SUCCESSFUL POULTRY KEEPING 



TURKEYS 



During the Thanksgi\'ing week of 1906 good fresh killed 

 turkeys ranged from 28 to 40 cents a pound, according to size 

 and quality, at retail in our large eastern city markets. Popular 

 sized birds weighing from 8 to 14 poimds brought the highest 

 prices because they were most in demand. The larger birds 

 being less in demand sold for less and Went chiefly to large 

 wealthy famlies and to the better class of clubs, hotels and 

 restaurants where large birds serve to the best advantage. 



Every year turkeys become more scarce and higher priced 

 in the large city markets. Turkey growing is becoming more and 

 niore difficult as the increasing needs of growing population 

 occupy and develop large pastures, woodland and wild lands 

 and now in some sections of the country, where comparatively 

 "iiew" soil cannot be had for range, these greatest of all table 

 fowl grow fewer and fewer in numbers year by year. Where 

 formerly large flocks ranged over the fields and attracted little 

 or no attention from passers by, a flock of a dozen or two will 

 now call forth excited comments from the wayfarer. 



Tainting of the soil by prolonged use for poultry and stock 

 pasturage and the free use of various fertilizer materials in 

 cultivation of the fields is by many believed to be, at least in 

 part, the source of difficulty in turkey raising. Normally and 

 naturally a wild fowl, they have never taken kindly to domes- 

 tication in close confinement. They do best on wild, virgin 

 soil and require hberal range to have them thrive. 



Today an ailment known as "blackhead," a germ disease 

 affecting chiefly the Uver and digestive organs, is responsible 

 for the difficulty in raising young turkeys, or poults as they are 

 called, in many sections of the country, and it also causes alarm- 



ing mortaUty among adult stock. Apparently the' germ oJ 

 this disease may remain dormant in the soil for a long time, only 

 to become virulent when taken into the fowl's body with con- 

 . tamjnated food or water. Experiment stations are giving this 

 source of trouble careful investigation, although as yet but 

 little has been accomplished that will serve to enable the fanner 

 to grow turkeys in infected districts. 



In sections where liberal range can be had and where tur- 

 keys will thrive, they are exceptional profit earners. The 

 demand for good stock is always in excess of the supply both 

 for breeding and market purposes. 



The most highly favored varieties are the Mammoth Bronze 

 and the White Hollands. Both varieties are remarkable for 

 size and beauty and are considered as hardy as any. Of late 

 years much is being done in the south and west in crossing the 

 Bronze with the native wild turkeys. It is claimed that this 

 gives a hardier bird and one that can he more easily grown. 

 Half-wild males and females are in demand as breeders at prices 

 ranging from SIO. to $25. each. 



Bronze Turkeys are the largest and their black, brown, 

 white and rich bronze coloring makes them exceedingly attrac- 

 tive on any farm. They are hardy, fair layers and sitters. 

 Adult toms will weigh 36 pounds, young toms 25 to 33 pounds, 

 adult females 20 ppunds, young females 16 pounds. 



White Holland turkeys have pure white . plumage which 

 heightens the wonderful head and wattle colorings, making them 

 a beautiful ornamental as well as practical fowl. They are 

 rather better layers than the Bronze and when well bred are 

 quite as hardy. Fairly good sitters and mothers. Adult toms 

 will weigh 26 pounds, young toms 18 pounds, adult hens 16 

 pounds, young hens 12 pounds. 



