252 POULTRY BREEDING 
manure without chemicals when compared with that 
which had been mixed with them.” 
Fresh poultry droppings at present value for fertilizers 
would be worth about 60 cents per 100 pounds. Figures 
from different experiment stations would give the prod- 
uct of 25 hens for the winter season of six months as 375 
pounds from the roost droppings alone. Poultry drop- 
pings are particularly valuable as a top-dressing for grass 
because of their high content of nitrogen in the form of 
ammonia compounds, which are nearly as quick in their 
action as nitrate of soda. A ton of such droppings pre- 
served with chemicals and sawdust would be sufficient 
for an acre when compared with a chemical formula for 
top dressing. On the same basis of comparison 100 fowls 
running at large on an acre shouid in the summer season 
of six months have added to its fertility for the equivalent 
of at least 200 pounds of sulphate of ammonia, 100 pounds 
of high-grade acid phosphate and 60 pounds of kainit. 
POULTRY FEED, LOW COST.—Several persons 
have made much money selling so-called “secrets” for 
making poultry feed cheaply, claiming to be able to make 
it for 8 or 10 cents per bushel. These secrets merely tell 
how to sprout oats, wheat or barley, causing them to 
swell and throw out green sprouts until the original 
quantity is largely increased. No nutritive value is added 
to the grain by sprouting, but a very palatable feed is 
produced and probably the process of sprouting changes 
the starch into a more easily digested feed. The oats 
are wet and put into a box open enough in the bottom to 
allow surplus water to drain away. This box is kept in 
a warm place and warm water is sprinkled over the grain 
to keep it damp, but not wet. When it sprouts the 
sprouts are allowed to grow to a length of 2” or more 
