PROGRESS AMD IRflPROVEMEHT 
[SINGLE NO. TEN CENTS 
EXTENSIVE POULTRY KEEPING 
ESTABLISHED IN 1830, 
secure the approval and co-operation of all 
right-minded men. What words can describe 
the effect upon society, upon families, If we 
were able bv any process to double our present 
crops and tlm prom of our stock? We ought 
to quadruple these—itean be done. Let us do It.” 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AN ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
AGRICULTURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER 
J. C. D., Medina, N. Y., aeks “ tor informa¬ 
tion in regard to the most approved practice in 
managing an extensive poultry yard for the pur¬ 
pose ol raising chickens and eggs for market.” 
To the uninitiated it would seem at first glance 
that nothing is easier than to organize and man¬ 
age successfully an establishment for'producing 
large quantities of poultry and eggs for market. 
So much space, so many enclosures, bo much 
food, and the requisite stock, are all, seemingly, 
that are wanted to insure success. On paper the 
profits of the business are flattering, and it seems 
to be one that may bo largely extended. But the 
sober truth is, ttiat though many have tried, we 
cannot at present, point to a single Immense 
poultry establishment in this country as a proof 
that the enterprise is feasible. On tho contrary, 
it has been tried several times, and as often 
failed. “ Poultry cannot be kept together in 
large numbers,” is an axiom now ; yet it is 
equally true that no farm stock pays better, 
even when hall eared for, than the few dozen 
fowls that wander over every farmer’s premises. 
And when well cured for they prove so remuner¬ 
ative that, it Is no wonder people catch the “hen 
tevef,” and speculate on large poultry establish¬ 
ments. 
Is it, then, not possible to keep poultry on a 
large scale for market purposes ? Vos, we think 
it is; but it is likewise impossible to keep large 
quantities of fowls together and have them 
thrive. Poultry growers have worked too much 
on the. w rong plan of crowding many together, 
and confining them in too cramped quarters. 
That will never do. The fowls must be colon¬ 
ized—only a few put together—with ample quar¬ 
ters, plenty of range, drink, and food various 
and abundant, and having little or no connection 
with other fowls. But there is no reason why 
colonics may not be multiplied Indefinitely, 
This, We aru coulhtunt, is the only system of 
keeping large quantities of fowls with profit or 
success. 
There are many minor considerations which 
require careful attention from one entering on 
tills business. 
CONDUCTED BY ». J>. T. MOORE, 
With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors 
POULTRY IN THE N. Y. MARKET, 
HEMTHY S. RANDALL, LL. D., 
Editor of tbo Department of Slieep H-osbondry, 
The finest poultry that we receive comes from 
the lower part of Burlington Co., N. ,J 
where 
the farmers take great pains to procure the best 
stock and raise the finest, birds for market. 
Their geese are remarkably fine and large, fre¬ 
quently weighing 20 pounds, and generally from 
10 to 18 pounds. Their poultry is usually dry 
picked, tho flesh very firm and sweet, and always 
fat; ranch superior for eating to any raised else¬ 
where. The farmers there have evidently learned 
the art of raising poultry- to perfection. Tlio 
poultry raised in the upper part ol tho country 
is not so good, yet it is a very fair article- lack 
ing the sweetness of taste, for a lew days pre¬ 
vious to Christmas our market makes a splendid 
display of the choicest and largest poultry. 
Many a noble Tom, weighing from 20 to 25 
pounds, is exhibited, ornamented with rosettes 
and blue ribbons, to attract the 
I presume no 
market in the world displays more choice stock 
than ours during tho holiday weeks, ami It is 
nothing unusual for some ol' our largest dealers 
vigorous mastery of to Holl eeveral toua pcr (la „ 
The Burlington Co. farmers raise largo.quan¬ 
tities of capons and slips for market; in fact, I 
believe theyarc tho only ones who do raise them 
to any extent. These arc very prolltablq, selling 
several cents per pound higher than fowls, but 
the capons always sell for the must money. I 
have known them to bo Hold for to cts. per 
pound. An extra pair will weigh about 20 
pounds, while the average weight, is lb pounds. 
