43o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
June 6 
Live Stock and Dairy 
SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT GEESE. 
1 have thought it woulrl pay on a flve- 
acro i)iGcc of grass land lo raise geese for 
Sunirnor feeding and to sell in Fall as 
soon as grass is about gone. What feed 
would they require aside from good grass 
and clover pasture? Would they bring a 
high pi'ice in September or October, and 
has gosling hatching by incubator proven 
as successful as chick hatching? At what 
ages and how often may geese be i)icked? 
Freeport, 111. w. w. w. 
The three best breeds for practical 
pttrposes are the African, Embden and 
Toulouse, each having its admirers. Of 
course the amount of pasturage, for one 
would exjiect to raise the geese mainly 
on pasture, w'ould depend upon the 
number of geese kept. Since W. W. W. 
evidently is a beginner, it would seem 
best for him to procure not more than 
one or two ganders and five or 10 geese, 
as the case may be or in like propor¬ 
tion. If one keeps quite a large flock, 
it is undoubtedly best to sow forage 
plants, as rye and oats for the geese lo 
graze on, or if there is a large range of 
pasture land, possibly it would not be 
necessary to raise grass; yet there are 
times of year when more succulent pas¬ 
turage will be helpful for the geese. The 
breeders should necessarily be carried 
over from year to year. There should 
be a stream or pond of water at hand 
in the Spring at least. During the Sum¬ 
mer the geese would need to be fed little 
else than the pasturage. In the absence 
of abundant pasturage some grain may 
be given. High prices of course for 
geese depend upon the markets. The 
usual way of handling Rhode Island 
geese is for some buyer to purchase 
them and hold them for feeding for 
three or four weeks, and then market 
them in prime condition. Feeding con¬ 
sists of keeping them away from grass, 
giving them cornmeal and scraps, using 
20 per cent of the latter, and confining 
them in rather small pens containing 
about 300 each. We have tried gosling 
hatching here by incubator. It has not 
succeeded this year, aud according to 
verbal reports has not in any year to 
any extent. Probably the best success 
is obtained with the hen. After the 
goslings are hatched, however, they are 
easy to raise, for a gosling hatched is 
more than half raised. We have kept 
them alongside of our chickens, but find 
that we must allow them a little more 
water to wash down their food than the 
chickens have, and this makes sloppy 
compartments. I mention this to show 
that the same food we feed chickens in 
early days also raises the goose. It 
soon needs, however, moi*e range and 
grass. Depending on the age of the 
goose there may be two pickings, one 
in Spring and one in Fail. Some peo¬ 
ple, however, do not think that there 
should be a Fall picking or if there 
were, it should not be so thorough as in 
the Spring. The picking in Spring 
comes just before the oirds would be 
likely to lose their heavy Winter plu¬ 
mage. coopEK cunriCE. 
Rhode Island Exp. Station. 
EXPERIMENTS WITH CAPONS. 
The system of caponizing has been 
known and practiced for centuries, and 
yet comparatively few people know 
what a capon is. Why this should re¬ 
main so when the benefits to be derived 
from caponizing young cockerels are so 
great is certainly a mystery. A little of 
my experience along this line may be of 
sufficient interest and profit to poultry 
growers in general to merit their at¬ 
tention. 
About 10 or 12 years ago I first at¬ 
tempted the practice, and my success 
was so remarkable that I have con¬ 
tinued to operate on more or less cocH- 
erels every year since. This first year 
to which I refer I purchased 28 Plym¬ 
outh Rock cockerels at 40 cents each, 
averaging at the time about four 
pounds. Seven of these were taken to 
begin on, and were confined about 36 
hours without food or drink, in order 
that the intestines might become emp¬ 
tied out to facilitate matters by giving 
more room to see and work inside the 
bird. My first move was to kill one of 
the cockerels by cutting off its head, 
and then making a very careful and 
thorough post-mortem examination to 
ascertain the location of all its internal 
organs. I then killed another and pro¬ 
ceeded to operate on it assuming it to 
be alive. Of course it was awkward 
work at first, but it was finally accom¬ 
plished. Then a third cockerel was 
taken in hand and an attempt was made 
to caponize it, but the sight of a little 
more blood than I had expected to see 
caused me to cut his head off too, but I 
completed the operation after death. 
