8i4 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
November 21 
Live StockaMDairy 
MAPES, THE HEN MAN. 
Winter Laying. —Now comes the an¬ 
nual wrestle with the problem of a good 
Winter egg-yield. How shall we induce 
the hens to lay when eggs are scarce 
and high? Up to the present time it 
has baffled the world. We can count on 
the annual scarcity of eggis and accom¬ 
panying high prices as confidently as we 
can count on the regularity of the tides 
of the ocean. Modem methods of hold¬ 
ing Summer-laid eggs in cold storage 
have reduced the pressure to some ex¬ 
tent, but these do not take the place of 
strictly new-laid eggs among those who 
are able to pay for whatever suits their 
fancy in the line of table supplies. 1 
enjoy working at a problem which I be¬ 
lieve to be capable of solution, and fail¬ 
ures only make th'' , test more interest¬ 
ing. When 1 see an occasional hen lay 
regularly, right through November, De¬ 
cember and January, and even see an 
occasional man’s whole fiock do the same 
thing, I believe that the day is coming 
when we shall be able to understand 
just the conditions which can be de¬ 
pended on to produce the desired re¬ 
sult in any given case. Right in sight 
of my window as I write, in an old 
shack of a hennery on my cousin’s farm, 
in which a fiock of 20 hens laid 19 eggs 
a day on three different days in the 
month of January a few years ago. Try 
as he may, he has never been able to 
repeat the performance, or come any¬ 
where near it. I have tried feeding the 
identical mixture of feeds, and dupli¬ 
cate every condition as nearly as I could, 
but it was “no go.’’ I once supposed that 
if a hen was fed a ration that supplies 
everything needed to carry on the func¬ 
tions of life and produce eggs, and in 
liberal quantities, eggs would surely be 
forthcoming. I now know by sad ex¬ 
perience that while this holds true dur¬ 
ing what we call the natural laying sea¬ 
son, it does not hold true in Autumn and 
Winter. 
Feeding Rules. —From all my study 
of known successes in Winter egg pro¬ 
duction, only a very few rules can be 
laid down that hold true in all cases. 
Many of us may think we have found the 
secret of success, but some one else will 
jump up and tell of an actual experi¬ 
ence at variance with our pet theory. 
One thing at least seems fairly well set¬ 
tled beyond contradiction, so far as I 
know. It is that the fiock of hens that 
lays well in Winter is sure to have suffi¬ 
cient appetite to eat with a keen relish 
more than a maintenance ration. This 
implies not far from four ounces per 
hen, of a dry grain mixture, or its equiv¬ 
alent. I have seen many a flock of hens 
that simply could not begin to eat that 
amount of feed. About two or 2% 
ounces a day satisfied their appetite, and 
no amount of coaxing would induce them 
to eat more. I tried the plan last Win¬ 
ter of starving them until reduced in 
weight, in order to get a ravenous appe¬ 
tite. This was not very satisfactory, and 
the best part of the season was lost be¬ 
fore they recovered the ground lost while 
on short rations. This Winter’s cam¬ 
paign will be waged on the line of try¬ 
ing to see how much they can be induced 
to eat and still be hungry at all times. 
This implies frequent feeding, clo^e 
watching, and never giving quite enough 
to satisfy the appetite. 
Corn and Oats. —On page 767 G. T. J. 
tells of his success in keeping corn and 
oats constantly before his hens. It is 
probable that previous to his allowing 
them to help themselves, they had not 
been fed excessively, so that they went 
into the new arrangement with keen 
appetites. Note that the corn was sup¬ 
plied on the ear, making it difficult to 
get a full meal. The oats were more 
easily accessible, and did not tend to 
make them sluggish through excess of 
fat. Note also that he got no eggs in 
November, and an average of only three 
a day in December from 60 hens, only 
five per cent; also that they were “drop¬ 
ping off fast” by October 1. In all prob¬ 
ability they will not lay much more be¬ 
fore March if the same method of feed¬ 
ing is continued right along. The great¬ 
est objection to this method of feeding 
for Spring and Summer seems to be a 
liability to sickness, when food is kept 
constantly before them for long periods 
at once. 
Swine Notes. —The experience of J. 
