67o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
September 19 
Live Stock and Dairy 
MAPES, THE HEN MAN. 
Advice Wanted.—As a prospective 
chicken farmer I feel compelled to ask 
your advice. I had six years’ experience 
raising In the natural way 200 to 300 per 
year, keeping 100 or so for eggs in Winter. 
I have been six years in the city, working 
as an engineer; the six-year lease on a 10- 
dcre place 24 miles out expires November 
15, and I must either occupy it then or give 
rent free to April 1 and spend Winter in 
the city. Which of those dates would be 
best to start a plant of 2,000 hens, princi¬ 
pally for eggs, with Leghorns, taking 
Wyandottes and Plymouth Rocks as an ex¬ 
periment on the side for table fowl? Will 
this pay, or will it be more profitable to 
keep to eggs only? A house about 24 feet 
wide and eight feet in center, four feet 
high on sides, with a platform raised one 
food high and two feet wide running 
through the center the whole length of 
house, house to be lengthened as required, 
is in mind. This kind of house in 10-foot 
sections for 50 hens would give a floor 
space of 4.8 feet per hen. Is this enough? 
The yard space would be 150x10, or 30 
square feet per hen. I want to find the 
best roosts, nests, feeding and drinking 
troughs; also the best incubators and 
brooders, and I would like an opportunity 
to visit some of the largest and most profit¬ 
able plants that are run on small ground 
space, as the acreage is too small for 
colony plan; also, the location is such that 
the colony plan would tend more to my 
neighbors’ benefit than mine. The reason 
for wanting to stay in the city till April 
1 is because I can clear, ordinarily speak¬ 
ing, $50 per month. W’'ill it pay me to give 
up this saving and start chicken raising? 
November 16? j. c. 
New York. 
This correspondent crowds a good 
many questions into one letter, A few 
of them can be considered now. 
What about the proposed arrange¬ 
ment of house? 
There are some features about it 
which are good and some that are decid¬ 
edly bad. The large amount of floor 
space that would be secured is one of 
the good ones. Inconvenience in feed¬ 
ing is one of the bad ones. The raised 
platform or walk through the center of 
the house, divided into 10-foot sections, 
would do for a small plant, but when 
2,000 hens are to be kept another pro¬ 
blem must be considered. All would 
probably be supplied from one feed- 
room either at one end or in middle of 
building. A feed of wet mash for 2,000 
hungry hens will weigh about 500 
pounds, and to carry the whole mess 
though the first section and open and 
close the door, continuing on down the 
platform for 40 or 50 pens, with a grad¬ 
ually diminishing load, is not to be 
thought of. The man who attempts 
it is sure to feel like kicking either the 
door, the hens which rush through the 
door in spite of him, or else the man 
who planned the house. This is one of 
the reasons why I advise an alley along 
the rear of the building. A big batch of 
feed can easily be conveyed along this 
alley, either on a car or otherwise, and 
none of it need be carried through more 
than one door. Should an alley be built 
along the front of house instead of rear, 
it would deprive the hens of the use of 
the best-lighted part of the house. 
Why not enclose the raised platform 
through the center, as proposed, thus 
giving the hens the use of the additional 
floor space under the platform, making 
an alley through the center? 
It would need to be more than two 
feet wide, (3% or four feet); the space 
under the alley would be a constant 
source of annoyance in searching for 
eggs, and eggs would be laid on each 
side of the alley, compelling the open¬ 
ing and closing of two doors instead of 
one for each flock. A platform or walk 
along the 'front of the building, out of 
doors, would be far preferable. This 
would necessitate a building higher than 
that proposed in front, and also the 
location of the yards or runs at the rear 
of the building. 
What about the best time to begin 
operations? 
If the correspondent means by saying 
that he “ordinarily can clear $50 per 
month” that he can lay up that amount 
after paying his rent and living ex¬ 
penses, I should advise him to stick to 
his present job as long as he can, if 
the saving of money is the main object 
in view. If he has to pay rent and liv¬ 
ing expenses, or even a board bill of 
$5 or $6 a week out of the $50, the case 
is different. November 16 is a good 
time to start, but he will need to “rush” 
and get his foundations, etc., in readi¬ 
ness before Winter sets in. Any man 
with gumption enough successfully to 
run an engine or a poultry farm, should 
be able to do most of the work of erect¬ 
ing a henhouse. He can thus find 
profitable employment, and save a 
mechanic’s wages, from the start. In 
this way there need be no waste of time, 
whether Spring or Pall is selected to 
make the beginning. While the incu¬ 
bators are hatching all surplus time 
can profitably be employed in helping 
to build brooders and brooder-houses, 
and while the chicks are growing, any 
surplus time can profitably be em¬ 
ployed in helping build accommodations 
for laying stock. 
