i4 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
January 3 
Live Stock and Dairy 
MPlPES, the hen man. 
We keep a flock of about 30 hens, and are 
compelled to keep them in a small yard 
most of the time, and have a good warm 
close house for them. They moulted as 
usual in the Fall, and got a good growth 
of new feathers, but of late they have 
been losing their feathers, about as badly 
as in moulting time. They are apparently 
healthy in all ways. After moulting they 
started in laying and laid well for a few 
weeks, and then they stopped all at once, 
and have never laid another egg since, and 
this has been three or four weeks. Can 
you surmise the cause of their losing their 
plumage and of this sudden cessation of 
laying? They are fed a warm mash in the 
morning, mostly table scraps at noon, and 
corn, wheat and oats mixed for night ra¬ 
tion. W'e have a bag of Armour’s raw 
bone, bought for fertilizer; did not use it 
all. Will this be a satisfactory and safe 
feed for the hens? If so, how much should 
be fed to a flock of 30 hens, and how often? 
Johnson City, Tenn. e. e. b. 
Huuuying a Hen. —The behavior of 
White Betty, my experimental hen, will 
be of interest here. On page 714, last 
j'ear, I told how I had induced her to 
begin laying on September 29, after tak¬ 
ing a moulting rest of only 26 days. It 
now appears that I hurried her to work 
too quickly. It may be that the hens of 
E. E. E. also began laying before the 
full moult was accomplished. White 
Betty began to lay as stated on Septem¬ 
ber 29, and kept it up regularly all 
through October, but early in November 
she stopped laying and again began to 
lose her feathers. She soon began to 
look decidedly ragged, and her bright 
red comb lost its size and luster. She 
was still in good flesh (weighing six 
pounds), but lost a good share of her 
a})petite. Wishing to get as much in¬ 
formation from her as possible while 
she is on the witness stand, I Anally 
concluded to reduce her weight to flve 
pounds, and see what effect full fee'd 
would then have on her. This took 
longer than I expected. I was about 
three weeks getting that pound of body 
weight away from her. Some of the 
time she got nothing at all except air 
and water. She only lost from one to 
1% ounce per day under these condi¬ 
tions, showing that less than ounce 
per day of body weight will sustain life. 
She is not in full plumage yet at this 
writing (December 19), but is eating 
ravenously and laying on weight agaip, 
with every indication of perfect health. 
The experience of E. E. E., coupled with 
this, seems to indicate that hens do act¬ 
ually require a long rest from egg pro¬ 
duction at moulting time. If conditions 
are such that they do not get it all at 
once, they will take it later on. I pre¬ 
sume the Armour’s raw bone referred 
to is in dry form, and if so, may safely 
be kept where the hens can run to it at 
will and help themselves. Unless driven 
to it by hunger they are not likely to in¬ 
jure themselves, even with green cut 
bone. Deprive a hen of other food and 
she will soon eat enough green bone, 
and many other substances, in the ef¬ 
fort to satisfy the cravings of hunger to 
do her an injury. I once placed tallow, 
corn, and pot cheese before a pen of 
hens, and allowed them to balance their 
own ration from it. No injury resulted 
for some time, but finally the supply of 
corn and cheese became exhausted, while 
a large piece of taliow remained. They 
then ate too much of the tallow and a 
number of them sickened and died. 
I notice that while you frequently speak 
of roup you do not prescribe treatment 
for affected birds or state the conditions 
that cause the disease, or how it can be 
prevented. Will you give cause of the dis- 
ea.se, treatment, and precautions to be 
taken through which the disease may be 
avoided? J. F. 
Tliiells, N. y. 
Pkevkntio.n First. —The best inform¬ 
ed authorities on roup now generally 
concede that it is a germ disease. This 
being conceded, of course the best thing 
to do is to avoid opportunity for infec¬ 
tion. My father and mother have just 
celebrated their sixtieth wedding anni¬ 
versary. During all these 60 years they 
have lived at the old homestead, and al¬ 
ways keep a flock of from 50 to 100 hens. 