Grant Morse (page 767) with sows at 
farrowing time becoming excited and 
killing pigs, must be unusual. 1 have 
never known anything like it, though 
my sows are only separated by single 
board partitions three feet high. We 
have eight sows under one roof, in pens 
6x8 feet, with a wide alley along the 
front. After the pigs are about two 
weeks old, small doors are opened, al¬ 
lowing the pigs alj to run together in 
this alley, and also out in the field in 
front as they wish. No trouble has been 
experienced, though they often enter 
pens containing other sows than their 
mother. By stepping quietly into the 
building in the night, or early morning, 
each family can be seen snuggled to¬ 
gether in its own pen. 
A Spoiled Horse. —We have a young 
house that was purchased of a neighbor 
at a low figure on account of his having 
been partly spoiled in breaking. He had 
a way of “setting his jaw” on the bit, 
and making a boR for the fence, or turn¬ 
ing about in the road, when frightened. 
Trolley cars and automobiles are the 
bane of his life, and also of anyone at¬ 
tempting to drive him. He had the 
habit of bolting for the fence at a cer¬ 
tain point only a few rods from the 
barn where he was raised. After I had 
paid for him, and led him as far as this 
point in the road, the fun began. Every 
attempt to lead him by this point was a 
failure. His late owner was doubtless 
enjoying the sport, but I was not. Hap¬ 
pening to discover that he would back 
every time I asked him to, I began giv¬ 
ing him Rsisons In going backwards. 
Turning his head towards his old home 
and his heels toward his prospective one, 
it only took a short time to get him past 
the disputed locality, and he was isoon 
a quarter of a mile away from his old 
stamping grounds without knowing how 
he got there. After that I had no diffi¬ 
culty in leading him home. We tried 
different kinds of bits, but he would 
carry the strongest driver out of the 
road when frightened, endangering life 
and limb, in spite of them all He seems 
to have been conquered at last, simply 
by putting a nose-strap on him. A small 
strap is buckled around his nose, just 
above the bit, the bit serving to keep it 
from dropping off. This keeps him from 
taking the bit in his teeth, and a child 
can pull as much as he will with this 
nose-strap on. It is not buckled tight 
enough to Interfere with his breathing, 
but he hardly tightens the reins, even 
when frightened by a trolley. It is said 
by expert horse trainers that a nerve at 
the front of the nose is so sensitive that 
any horse can be guided by it more 
easily than by the mouth. 
O. W. MAPES. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See our guarantee 8th page. 
MAKE HENS PAY 
Humphrey Open Hopper Hone Cnttor 
Humphrey liapid Clover Cutter 
irlll double your egg yield and out your feed 
bill in half. Quarant4^ to cut easier and faster 
than any other. Trial offer and catalogue free. 
HUaiPURKY, Kali St. Factory, Joliet, 111, 
ThiSHARPLES Separators, 
There are two kinds of cream 
separators and oniy two. 
OURS and the OTHERS. 
The Tubular bowl, 
. Thepntfntprotectedkind, 
[ The bowl without eompll- 
cation, that it easily 
cleaned. 
The bucket bowl. 
The free for all kind. 
The bowl with dUei, 
cones, graters or cdn> I 
traptlons that canH be ' 
kept clean. 
The entirely clean akimmer The fairly clean skimmer 
under all conditions, under favorable condl* 
tions. 
The can’t get ant of order The bound to give tron- 
kind, ble kind. 
There is a lot of real dif¬ 
ference in the two kinds 
and it amounts to big money 
in a year’s time. Investigate. 
Separators are different. 
Free Catalogue No. 153. 
P. M. SHARPLES, 
West Chester, Pa. 
THE 8HARPLES CO., 
Chicago, Ills. 
Good 
News 
for Stockmen 
During this month, if you will write 
giving statement of symptoms and 
conditions. 
The Eminent Veterinarian, 
Will Prescribe FREE 
for any of your ailing animals. 
Tins service would likely cost you 
a good many dollars it secured in 
the usual way. Absolutely no 
charge—send2c stamp for reply. 
Say what stock you have—how 
many bead of each—what 
Block food you have used, 
and mention tills paper. 
1>K. IIMSS A CLARK, 
Asliluiid, Ohio. 
Makers of hr. Hess Stock Food. 