My own experience and observation 
indicate that the most profit can be ex¬ 
pected from eggs rather than from table 
fowls, and that Leghorns are not ex¬ 
celled by any breed for egg production. 
I am frequently asked for an opinion as 
to the prospects for succeeding with 
pullets purchased in the New York or 
other large markets. I have tried this 
plan on two or three occasions with 
moderate success. I bought a lot about 
a year ago from which a pen of 50 was 
selected. I could see but little differ¬ 
ence in the number of eggs laid by them 
and by pullets of my own breeding, 
through the Winter and early Spring. 
The eggs were not uniform either in 
size or color, and marred the appear¬ 
ance of every crate of eggs in which 
they were placed. As soon as warm 
weather appeared they began to be trou¬ 
blesome as broody hens. They also were 
Inclined to steal their nests out of doors 
in brush and weeds and fence corners, 
much more so than have our Leghorns. 
These objections would not be serious in 
the ordinary farmer’s small flock, where 
incubators are not used. We have re¬ 
cently sold them to our local butcher at 
about 50 cents each. Since they only 
cost about 23 cents each a year ago, and 
w'e have had a year’s laying out of them 
the experience can be considered fairly 
satisfactory. 
Do small flocks pay better than large 
ones? 
I was visited to-day by a reader of 
The R. N.-Y. who is a successful and 
practical farmer keeping about 500 lay¬ 
ing hens, and he tells me that the best 
results in Winter eggs he has ever been 
able to secure were from a flock of 240, 
all running together, and all roosting in 
a room 12x24 feet. They had the run of 
a room 18x24 feet, with loft above, dur¬ 
ing the day in Winter. Like myself, he 
believes that too much importance has 
been attached to small flocks and large 
floor space. o. w. mapes. 
Homer Pigeons for Squabs. 
We have been engaged for some time in 
raising pigeons for profit; constructed a 
good house for them, well ventilated to 
east and south. The house is kept clean 
and whitewashed. We have not been suc¬ 
cessful with them yet. State the kind of 
pigeons you think best. h. l. 
Helena, Ark. 
It would be impossible to point out 
the cause of failure without further 
particulars, but it is likely to be in the 
breeding stock or the feeding. Homers 
are undoubtedly the best all-around 
breed for raising squabs for market. 
There are other breeds that will pro¬ 
duce some larger squabs but none that 
I know of that will produce so many 
first-class market birds. They are 
good feeders, and if given the proper 
foods and all they will clean up at 
each feeding there will seldom be any 
squabs that fail to pass in market as 
Al. J. E. s. 
Are There Any Polled Holsteins? 
A breeder in Yates County, N. Y.. is sell¬ 
ing Polled Holsteins. My neighbor just 
got a bull that looks fine and has many 
dairy (milk) points. Are there Polled 
Holsteins? If so, where did they originate, 
and how do they compare with other Hol¬ 
steins? I understand these came originally 
from Kentucky. o. s. b. 
Alpine, N. Y. 
This question was referred to F. L. 
Houghton, Secretary of the Holstein 
Friesian Association, who replies as 
follows: 
“There are no herds of Polled Hol¬ 
steins that I am aware of, nor do I 
know of anyone interested in collect¬ 
ing such a herd. In my experience, I 
have seen very few animals of this 
breed, naturally polled. I have made 
two attempts by advertising, to dis¬ 
cover the existence of animals of this 
character, but without result.” 
.AUOKTrOX IN COWS. 
Breeders’ Directory 
^HOLSTEIN CarrLE 
9<k> 4 eo.eB, aU aces, Tsa^ling Bulls 
-eady for servlce- 
RAMBOUILLET SHEEPo 
BERKSHIRE SWINE. 
Write DELLHCRST FARMS, Mentor, Obi®, 
HOLSTEIN - FRIESIANS. 
Choice young stock of the best breeding for sa’e 
Prices reasonable. Every animal registered. 
WOODCKE8T FARM, Bilton, Ulster qg.,N. T, 
If^^lsterecl Jersey BylS Cadvex 
from Imported Golden bad at fair nrioaa. 
I&. SHANNON, 907 Liiberty {Street, P'.ttshtrrg, IP-a, 
ninpAIIIO in purebred Holstein-Friesian Bull 
DnllUMIliu Calves. Low present prices to reduce 
stock. Write promptly. 
