1879.] 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



Hi 



The real reason is a groundlefs prejudice ajialnst 

 the use of mutton, llie most nutrllious, economical 

 and healthful of meats. It Is true there Is a slnsle 

 disability connected with the raising of sheep cither 

 as wool or mutton, and that Is, the numher of wortli- 

 less curs with which our vlllairee, and, Indeed many 

 of our farms abound; but this would be easily cured, 

 if more or less sheep were bred on every farm, since 

 It would then be to the interest of every farmer, not 

 only either to kill or educate the farm dogs, but also 

 wage unrelenting war against those not educated to 

 understand the rights of property. 



One of the principal objections to the use of mut- 

 ton among farmers, we believe, Is the taste the meat 

 will contract from the wool, if not properly dressed. 

 This is easily avoided. All that Is needed is to 

 bleed, skin and disembowel as quickly as possible, 

 keeping the wool from contact with the flesh ; wash 

 thoroughly by dashing water Inside the carcass, and 

 cool as soon as may be. A small sheep, fat, weigh- 

 ing from sixty to eighty pounds, may easily be con- 

 sumed by an ordinary sized family before it gets 

 tainted, except in the hottest weatlier ; If larger, It 

 may be divided with a neighbor, to be returned in 

 kind, or sold if the neighbor does not keep sheep. 

 A small flock of sheep may easily be taught to heed 

 and be driven to and from the pasture with milch 

 cows. The wool will fully pay for thecare bestowed, 

 and the mutton may be considered clear gain ; and, 

 certainly, no one will deny, once having eaten a meal 

 of well fed mutton, that It is infinitely superior to 

 salted pork or bacon. Even when placed In compe- 

 tition with ham, either sliced or broiled whole, mut- 

 ton will undoubtedly compare favorabi} with it, at 

 least for a change. — Wes(ern Rural. 



Milk and Beef. 



Food is the support of the cow — that is, her sys- 

 tem, and the calf she carries, of the milk afterward 

 as a substitute. She can digest and use only a 

 certain amount— no more. Now, ii there is much 

 milk, the food eaten and digested will mostly go 

 to form this — and it requires good feeding to pro- 

 duce and keep up this large flow of milk, as with the 

 Ayrshire, the Jersey, and, in many instances, the 

 native cow. This is evidence against the idea, enter- 

 tained by some, that both milk and flesh (includ- 

 ing flit) can be secured at their maximum in the 

 same animal. To divide equally what is digested, so 

 that the milk gets half, and the flesh, fat, &c., the 

 other half, could not possibly, it seems to me, afford 

 a maximum quantity of milk, and, at the same time, 

 a full development of beef. 



It is true some animals, like Fome of the short- 

 horns, aflbrd a good carcass, and, in addition, a 

 large flow of milk, when they are vigorous digestors. 

 At the same time these animals never get fat while 

 producing largely of milk. I' is a rule — is it not 

 universally the case?— that the milk must be stopped 

 when the animal is to be fattened— slops itself. 

 Indeed, when fattening. Besides, there is an apti- 

 tude for milk or fat which is bred. We breed tlie 

 one in the Ayrshire, the other in the short-horn. 

 This aptitude must consist In applying the food for 

 the purpose intended, either to produce fat or milk. 



The stomach is the means for carrying out one or 

 the other of these purposes, to convert all tlie food It 

 can, and the quantity cannot be made sufficient to 

 carry both purposes to their highest extent unless 

 the digestive capacity is increased sutficiently. This 

 then, it strikes me, is the point. Increase digestion 

 and the two may be carried, aided by breeding for 

 the two. Or either may be correspondingly extended 

 —the milk increased in the milking strain, or in- 

 crease of flesh and fat in the other, as now. 



Horses Lying Down. 



I do not know why a horse should not be as much 

 rested and benefited by lying down as any other four- 

 footed beast. A horse often sleeps standing up, and 

 so does an ox. I know that it was claimed for a 

 gray horse once, as a special merit, that he would 

 not lie down unless his stall was'well littered; conse- 

 quently all expense of bedding might be saved, as no 

 doubt It had been. Horses are peculiar about lying 

 down. It seems as if they knew their helplessness 

 when in this position, and were bound never to 

 expose themselves to danger. 



Although many may be lying down, every horse In 

 a stable Is on his feet at the slightest noise. It is, 

 besides, almost universally regarded, and usually 

 true, as a sign of ill-health, if a horse is found lylnsr 

 down in the day time. I have recently come to the 

 conclusion, however, that if horses are perfectly easy 

 In their minds, they will take as much comfort in 

 lying down as cattle do, and lean point to one stable, 

 not my own, where spirited, well-fed horses may be 

 seen lying down at almost any hour of the day or 

 night, and it comes from the perfect confldence they 

 have in their groom. — fiouthern Planter. 



Balky Horses. 