No. 4 was captured and 1 determined to 
do this one right and succeeded in do¬ 
ing so. There were only three left of 
this lot, and all were operated on suc¬ 
cessfully. Of the remaining 21 only one 
succumbed to the operation, which is a 
larger proportion than necessary if the 
cockerels are of proper age, which with 
the Piymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, 
Brahmas and all of the slower matur¬ 
ing breeds is from four to five months, 
while the Leghorns, Minorcas and those 
of that type should be operated on 
earlier. One must be governed entirely 
by the general appearance of the chick. 
As soon as he begins to show any roos¬ 
ter-like tendencies, such as attempts to 
crow, redness of the comb, etc., it is 
high time to caponize. 
These capons to which I have re¬ 
ferred were given ordinary good care 
and grew and laid on fat amazingly, for 
a young rooster allowed free range is 
a very hard thing to fatten, as nearly 
every one knows. But at about 10 
months of age 20 of these capons were 
sold in a nearby town at 25 cents per 
pound, and they averaged eight pounds 
dressed, thus netting me $40, which I 
considered a pretty good return for the 
amount invested. The price has varied 
some since this first lot was sold; for 
several years I could secure 25 cents, 
while of late from 16 to 20 cents has 
been the ruling price, but even then it 
is greatly to one’s advantage to capon¬ 
ize, not only in the higher price obtain¬ 
able, but the greater gain for the same 
amount of feed consumed, and also the 
quiet lazy habits of the capon. All 
crowing, fighting and running is done 
away with, and we have a fowl that 
furnishes the finest quality of meat one 
can find; rich, juicy and very tender. 
IRVING C. H. COOK. 
R. N.-Y.—Judging from the range of 
prices in New York it is best to sell 
capons in a good local market if pos¬ 
sible. 
I’RiCKS FOR Steers.— The feeders in this 
section of the State range from $4 to 
$4.25 per 100; $5 is high. Most of the 
steers fed in this locality are raised hgre. 
1 would take one-year-old Short-horn 
steers to feed. The chances for buying 
steers here are poor; feeders are all 
shipped out. I think cattle will go higher 
here than they are at present; now they 
are steady. bailet bros. 
Charles City, Iowa. 
The following from the Mark Lane Ex¬ 
press shows a form of burdensome dog 
tax often laid upon sheep men, though 
seldom to the extent of damage men¬ 
tioned here: “Sixty valuable sheep have 
been worried to death by collie dogs on 
the farm of Mr. Cherry, Edgeote Lodge, 
near Banbury. The sheep, when dis¬ 
covered, were piled in heaps in the field. 
Two of the dogs were shot. The carcases 
of some of the animals were shockingly 
mangled. The loss to the owner |s esti¬ 
mated at £200." 
Concrete Pigpens.— Your last issue 
contains an article in favor of a concrete 
pigpen. 1 go a step further, having a 
concrete pigpen eight feet square with a 
pit in center covered with a grate four 
feet square. This leaves a two-foot mar¬ 
gin all around with a two-inch fall to the 
center, which is ample for pigs to sleep 
on with comfort. Their feet w'ork the 
manure to the grate and through it. Ma¬ 
nure can be removed from outside once 
in two months, liquid and all. Concrete 
is made by weight measure, railroad 
cinders, six parts; sand, two parts; Louis¬ 
ville cement, one part; cheap enough for 
anybody, and good enough for anybody. 
'Phis pigpen is a parlor. H. H. 
Missouri. 
Shoo-Fly 
>.VA;f THE - 
ANIMALS’ 
FRIEND 
Kills 
CTCry 
fir it 
Rtrikest 
keeps off 
the rest. 
Harmless 
to man 
or beast. _ 
Phoo-ny 
This cow was 
terror to 
i miik prior to 
using cents 
■ worth of Slioo-FIr, Had it 
^>cen used earlier, she would not have lost 
.milk and flesh to thoamouiitof $U.00. The 
'othcrcowwasprotected carlyand continued 
togivelSqts. of milk daily through fly-time. 
; the original stock protector used by the same 
dairy-men since 1885, after testing imitations. It prevents contagi¬ 
ous abortion and other diseases, cures alt sores, scratches, skin 
diseases, hoof ailments, etc, NO LICE in poultry houseorany 
place it is sprayed. Bew.irc of imitations that last only a few 
hours and make sores. If your dealer does not keep Shoo-Fly 
(made in Philadelphia, Pa.,) send us $1.00 for latest Improved 
Three Tube Sprayer and enough 8hoo-Kly to protect 200 cows. 
