46 ILLINOIS STATE DAIi- YMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



Let us tear an egg apart with the chemist's weapons. Here we have 

 about 1000 grains of matter, 6T percent of which is water, 10 per cent or 100 

 grains lime — and where are you going to get this lime when you feed only 

 corn? — 12 per cent albumen, 9 per cent fat, and 1 per cent ash. There is 

 also a small quantity of sulphur, phosphorus, magnesia and several other 

 bases which are found in various combinations. 



We can not make something from nothing, neither can the hen. She 

 can not elaborate an egg out of starchy grain and patent egg food, nor can 

 she put a shell on it unless she has given hor the lime from which to make it. 



The progressive breeders of poultiy long ago found this out, and are 

 feeding such foods as contain not only carbohydrates of starch, sugar and 

 fat, but also the albuminoid foods, such as meat, bone, clover hay, linseed 

 meal and wheat bran. Don't fool your time away with scrubs, but secure 

 good thoroughbreds of whatever breed suits you best. Don't mix the 

 breeds, a mixed flock for a farmer is a delusion and a snare. 



We believe the farmer's flock ought to be of one kind — one breed. 

 They look much better at all times, and will always sell better. They 

 should be kept pure by the addition of new blood each year, and if they 

 are to be kept healthy and vigorous, little or no inbreeding should be 

 practiced. 



There are several good ways to obtain thoroughbred poultry. I con- 

 sider it the best plan to buy one male and about four to six females as you 

 feel able. You should get them from good true stock, for from $10.00 to 

 $15.00. Yard them by themselves, and set the eggs under your commori 

 hens, and you should raise from one to two hundred thoroughbreds the 

 first year. Then dispose of your common stock and you will have a good 

 start of thoroughbred stock with little cutlay. 



A still cheaper way can be taken by buying a setting or two of eggs; 

 you can get eggs from the best stock for $€.00 to $4.00 per sitting. Sell off 

 ycur common stock and use pure bred males each year. 



Give this branch of your farm stock a little more thought and attention 

 and the profits will be forthcoming at cnee. 