The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani- 

 mals recommends the following rules for the treat- 

 ment of balky horses : 



1. Pat the horse upon the neck, examine the har- 



ness carefully, first on one side then on the other, 

 speaking encouragingly while doing so; then jump 

 into the wagon and give the word ; generally he will 

 obey. 



V. A teamster in Maine says he can start the worst 

 balky horse by taking him out of the •shafts and 

 making him go round the circle. If the first dance 

 of this kind doesn't cure him, the second will be 

 sure to do it. 



S. To cure a balky horse, simply place your hand 

 over the horse's nose and shut off the nind till he 

 wants to go, and then let him go. 



4. The brains of horses seem to entertain but one 

 Idea at a time ; thus continued whipping only con- 

 firms his stubborn resolve ; If you can by any means 

 give him a new subject to think of, you will have no 

 trouble In starting him. A simple remedy Is to take 

 a couple of turns of stout twine around the foreleg, 

 just below the knee, and tie in a bow knot. At the 

 first check he will go dancing ofl", and, after going a 

 short distance, you can get out and remove the 

 string to prevent Injury to the tendon In your further 

 drive. 



Cows. 



Treat them generous and kindly, but do not keep 

 them fat, unless they are to be turned ofl' into beef. 

 A cow Is a machine, a laboratory for converting raw 

 materials into milk. If little be given, little will he 

 received. All animals should have exercise, especi- 

 ally those kept for breeding. Some of them are nat- 

 urally lazy, but they will be better for stirring about 

 in the open air. It is cruel to keep animals tied up 

 or shut up for days at a time. They need light too. 

 Direct sunshine exerts a powerful Influence for good 

 on animals as well as on plants. Do not overlook a 

 good supply of pure water two or three times a day; 

 or good ventilation and proper cleaning of stables. 

 When the ground is frozen and covered with snow, 

 it may be well enough, on pleasant days, to scatter 

 the fodder and allow the stock plenty of room to 

 pick it up ; but when it is muddy, no one but a slov- 

 en will fodder on the ground. Good racks should be 

 made for the sake of convenience and economy. 



A Remedy. 



To avoid the ugly marks of broken knees, it is 

 recommended, that when the horse falls the wound 

 should be washed, by throwing a bucket of water 

 upon It, and never Irritating It by any friction ; dry 

 the wound then with a very soft cloth, and place 

 over It a layer of dry cotton, a finger length in 

 thickness, covering with a band of fiannel, and the 

 latter with the usual leather knee-cap not too tightly 

 strapped. Let the horse repose three or four days 

 and without touching the bandage; at the expiration 

 of this period, take off the bandage very delicately 

 and without touching the crust or the sore, ana walk 

 the horse for a little, but very slow, then replace the 

 bandage as before. In thirteen days the crust will 

 fall, the wound will not only have a new skin, but 

 will be rr-;ovcred with hair, and no change of color 

 will be perceptible.- Pari.s Letter. 



Calves. 

 A calf that Is Infested with vermin, may be known 

 by its rough coat covered with ticks. The young 

 animals should be freed from these pests at once. 

 A mixture of lard and sulphur rubbed along the 

 spine and on the brisket will be effective; and a 

 dose of a tablespoonful of sulphur and molasses, once 

 a day for a week, will help greatly to drive away 

 lice and prevent disease. 



Poultry. 



Perches are generally placed too high. Probably 

 because it was noticed that fowls in their natural 

 state, or when at large, usually roost upon high 

 branches ; but it should be observed that In descend- 

 ing from lofty branches they have considerable 

 distance to fly, and therefore alight on the ground 

 gently, while In a confined fowl-house the bird 

 flutters down almost perpendicularly, coming into 

 contact with the floor forcibly, by which the keel 

 of the breastbone is often broken, and bumble-foot 

 and corns are caused. Somu writers do not object to 

 lofty perches, provided the fowls have a board with 

 cross-pieces of wood fastened on to it reaching fron; 

 the ground to the perch ; but this does not obviate 

 the evil, for they will use it only for ascent and not 

 for descent. The air, too, at the upper part of any 

 dwelling room or house for animals is much more 

 Impure than nearer the floor, because the air that 

 has been breathed and vapors from the body are 

 lighter than pure air, and consequently ascend to the 

 top. The perches should, therefore, not be more 

 than eighteen inches from the ground, unless the 

 breed is very small and light. Perches are also 

 generally made too small and round. When they 

 arc too small in proportion to the size of the binls, 

 they are apt to cause the breastbone of the heavy 

 fowls to grow crooked, which is a great defect and 



very unsightly in a table fowl. Those for heavy fowls 

 should not be less than three inches In diameter. 