W. W. CHFVKV. Mnnlins. N. Y. 
pOlJR SOLID COLORED JERSEY BULLS, 
* 4. 5, 6 and 8 months old. Sire a D. Q. Son of St. 
Lambert Boy. Sire of 54 tested cows. 
J. A. HERR. Uoute 4. Lancaster. Pa. 
HOLSTEIN BUT.,L CALVES. Scotch Collies, Spayed 
** Females. SILAS DEOAER, South Montrose. I’a. 
FOR SALE- 
Eight registered Jersey Heifer Calves, 
well bred, and not a white hair in the 
lot. Also a pair of extra nice yearlings due to calve 
in January. Four Bull Calves; two are early ones, 
very large and handsome. Just rlgh' for the fairs. 
.T. grant MORSE. Pnolville. N. Y. 
LOOKING PIGWARD ? ;r.'"S,y':rz 
and gentle Red Polled Bull. Rural brothers, these 
have choice lines of breeding, and each takes with him 
a square deal. Also Ertel Hay >’reas, little used. 
GRIGGS FARM. Rose Valley, Pa 
BORTION consists In 
expulsion of the off¬ 
spring before it can 
live independent of 
the dam. ATjortion, 
when not due to spe¬ 
cific causes, results 
from blows, Injuries, 
poisonous blood dis¬ 
orders, exposure to 
cold, sudden excite¬ 
ment, anger, odors 
from slaughter houses, or from other ani¬ 
mals similarly affected, purgatives and im¬ 
proper nutrition. Smut, ergot and decom¬ 
posed materials of any kind, when taken 
as food often cause abortion. 
Anjemia, another word for poverty of the 
blood, is probably the most common cause. 
Coarse, innutrltious food reduces the vi¬ 
tality of the dam, the circulation Is slug¬ 
gish. the blood supplied to the calf, colt, 
lamb or pig is deficient in quantity and 
poor in quality. 
These conditions above, are often suffi¬ 
cient to cause a cow to lose her calf or a 
mare to lose her foal and if aided by ex¬ 
citement, a physic, a fall or a chill abortion 
is almost sure to follow. In all animals 
carrying young good nutritious food must 
be supplied to nourish dam and foetus. 
Tonics are required, and quiet, clean quar¬ 
ters must bo provided, and grain or hay 
affected with smut or containing ergot must 
be avoided. 
Anaemia, being one of the most common 
causes for abortion in animals, is not easily 
noticeable. Animals showing extreme de¬ 
bility of the muscular system, becoming 
easily exhausted upon slight exertion are 
generally anaemic, and no better tonic can 
be applied than Dr. Hess Stock Food. It 
contains the tonics and salts of iron es¬ 
sential for the improvement of impover¬ 
ished blood. 
This stock food is formulated by Dr. Hess 
(M.D. D.V.S.), and is used by eminent 
veterinarians and endorsed by leading col¬ 
leges. If they know of nothing better it 
must be good. Dr. Hess Stock Food, the 
scientific compound, is sold on a written 
guarantee. 100 lbs. $5.00 (except in Canada 
and on Pacific Slope), smaller quantities 
at a slight advance. It is fed in a small 
dose. 
For every disease and condition for which 
Dr. Hess Stock Food is not recommended, 
the little yellow card in every package en¬ 
titles you to a letter of advice and special 
prescription from Dr. Hess. 
Dr. Hess has written a book on the dis¬ 
eases of stock and poultry. It is consulted 
and commended by many leading veterina- 
Write Dr. Hess & Clark, Ashland, Ohio: 
state what stock you have, what stock 
food you have fed, also mention this paper. 
For this information you will receive this 
valuable book, with which you will be able 
to treat your own domestic animals. 
The price of Tcorry : on 
stock bothered by flies, ticks, lice and other 
■parasites is out of your pocket and cannot be 
calculated. At the end of the year the loss may 
be only $1 a head and it may beSS. CHLORO- 
NAPTHOLEUM DIP saves this loss, makes 
more profit and prevents -worry keep flies off- 
kills all parasites and germs. It cures aud pi-e¬ 
vents Contagious Abortion. It cures scours in 
calves. Puts the whole herd in fine condition. 
1 gal., fl.50: 5 gal., $6.75; 10 gals., $12.50; freight 
paid. The West Disinfecting Co., Inc., 4 E. 59th 
St., New v^-’- 
BEFORE YOU BUY A NEW HARNESS 
Send 4 cents postage for Illustrated Catalogue; full 
description and prices. Single and double. 
