Tiirheij  Farmintj. 
arx; 
branch  of  ponltry-keeping.  Many  and  varied  are  the  methods 
recommended.  There  can  be  no  question  that  upon  the  first 
treatment  depends  very  largely  the  success  achieved.  Nutri- 
tious food  is  essential,  for  these  birds  are  quick  in  development, 
and  must  assimilate  a large  amount  of  food.  Consequently, 
we  are  almost  compelled  to  stimulate  the  appetite,  otherwise, 
although  the  chicks  would  be  strong  and  hardy,  thej*  w’ould 
not  make  the  growth  required.  The  chief  danger  to  be 
avoided  is  the  giving  of  rich  food,  as  there  is  no  race  of 
domestic  poultry  so  subject  to  digestive  derangement,  or  which 
fall  victims  so  easily  to  disease.  There  is  a great  variety 
in  natural  food,  and  under  favourable  conditions  our  object 
should  be  to  supply  that  which  will  supplement,  not  counter- 
act, such  food. 
After  hatching  is  conq)leted  the  young  turkeys  should 
remain  in  the  nesting  place  for  at  least  thirty  hours  before 
removal  to  their  first  home,  in  order  that  they  may  I'ecover 
from  the  strain  of  hatching.  This  is  especially  important 
during  cold  or  damp  weather.  Taking  these  temler  creatures 
from  a warm,  cosy  nest  to  a cold  coop,  before  they  are  physically 
ready  for  the  change,  frequently  results  in  chills  and  death, 
and  will  account  for  weakness  in  many  birds.  During  this 
period  they  will  not  recpiire  any  food,  but  the  hen  should  be 
given  a plentiful  su])ply.  The  earliest  food  given  to  young 
turkeys  is  rice  simmered  in  milk,  and  in  this  an  egg  or  two 
may  be  stirred  as  the  rice  is  cooking.  When  the  rice  is  soft 
without  losing  its  granular  appearance,  it  should  be  mixed 
with  sifted  oatmeal,  biscuit  meal,  or  good  middlings,  so  as  to 
make  the  mixture  dry  and  crumbly.  These  should  form  the 
staple  diet  for  a few  days,  but  as  a variation  milk  curds  mixed 
with  meal,  steeped  oatmeal,  or  Spratt’s  meal  may  be  used. 
Eggs  are  sometimes  recommended  either  boiled  hard,  or  made 
into  custards,  but  many  breeders  have  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  they  should  be  used  sparingly. 
After  a fortnight  the  food  is  gradually  changed,  intro- 
ducing barley  meal  mixed  with  middlings  and  buckwheat, 
which  latter  is  boiled  at  first  and  mixed  with  the  rice.  Later 
on  the  buckwheat,  which  should  be  thin-skinned,  may  be  fed 
whole,  but  rice  nuTst  never  be  given  uncooked.  When  about 
six  weeks  old  boiled  wheat  is  excellent,  and  by  this  time  it  is 
unnecessary  to  give  the  finer  foods  recommended  at  first.  As 
soon  as  they  have  “ shot  the  red,”  and  gone  up  to  roost,  they 
may  be  fed  upon  wheat,  buckwheat,  and  barley,  varied  once  a 
day  with  boiled  wheat,  dried  off  with  barley  meal.  In  the 
early  stages  the  chicks  should  be  fed  five  or  six  times  a 
day,  the  first  time  as  soon  as  it  is  daylight;  but  after  they 
are  a month  old  four  times  is  sufficient,  and  this  number  may 
