36 POULTRY SECRETS REVEALED. 



The pullets were kept growing until matured and up to weight. 

 And here I want to say most positively that the fellow who adver- 

 tises that his "strain" lays at 3% months is, if possible, a bigger fool 

 than knave. The claim, like many others made by reckless people, 

 proifes how ignorance and mendacity go together. The most 

 precocious Leghorns do not lay at such an age. And any bird that 

 is forced to lay before it is able to stand the strain is ruined both as 

 a layer and breeder. 



When the pullets were placed in the laying or breeding housa 

 they were fed — as a rule — a small amount of scratch feed — a handful 

 or two each — in the morning, and a heavier feed in the afternoon. 

 Meanwhile the Dry Mash and Growing Peed, mixed half and half, 

 was kept before them all the time until they began laying; then the 

 Growing Feed was dropped. Now and then — as often as they seemed 

 to relish it — some steamed alfalfa was given them, with occasional 

 extras in the vegetable way — cabbages, potatoes, apples, beets, etc. 

 Pure water in clean vessels, grit, charcoal, shells and some granulated 

 bone — there you have it. 



This method means a great saving of time and mone>'. It means 

 that when birds are properly housed — not in a ridiculous "system ■ 

 coop, whore all the work is done while exposed to the elements, but 

 in a real poultry house — that one man may care for dozens or hun- 

 dreds. It means strong and healthy birds and a big egg yield, with no 

 condiments nor forcing of any sort. 



Don't waste your money and ruin your birds with any of the 

 so-called "egg makers," "patent foods," or on any of th« "hundred- 

 eggs-for-a-cent" swindles. Nobody gives something for nothing. And 

 the knave who advertises real food at a few cents a bushel is no 

 better than the so-called "breeder" who advertised eggs from a flock 

 of prize birds at 50 cents per 15. 



