all the i 

 trouble, and the manure will soon pay for the build- | 

 ing — perhaps in a year or two. The earth should be 4 

 gathered in August when it is pulverized and dry. 1 

 It may be swept up in many places in the form of 

 dust. The dailj excretions of a family of only half 

 a dozen members would produce sufficient night 

 soil in a year to make about 2,200 hills of corn 

 grow — about half an acre — at the lowest estimate 25 

 or 30 bushels of corn ; and the removal and manipu- 

 lating of this manure is not any more unpleasant 

 than cleaning a pig -pen. 



Mr. Huber remarked that he has had that system 

 in operation for the pas, six ye,:rs. 



As the time had expiiril, ^pusi imis were proposed 

 for next meeting, and ai'^ liic tullnwing : 



1. When is the best liuie t(j sow cloversced? 



2. Which is the best, to turn cattle out to pasture 

 during summer, or to keep them stabled and feed 

 green fodder? 



3. What kind of fodder is best? 



Adjourned to meet at this place at 1 o'clock p. ra. 

 February 15, 1879. 



Meeting of February 15th, 1879. 



The club met at the house of John Grossman, 

 Uriah Carpenter in the chair. The secretary read 

 the proceedings of the previous meeting, which were 

 adopted. 



The meeting was small, owing to an entertainment 

 at a neighboring school, and a public sale at another 

 place. 



Seme discussion was had on the question, " How 

 can we raise double crops ?" 



An opinion was expressed, that if we were to ma- 

 nure very heavily, and not sow so many acres, we 

 might in that way accomplish the end. 



Mr. Grossman said that he did not agree to that. 

 If he were to haul all the manure on one acre that he 

 now puts on two he would sometimes get a less crop. 

 It would glow too rank in straw, and lodge too 

 readily. 



It was also said that 40 and 50 bushels of wheat to 

 the acre are raised in some parts of the county, and 

 that such wheat farms must have some substance in 

 the soil which we have not. 



The question was postponed for further discussion. 



The clover sowing question was then taken up— 

 " When is the best time to sow clover?" 



