1902 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
25? 
MAPES, THE HEN MAN. 
What Becomes of Eggs? 
The theory advanced and partially proven 
by Mr. Mapes that fowls reabsorb partly 
developed eggs and use them in their liv¬ 
ing expenses appears very reasonable, es¬ 
pecially in the light of his late experience 
with 1,400 hens on short rations, but would 
not the evidence have been more conclu¬ 
sive had he killed and examined a number 
of the hens at different times to note the 
conditions of eggs, being careful to take 
only those known to have been laying 
regularly at the beginning of the fast? I 
have often noticed that fowls have a way 
of their own of shutting off egg produc¬ 
tion, and usually at about the time their 
owners would prefer they would work 
overtime. This has been brought out 
more forcibly in the case of a few ducks 
that were laying regularly, seldom missing 
a day, when a heavy snow and a cold wave 
came along, and not another egg for 
weeks, and this right in the season when 
under ordinary conditions they should 
continue to lay freely for at least three 
months. Now, what became of those 
eggs that were surely formed and nearly 
ready to lay? Were they reabsorbed, or 
simply held ready to lay when it suited 
their .duckslxip's pleasure? It was not 
necessary in this case for them to use the 
eggs to keep body and soul together, for 
I wanted the eggs, and tried to please 
them with their bill of fare. It has been 
said that a hen can’t help laying if fur¬ 
nished with the proper food and conditions. 
If so, what are the proper conditions? 
There have been times when I have done 
almost everything I could think of to in¬ 
duce them to shell out the eggs, and while 
they appeared to appreciate my efforts, 
judging from their actions at the feed 
troughs and their fine healthy appear¬ 
ance, yet they steadfastly refused to turn 
out the eggs that were so vainly looked 
for until near the natural season for lay¬ 
ing, and while I am fairly well satisfied 
with the way they work for me as a rule, 
yet 1 would very much like to be able to 
induce them to work overtime during the 
Fall and Winter, and work overtime in the 
Spring, something I have never been able 
to do except in a slight measure, j. e. s. 
Test tiie Hens. —When I put my hens 
on short rations the matter of the reab¬ 
sorbing of the eggs was not in my mind. 
That was entirely an afterthought. I 
agree with J. E. S. that in order to make 
the proof convincing, some of the hens 
should have been killed, and progress of 
the process noted. This I have done, 
however, on former occasions, to my 
own satisfaction. In order now to make 
the proof satisfactory to others, will not 
J. E. S. and a hundred others of The R. 
N.-Y. family, sacrifice the lives of two 
hens each, for the good of the cause? 
Go to the nests and take two hens that 
have just laid an egg. Get an appetite 
for a good chicken pie, and kill one of 
the hens, noting the size and appearance 
of the group of partly-developed eggs. 
If possible, secure a photograph. Place 
the second hen in a comfortable place 
where she cannot possibly get any food, 
giving plenty of clean fresh water for 
one week. She will not suffer. You will 
be surprised to see how bright and 
healthy she will appear while those eggs 
in her body furnish nourishment. At the 
end of the week kill her, and have an¬ 
other chicken dinner. There will be no 
small eggs in this pot-pie, I think. In 
this way we can easily explode the 
theory or else prove it to be founded on 
the laws of nature, by the uniformity of 
results. If we can uncover one of the 
laws of nature heretofore hidden, we 
shall have performed a real service for 
our generation. 
What Ailed Those Ducks? —I am 
free to say that I cannot answer that 
query with any degree of positiveness. 1 
have had hens act in just that way too 
often. Assuming, however, that egg pro¬ 
duction by both ducks and hens is sub¬ 
ject to the same laws, and allowing me 
to “draw the bow at a venture” my shot 
would be something like this. Turn back 
to page 142, and you will see that I said 
“when a hen is improperly or insuffi¬ 
ciently fed.” Were not those ducks “im¬ 
properly fed?” Possibly, although “suf¬ 
ficiently” fed. Suppose, for instance, 
that there was a lack of carbonaceous 
matter in the food supplied. That cold 
snap called for more fuel in order to 
keep up the fire of life. There was plenty 
of fuel at hand in those egg yolks, and 
Nature “drew on her resources” rather 
than “go broke.” By the time the cold 
wave had passed, the group of eggs was 
consumed, and Nature must set to work 
to build it up again before the business 
°f egg production could begin. This 
would take time, especially if the feed 
supplied was still deficient in any of the 
elements required to sustain life and 
produce eggs. In addition to this I am' 
inclined to think that before the arrival 
ol the natural laying season referred to 
by J. E. S., Nature is inclined to hold 
back. If so, this inclination must be 
overcome, in addition to supplying the 
other conditions. 