 Capital perches may be formed of fir or larch poles, 

 about three Inches In diumeter, split into two, the 

 round side being placed uppermost ; the birds' claws 

 cling to it easily, and the bark Is not as hard as 

 planed wood. Tlie perches, if made of timber, should 

 be nearly square, with only the corners rounded off, 

 as the feet of fowls a.-e not formed for clasping 

 smooth round poles. Those for chickens should not 

 be thicker than their daws can easily grasp, and 

 neither too sharp nor too round. When more than one 

 row of perches is required they should be ranged ob- 

 llquely-thatl6,onc above and behind the other. They 

 should be placed two feet apart, and supported on 

 bars of wood fixed to the walls at each end ; and In 

 order that they may be taken out to be cleaned, they 

 should not be nailed to the supporter, but securely 

 placed In niches cut In the bai , or by pieces of wood 

 nailed to it like the rowlocks of a boat. If the wall 

 space at the sides is required for laylng-boxes, the 

 perches must be shorter than the house, and the 

 oblique bars which support them must be securely 

 fastened to the back of the house, and If necessary, 

 have an upright placed beneath the upper end of 

 each. Some breeders prefer a movable frame for 

 roosting, formed of two poles of the required lengths, 

 joined at each end by two narrow pieces, the frame 

 being supported on four or more legs according to Its 

 length and weight of the fowls. If necessary, It 

 should be lengthened by rails- connecting the bot- 

 toms of the legs and by pieces crossing from each 

 ant'le of the sides and ends. These frames can con- 

 veniently be moved out of the house when they 

 require cleansing. Or It may be made of one pole, 

 suppnrliil at each end by two legs spread out widely 

 apart, like two sides of an equilateral or equal-sided 

 triangle. The perch may be made more secure for 

 heavy fowls by a nail at each side fastened to each 

 leg, about three inches from the foot. 



The Dominique Fowl. 



This truly valuable and meritorious fowl, as it 

 name implies, is the oldest of the distinctive Amerl 

 can species, being mentioned In the earliest poultry- 

 books as an indigenous and valued variety. In the 

 " New Standard of Excellence" they are described 

 as follows: "The cock, com!), double, square in 

 front, fitting close upon the head, top covered with 

 small points, with a peak behind turning slightly 

 upwards; wattles broad and full.well-roundcd on the 

 lower edge; beak bright yellow, short, stout at base, 

 I apering to the point; eye laree, bright and clear; 

 head medium size, carried well up: deaf ear red, 

 neck medium length, finely tapered, well speckled ; 

 breast very broad, deep aiid full; body large, very 

 square, compactly built; wings medium size, carried 

 up, bow and tips covered with breast and saddle 

 feathers; tall full, expanded, sickle feathers carried 

 medium height and well curved ; thighs large ani 

 stronjr; legs rather short, stout, well-spread apart, 

 free from feathers, and bright yellow in color ; color 

 of plumage light, slaty blue ground shade, each 

 feather barred or penciled across with l>andsof dark, 

 slaty blue, free from white, black or red feathers; 

 carriage and appearance very upright, noble and 

 grand. The hen, comb the same as cock, but much 

 smaller; wattles small and well-rounded; beak 

 bright yellow, short and stout ; eye large, bright and 

 clear; head small and very neat; deaf ear red; 

 breast round and full ; tail full, well-carried, expand- 

 ed ; legs short and bright yellow, and free from 

 feathers: color of plumage same as in cock." 



Wright, in his "Illustrated Book of Poultry," says 

 of them : "The Dominique is an excellent layer, 

 very hardy, and good for the table. It grows fast 

 and feathers quickly, while its plain homespun suit 

 makes it very suitable for couittless localities where 

 more showy or 'valuable looking' fowls would be im- 

 prudent as out of place. It is to be regretted that in 

 its native home it has been of late comparatively ne- 

 glected, owing to the preference for Imported stock 

 of all kinds. However this may be, wc have no 

 hesiiation in recommending the Dominique as one of 

 the most generally useful 'all round' fowls we know." 



It Is the farmer's breed for profit, and I feel confl- 

 deiit that whoever gives t';cm a fair trial will not 

 discard them for "Shanghais," "Cochins" or 

 "Brahmas." In conclusion, permit me to say that 

 the above must not be misconstrued into an adver- 

 tisement, as I have "nary an egg nor the shadow of 

 a hen" for sale, neither am I interested in the sale of 

 any. — W. E. Floirer, in dermantoum Telegraph. 



Feeding and Treatment. 

 Dear Sir: On reading "how 'F. J. W.' makes h|8 

 hens lay," 1 could not resist the temptation o' 

 "scribbling" a few lines about my hens and how I 

 do it. I also feed a warm mush every morning, 

 through cold weather, and add all the curdled milk 

 I can get. I heat the milk and turn oflT the whey, 

 and use the curd. And twice a week I add to this 

 chopped vegetables— cabbage, beets, onions, turnips, 

 etc., just which I happen to have the hatidiest. 

 And in the afternoon feed whole grain, of any kind I 

 can buy the cheapest. And I do not fail to have 

 plenty of eggs through the winter. I have been 