They seldom buy any birds, but some¬ 
times get a few settings of eggs to in¬ 
troduce new blood. During all these 
years I doubt if there was ever a case 
of roup on Lie farm. I certainly have 
never seen or heard of one, and I only 
live a few miles away. So long as the 
germs of roup can be kept away from 
the place, there should not be any in¬ 
fection. Witness the efforts of the offi¬ 
cials to prevent the spread of the germs 
of foot-and-mouth disease now present 
in parts of our country. This is un¬ 
doubtedly the wisest thing to do. After 
the germs of roup once find a lodgment 
on the premises, the battle is likely to 
be long and severe. Prof. Wing, of Cor¬ 
nell, was once asked how to avoid the 
recurrence of the scourge, and his an¬ 
swer was the best I can give: “Manage 
in some way to keep your birds in vig¬ 
orous health” was his advice. I have 
had enough roup on my farm to make 
up for any lack on that of the old home¬ 
stead, having sometimes wrung their 
necks and carted hens to the dump by 
the wheelbarrow load, and always ex¬ 
pect trouble in that way whenever from 
any cause my birds get low in vigor 
with which to resist the germs of the 
disease. There is no treatment which I 
can recommend for a bird that once gets 
roup in its severe form, so that the eyes 
and face are badly swollen. Those who 
want to spend 60 cents worth of time 
doctoring a 50-cent bird can find plenty 
of roup remedies on the market with 
which to experiment. Comfortable quar¬ 
ters and good health-giving food, will 
enable most of an affected flock to re¬ 
cover in due time, and be thereafter 
more valuable birds, on account of their 
lessened liability to contract the disease 
again. 
A Comfort for the Road. —How 
many farmers know of the comfort to 
be derived from a good lantern under 
the laprobe when driving, on a cold 
day? I recently had occasion to take a 
long drive across country on a cold day, 
and realized this as never before. If 
the bottom of the wagon or sleigh does 
not happen to have a convenient crack, 
a small hole should be bored, to enable 
the flame to be supplied with oxygen 
from below. Now place the lighted lan¬ 
tern between the feet, cover with a good 
robe, and enjoy comfortable warmth in 
spite of zero weather. With a covered 
wagon or sleigh to protect the face from 
cold winds, the whole day can thus be 
spent without discomfort. If the hands 
get cold, they can be thrust under the 
robe, and the warmth will enter the 
sleeve, and be felt clear to the shoul¬ 
ders. On the ride referred to, I drove 
from 9 A. M. to 7 P. M., and although 
the thermometer registered zero when I 
alighted, I was as comfortabiy warm as 
though sitting by a warm fire all day. 
O. W. MARES. 
A Sow That Earned Money. 
The Cheshire sow. Beauty HI., is 
notable as a breeder and a show animal. 
She was shown first at the Trans-Mis¬ 
sissippi (Omaha) Exposition. She sur¬ 
vived the cholera and won first premium 
(under six months class). She raised 
a brood of seven pigs in April and was 
first in the under one year class at New 
York State Fair, and two of her litter 
were inside the money for pigs under 
six months. She won first and sweep- 
stakes at the Pan-American, and the 
following week at the New York State 
Fair (Syracuse). She farrowed a brood 
of 12 pigs and won second place the 
next day. Two weeks later she was at 
the Lancaster County Fair (Pa.) and 
took a first place. She followed the 
circuit of fairs to Trenton and Mount 
Holly, N. J., and Hagerstown, Md., win¬ 
ning a first prize at each and came home 
with 11 good sleek pigs. In December 
she was shipped to the Charleston Ex¬ 
position and was again a winner, while 
two of her pigs won first and second 
place in the six-months class. After re¬ 
turning we had a few mild cases of 
cholera in the herd, and while Beauty 
III. was immune her brood of nine pigs 
were victims, none surviving. In Sep¬ 
tember she farrowed another brood of 
11, raising 10 of them. She has won 
over $200, and her produce hrc sold for 
nearly double her prize money. She 
has had seven of her progeny that have 
been winners in State and county fairs 
and three or more of her pigs are in 
training for St. Louis. Where is there 
a better record in any breed? r. d. b. 
Cottons, N. Y. 
4 SQUABS PAY 
Easier, need attention only part of 
time, brlDK big prices. Raised in one 
month. Money-makers for poultry- 
men, farmers,women. Send for FREE 
BOOKLET and learn this rich home 
industry. PLYMOUTH ROCK8QUAB 
CO., 4A Friend Street, Boston. Mass. 
EarLabels 
for SHEEP, HOQS and 
CATTLE, from $1.00 per 
loo up. Best on the market 
Send for free catalogue. 
