346 
THE RURAL 
NEW-YORKER. 
May 12 
THE SHEEP-SHEARING MACH INF. 
We have received a good many letters 
from farmers who have used the shearing 
machine made by the Chicago Flexible 
Shaft Co. We wished to know how the 
machine works in greasy and sticky wool, 
and whether a farmer could buy one and 
do shearing for others. 
The machine will shear any sheep that 
can be shorn by hanu, but it is slow 
work on wrinkled sheep. I have clipped 
10 large sheep in 55 minutes. They do 
not cut sheep at all, if the operator is in 
any way careful. I shear for some of 
my neighbors, and they will not have 
anyone else if they can get the clippers. 
In my opinion, if a farmer has from 40 
to 100 sheep, the machine would he a 
good investment. It is not as hard work 
to operate the clipper as the hand 
shears. g. h. kelly. 
I think the machine would pay one 
having from 60 to 100 sheep, owing to 
quantity of wool on sheep. Machine 
works well in greasy wool, but not so 
well in gummy or sticky wool. One can 
shear over large wrinkles better than 
by hand; the hardest kind of wrinkles 
to work over are those about the size of 
lead pencils. It takes from 15 to 20 
minutes to shear our sheep, which are 
large and close-wooled. I can shear 
lighter-wooled sheep in less than eight 
minutes, and do nice work. Chief gain 
is in quality of work. If sheep owners 
want neat work done, and all of the wool 
taken off, I think the machine will pay 
in competition wiia hand shearing. It is 
much easier on hand and wrist, as it 
saves the gripping motion of shears. We 
claim it saves more wool, and it leaves 
the sheep’s hide in much better condi¬ 
tion. T. D. HOLLINGSWORTH. 
It will pay a man with 50 sheep to 
have a machine. It works all right in 
greasy wool, but not in sticky or knotty 
wool. I never clipped any very wrinkly 
sheep, but as far as I have tried they 
duplicate the shears on wrinkles. I am 
56 years old, but I can catch, clip and tie 
up the wool of four good sheep in 60 
minutes. The chief gain is in speed and 
quality of work. I bought my machine 
to work for other farmers, and I have 
made a success of it. It saves wool 
enough to pay the shearing, and leaves 
the hide whole. It is easier for a man 
to hold the clippers than it is to hold 
the shears. This is the third season for 
me, and I learn more how to handle it 
every day. I have clipped 172 sheep this 
month. I get 10 and 12 cents per head 
for clipping. If you once clip with the 
machine you never will use the shears 
I could get all the clipping I could do all 
Summer, but I get tired after shearing 
500 or 600, and quit. v. H. H. 
Goshen, Ind. 
1 would have a machine if I had only 
a small flock, just to see the sheep so 
nice and smooth after shearing. I have 
used the machine on a mixed lot of 200, 
grade Merino and long-wooled, none very 
wrinkled. The machine worked well in 
all kinds of wool. Two men will shear 
from 30 to 35 in a day. As the average 
price paid for hands is $1 per day, and 
the price paid to shearers is seven cents 
per head there is not much difference in 
cost; the gain is in the quality of the 
work. I wait until the yolk comes up 
well; this saves more wool and leaves 
the hide in better condition. My men 
take turns in shearing, each man shear¬ 
ing a sheep and tying up his wool, while 
the other man gets a sheep and trims 
around the face with shears. I found 
the hair on the face a little troublesome 
at times, and thought best to start with 
shears. The greatest trouble I had was 
in getting the men to hold the sheep in 
position. Sheep should be placed in the 
same position as when shearing with 
shears. My men were inexperienced 
sheep shearers. The clippers must be 
held flat on the skin, one hand placed 
behind the clippers to hold the hide 
steady, same as a barber does, that ic 
may not fold in front of the clippers 
Any man can in a snort time do good 
Work. T. MUMFORD. 
NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN EGGS. 
The southern poultry breeders argue that 
eggs produced by their birds in the early 
Winter are likely to be more fertile, on 
the average, than eggs produced at the 
North. Their argument is that the warm 
open Winters and Springs of the South en¬ 
able the hens to run at large, and thus 
give them more exercise and an open 
outdoor life; consequently, the eggs are 
produced under more natural conditions 
than at the North. What do you think 
about this mauer? Do you believe that 
the southern eggs are stronger and more 
fertile as a rule? Will not the long 
journey from the South by express do the 
eggs considerable damage? 