These birds are dressed differently -from other 
IowIb; the feathers around Che head, nock, wings 
while their parents would not. be an<1 ten bein » lcft 0n ‘ Tho dinVn ' ncu butwc ™ * 
deprived of either their society or their aid, year in ca * )0n imd detected by tho comb; a 
and year out. Some have, objected that if pupils cll I ,on bart little or none, while on the slip it is 
were on the farm only in winter they would lose lon *» ani1lblbby ' 1 P POtiUme of J'° ul ' n ' ;ui - 
HON. T. C. PETERS, 
Late Prea’t N. Y. State Ag. Soo’y. Southern Co*. ScUtor, 
GLE/.EN F. WILCOX, Associate Editor. 
Tim Run it, Nkw-Yorkku la designed to be nnsur- 
passrd In Value, Parity, and Variety of Contents. Its 
Conduct, or earnestly labors to render llie Uuual a Reli¬ 
able Guide on all the Important Practical, SeienUllc aud 
other Rubjeets connected wltli r.hn bittiness o. those 
whose Interests It zealously advocate*. At a Family 
Jot7iiNAi.lt it eminently Instrnctlva nnd KntortAiiiini? — 
beinR «o conducted that It can be safely taken to tbe 
Homes of people of Intelligence, taste and discrimination. 
It embrace* more AfjrlcnKnr.M, Horticultural, Scientific, 
Educational, Literary and News Matter, Interspersed 
with appropriate ernrravlnya, than any other journal. 
Tenderin'.? It by far the most complete Abkhtvltu ilal, 
Lite baht and Family Newspaper ia America. 
AITARATUS FOR DISTILLING PEPFl'KMINT. 
DKB m.I I mb N n ff Jh' L U - ,LI e'n The Steam passes from the boi 
th» it u’ whlLl ‘, 18 llIlecl with Un- mint: from the tub through the pit 
tho tub. 1), where it is condensed ami the product flows into the small v 
charge In the Oral tub 15 is distilled the si earning plpes are oonnee l* 
the unit one re-charged. The artist has represented^the C.nvfifH III' r)w» 
. j of red, white 
observe and watch on the farm, or in the simp at attention of the passing crowd 
home the application ol those principles taught 
them during the winter season at the university 
— thus following the indications of nature and 
applying the mind to the v* 
knowledge, and of principles, In the cold and 
bracing winter months, when tbo mind is most 
acti ve, and bracing, strengthening and invigora¬ 
ting the body by out door work during tbe sum¬ 
mer months. 
“ Those who preferred, or had no home and no 
parent* to go to, could remain ou the farm of 
the institution, and aid the professors there in 
conducting their experiments during the sum¬ 
mer months, 
modated with 
work—props 
and physical 
V ok Trims and other particulars see last page, 
any eizcu vat, will answer the purpose, or it can 
he laid In a small flume built In a running stream. 
In distilling peppermint the oil Is carried off by 
or with the. steam, and in passing through the 
worm the water and oil are condensed and run 
off together luto what Is called a receiver. The 
water sinkB to the bottom and rura off, whilo 
the oil remains on the surface and ,, dipped off 
with a small dipper. Tt, Is thru Altered through 
paper, and ia ready for market. The receiver is 
made like a common watering pot with the top 
of the spout about two ineheH lower than the 
top of the receiver. A pleo of shingle or tin 
should be placed in the receiver In a slanting 
position, to allow the stream to strike on as it 
Issues from the worm to prevent the oil from 
being forced to the bottom and there making its 
escape with the water. To guard against acci¬ 
dent the oil should be dipped off two or three 
times a day. * 
The oil is put up and sent to market in strong 
tin cans that hold from 20 to 23 lbs. each. For 
a filtering apparatna, have a tin box made eigh¬ 
teen inches square and twelve inches deep. 