Give Food Enough. —One of these 
conditions is that she must have more 
than a maintenance ration of food. I 
have a brooder house that has not been 
in use this Winter, and in order to gain 
a little light on the subject of amount 
of food required for a maintenance ra¬ 
tion, I placed a single hen in several of 
the apartments on January 30, and have 
fed them by rule, weighing out just so 
much of the balanced ration to each hen 
each morning, usually giving her half of 
her allowance in the morning and the 
remainder at night They have had 
nothing else whatever, except grit and 
water. At first, the balanced ration was 
made into a mash by adding water. After 
the first three weeks, skim-milk was 
substituted for the water. They have 
drank but very little water aside from 
that contained in the mash. Many days 
none has been offered them, since I saw 
that they did not care for it. The fol¬ 
lowing table shows results up to date. 
The hens were weighed at weekly inter¬ 
vals, the variation in weight being given 
in the table: 
Jan. 30. Feb. 15. Mch. 1. Mch. 20. 
Hen. lb. oz. lb. oz. lb. oz. lb. oz 
No. 1 .3 7 3 4 3 6% 4 2 
No. 2 .3 5 3 4 3 7Ms 3 14 
No. 3 .2 15 2 15 2 12 3 0 
For the first three weeks No. 1 was fed 
two ounces of feed each day, No. 2 2V 2 
ounces, and No. 3 three ounces. I was 
careful to weigh them always in the 
morning when their crops were empty. 
It will be noticed that No. 1, which only 
received two ounces of feed a day, lost 
steadily in weight during this period, 
and she laid no eggs. No. 2, which re¬ 
ceived 2% ounces daily, barely held her 
own in weight, and also laid no eggs. 
No. 3 was the smallest hen of the lot, 
and lost a little in body weight, but be¬ 
gan to lay February 13, usually laying 
on alternate days. I was satisfied by 
this time that two ounces of feed daily 
was less than a maintenance ration. I 
then began wetting the mash with skim- 
milk instead of water, and gave each of 
the three hens three ounces daily until 
March 12. No. 3 continued to lay on al¬ 
ternate days as before, and No. 1 and 
No. 2 began to increase bodily weight, 
but had not been able to get the egg 
producing machinery in full operation, 
although the natural laying season was 
well advanced, and my other hens were 
shelling out eggs finely. On March 12 1 
increased the allowance of all three to 
4 V 2 ounces each, wetting with skim-milk 
as before. It will be noted that all 
gained in weight during this past eight 
days, and that all were able to “shell 
out.” This is written March 21, and as 
a matter of fact, I have waited two days 
since commencing this article, so as to 
give No. 1 time to complete her group 
of ova and present me the first install¬ 
ment. She kept me waiting yesterday 
until nearly four P. M. when her cackle 
announced that she was “on deck.” I 
offer the above as proof that a hen must 
have more than a maintenance ration, 
as well as a balanced ration, as one of 
the “proper conditions” for laying. I 
judge that the same laws apply to a 
duck. The generally accepted theory 
that a hen “cannot be fed by rule” seems 
also to be tottering to its fall. 
Mated Hens. —Do hens whose eggs 
are properly fertilized lay more eggs 
than a roosterless flock? This is one of 
the questions that can be answered posi¬ 
tively in the negative. In fact, if there 
is any difference, it is right the reverse. 
I am inclined to think that a hen that 
lias not been mated is less liable to be¬ 
come broody, and thus lose time at the 
egg basket. If The R. N.-Y. could in¬ 
duce all egg producers to put their 
roosters in a “bachelor’s hall” as soon 
as not wanted for breeding purposes, it 
could afford to rest on its oars a good 
long time. One of my sons is in the 
wholesale egg and commission business 
in New York City. It is enough to make 
one sick, either as a producer or con¬ 
sumer, to sit in his office and see truck- 
load after truckload of eggs go through 
his place of business “loss off”; usually 
two or three dozen per case, and often 
in hot weather a good deal more. Most 
of this loss to producers, and accom¬ 
panying annoyance to consumers, could 
be avoided if nothing but infertile eggs 
could be started for market. 
o. w. MATES. 