I have always thought that the reverse 
was the case, because the extreme heat 
of the southern Summers will sap the 
vitality of the fowls, and injure them far 
more than our cold Winters do. I have 
known several instances where persons 
went South to take advantage of the 
more favorable climate, and in every 
case they made a partial failure of it 
from the above reasons. We think that 
eggs suffer but little from transportation 
when properly packed, except when our 
irresponsible expressmen deliberately 
smash them. james kankin. 
Mass. 
My opinion is that southern eggs will 
be more fertile and stronger where the 
hens are kept in a mild climate with 
liberty, while ours are shut in by heavy 
snow and cold. Fortunately, we have 
such difficulties only occasionally, and 
generally of short duration, the past 
Winter being unusually mild, while the 
Winter of 1898 and 1899 was unusually 
severe. With the same grade of poultry 
and under these conditions they should 
be able to produce more fertile eggs than 
here during the severe weather. The ex¬ 
press companies would probably jar and 
break enough to overcome all the gain, 
and more. We have the Spring weather 
when we do much better here, while it 
would be getting too warm in the South. 
In my opinion we average fully as well, 
if not better, than our southern friend, 
although undoubtedly there is business 
enough for all of us. d. a. mount. 
New Jersey. 
SOME PROFITABLE GEESE. 
Last week we made a few remarks 
about the great profit claimed from one 
pair of geese. These remarks were 
called forth by a statement which has 
been going tne rounds of the papers. Mr. 
Wm. Rankin is a farmer and breeder at 
Brockton, Mass. In order to get at the 
truth of the matter, one of our corre¬ 
spondents recently interviewed him. Mr. 
Rankin says that several years ago he 
did make just about such a statement. 
On his farm book he has an account 
with one pair of African geese that ran 
by themselves near his cow stable. His 
records show that the goose laid 51 eggs 
and that she hatched 37 goslings. A 
horse killed one and another was run 
over. He fattened the remaining 35, 
and sold them to. Dunoar & Co., of Bos¬ 
ton, Mass., with the following record; 
Goslings. Lbs. Per lb. Amount. 
12 129 25c. $32.25 
11 115% 20c. 23.10 
12 118% 20c. 23.70 
Feathers brought . 2.42 
Total .?S1.47 
Mr. Rankin says there can be no mis¬ 
take about it. He kept the bills for a 
number of years, and showed them to 
many people, but they have since been 
lost. He says this is not extravagant, 
and that these earnings from a pair of 
geese can be excelled. He says that the 
profits from one goose are greater than 
from one cow and two hogs. He says 
that the average cow of Massachusetts 
hardly pays her feed, and that few hogs 
are to be found on eastern farms. Hav¬ 
ing made the statements we did last 
week, we are glad to give Mr. Rankin’s 
explanation. At the same time, we do 
not believe the average breeder of geese 
can hope to make over $3 to $5 profit per 
pair; in fact, he ought to be well satis¬ 
fied with that. 
What did it cost to feed these geese? 
Mr. xtankin sends us the following state¬ 
ment: 
That pair of geese had the best to be 
obtained, every advantage long experi¬ 
ence as a goose breeder could afford. 
The result was far from an average. A 
gosling wben very young will eat little 
but grass if it comes from a rich soil, 
that grows rapidly and is tender. At 
about 10 weeks old we enclose them in 
pens, and for about three weeks at that 
time we feed little but corn meal, which 
will cost, on an average, about 90 cents 
per gosling, corn at 50 cents per bushel. 
It costs 11 cents each to pick, pack in ice 
for shipment, etc., no such expense was 
deducted from result. Those goslings 
cost approximately about $1.50 each. 
They brought in market about $2.32%, 
or about 55 per cent profit. When I 
make 15 per cent from my herd of Hol¬ 
stein cattle I think I am doing well. If 
a man averages 10 goslings for every 
goose he does well. Let writers tell 
square facts, and it will not startle you. 
A farmer must base his hopes upon av¬ 
erage results under average conditions, 
and not on exceptions. 
Horse Owners! Use 
GOMBAULT’S 
Caustic 
Balsam 
A Safe Speedy and Positive Cure 
The Safest, nest BLISTER over used. Takes 
the place of all liniments for mild or severe action. 
Removes Bunches or Blemishes from Horses 
and Cattle. SUPERSEDES ALL CAUTERY 
OR FIRING- Impossible to produce scar or blemish. 
Every bottle sold is warranted to give satisfaction 
Price $1.50 per bottle. Sold by druggists, or 
sent by express, charges paid, with full directions 
for its use. Send for descriptive circulars. 
TUB I-iAWRENCE-WILLIAMS CO., Cleveland O. 
- 
willardInapp 
Cow Tie 
still stands at the bead as 
the most humane, inex- 
S ensive, practicable and 
urable device for fasten¬ 
ing cattle ever invented. 