Four inches above the bottom, pat in another 
tin bottom perforated with smooth holes. Have 
a small brass or lead faucet put in close to tho 
lower bottom for the purpose of drawing off tho 
oil. Spread your filtering paper oyer tho per 
forated bottom and up the sides; then pour in 
your oil. For convenience ami safety, the filter¬ 
ing apparatus can ho put into a cheap frame 
similar to that of a common wash-stand, with a 
hoard cover hung on hinges, and high enough 
to admit of the cau standing under the faucet. 
Blank newspaper will answer a very good pur¬ 
pose for filtering oil, hut we get here a kind of 
paper called jittering paper, which is similar to 
common tissue paper, only somewhat heavier. 
It is seldom that more than three crops arc 
obtained from one planting, and frequently the 
third crop is a light one; yet generally it pays 
tho expense of labor and the use of tho land. 
The straw makes excellent manure, and that 
from the second and third year makes very good 
fodder for sheep and young cattle. It Ls gen¬ 
erally stacked or piled up as it comes from tbe 
“still,” and the cattle or sheep are allowed to 
run to it during the winter. As to an average 
crop, I would say that a field of six acres, two 
years ago, yielded twenty-two lbs. to the acre. 
Last year eighteen lbs., and this year six lbs. to 
tbo acre, making, as will be seen, an average of 
fifteen and one-third lbs. to tbe acre for the 
three years. This is a rather low average and 
one that I think can with safety be relied on. 
HINTS FOR THE MONTH 
Tim care of the stock yet absorbs agood share 
of the farmer’s workiug hours. Although the 
days arc lengthening, yet they arc too short and 
the weather is too severe to permit much out¬ 
door work being done. Nor should the farmer 
toil arduously through the winter months; let 
him rewt, read, visit his friends, and gather from 
every sonreo at bund all knowledge possible. 
He may find in the end that no time has been 
better used by bim than that he employs in 
forming definite plans for the eusuiug season’s 
operations, in recruiting his energy for the work, 
and in enjoying social intercourse with his 
neighbors. Let his interest in the Farmers’ Club, 
and the agricultural journal yet be prominent 
and active. 
Stock ,—^Should be kept, thriving. The owner’s 
eye chonld watch closely for the first Bign of 
backward tendency iu condition and regulate 
the food accordingly. This is an important 
month for breediug animals; they should gain 
strength and condition gradually to support the 
demands which Nature will make npon them 
later in the season. Breeding stock should have 
warm quarters, plenty of air, and plenty of ex¬ 
ercise. A different course somewhat may be 
taken with fattening stock. Keep them quiet, 
warm, and in stables or apartments dimly lighted. 
Fodder. — Use the coarse fodder liberally, but 
feed some hay also. A feed ol roots two or 
three times a week, if no more can be afforded, 
is of great service to the health of stock. Horses 
shoo Id have carrots. Otherwise give them a 
bran mash occasionally, ltamcmber that milch 
cows pay cash for a liberal supply of food. With¬ 
out rleh food good butter canuot be made. 
Manure. — How much manure are you losing 
Animal food must be cheaply 
uyid readily procured, hence the proximity to 
waters furnishing plenty of fish might he an 
object. Sheds, shelter, fresh water and range 
are essential, and to obtain these cheaply the 
establishment might be located on wild lands, 
or those uutlt for agricultural purpopes. The 
market should be within easy reach, and the 
best ones should be sought out. The eastern 
cities are the best markets for poultry iu this 
country, and some of the cheap, saudy lands of 
New Jersey, if well watered, are eligible loca¬ 
tions for poultry establishments. 
THE CULTURE OF PEPPERMINT 
Having your peppermint ready for the distil¬ 
lery, the next operation is to distil or steam it. 
For steaming “ mint,” an iron boiler iB used 
with a copper or tin worm. Any steam boiler 
of the capacity of ten-horse power and upward, 
will answer the purpose. Two large tubs are 
necessary, and should be made ol'tliree-inch pine 
plank, free from knots and checks. They should 
be made steam tight, and hound with iron hoops. 