Sore Shoulders 
sore neck, sore back, &c., result¬ 
ing from collar.saddle or harness 
gall and chafing, and all forms 
of canker, callous, &e., are in¬ 
stantly relived and cured with 
Tuttle’s Elixir. 
and endorsed by Adams 
Express Company, 
Dr. S. A. Tuttle. Wolcott, Vt., July IS, 1899. 
Dear Sir:—I had a horse that had two bunches on his shoulder, 
caused by wearing a new collar. Leas than one bottleof your Elixir 
cured It after six months' standing. L. W. FISHER. 
Cures also curb, splint, contracted cord, all forms ot 
lameness and colic, distemper, founder,pneumonia,&c. 
^ TUTTLE S FAMILY ELIXIR cures rheumatism, sprains, 
bruises, etc. Kills pain Instantly. Our 100-page book. 
“Veterinary Experience,” FREE. 
Dr. S. A. TUTTLE, 30 Beverly St., Boston, Mme, 
lleware of so-called Elixirs— none genuine but Tuttle’s. 
Avoid all blisters: they offer only temporary relief If any. 
Jtewton’* Ileare, Congh, Die. 
temper and Indigestion Cure. 
A veterinary speciflo for wind, 
throat and stomaoh troubles. 
Strong recommends, *1 per 
can. Dealers, mall or Ex.paid. 
Mew ton Horse Remedy Co. 
( y ) Toledo. Ohio. 
Steel Horse Collars! 
Settles the Hone Collar Question lot Life.. Ideal Hot Weather Collar. 
Will not gull the shoulders; cheapest collar on 
earth because they need no hames and never wear! 
out; lighter than other collar^; adjustable to any! 
horse; are sensible, practical, and humane. Hun-; 
tdredsof testimonials. Every farmer and teamster; 
j should have them. Don’t delay, write today for; 
[full particulars, and be convinced of their merits. 
AGENTS make big money selling! 
these collars; no charge for territoor. Address, 
r Howell & Spaulding Co^ Box M Caro, Mich! 
A Steel Stanchion 
tylngcattle. Lighter, stronger, neater. Swings on chains. 
Not in the way when lyingdown. Agents wanted. Write for ape- 
cial term.and pricee. J aS . Boyle, Mfp.,Salem, O. 
THE CHAIN-HANGING 
Cattle Stanchion 
The most practical and humane Fastener ever in¬ 
vented. Gives perfect freedom of the head. 1 Uustrated 
Circular and Price free on application. Manufactured 
by O. H. ROBERTSON, Forestville, Conn. 
wiide,’. stanchion 
—Delnpr &n 1 mprorement over 
Smitlj’B. Lightest, strongest, 
quickest, safest swing stanchion 
made. Has ate el latch and aatomatio 
lock." Becomes stationary when 
open. Animal cannot tarn it In back- 
ingout. Made of best seasoned hard 
wood. Pins for fastening with every 
stanchion. Send for testimonials. 
J. K. WILDER & SONS, B : 0P B r ° a ^? eh . 
Breeders’ Directory 
Registered Jersey 
Bull Calves 
from Ida Stoke Pogis and Golden Lad at fair prices. 
H. F. SHANNON. 807 Liberty St , Pittsburg. Pa 
123 HOLSTEINSK 
DXLLHUB8T FARMS, Mantor, Ohio. 
Cnr Cq|q—PUREBRED HOL8TKIN-FRIE8IAN8. 
lUI uQlw Bargains in BULL CALVES at the pres¬ 
ent time. Also BERKSHIRE SWINE and SCOTCH 
COLLIE PUPS. W. W. CHENEY, Manlius, N. Y. 
Registereci A.yr®liir©s 
Can furnish young anlmalsof either sex from flrst- 
class milkers at reasonable prices. Correspondence 
solicited. MAPLE ROW STOCK FARM, Cherry 
Creek, N. Y. 
CL..1 Inline FOR SALE.—Bulls old enough 
onon-norns for service. Heifers and Young 
Cows with calf at foot. W. C. BLACK, Mercer. Pa. 
Young Registered Holstein-Fries- 
ian Bulls tor Sale Cheap. 
I have two bulls two years old and several yearling 
bulls for sale cheap. They are large, handsome, per¬ 
fectly marked animals, all sired by Dora De Kol's 
Oount No. 23757, and from best dams In herd. These 
animals are on McLennan Stock Farm, Ischua, N. Y. 