Fostep Steel Stanchion 
made entirely of steel and malleable Iron. Un¬ 
like oil 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 76 first day, Another sold 200 
first week. We want responsible agent In every 
Dairy Community. Send tor circular number 12. 
FRANK He BATTLES. Seed Grower. 
Rocheater, Now York. 
Only One Hand 
needed to stanchion Cattle 
if you have our 
Steel Latch Stanchion 
When open is locked r.ady fur 
cattleto comein; closed, it swings 
I freely. Best dairy cattle tie be¬ 
cause comfortable and quiet; 
greatest freedom. Made of selected 
hardwood oil finished. We are the sole manufac¬ 
turers. Write now for circulars and delivered prices. 
TOLEIIO PLOW CO., »cpt. R, TOLEDO, OHIO, 
DEHTH TO LICE hens and chicks, 
D. J. LAMBKUT, Box 
64-page book FREE. 
-pag 
m, 
Apponaug, R. I. 
HOW TO FEED AND BREED HOGS 
is of importance to swine growers. A 
I practical, clean, common-sense swine 
paper for farmers can be had from now 
I January, 1905 , hy sending 10 Ceuts 
lu Silver at once to 
BLOODED STOCK, 
Oxford, Pa. 
SENT 
u nder posit! ve guaran¬ 
tee to refund money 
I if not satisfactory. No 
bolting food. Perfect 
digestion. All tinned 
no rust,easily cleaned. 
KEYSTONE CALF FEEDER. 
Used and endorsed by leading dairymen, agricultural col¬ 
leges and experiment stations. Complete with extra nipple, 
$1.60, express prepaid. Book free. Agents wanted. 
M. T. PHILLIPS. Box 18. Pomeroy. Pa. 
rtORfLHEN HOMO 
MANN’S Bone Cutter ^ 
gives hens food which makes them lay. v 
Cuts al 1 bone, meat and gristle; neverclogs. 
Ten Days’ Free Trial. 
No money until satisfied that it cuts easiest 
and fastest. Return at our expense it not 
satisfied. Catalogue free. 
F.W. MANN CO., BOX I5 MILFORD, MASS. 
MAKE MONEY 
with i)oultry. Profits greater 
for amount invested than any 
other business. Our paper, 
the finest in the world, cov- 
ers the entire poultry field. 
By sending 60o_now for a 
year’s subscription you will 
receive F R E E, a book,‘Plans 
for Poultry Houses.’ Sample 
copyforthe asking. 
Inland Poultry Journal Co , 
20 Oord Bldg., Indianapolis, lud. 
Breeders’ Directory 
HOLSTEIN BULL CALVES. Scotch Collies, Spayed 
** Females. SILAS DBCKBR, South Montrose, Pa. 
HOLSTEIN - FRIESIANS. 
Choice young stock of the best breeding for sale. 
Prices reasonable. Every animal registered. 
WOODCREST FARM, Rifton, Ulster Co., N. T. 
HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN STOCK,-f.TSII 
Calves for sale at very low prices. Write for list giving 
prices and breeding. W*W. OUENEy,MiLalius,N,Y. 
^^HOLSTEiN CATTLE 
ukXMl ones, aad all ages. Fine Yearling Bnlls, 
read for servloe. 
RAMBOUILLET SHEEP. 
BERKSHIRE SWINE. 
Write DELLIIUKST FARMS, Mentor, Ohio. 
McLennan Bros. Stock Farm, 
Lyndon, Cattarangns County, N. Y. 
Holstein-Frleslan Bull for sale; Royal Pauline 
DeKol, No. 31.261; born May 8 , 1S102. Also a number 
of large, handsome, perfectly marked bull calves, 6 
to 8 months old, sired by Corona Spofford Pletertje, 
No. 30,160. Inquire, 
P. B. McLennan, Syracuse. N. Y. 
rnn 0*1 r—Purebred Holstein-Frleslan Bulls 
rUn uALL from 6 to 18 months old. Improved 
Chester White Pigs of the best breeding at reasonable 
prices. CHARLES RECORD, Peterboro, N. Y. 
ST. LAM BERT and Combination. For sale 25 Cows, 
8 Heifers,33 Bulls. 8 . E. NIVIN, Landenburg, Pa. 
|-|ERE are two Jersey Bulls that must go? They 
* ^ are both sired by my great prize winner. Queen’s 
Czar, 65573. No 1. dropped December25.1902, Dam Ida’s 
Orphan Maid, 151,980. No. 2, dropped April 22, 1903, 
Dam Hickory’s Rissa, 117,093. (Butter record 14 pounds 
10 ounces In 7 days). Any fair offer will be considered. 