Make the tubs four feet and a-half in diameter at 
the bottom, and four feet at the top, on the in¬ 
side. A false bottom, perforated with small 
holes, should be placed four inches above the 
main bottom, to allow the steam free circulation 
under the “ mint” The steam can lie conduct¬ 
ed from the boiler to the tubs in wooden pipes, 
iron-bound at tbe ends. The hole in the upper 
head of the tubs should be twenty Inches or two 
feet in diameter, large enough to admit of a man 
standing in the tub while filling it. They should 
be about four feet and a-balf deep oti the inside. 
The hole in the .top of the tubs should be closed 
with a cover or “ cap” fitting perfectly tight, 
and held down with a lever or brace on the top. 
The steam should be conducted into the tubs at 
the Bide, just above the lower head, and out, at 
the top, either through the head, or at the side 
close under it. The object of using two tubs in¬ 
stead of one, is that one can be emptied and 
filled while the “charge” is running off from the 
other. In other words, they are used alternate¬ 
ly ; the steam being first let into one and then 
the other. Tt ia not essential that the worm 
should be coiled up in a round tub. tin the 
other hand, a cheaper one can be made and used 
in an oblong or square vat. Twenty-five feet 
of two-inch and the same length of inch and 
a-half pipe put together with elbows, (the whole 
AGRICULT URAL S OCIETIES. j Hight 0 f them, - only old hens and roosters 
In recently looking over a mass of comtouni- ' ^ 60me . °f . our I JouItry **** their 
cations we found a well writteu onedated Scott, ? ^' k °V. i ' mvu m market ’ tbcy wou!d freely 
Cortland Co., N. Y., Oct. 5th, MBS. It referred l \ * b ° th< ; tU,lt they * hi W“ A ’ PW> 
to an Agricultural Association recently formed IT it bn of a poor quality. Poultry that 
there, and the good results produced, as manifest- "‘ Uc “ beUcr a P 0 ” 
cd in its first exhibition. We regret that the KrLlclc; for that oftm bMttWekl y* wateiylqok, 
article was overlooked, and, though late, now j 8hOWU3 S Ul ° abscnc0 ofa S°°‘ J - syIkl dict - 
quote its concluding paragraph: Persons desiring to send poultry to market 
“Looking back twenty-five years to tho imtu- Profitably should remember to have it ulways 
guration of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society, tat and dressed with care. Cutoff the heads uud 
oijq cannot but see that a vast space haa been the necks, pack iu clean boxes, and lay 
traversed in the fluid ol knowledge accumulated clean rye straw between each layer. Mark the 
and made applicable to the objects and interests weight and address in a plain manner, and your 
of the farmer; and however imperfectly its plana own tottialis on each package, and send a bill of 
may have been executed, whatever lack of zeal ' weight and number of packages to your corn- 
energy or devotion, Its friends and supporters dealer. 1 will give the reasons for ob- 
may have manifested at any time, nothing can 8Urv “ J S the above rules. Poultry that is lilt and 
be clearer than * that our County Societies, and dressed will always bring agood market 
these more recent movements by towns and lo- P r * co i and *t will bring more money with the 
cal communities, are the natural offspring of its bcaxbi oi ' lban on i lu,d that saves freight. Boxes 
exertions and teachings. What higher object are preferable to barrels, because they pack more 
can be aimed at or reached ? Ought It not to he neatly and carry better. Rye straw preserves the 
and is it not the main, appropriate aim of all poultry brighter than any other kind, if clean, 
Agricultural associations to Impress upon the and also keeps it longer from tainting. Cut 
farmer the one idea, that he is to be his own straw ia very objectionable, as it has a tendency 
teacher, through his daily experience and obser- to must the poultry. The address should he 
vation, and through the enlightenment and facts plain, to enable the express company to deliver 
derived from tho columns of your journal and ol correctly; the initials, to enable tho dealer to 
such as yours? I am quite sure these neighbor- know who sends it, and the weight on it, to de¬ 
hood efforts to reach a higher style of practical tect any stealing -that might take place in trans¬ 
farming, so beautiful in themselves, so inexpen- portation. Now and Then. 
6ive, so social 1 , so fhuu!/ like, cannot fail to New York, Jan. 15,18fl(L 
INDUSTRIAL COLLEGES-COURSE OF STUDY, 
IffiS 
