FANCIERS' JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 



55 



dantly, and a cure is certain. As an astringent and preven- 

 tive of cholera, I use alum and saltpetre, about two parts of 

 the one and one of the other, dissolved in hot water, and 

 mix them a feed of bran or oatmeal and bran with the 

 water ; not too wet. After giving this feed for two or three 

 times, and some of the fowls are still mopish, single them 

 out and give a large tablespoonful of castor oil to a grown 

 chicken. To a large turkey, give from two to four table- 

 spoonfuls at a dose. I have seldom to repeat the treatment. 



A friend of mine says, a few drops of tincture of iron on 

 the oil is a great benefit ; but in the absence of the iron I 

 saved some fine Maine turkeys by one dose of oil, when, 

 without the knowledge of this cure, I would not have given 

 anything for them. 



At a future date I will give my method for treating roup. 

 Also the causes, under my observation, of both these diseases. 



Excuse the lengthiness of my letter, as it is one of my 

 many faults. 



L. E. F. 



(For Fanciers' Journal.) 



EUMPLESS FOWLS. 



In the Practical Poultry Keeper, page 170, Mr. Lewis 

 Wright thus discusses concerning the Eumpless fowl : 



" Eumpless fowls are of various colors, the only essential 

 characteristic being the absolute want of a tail, or of any 

 approach to one. It is, indeed, exceedingly difficult to breed 

 any particular color, as few persons have interest in the 

 breed sufficient to persevere long enough for securing uni- 

 formity. 



" The handsomest are white ; black also look well ; but 

 speckled are the most common. The size also varies very 

 much, ranging from three to seven pounds." 



During the years 1845 to 1850 1 resided in Canada, and 

 in those years bred the Eumpless fowl, and the farmer living- 

 adjacent bred them very extensively. "With the exception 

 of pure white, I found them as varied in plumage as the 

 common barnyard fowl, and averaged the same weight. The 

 prevailing color of my fowls was that of black-breasted red 

 games. Combs rather large and thin ; legs usually lead 

 color, but occasionally yellow. 



In breeding Eumpless fowls, the black-breasted red is 

 what I should strive for in the way of color, and when thus 

 bred are pretty fowls. As layers and sitters, I found them 

 identical with the barnyard fowls. 



I think their shape commends them for a table fowl. 



Wishing to try the effect of crossing, I put a fine plum- 

 aged, rose-combed Dominique cock with five partridge- 

 colored single-combed Eumpless hens. From that cross I 

 raised twenty-eight chickens. Part of the chickens had 

 double combs ; all were Dominique in plumage, with a good 

 deal of yellow in hackle and saddle, and none showed the 

 least approach to a tail 



This fact I have observed, that where Eumpless cocks are 

 mated to tailed hens, or vice versa, the progeny is either 

 decidedly Eumpless or otherwise in shape, however much 

 the plumage may vary ; and I cannot, with all my experi- 

 ence, call to mind a single fowl whose form appeared to be 

 changed by crossing. 



Wright further observes that " the eggs, however, are 

 very apt to prove sterile," an observation my experience 

 does not corroborate. 



E. J. H. 



Watertown, N. Y., January 7, 1874. 



(For Fanciers' Journal.) 



EUMPLESS FOWLS. 



Cakbondale, Pa., December 30, 1873. 

 Mr. Jos. M. Wade. 



Dear Sir: Noticing in your issue of the Fanciers' Jour- 

 nal and Poultry Exchange of the 8th January, 1874, a letter 

 addressed to you by Mr. Allen Carter, of Maine, with regard 

 to " Eumpless Fowl," I think that I can afford you the in- 

 formation you require, having seen that breed of fowl sev- 

 eral years past in the Isle of Man, Irish Channel, and from 

 their hardy nature, superior laying qualities, tender, plump 

 flesh (fully equal to the best English Dorking for the table), 

 I consider them on a par with any of the domestic poultry 

 in the States, and far surpassing Cochin Chinas, Brahma 

 Poutras, or any of the Asiatic breed. The " Eumpy," as it 

 is called in its native place, The Isle of Man, is a strong, 

 plump-looking bird, with single comb, short legs, handsome 

 plumage (minus the tail), especially the cock bird. I be- 

 lieve it would well repay you to introduce this breed of fowl, 

 that is, if you can procure it pure, for which I presume you 

 would have to pay an extra price, as I am aware the breed 

 is becoming scarce, and those who possess these birds duly 

 appreciate their profitable qualities. In the northern part 

 of the island, among some few of the native farmers, I think 

 your agents could procure you a few of the genuine breed. 



I have often heard the question asked, but never heard it 

 solved, " Why are the fowl, sheep, and cats, natives of this 

 island, without tails?" It is, however, a fact that they are 

 so, and visitors on their return to England generally take 

 with them one or two " Eumpy Kittens " as a curiosity. 

 Yours, A. Carr. 



%\m$ %\\\m$im% *w& ^musing. 



A rat-hole in a Duluth elevator discharged 600 bushels 

 of wheat last month. 



A young lady at Athol, Mass., has a tame duck which 

 follows its mistress about like a dog. It escorts her to church 

 on Sunday, and remains outside until the service is over, 

 when it escorts her back home. 



Poulterer's Success. — Miss Annie Kirk, of Bethel, Pa., 

 kept last year (1872) eighty fowls, Cochins and Brahmas, 

 from which she cleared $330 net. She fed from seven to ten 

 bushels of corn per week to the old fowls and cracked corn 

 to the young chickens. 



A Minnesota Trout Pond. — The trout pond started be- 

 low town last spring has become one of the attractive insti- 

 tutions of our city. On visiting the pond a few days ago, 

 we were informed by the proprietors that they had already 

 placed in position for hatching 135,000 eggs, from which 

 they expect to save 100,000 at least. Already 15,000 have 

 hatched out in forty-five days — about the shortest time on rec- 

 ord. It will be remembered that they procured from 1000 

 to 2000 breeding trout out of the streams about Lake City 

 the past summer, and as soon as the season opens again they 

 will endeavor to add as many more. This number of breed- 

 ers, together with the young fry which will be coming 

 along, will enable them to supply the markets about here in 

 a few years ; but not until the stock is amply sufficient will 

 they attempt it. — Lake City Sentinel. 



