634 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER: 
September 15 
HEN AND WOODCHUCK NOTES 
Moulting Hens. —Now that the 
moulting season is at hand, it will pay, 
if at no other time, to feed the hens a 
little oil meal in the mash. Regarding 
the amount to feed I am not an au¬ 
thority, but it is my practice to feed not 
to exceed 10 per cent of the weight of 
the mixture. Oil meal is a laxative, 
whether fed to hens or cows, and one 
needs to watch very carefully to see that 
the hens do not get off condition. This 
is the chief danger, and by careful, 
watching the amount can be pretty well 
adjusted. The moulting season is a try¬ 
ing one for the fowls, and they should 
be as carefully fed and provided for as 
at any season of the year. Oil meal 
provides, to a considerable extent, the 
food needed for the formation of the 
new feathers, and its effect upon the 
bird is such that it helps her to get rid 
of the old plumage. I also feed consid¬ 
erable wheat bran, but try to make not 
infrequent changes in the mixture for 
the mash. My hens do not get very fat 
under ihis treatment, even with a good 
feed of corn at night. 
Skim-Milk. —The hens have a pretty 
good supply of skim-milk every day. 
That is an advantage in keeping poultry 
on a dairy farm. I know of nothing 
that will make skim-milk yield a larger 
profit than good laying hens. But no 
matter how much milk one gives them, 
they need a full supply of fresh, pure 
water. When one feeds milk, less meat 
scrap is required, for milk contains quite 
a nice allowance of the same kind of 
protein that the meat contains, that is, 
it is an animal product. Personally, I 
have been quite skeptical respecting the 
profit of feeding meat scrap in Summer, 
when fowls have free range over the 
fields. But my neighbor down across 
from here, who is a semi-invalid, and 
consequently gives more time to such 
light work, says he can see a falling off 
in his egg returns every time he omits 
the meat scrap for a few days, even in 
Summer. 
A Hen Man.— It has always seemed to 
me that the farm is a place for no one 
but a strong, able-bodied man, but this 
neighbor to whom I have referred seems 
to be evidence to the contrary, or at 
least, the exception. He is not able to 
work much, though usually he can get 
about to chore it quite a little. He keeps 
from 300 to 400 hens, two or three cows, 
and one horse. He raises a few pota¬ 
toes, a very little corn, and perhaps 
sows towards a half acre of oats. This 
is about the extent of his plowed ground 
aside from the garden. The haying is 
hired done, usually by the job. He top- 
dresses his meadows, using what ma¬ 
nure the cows make, and scattering the 
manure from each hundred hens on 
about an acre of meadow. Of course, 
he buys quite an amount of grain, but at 
the end of each year there is a small 
balance to turn into the resource 
column, although his wife’s health is 
little, if any, better than his own, and 
there is always a doctor’s bill to pay. 
Close economy has enabled him to pay 
for his farm, and he seems to enjoy life 
quite as well as some who do a big busi¬ 
ness. 
Killing Woodchucks. —Those wood¬ 
chucks have been a great bother to me. 
I have tried to kill them with carbon 
bisulphide, but have failed as often as I 
have succeeded. Borrowed a gun, and 
fired away with little result, except a 
lame shoulder where the gun kicked me. 
But just as I was beginning to despair, 
an old gentleman came along and com¬ 
menced shooting. He told me that he 
is 80 years old, has shot 80 woodchucks 
this Summer and not missed a shot. 
Said this is the best place to find them 
that he knows. He stuck to it, and 
killed quite a nice lot of them—more 
than I could have got in two years. Of 
all the ways that I have tried this one 
is the best, for it doesn’t take any of 
my time, and there are really fewer 
woodchucks when he goes away. It will 
pay to hire some good marksman to thin 
out the vermin when they get too thick. 
H. H. L. 
A TALK ABOUT BANTAMS. 