Inquire of P. B. MCLENNAN, Syracuse, N. Y. 
Ohio Farm Berkshires.—Young’ sows, 
safe In pig. Fall pigs, both sexes, all first cla 
M. L. & H. H. BE Nil AM, Le Roy. Ohio. 
IMPROVED LARGE YORKSHIRE.?^*, 
and October farrow. For sale at 
MEADOW BROOK STOCK FARM, Rochester,Mich 
Reg. P. Chinas, Berkshires and C. Whites. 
Choice Pigs, 8 weeks old, mated not 
akm. Bred Sows and Service Boara 
POULTRY. Write for hard tlmaa 
prices and free circular. 
HAMILTON & CO., Rosenvick, Chester Co., Pa. 
AMfSfiQl C(| ATC are handsome, hardy and 
Ml Mil VIII alii! I O profitable. Prize stock. 
Low prices. Large olr. H. W. Cole & Co., Kenton, O 
Collie Pups 
—Spayed Females. Circulars. 
DECKER, South Montrose Pa. 
SILAS 
Dana’s White Metallic Ear Label 
with your name andconsecutivenumbers. Always stay on; 
easy to read. Best for sucking calves, cattle, sheep and 
hogs. Used as official mark by 40 recording associations, 
also by thousands of the best farmers and breeders. 
Sample Free. Agents wanted. Liberal terms. 
C. H. D ANA, 74 Main St., W. Lebanon, N. H. 
■■MiMi 
The BEST Cattle 
Fastening: 
SMITH’S Self- 
Adjusting Swine 
Stanchion. The only 
Practical swing stan¬ 
chion invented. Thou¬ 
sands in use ILlust'd 
Circular free. 
GLENORA MFG CO., 
Glenora, Yates County, 
N Y. Infringements 
will bo prosecuted. 
.FISTULA AND POLL EVIL 
Fleming’s Fistula an^oHEvl^ur^ Gil T6 (1 
la a new, scientific A certain remedy. ■ , . _ 
NO COST IF IT FAILS. I 111 15 tO 
Write today for Important circular No. 441 I nn •* 
FLEMING BR08., Chemists, I dll U3VS 
Union Stock Yards, Chicago. | 
44 
—TRADE MARK — 
SPA VIN CURE 
Save-the-Horse." 
Contains no Arsenic, Corrosive Sublimate or other 
form of Mercury or any ingredient that can in¬ 
jure the Horse. 
Work horse continuously if desired. 
Actually and unconditionally illustrates the power and value of 
Chronic and seemingly incurablecases in the advanced 
stage thatbavebeentlred2or3times .and given up 
as hopeless, positively and permanently cured. 
Cures without scar, blemish or loss of hair. 
^‘‘‘i.X^innecure^’Vor Bone and Bog Spavin Thoroughpin, Ringbone, Curb, 
Splint, Exostosis, Capped Hock, Windpufl, Weak and Sprained Tendons, and all Lameness. 
R) r~v m I Our written guarantee given under the seal of this Company accompanies 
™ ^ JJ X? I 4J "LIIg every bottle, and insures youi confidence and full protection. 
At all druggists and dealers, or sent direct by the manufacturers. 
TROY CHEMICAL COMPANY, TROY, N. Y. 
We are always pleased to give any desired Information or specific detail relative to the usefulness, 
potency and physiological action of “SAVE-THE-HORSE " and also about our written guarantee. 
Grease Heel, Scratches, Mud Fever, 
Hoof Rot, Speed Cracks, 
Cases where ulcerations extend, with transverse 
cracks which open at every step and often bleed, no 
matter how complex, aggravated, deep-seated or 
chronic, if treated according to directions, as given ou 
circular with every box, positively cured with 
Veterinary Pixine 
It will keep the hoofs healthy, soft and in perfect 
form. 
Veterinary Pixine heals collar and saddle galls 
hopple chafes, abscesses Inflammatory swellings’ 
sores and all skin disease. In cases of emergency it 
is .rvaluable. J 
This penetrating, stimulating soothing, absorbing, 
antiseptic healing ointment heals from beneath the 
surface by disinfecting the parts, subduing inflam¬ 
mation and stimulating healthy granulation, not bv 
drying and scabbing. 
2 oz., 25c.; 8 oz., 50c.; 5-lb. pkge., $4. 
At all druggists and dealers or sent prepaid. 
TROY CHEMICAL CO., TROY, N. Y. 
