220 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



the day eating alfalfa, cull fruit, and other available cheap 

 roughness. When finishing time arrives, feed twice daily 

 all the grain, fruit, roots, and hay he will eat. To produce 

 pork profitably, at least half the total weight of the 

 finished hog must have been made from rough feed. 



Poultry 



One hundred laying hens can be kept on each acre of 

 a full-grown orchard without interfering with the regular 

 operations. Four hundred laying hens can be kept on 

 each acre of a newly set orchard. An experienced poultry- 

 grower can make from one to two dollars net per year per 

 hen. 



The hens should be kept in small numbers in cheap, 

 portable houses. With the run of the orchard a house 

 8 X 10 feet will shelter thirty-five hens and can be built 

 for $15 to $25. It can be easily moved by four men or 

 by one man and a team. No floor is needed, and it is 

 preferable to use muslin in the place of glass for windows. 

 The house should be tight on the north, east, and west 

 ends. 



The hens should be forced to their full laying capacity, 

 and in February and March at least two hundred chicks 

 should be hatched for each one hundred hens. All the 

 cockerels and half the pullets should be marketed for 

 broilers at a weight of 1J4 to !}/ pounds. Sell all the 

 old hens except the best ones in May and early June, 

 when the price is highest. The young pullets will begin 

 laying in August. 



Many successful poultry-men make wheat half the 

 ration for laying hens, and for the other half feed a variety 