For five years I have been most pleas¬ 
antly associated with these Shetland 
ponies of the poultry yard. My intimacy 
with them began somewhat abruptly. I 
called on an acquaintance and while 
looking about the place, he showed me 
some Buff Cochin bantams. He had only 
a few, but the majority were of the male 
sex. He said that he would be glad to 
make me a present of one of the ma¬ 
jority. So picking out a very beautiful 
prize-winner, he handed it to me, say¬ 
ing that the bird had a record and was 
easily worth $5. I took him in hand, 
brought him home, prepared a house, 
and Jack was in the midst of new sur¬ 
roundings. His crow translated seemed 
to say most piteously, “Biddy, come 
home!” Consequently I looked about 
for a biddy. After a few days a biddy 
shared his perch with him, but she was 
a great combination, yet the first hatch 
gave me some very huffy chicks. After 
a few years the hatches were all buffs, 
though not by any means up to standard. 
I had quite a number when I was about 
to change my home, and I found it a 
very easy matter to sell at a good price. 
Previous to this I bought a pair of 
Golden Seabrights. I did not pay a 
fancy price, yet I got a good pair. Soon 
as Summer returned I had a number of 
little chicks, and what a pleasing sight 
the lot were! After a few days their 
feathers had grown to a good length, and 
they were the hardiest chicks I ever 
handled. That mother had 45 descend¬ 
ants by Fall and all were strong and 
happy. Since then I have kept only the 
Golden Seabrights. The question has 
often been asked, “Do bantams pay?” 
Of all the 14 recognized varieties the 
Goldens are the most attractive and the 
most profitable. This is generally con¬ 
ceded. Their requirements, as far as 
food, house, and yards are concerned, 
are very small. They may be running 
about among the vegetables after they 
have had a little start, and they do not 
disturb them but rather relieve them of 
many insects. They remain very near 
their roosting place, and do not care to 
wander away. They are very attractive. 
I have often seen people, either driving 
or walking, stop and look at my bantams 
and seemed so interested that it was an 
effort to move on. Here is where lies 
their greatest value—their beauty. I had 
hoped to winter a goodly number, and 
consequently I put a good price on my 
birds, but I fear I will have only my old 
stock left, as my young stock is nearly 
all sold at two months old. I have never 
had fowls that sold as readily. 
Then me matter of egg production. It 
is usually considered that three bantam 
eggs equal two ordinary eggs. Bantam 
eggs are much richer than any other, 
and are preferred by many. They are 
good layers; there is no question about 
that. They are good mothers, and the 
eggs possess remarkable fertility. The 
young feather very rapidly, and are not 
as a rule delicate. I have found them 
quite hardy. Anyone living in a city 
with only a small back lot may enjoy 
fresh eggs besides an occasional fowl, 
without going to the market. Besides, 
the care is a delight. The little midgets 
are so vivacious and so in earnest; their 
songs of overflowing life are real com¬ 
pany and anyone who is a lover of pet 
stock will enjoy the fussing with these 
proud-spirited members of the poultry 
world. All things considered there is 
far greater profit in bantams than in any 
other fowl. Having once had them about 
the dwelling one does not wish to part 
with them. carina. 
R. N.-Y.—Our own experience with 
bantams indicated that the chicks are 
quite delicate and hard to raise. 
Moulting Hens.— We feed moulting hens 
the same as when they are laying, except 
less fattening food, and we find that they 
will not eat so large a quantity. Green 
food is also given them then, as at all 
times. We do not think it any advantage 
to feed tonics, stimulants, condiments, or 
any drugs whatever. h. j. blanchard. 
Dairy and Creamery remarks: “Milk 
drawn from a cow that is covered with 
filth, by a milker with soiled hands in a 
stable that is not kept clean, is not fit for 
human use. It is filled with bacteria and 
should be fed to hogs.” Rough on the 
hogs though. 
There will not be many cows or heifers 
for sale in this vicinity this Fall, and those 
that are, will be high in price. Fodder of 
all kinds is quite plentiful here, and it is 
unlikely that farmers will sell any stock 
except at a good prce. December is about 
the best time to buy heifers and dry cows; 
they are worth from $20 to $40, according 
to age, condition, breed, etc. New milch 
cows can be bought from $35 to $50 at the 
present time, but will doubtless be higher. 
