THE GARDEN AND FFELD. 



August, 1913 



A Feeding Point. 



CaioK'ssiiess in iVediiij^ is, with- 

 out (Uuiht, the chivf cause of much 

 uusuicessfiil i)oultry-kceinnjr. The 

 chief mistake is in tlie method of 

 sorviiijr the mornino meal of soft 

 lood. This should not be scatter- 

 ed on the ground, as 'so many 

 peo])le think, but should bo- given 



^ in long, triangular troughs. If scat- 

 tered about, tlK old, dead grass 

 and other decaytjd, matter sticks to 

 it, and is then" eaten by the fowls, 

 afterwards causing an objectionable 

 stoppage in the crop, and very 



; often death. The best and safest 

 method is to provide troughs as 

 before mentioned, with a rail run- 

 ning the whole length, to prevent 

 the fowls getting into them, and 

 thus conveying impure matter into 

 the food. If tfife food is spread 

 evenly in the troughs, each fowl 

 will get an equal quantitv with the 

 others. Qf course, such troughs 

 must l>e kept perfectly clean and 

 sweet. The result of the old me- 

 thod of feeding is seen in the in- 

 active, dull-looking fowls one so 



' often meets with. The best me- 

 thod of dealing with such stock is 

 to thoroughly sweep the old 



. feeding-ground and sprinkle wiell 

 with lime ; follow this up by mak- 

 ing the necessary troughs, after- 

 wards catching the affected mem- 

 bers of the yard and giving each 

 one a teaspoonful of warm castor 

 oil. Knead the crop well, and 

 leave for three hours ; then mix 

 half a teaspoonful of Epsom salts 

 to each fowl (be quite sure that 



. this is fully dissolved) in teacup of 

 warm water, and givei to them. 

 They should have nothings to, eat 

 for twenty-four hours after this, 

 when good wheat 'may be mixed 

 into the sand or straw of the 

 scratching shed and the fowls com- 

 pelled to scratch for every grain 



- they get for three or four days. 

 The result will be a clear system, 

 bright eye, and a generally active 



- bird. The sam.e advice applies to 

 chicks, but the dose must of 

 course \x smaller. — E.J. 



Sending Birds to Shows. 



One of the things often over- 

 looked till the last moment, is the 

 provision of suitable coops or 

 hampers in which to send birds 

 to shows, and then in the rush 

 and hurry any old box is pressed 

 into service, often with disastrous 

 results. It is well worth while 

 taking a little trouble in- this mat- 

 ter. If more than one bird is to 

 be carried, and the owner is cer- 

 tain they will travel amicably (the 

 sexes, of course, to be separated), 

 three or four birds ma,y go into 

 one cage. This cage must be lined 

 on the inside with calico, canvas, 

 or other similar material. The 

 lining will prevent other birds 

 near them on their journey offer- 

 ing to have a round or two, and 

 being accommodated, to the( detri- 

 ment of their plumage and. the ab- 

 sence of all chance of a prize. The 

 lining will also be the means of 

 l^rotecting the plumage from damp, 

 dirt, dust, or draughts. It will also 

 prevent the breakage of the plum- 

 age, which may frequently happen 

 if the bird is carried in an imUned 

 cage. The hamper or cage should 

 open at the top, and, needless 

 say, the bottom should be well 

 covered with clean straw or, other 

 suitable material. Before sending 

 off, the basket must be properly 

 secured, fastened, and legibly and 

 fully addressed. 



If the owner does not go 

 with his birds, the proper show 

 tickets should be promptly posted, 

 and information given as to the 

 penning of the birds. This penning 

 is done carefully and well at all 

 properlv conducted shows, so' that 

 the owner, although miles away, - 

 may relv upon his birds getting a 

 good run for his money. Most ' 

 shows now pen the birds the even- 

 ing before judging day, which is an 

 excellent plan, for it gives the birds 

 time to settle down, and become 

 accustomed to their new quarters, 

 birds nice and quiet, and fit to 

 The judge in the morning finds the ' 

 be handled as occasion warrants. . 



139 



Hens that Laid When Eggs 

 Were Dear. 



Writing to an American i)oultry 

 paper, a man who ajjjvears to be 

 satisfied with himself and his 

 fowls, says : — 



I kept close watch of my Hock, 

 and the hens that began to lay 

 first after molting I j)ut into se- 

 parate pens. From these pens I 

 gathered my eggs for hatching, and 

 l)y so doing I have wionderfully im- 

 proved the laying qualities of my 

 flock. This mating has al.so been 

 the means of rearing birds with 

 stronger constitution.s — more hardy 

 and vigorous. 



I never crowd too many into one 

 house ; six square feet of floor 

 space for each bird is about right. 

 I keep plenty of straw on the 

 floors and throw the grain in this 

 so they must work to fmd it. 



I think dropping boards are 

 indispensalde ; they keep the house 

 so much cleaner and give more 

 scratching room. It is only a few 

 minutes' work each morning to 

 clean them off. This freciuent clean- 

 ing makes it more healthful for the 

 fowls, and, also, by close inspec- 

 tion cf the manure each morning, 

 one is enabled to judge, the condi- 

 tion of the stock, and determine 

 the kind of food they need. 



• In this way, and from close ob- 

 servation and experience, I have 

 built up a flock of grand winter 

 layers. I have been getting' lots 

 of eggs all winter, and selling them 

 at a higher price than I ever got 

 before. 



I am sure that the utility fowl 

 is the one for the farmer. I am 

 down on in-breeding with " both 

 feet." I think sooner or later it 

 will impair the constitution and 

 render the hens unfit for breeding. 

 Strong, vigorous and healthy fowls 

 are the kind to breed from to make 

 winter layers. 



♦ 



Man's taste and character are in 

 part fashioned by his surroundings. 

 The better tendencies of head and 

 heart draw new life from, environ- 

 ments marked by purity, taste 

 and refinement. Beautifid sur- 

 roundings render the home itself 

 more attractive and serve as a 

 silent reminder, that they should 

 be kept neat and attractive. 



IMPERIAL HOTEL 



Corner King William and Grenfell Streets. 

 ADELAIDE. 



flotiaiCold Baths. Electric Ligfht Throughout. 'Phone 327. 



J.FLANNAGAN . . . Proprietor. 