Cash returned if cows are not protect^. 
SHOO-FLY MF’G. CO. 1005 Fairmount Ave., PhIla.,Pa. 
Cows will give 15 to 20 per 
MORE 
MILK 
MORE 
|y|l|N r Y I cent more milk if protected 
iiiviik I • torture of flies with 
CHILD'S SO-’BOS-SO KILFLY. 
Kills flies and all insects; protects horses as well 
as cows. Perfectly harmle.ss to man and beast 
Rapidly applied with Child’s Electric Sprayer. 
:I0 to 50 cows .sprayed in a few minutes. A true 
antiseptic; keeps stables, chicken houses, pig 
pons in a perfectly sanitary condition. 
Ask forChild's SO-BOS-SO or .send $2 for 1-gal. can and 
Sprayer complcic, Kx. pd. any point cast of the Mississippi. 
CHAS. H. CHILDS & CO., Sole Manufacturers, 
24 LaFayette Street, Utica, N. Y. 
New York State Veterinary College 
of Cornell University, Ithaca, N. T. 
Free tuition to New York State students. Extended 
announcement. Address 
Prof. JAMES LAW, F.R.C.V.S., Director. 
N O MOKE BLIND HORSES.—For Specific Oph¬ 
thalmia, Moon Blindness, and other Sore Eyes, 
BARRY CO., Iowa City, Iowa, have a sure cure. 
HOLSTEIN - FRIESIANS. 
Choice young stock of the best breeding for sala 
Prices reasonable. Every animal registered. 
WOODCREST FARM, Rifton, Ulster Co., N. Y. 
McLennan Bros. Stock Farm, 
ISCnUA, CATTARAUGUS CO., N. Y. 
Holstein-Friesian Registered Bulls for sale cheap. 
One bull, two years old. and one yearling: large, 
handsome, perfectly-marked animals. Also a numbei 
of choice Bull Calves, from one to six months old. 
Inquire 1’. B. MCLENNAN, Syr.acuse, N. Y. 
F9EJ§OLSTEthl CATTLE 
Oood ones, and nil nget. Fine Yearling Bulla 
ready for servloe. 
RARfIBOUILLET SHEEP. 
BERKSHIRE SWINE. 
Write 'DELLiHURST FABM8, Mentor, Ohla, 
IFnQFVQ—Solid color. One Heifer, 4 months 
llbUwlllO old. Four Bulls, 2.5 and 15 months 
old. “ Exile ” and St. Lambert Boy’’ strains. 
R. R. No. 4. J. ALDUS HERR, Lancaster, Pa. 
Registered Jersey Bull Calves 
from Imported Golden Lad at fair prices. 
R. F. SHANNON, 907 Liberty (Street, Pittsburg, Pa. 
HICKORY HILL FARM JERSEYS 
go quick when offered. The bull Rlssa's Ideal is sold, 
but we have some fine ones by the great prize winner 
Queen Czar 65673. Just right to win at the Fairs 
next Fall, and very hard to beat. Can also spare a 
pair of yearling heifers or a few heifer calves. 
J. GRANT MORSE. Poolvllle, N. Y. 
Short-horn Bull For SaleL“’^‘^w“o"f’K 
ng, first-class individual. Priced to sell. Write for full 
i.artictilars. Cbas. Buchan, Stanley. Ontario Co.. N, V 
p O ^ A I p Purebred Devon Calves 
r at reasonable prices. 
B. J. WIGHTMAN, West Eaton,N. Y. 
Reg. P. Chinas, Berlishires and C. Whites. 
8 wks. to 6 mos.. mated not akin. 
Service Boars, Bred Sows. Write for 
prices and description. Return if not 
satisfactory; we refund the money. 
HAMILTON & CO., Ercildeun, Chester Co., I’a. 
CHD CAI Recorded Large English 
run OALC Berkshlr- Boars, ready for serv 
loe. Write your wants or come. 
E. E. HALL. Stanley, K. T., B. V. D. 1. 
IMPROVED LARGE YORKSHIRES 
hog. I’igs of all ages from imported stock for sale. 
MEADOW BROOK STOCK FARM, Rochester,Mich 
Imprt^ed YORKSHIRES 
The small York grown up: the best white hog; easy 
keeping and prolific. Young stock for sale. 