King: Harness Co., 10 Church St., <>weR:o, N. Y. 
KKWTOK*8 lleBTe, Congh, DIf 
temper aod IndigeelluB C-iire* 
A veterinary specilic for wierd, 
throat and stomach troubUa 
iStrongrtcommendt. $1.00 per 
can. Dealers. Mail or Kx. paid. 
Mewton Horse Remedy Co., 
To.ed'j, Ohio. 
COOK YOUR FEED and SAVE 
Half the Cost—with the 
PROFIT FARM BOILER 
With Dumping Caldron. -''Empties its 
kettle in one minute. The simplest 
and best arrangement for cooking 
food for stock. Also make Dairy and 
Laundry Stoves, Water and Steam 
Jacket Kettles, Hog Scalders, Cal* 
drons, etc. tsr Send for circulars. 
D. R. SPERRY & CO., Batavia, lU. 
IMPROVED LARGE YORKSHIRES 
feog. Pigs of all ages from imported stock for sale. 
MEADOW BROOK STOCK FARM, Rochester,Mich 
Impr^ed YORKSHIRES 
The best large hog. Get a Boar and have large llttew, 
all white. Price. $8 to $20 now. 
LAKE GROVE FARM,Madison, Lake Co., Ohio. 
FOR SALE. 
Three Purebred Berkshire Boars. Weight, 50 
potinds; age, 10 weeks. $10 each. 
T. F. MATHEK, Germantown, N. Y. 
Berkshire Spring 
OEilVlVOIliRIjO i>igg of both sexes in New Englaud, 
farrowed In March and April. .Also, three yearling 
Boars and six yearling Sows that will farrow in 
September. 1 own the only living daughter of Long¬ 
fellow, No. 168:15. J. K. WA'TSON, Marbledale, Conn. 
P„ Chinas, BerKsnires and C 
8 wks. to 6 mos.. mated aot akin 
Service Boars, Bred Sows- Write foi 
prices and description. Return If not 
satisfactory; we refund the money 
HAMILTON & CO., Erclldoun, Chester Co., Pa. 
WYANPlfiT Jersey Swine. 
If IHiiUUI nLilU Cnolce young stock for sate. 
J. H. VENT, Upper Sandusky, Ohio. 
\A/UITC I CfiUnDWQ—Four Cockerelsfor $4 If 
YiiIIIL LLUnUnnu takennow. 900 beauties 
from big eggs from big hens. All purebred, without 
disqualifications. WHITE & RICE, 
|y Box A, Yorktown, N, Y. 
For Sale.—Scotch Collies, magriificeiitly 
bred. A. J. BENEDICT. Woodworth. Wis. 
DEATH TO LICE 
on HENS and CHICKS, 
«■■■ aw MBWM 64-page book FREE. 
D. J. llAMBER'r* Box 307, Apponaug, R. 1. 
TOXALINE 
SUCCEEDS WHERE OTHERS FAIL. 
Oiiart Can #>1.50 for 25 to ;40 Animals. 
Catalogue of Stookmen’.s Supplies free. 
F. .S. lJUKCll & CO., 144 Illinois .St., Chleago. 
Only One Hanc) 
needed to stanchion Cattle 
if you have our 
Steel Latch Stanchion 
When open is locked ready for 
caltleto come in; closed.itswings 
I freely. Best dairy cattle lie be¬ 
cause comfortalle and quiet; 
'^ives greatest freedom. Made of selected 
hardwood oil finished. We are the sole manufac¬ 
turers. Write now for circulars and delivered prices. 
TOLEI>0 PLOW CO., Dept. K, TOLEOO, OUlO, 
PRESCOn’S 
WTMom a 
WIVHI' 
TTAJWCmOSS 
KKKFg COWS OUKA» 
Swings forward while get 
ting up or lying down. Lock* 
back while standing Fu® 
particulars free PRB8(X)W, 
SO Beverlf St.. Boston, I ‘ 
>4^ 
Foster Steel Stanchion 
made entirely of steel and malleable iron. Un* 
like all others. Affords greatest freedom and 
motion and always holds the animal. Hung on 
chains—moves all ways. Lightest, strongest, 
most convenient and easiest to open and close. 
GOOD SELLER—BIG PROFITS. 
One agent sold 75 first day. Another sold 200 
first week. We want responsible agent in every 
Dairy Gommunlty. Bend tor circular number 12. 
FRANK H. BATTLES, Seed Grower, 
Rochester, New York. 