Mr. Thomas E. Booth, Pres¬ 
ident of Minerva Creamery 
Co.. Minerva, O., writes us: 
“I like the ties very much, and will order more of 
them for my own barn next Summer. I shall try and 
induce my patrons to use your tie, as I think it is the 
best on the market. Mr.-is going to remodel his 
stable for 20 to 30 cows. 1 have advised them by all 
means to use your tie, as 1 do not know of anything 
so good.” What, every dairyman says must be 
so. Send for illustrated pamphlet on fastening cat 
tie with up-to-date testimonials. 
WILLARD H. KNAPP & CO • j Cortland,N. Y. 
BEE 
KEEP¬ 
ERS 
Send for Free Sample Copy of 
GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 
handsome semi-monthly magazine. All about 
profitable Bee-Keeping. Book on Bee tultureA 
Bee supplies free if you mention this paper. 
The A. I. Root Co. Medina, O. 
Cows barren 3 years 
MADE TO BREED. 
Moore Brothers, Albany, N. Y. 
Diarrhea of Calves Sfcmr'™; 
mail on receipt of 25 or 50 cents. 
UK. G. W. HABTSHOHNE CO., Columbus, N. J. 
SH00-FLY 
The only positive protection for Horses and Cows. 
NO FLIES, TICKS, VERMIN OR SORES 
Prevents Charbon and Texas Cattle Fever, becanse 
these diseases are spread by flies and ticks. Thou¬ 
sands dnplioate 10 gallons. Beicare of imitations. One 
cent’s worth saves 3 quarts of milk and much flesh. 
Don’t wait till cows are dry and horses poor. Send 
26 cents. Money refunded, if cow is not protected. 
SHOO-FLY MFG. CO.,1005 Fairmount Ave.,Phila..Pa. 
L ICE on stock, hens, flies on cattle and horses killed 
instantly with Euieka Ely Killer, Agents wanted. 
Big pay. THE J. H. AMES CO. Bowdoinham, Me. 
nCATU Tfl I IPC on HENS and CHICKENS 
UlAIII IU LIuL 64-page book fkbb. 
D. J. LAMBERT, Box 307, Apponaug, B. I. 
LICE KILLER CL?AHS0UTT - E 1,0 ■ 
1 and mites on ] 
and 
_ a poultry 
hogs without handling fowls or animals. Painted 
or sprinkled on roosts, bedding or rubbing posts, the 
Lice Killer does the rest. We prove it with FREE SAM PLE* 
Our new catalogue of Stock and Poultry Supplies free upon request. 
0E0. H. LEE CO. Omaha, Neb., or 68 Murray St.,New York 
Breeders’ Directory. 
Buff Plymouth Rocks.— Prize win¬ 
ners wherever shown. Eggs, $2 per sitting. 
JOHN H. JANNBY, Brighton, Md. 
White Leghorn Eggs.—50c. per dozen. 
New illustrated photo. Circular free. 
SEYMOUR BISHOP, Cheshire, Conn. 
Wyandottes, Golden, Silver and White. 
Bose Comb Brown Leghorn. Eggs$l per 15, $1.50 per 
30. Catalogue free. CARSON & SONS, Rutland, O. 
A grand lot of Barred Rocks for sale. Eggs from 
exhibition matings. Circular free. 
C. F. G1FFEN, Lock Box 85. St. Clairsville. Ohio. 
Fowls Cheap.—S ingly, pairs, pens. 
W. and Barred Rocks; W. and Br. Leghorns; W 
Wyandottes; stamp. Eggs, 26 for $1. 
MBS. J. P. HELLING 8 , Dover. Del. 
T horoughbred Bar., Wh. & Bf. P. Rock. Lt., l)k.& 
Bf. Brahma, Br., Bf„ Wh. & Blk. Leg., Bf., Gol. & 
Wh. Wy’dotte, B. Langs., Bf. Coch., B. Mim.S.S.Ham- 
burg. Eggs, 15 $ 1; 40 $2. H. K. Mohr, Quakertown, Pa. 
urro THAT HATPU Br.and W.Rocks.S.and Wh. 
EAibO mill IlrtlUn -Wyandottes, *1.50per 15. Br. 
and Wh. Leghorns, $1 per 13. Wh. Holland Turkey 
eggs, $2 per 9. WM. McCABE, Kelsey, Ohio. 
COf*©—'White Leghorn and Barred Plymouth 
CUUd Rock eggs, $4 per 100. Also a few Barred 
Plymouth Rock Cockerels at $1 to $1.50 each, Thomp¬ 
son strain. Cir. free. CHAS. H. RUE, Minerva. O. 