F. S. BURCH & CO., 
in Mlchltaa SL, CHICAOa 
COOK YOUR FEED and SAVE 
Half the Cost—with the 
PROFIT FARM BOILER 
With Dumping Caldren.^ Empties its 
kettle in one minute. The simplest 
and best orranicement for cooking 
food for stock. Also make Dairy and 
Laundry Stoves, Water and Steam 
Jaekat Kettiea, Hog Seaiders, Cat- 
drons, etc. Bend for circnlsrs. 
B. R. SPERRY & 00 ., Batavia, Hi. 
Breeders’ Directory 
Registered Jersey Bull Calves 
from Imported Golden Lad at fair prices. 
R. F. SHANNON, 907 Liberty jStreet, Pittsburg, Pa, 
ETflD CJII C—Jersey Bull Calf, sired by Ideal 
run OfILb Exile No. 51508, dam Hickory’s 
Rissa 11709.8 (tested 14 pounds 10 ounces butter i n seven 
days. The first eleven female ancestors of tins bull 
have an average butter tost of 18 pounds in seven 
days. Also females of all ages. J. GRANT MORSE, 
Hickory Hill Farm, Poolvillc, N. V. 
A Foundation Herd of 10 or 20 young registered 
HOLSTEIN COWS Is offered at a special price 
by DKLLHUKST FARM, Mentor, Ohio. 
O PUJ^®BRED HOLSTBIN- 
^' or wBIG FRIESIAN BULL CALVES 
and SCOTCH COLLIE PUPS from registered stock.. 
W. W. CHENEY, Manlius, N. 
Holstein-Friesians 
best breeding for sale. Prices reasonable. Every 
animal registered. WOODCRBST FARM, Rifton, 
Ulster County, N. T. 
Excellent Berkshires at Ohio Farm, Le 
Roy, O., sired by our Imported Boar, British Mode! 4th 
and others. M. L. & H. H. BENHAM. 
IMPROVED LARGE YORKSHIRES ‘iTCcin 
hog. Pigs of all ages from imported slock for sale. 
MEADOW BR(K)K STOCK FAHM, Roche.ster. Mlcii 
Reg. P. Chinas, Berkshires and C. Whites. 
8 wks. to 6 mos., mated not akin. 
Service Boars, B cd Sows. Write for 
prices and de.scrlptlon Iteturn if not 
satisfactory; we refund the money. 
HAMILTON & CO., Uosenvick. Chester Co.. Pa. 
JACKS FOR SALE. 
1150 Jacks. Jennets and Mules now ready for the 
Pall trade. Some bargains. Address 
BAKER’S JACK FARM. Lawrence, Ind. 
For Sale.—Scotch Collies, magnificently 
bred. A. J. BENEDICT, Woodworth, Wis.' 
fnllip Females. Circulars. SILAs 
VUlllC r U|y3 decker. South Montrose, Pa. 
WE GIVE TIME 
for you to orove that OYPHERSI 
INClIBA'rOKS produce better re-1 
suits than any other machineinade. The! 
guarantee says they miistoryourmoney I 
all Kick. Write for 196 page Book No. 
101 •*How to Hake Money With Poultry 
end Incabetors. Fully covers the sub- 
}c<X 10 cents for postage} book free. 
Cyphers Incubector Compaeny, 
Boffklo, K.T. Chleaico, III. Boston, Hail. New Tork,H.T 
IF I 0*80 For 
I A 200 Egg 
INCUBATOR 
P«rf«oi fm ooQitrnctioi. and 
aoiien. Hatohe* tvtry fertile 
egf. Write for catalog tO'daj. 
QEO. H. STAHL. Quincy, III. 
VICTOR. 
W INCUBATORS 
Hatch every fertile egg. Slmpleetf 
moot durable, cheapest first-class 
hatcher. Money hack if not posi¬ 
tively as represented. Wepay/ireight, 
Circular free; catalogue 6c. 
GREAT SCOTT. 
THE WORLDS GREATEST 
INCUBATOR 
OUR FREE CATALOG TELLS ALU - 
ABOUT IT. WE PAY FREIGHT. 
•O.P. Sc.ott. t-APdrtc. ipd.U.S.At--, 
CCDDETC Some trained. Kook 
aUUU iKallllEilO and price-list free. ' 
N. A. KNAPP, Rochester, Ohio. 
ANGORA GOATS profitable. Prize ^ock. 
Low prices. Large clr. E. W. Cole & Co., Kenton, O. 