Also cows and heifers for sale. 
J. GRANT MORSE, Poolvillo, N. Y. 
GNAGEY FARM. 
Jerseys and Bcrkshlres are sold on approval. Try 
us on young stock. SAMUEL HERSHBERGER, 
M.'uiugcr, Grantsvllle, Md. 
Registered Jersey Bull Calves 
from Imported Golden Lad at fair prices. 
R. F. SHANNON, 907 Liberty Street, Pittsburg, Pa- 
IMPROVED LARGE YORKSHIRtS SrSo" 
nog. Pigs of all ages from Imported stock for sale. 
MEADOW BROOK STOCK FARM, Rochester, Mich 
Reg. P. Chinas, Berhshires and C. Whites. 
8 wks. to 6 mos.. mated not akin. 
Service Boars, Bred Sows. Write for 
prices and description. Return if not 
stiilsfaciory: we refund the money. 
HAMILTON & CO., Ercildoun, Chester Co., I’a. 
SUGAR GROVE FARM, 
Grantsville, Md.. the homo of the Ilerkshires, is 
again offering choice Pigs on approval. Try them. 
CHESHIRES FOR SALE. 
Two Young Boars, two gilts, weight 100 pounds; fine 
stock $10. Registered. RabbitHounds,fourmonths 
old, pups, $5. All stock guaninteed. 
H. GRANT, Cleveland, N. Y. 
THE NIAGARA STOCK FARM 
offers some choice Shropshire Ewes of different ages, 
bred to Imported Rams Address, -n- 
J. C. DUNCAN, Lewiston, N Y. 
TAMWORTHS FOR SALE. 
A few choice Boar Pigs, 10 weeks old. Best breed¬ 
ing; large and strong boned. Also, an extra good 
Hackney Stallion, five years old. Registered son of 
Wildfire. Great action. Address, 
A. W. ROUNDS, Norwalk. Ohio. 
90 
Var’s Poultry, Pigeons, Parrots, Dogs, Cats, 
Ferrets, etc. Eggs a specialty. 60 p book, lOo- 
Ratesfreo. J A BERGBY, Box 8 ,Telford, Pa 
S TOCK FOR SALE— Cockerels, Pullets and Hens. 
All leading varieties. .Prices lower now than 
later. Write to-day and state your wante. 
MT. BLANCO POULTRY FARM, Mt. Blanco, Ohia 
\A/LIITC I CPUnOWC—Cockerels for $5 if 
Will I L LLuHUnriu taken now. 900 beauties 
from big eggs from big hens. All purebred, without 
lisqualltlcations.. WHITE & BICE, 
in?-Box A. Yorktown, N. Y. 
White Wyandotte Cockerels 
Two hundred choice birds from great laying strains; 
early hatched big white beauties, with yellow skin and 
legs. Those thinking of buying will do well to write 
me at once. Satisfaction guaranteed. _ 
CLYMER 8 . MENGE 8 , Yorktown, N. Y. 
Ten Rhode Island Bed Pullets, March or April 
hatch. Address, “E, Box 34, Mamaroneck, N Y. 
CHICKENS 
incubators. Booklet free. 
Sound and Strong ones are 
easy to Raise. Use the PER¬ 
FECTED HATCHING SYS¬ 
TEM to get thorn. It beats 
F. Grundy, Morrisonvllle, Ill. 
ERRETS 
—The finest lot ever offered 
for sale at Shady Lawn Ferret 
Farm. Price list free. 
Address, W. J. WOOD, New 
Loudon. Ohio. 
For Sale.—Scotch Collies, magnifi^cently 
bred. A. J. BENEDICT, Woodworth. Wls. 
SQUABS PAY 
HEAT 
HENS 
Easier, need attention only part of 
time, bring big prices. Raised 1 n one 
mouth. Money-makers for poultry- 
men, farmers,women. Send for FREE 
BOOKLET and learn this rich home 
industry. PLYMOUTH ROCK SQUAB 
CO., 4A Friend Street. Boston. Mass. 