Our Famous White Wyandottes 
are laying so well that we cut the price in one-half 
for eggs that hatch. $1 per 13; $5 per 100. Satisfaction 
or money back. J. E. STEVENSON, Columbus, N. J 
Dfllll TDV A11 the leatlln 8 varieties. Fowls 
t'UUL Ini and eggs for sale. Illustrated cat. 
free. J. A. & AV. S. Harrison, Box 7. Henry, 111. 
INCUBATOR EGGS 
from purebred White Wyandottes. $3 per 100. 
SILAS DEAN, Oak Hill, N. Y. 
Blanchard’s White Leghorns. 
The Leading Strain of Heavy Layers. Eggs for 
hatching: $2 per 15; $3.50 per 30: $5 per 50; $6 per 60; 
$8 per 100. ill. clr. free. H. J. Blanchard, Groton, N.Y 
FOR 
SALE 
EGGS 
For Hatching. 
BIRDS 
For Breeding. 
8 . C. Br. Leghorns. 
8 . C. Bl. Minorcas. 
B. P. Rocks. 
G S. Bantams. 
Cln. Tumb. Pigeons 
Homer Pigeons. 
GUERNSEY CATTLE, all ages, both sexes. 
M. SAGER, ORANGEVILLE. PA. 
Knob Mountain Poultry and Stock Farm 
GOOD LAND DUCK 
the White Muscovy. 
A whole nestful of 
eggs, 15, the right number, for $1. Sure hatchers 
under the hen. Your first roast duck in 60 days, and 
unlike the Pekin, they remain meaty and fat for 
weeks. GEO. E. SMITH, East Norton, Mass. 
Buttermaker 
irivate creamery. 
-Also, Neufchatel, Cream and 
, Limburger maker wanted in 
Give age, nationality and ex- 
C HENANGO VALLEY STOCK FARMS, Greene N. 
Y.—Dutch Belted and Jersey Cattle; Dorset and 
Rambouillet Sheep; Poland-China, Jersey Red and 
Suffolk Pigs. Land and Water Fowls. Hens 
Eggs, 60c. per dozen: 10 kinds; standard bred. 
W OODLAWN FARM, R. E. Goddard, 
Proprietor, Breeder of Registered Short 
horn Cattle; Standard Trotting and Saddle Horses 
Stock of all ages for sale. BUKGIN, Kv. 
An Qii r-Two nice Registered Jersey Bulls, 
Ull OHLl solid color, black points, well bred, 
~ - „ n flthflP four mnnt.hR old. 
Some GOOD young 
JERSEY BULL CALVES 
'OR SALE at fair prices. No PLUG8 nor un 
fnrsalft at anv DriC 6 . 
3UERNSEYS 
k— Choice, WELL-BRED STOCK 
J at REASONABLE PRICES, 
’he Guernseys are the most Economical Producers 
f the highest natural-colored milk and butter. 
‘PECIAL N0W -Some choice Mature Breed ‘ 
ing Bui Is and good Bull Cal?es 
DELLHURST FARM, 
MENTOR, OHIO, 
has nearly 30 Holstein Bull Calves to select 
from, and offers sons of DeKol’s Butter Boy No 
13210, Royal i’aul 22079 and others, having the much 
talked-of Pauline Paul and DeKol cross. Our Herd 
now numbers 150 head. Stock of all ages and both 
sexes for sale from Advanced Registry cows. 
50 Fine Duroc-Jersey Fall Pigs 
at a bargain for the next63 days. 
C. C. BKAWLKY & CO., New Madison, Ohio. 
IMPROVED CHESTER WHITES 
the best d reeding and all ages for sale at reason- 
ile prices. Pamphlet and prices free. Light Brahma 
ickerels $1 apiece. C. K. RECORD, Peterboro. N.Y 
Reg. Poland Chinas,Berk¬ 
shire* & Chester Whitts. Choice 
Pigs, 8 weeks old, mated not 
akin. Bred sows and service 
Boars cheap. Poultry. Write 
for hard times prices and free 
a.. stW GVinokni* f 1A Pft 
_ t-- -r-r_f, Pn 
Incubators and Brooders 
Incubators from $5.00 up. 
Brooders from $3.80 up 
Catalogue free 
L. A. BANTA, 
Llgonler, Ind. 
The IMPROVED 
VICTOR Incubator 
hatches all the fertile eggs; is 
Ample, durable and easily oper- 
ited;168 page catalogue contain- 
ne information and testimonial-. 
Bent free. CEO. EBTEL CO., QUINCY, III 