Great Danes.—A fine litter; extra 
strong, healthy i)up])ies. Also ti good young brood 
bitch of the best breeding in this country, “ Sandor 
Vom Inn” strain, for sale reasonalile. Address 
RIVEKVIEW FARM, Middle Haddam, Conn. 
naath #n I iro and chicks 
Ucain TO LiCC (It-page Book FREE. 
D. J. LAMBERT, Box 307, Apponaug, R. 1. 
'uff Rucks only. 25 selected Cockerels. Des. Booklet 
free. Branch Valley Poul. Yds., Telford, Pa., U.D.2. 
About200 choice breeding Cockerels 
I or v9l6 at $2 each. Barred and White Ply¬ 
mouth Rocks, White Wyandottes and Light Brahmas 
—all bred from jirlze-winning stock. WOODt^REST 
FARM, Rifton, Ulster Co., N. Y. 
COCKERELS 
—Choice W. Wyan., P. 
Brahmas, Cochins, IjCghorns, 
from prize-winning stock. 23 varieties of land ana 
water fowls. Satisfaction guaranteed. Big catalogue 
free. PINE TREE FARM, Box T, Jamesburg, N. J. 
The Greider Strains. 
fifty of tlieni, are bred to make prize winners. 
Very low prices on birds and eggs, considering 
quality. Elegant 1908 catalogue sent i>ostpaid 
for 10 cents. Write to-day. 
B. H. GREIDER, RHEEMS, PA. 
* DON»T SET HENS ‘J-.* 
2<NI Kgc NaturAl ll^n Inculmlorilukts Hut other elioa 
equally M low. Over 125, U(K) hi ubo. IndlupeiiRiitile toanjone who 
keeps a hen. Our Patents protected against infringements. Agenta 
wanted everywhere, either sex, no ex jicrlenco necessary. Catalogue 
teimiKxiJ about and Mee Forroula FREE 7 '*^* write today. 
NATUKAL IIKM INCUIIATOK CO.. BsO. Columbus, Nebrasku. 
RlHSllt8tlttetlMS,Sgl»IK%20bSifawllYWoltE 
THE CROWN 
bones. For the ponltryman. pestin the world. 
Zotrest in prire. Send for circular and testi- 
Wiltton lirosaf KAlsTON* 1 A# 
SAVE 
HEN FEED 
and more than double your 
egg yield by feeding cut green 
bone, the greatest egg producer. 
THE 
HUMPHREY 
OPEN HOPPER GREEN BONE and 
VEGETABLE CUHER 
is {guaranteed to cut more hone, in less j 
time and with less lal>or, than any other, i 
Money hack if not perfectly satisfied^ 
turns easily with one hand; no partitions j* 
, in tlie hopper; no complicated sprin^js^ 
\to ifct out of order. 
HUMPHREY & SONS. 
Box 39, 
Joliet, Ills. 
INCUBATORS 
From $6 up. Best reasonable priced 
hateners on the market. 
Brooders, VA up. None better at any 
t rice. Fully warranted. Catalog free. 
.. A. BANTA, LIGONIER.IND. 
liteRew Regulator 
on the Sure llateli Isi'Cnlly auto¬ 
matic and direct acting—greatest 
improvement of years. Don’t pay 
doul>le price for old style machines, 
[(iet our book and free trial offer. 
SURE HATCH INCUBATOR CO., 
Clay Center, Neb,, or Columbus, Ohio. 
Send for 
est ever 
PR 
The PRAIRIE STATES \ 
KEEP AT THE HEAD\ 
More made-more sold- \ 
more prizes won than \ 
ALL OTHERS Combined. \ 
catalogue-just out-fin- \ 
issued.Mention this paper.\ 
AIRIE STATE INCUBATOR Co. \ 
HOMER CITY , Pa., U.S.A. \ 
IT WILL PAY EVERY HEN OWNER 
(I 
^ to send and get one of I atpct RnfXfs It makes hens lay 
\ and pay. Open hopper. I^AalVIV S X#aieSl DOIVe X/UlierS. automatic feed. 
MCuts all bone and gristle. TEN DAYS’ FREE TRIAL. No money until you’re 
V satistied that i t cuts easier and faster than any other. Isn’t this better for you than to pay cash i ii advance for 
V 
, a machine you never trie<U 
F. W. MANN CO.. Box 15. Milford, M SlSS. 