C. H. P. 
Snake Bites and Mud.— The Connecticut 
Farmer says that little dogs accompany 
the huckleberry pickers in the Pennsyl¬ 
vania mountains. Their duty Is to hunt 
snakes. “The dogs seem to delight in 
hunting the snakes, and that they are well 
aware of their deadly nature is manifested 
by the wariness they show when confront¬ 
ed by one and the skill with which they 
flank and seize the reptile from behind, 
and always by the neck. Now and then a 
dog overestimates his powers in dealing 
with a rattlesnake and is bitten, but not 
often. If the dog, when bitten, can lind 
the soft margin of a spring, run, or swamp 
in time, he immediately buries the wound¬ 
ed part in the mud and will come ftom it 
within an hour or two with no evil effect 
apparent from the venom. If no such 
refuge is nigh the dog dies.” 
Gives Relief at Once. 
Mr. JACOB G. BEBU8. Florist, 1142 Broadway 
New York, January 29. 1898, Writes : 
I have for years been a sufferer with ASTHMA, and 
during that time have spent hundreds of dollars for 
doctors and medicines, and have been confined to my 
home for weetes. I used Dr. D. Jayne’s Expectorant 
and found relief at once. I always keep a small 
bott e of It with me and use it as a preventive when 
I fell any symptoms of an attack. I recommend 
all who are troubled with Asthma to use it.— Adv. 
For All Lome Horses 
whether they have 
KjiavIiiH, ringboneH 
* plinth, curbs, or 
other forms of bony 
enlargement, use 
KENDALL’S 
SPAVIN 
CURE 
Cures without a 
blemish as it 
does not blister. 
As a liniment 
for family use, 
it has no equal. 
Price $1, Six for 
$5. Ask your 
druggist for 
Kendall’s Spavin Cure, also “A Treatise on the 
Horse,” the book free, or address 
DR, B. J. KENDALL CO., ENOSBURO FALLS, VT. 
Horse Owners! Use 
GOMBAULT’S 
Caustic 
Balsam 
1 Safe Speedy and Positive Cnre 
The Safest, Rest BLISTER ever 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. 
THE LAWRENCE-WIX1LIAM8 UP.. Cleveland O. 
SADLER’S COB FETTER 
Is warranted to make the worst 
kicking cow gentle to milk in two 
days. There is nothing equal to 
it for breaking nervous heifers. 
Agents wanted in every town .Illus¬ 
trated circulars sent fre e. Add ress 
tt r . 
Warren, Trumbull County, 0. 
Breeders’ Directory. 
Al Fowls. Pigs, Sheep—varieties. Farm¬ 
ers' prices. Cir. A. McClain (No. T), Delaware. N J. 
Chester Whites, Holsteins and Choice Eggs 
A fine lot of young sows bred for Fall litters 
Holsteln-Frleslan Bull Calves of extra breeding 
Light Brahma and B. Kock Eggs; 15 for 75 cents. 
CHAS. K. KECOBD. Peterboro. N. V. 
iAHENANGO VALLEY STOCK FARMS, Greene N. 
(| V —Dutch Belted and J ersey Cattle; Dorset and 
Ramboulllet Sheep; Poland-Chlna, Jersey Red and 
Suffolk Pigs. Land and Water Fowls. Hens’ 
Eggs, 00c. per dozen: 10 kinds; standard bred. 
Some GOOD young 
JERSEY BOLL CALVES 
FOR SALE at fair prices. No PLUG8 nor un 
registered for sale at any price. 
R. F. SHANNON, 907 Liberty 8t., Pittsburg, Pa. 
FOR SALE. 
Jersey Bull Calf, A. J. C. C., four months old, solid 
silver gray; handsome; exceptionally well bred. 