LAKE GROVE FARM, Madison, Lake Co., Ohio. 
RorlfchirOC”®®®*' J^^^kUsh and American blood. 
Del nullII wd C. M. Abbe, 309 Broadway, New York 
For Sale.—Scotch Collies, magnificently 
•bred. A. J. BENEDICT, Woodworth, WIs. 
CR A A I Al purebred Scotch 
D/4n[\3A4iniO Collie Pups. Present 
price from $5 to 110 each. Apply promptly to 
W. W. CHENEY, ManUus, N. Y. 
Nliryn'oit Rock. Choice W. Leg. Eggs, $5 per 
flU^CU 100. N. D. FOKD, Oak Hill, N. Y. 
Crrrrp An i W. Wyan. | Farm Range. W.IRISH. 
LggO) will (R. 1. Reds. ) Po’keepsie, N.Y. B.K.D. 
90 
varieties. Any amount Poultry, Eggs, Pigeon* 
and Hares. Guide desc. 60-page book, 10c. 
J. A. BERGEY, Box 8, Telford. Pk 
ERGS 
for hatching from choice matings of Barred 
P. Itocks and White Wyandottes. $2 per 
three sittings, $5. WOGIICREST FARM, 
iitting; - -. 
ilftnn- T71«t.pp nrmntv 
BARREhl coyys CURED. 
Write for Pamphlets and Testimonials. 
Oldest and Best Treatment Extant. 
MOORE BROS., V. $., ALBANY, N. Y. 
SpDiViiv 
Cvirb 
SpliiYf 
Cure These Blemishes 
Also Ringbone, hard or soft 
enlargements. Sweeny, Enee- 
Sprnng,Pietala and Poll Evil. 
Blight cost and certain cares. 
Two big booklets telling how 
to do it sent free.Write today. 
FLKniNO BROS., I'.hrmUU, 
232 Vnlnn 8toekTarila,Ckleaeo,l 
COOPER 
J SHEEP DIP 
STANDARD OF THE WORLD for «o 
rears. Used on S50 millions annually. If local 
Irnggtstcannot snonly. send gl.for (lOOgal.i 
akt. to Cyphers Inoubatob Co^ 8 Park PL, N. Y. 
Barred Rocks and White Wyandottes 
Eggs for hatching, $3 per 100. 
C. A. HALL, Oak Hill, Greene County, N. Y. 
WHITE LEGHORN EGGS 
-- 700 Big White Beauties, bred to lay Big White Eggs; 
nine years developing the strain. WHITE & KICK. 
Box A, Yorktown, N. Y. 
OnPlfCDCI O-Cholce W. Wyan., P. Rocks, 
llUllAknCLw Brahmas, Cochins, Leghorns, 
from prize-winning stock. 23 varieties of land and 
water fowls. Satisfaction guaranteed. Big catalOCTe 
free. PINE TREE FARM, Box T, Jamosburg, N. J- 
nr JIYIJ yn I ipc on hens and CHICKS 
UEA In I U LluC 64-page book FREE., 
D. J. LAMBERT, Box 307, Apnonaug, B. L 
HOMER PIQEONS-S iVf 
Pigeons, Best for Squab raising. Itelgiaii Hares. 
W. F. ELY, Madison, N. J. 
SQUABS PAY 
Easier, need attention onlv part of 
time, bring big prices. Raised in one 
month. Money-makers for poultry- 
men, farmers, women. Send for FREE 
BOOKLET and learn this rich home 
Indnstry. PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB 
CO., 4A Friend Street, Boston, Mass. 
BREEDING EWES 
Twenty-Five at $10 Each; Fifty at $8 Each. 
BRIARCLIPF FARMS will cease to raise Winter Lambs on account of selling the farms tipon 
which their sheep have been kept. The above are the SELECTS from 200 Breeding Ewes, and are 
offered very cheap. Particulars on application to 
GERALD HOWATT, White Plains, N. Y. 
Cattle Comfort 
A RELIABLE ARTICLE. 
Keeps Cows, Horses, etc. Comfort¬ 
able in fly time. Sold by Seedsmen 
and Merchants. For pamphlet write 
HAMMOND’S SLUG SHOT WORKS, 
FishklU-on-Hudson, N- '%< 