Family of large milkers and butter producers. No 
one makes a mistake getting this fellow. F. o. b. at 
your station. Further particulars. 
WHITE OAK RIDGE STOCK FARM. 
East Orange, N. J. 
DELLHURST FARM, 
MENTOR, OHIO, 
has nearly 30 Holstein Bull Calves to select 
from, and offers sons of DeKol’s Butter Boy No 
19210, Royal Paul 22979 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. 
AYRSHIRES 
tracing to Lord Bangor 4130 and 
Duchess of Smlthtteld 4250. 
or nr nil A in at stud. Very large. Belated 
Oil DEnnAnU to Champions. 
Imported French Coach Mare. 
B. LUTHER SHIMKR, B. S., 
Mt. Airy Park Farm. Bethlehem. Pa. 
Registered Shropshires for Sale^Te* Good 
ones. S. SHAFFER. Princeton, Lawrence Co., Pa. 
Oliropshires—Ewes and Rams, high grades, extra 
^ good ones; blocky, with heavy bone, $0 up. Also 
C. W. Pigs, 50 lbs., $5 each. W. A. Lothcrs, Lack, Pa 
N ational delaine merinos, black-top 
SPANISH MERINOS. SHROPSHIRES. RAMS 
AND EWES. All Registered. Correspondence 
solicited. M. C. MULK1N. Friendship, N. Y. 
Shropshires and Southdovns'“ f A n,t best 
quality. J. C. DUNCAN, Lewiston, N. Y. 
The Business Farmer's Sheep. 
$76 takes 10 ewe lambs; $00 takes six yearling ewes 
$120 takes 10 two-year ewes: $100 takes 10 fine ram 
lambs. All registered or eligible, and sure to please 
Address W. A. BASSETT, Farmer. N. Y. 
The best breeding, blood and deve’opment in the 
world is to be found in the Continental Club. Mem¬ 
bers in nearly every State. Write the Secretary tor 
address of nearest breeder. 
JOSEPH E. WING, Sec’y, Mechanlcsburg, Ohio. 
Andfiril Tmtc— The handsomest, hardiest and most 
flliftUld uUlllo profitable stock on the farm. For 
circular address ED. W. COLE & CO., Kenton, Ohio. 
Afll I 1C DIIOC from registered stock. 
UllLiLICa I Ul W Spayed females. Circulars 
free. SILAS DECKER, South Montrose, Pa. 
nr ITU Tfl I IPC on HENS and CHICKENS 
UCAin IU LIUl 64-page book ran. 
D. J. LAMBERT, Box 307, Apponaug, B. I. 
MAKES QUIET CATTLE 
Doublo Power 
V-BLADE 
cuts all 
round horn. 
LEAVITT MFC. CO., TUSCOLA, ILL 1 
COW TJE 
aids them firmly, draws 
em forward when lying 
iwn, pushes back when 
inding, gives freedom 
head, keeps them clean 
E. C. NEWTON CO. 
WILDER’S 
Swing Stanchion. 
Improvement over Smith's. 
Steel latch; Automatic 
lock. Adjusts Itself when 
open so animal cannot turn 
It In backing out. Safest 
and QUICKEST FASTENING 
made.Scnd for testimonials 
J.K. WILDER A SONS, 
Monroe, Mich. 
The Domestic Sheep. 
Its Culture and General Management. 
By Henry Stewart. An up-to-date book 
on sheep. The most scientific, practical 
and useful hook ever published on this 
subject. Indorsed by the world’s high¬ 
est authorities, press and sheep public 
everywhere. It contains 372 pages of 
“ boiled-down ” knowledge and 165 plates 
illustrating the recognized breeds and 
every department of sheep life. Price, 
$1.50 postpaid, or free for a club of four 
subscriptions at $1 each. 
WE WANT YOU 
to represent The R. N.-Y. at Fairs. Liberal 
terms will be sent on request. Write early 
for appointment, and give place and date of 
Fair you want to attend. 
THE RURAL NEW YORKER, New York 
