8io 
November 29 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
MAPES, THE HEN MAN. 
Winter Eggs. —What are the.condi¬ 
tions which will insure a good yield of 
eggs in Winter, wnen nature seems to 
call a halt in egg production? I have 
been confronted with a good many hard 
problems since I began mv schooling, 
but this one is the hardest by far of any 
I have yet attempted to solve. I used to 
make it my boast when I was a school¬ 
boy that every problem was mastered 
before it was passed. I well remember 
one on which I worked for over a year, 
and how the solution came to me one 
morning in my father's barn as i wa^> 
milking the cows. I have since worked 
on some problems longer than that and 
finally solved them. Clue after clue has 
been followed, only to result in learning 
“how' not to do it.” M. E. G. thinks the 
only way is to give eight square feet of 
floor space to each hen, with plenty of 
exercise, yet in a subsequent issue, page 
683, T. H. F. tells of 19 hens that were 
wintered in a house 4x5 feet and four 
feet high, w'hich averaged 17 eggs a day. 
I have carefully w'atclied every well au¬ 
thenticated report of unusual success in 
securing Winter eggs, to see whether 
there is not some one condition running 
through all of them, that is not contra¬ 
dicted in any case. Here is one which 
has lately occurred to me, and I hope K. 
N.-Y. readers will be able either to veri¬ 
fy it; or else explode it. It is this: An 
appetite to eat much more than a main¬ 
tenance ration. There are thousands 
and probably millions of hens that are 
now eating only food enough to sustain 
life without laying any eggs, yet they 
are being fed all they will eat. This 
leads me to believe that at this season 
some other conditions are necessary be¬ 
sides comfortable quarters and plenty 
of a well-balanced ration. 
The Maintenance Ration. —I have 
mentioned in these notes an experiment 
conducted last Winter on a number of 
single hens, that were fed different 
ainoiints of feed, in ^order to determine 
how' much constituted a maintenance 
ration. The hen that was fed 2% ounces 
a day neither gained nor lost in body 
weight, nor laid any eggs. All those fed 
less than that amount lost weight and 
laid no egfes.' All those fed more either 
gained in weight or else laid eggs. This 
leads me to belieye .that 2 y 2 ounces a 
day of dry feed (mostly grain and meat) 
is about a maintenance ration. A sub¬ 
scriber in Massachusetts reported great 
success seven or eight years ago from 
29 hens wintered in a small house cost¬ 
ing only $7. Inquiry revealed the fact 
that these hens ate over four ounces 
each per day of grain and meat scrap. 
I mentioned a neighbor who averaged 16 
eggs a day in January, 1901, from 20 
hens. I took particular pains to see 
them fed several times, and they also 
ate over four ounces a day with a keen 
relish. In the letter from C. H. Wyckoff, 
which I mentioned as among my valued 
possessions, occurs this passage: 
Do all you can to keep them Interested 
in their feed. If you can’t think of any¬ 
thing else, turn their bill of fare upside 
down and give them their breakfast for 
their supper once in a while. These hints 
are intended for this time of year (Novem¬ 
ber 2S) and Winter, when they are inclined 
to be dull and stupid. 
This shows very plainly that he recog¬ 
nized the tendency to want only a main¬ 
tenance ration, and the necessity for in¬ 
ducing a better appetite. I have seen 
somewhere a statement from Mr. Blan¬ 
chard that he thinks as much depends 
upon the way the food is furnished as 
upon what it consists of. 
Inducing Appetite. —How shall we 
break up this tendency to be “dull and 
stupid,” and bring them to their meals 
with a keen appetite? One way to do it 
is by means of a period of semi-starva¬ 
tion. On page 142 I told how 1 put my 
hens on “short commons” last Winter, 
in desperation, in order to get them 
hungry, and how in about 10 days I had 
them so that I could hardly step inside 
the house before they would mount my 
head and shoulders and try to eat my 
cars. After this treatment they scon be¬ 
gan to lay well and kept it up through¬ 
out the entire Summer. This was tried 
last year about the middle of January. 
I was so well pleased with the results 
from this treatment or experiment that 
I shall repeat it this season, not delay¬ 
ing it so late in the Winter. It is rather 
heroic treatment purposely to feed a 
large flock so that you know it will pre¬ 
vent them from laying at an for a month 
when eggs are highest in price, but I 
have faith enough in the benefit to be 
derived from it to try it again on our 
entire flock. I hope others will also try 
it and thus help solve a hard problem. 
Do not understand me as claiming that 
starvation, or even semi-starvation, will 
make hens lay. If there is proven to be 
any benefit from this kind of treatment 
it will result, I believe, from the keen 
appetite for more than a maintenance 
ration induced by the period of semi¬ 
starvation. There may be some better 
way to secure this keen appetite, but 
this is the surest way I have been able 
to find. _ o . w. MAPES. 
Fruit and Poultry. 
It is said that grapes, tomatoes and ap¬ 
ples will stop hens from laying if eaten 
freely in Autumn. Is it so, and if so why? 
Chateauguay Basin, Quebec. a. l. j. 
The statement that grapes, tomatoes 
and apples will stop hens from lay¬ 
ing if eaten freely has without doubt 
arisen from the fact that these 
fruits ripen at the time when the 
hens are slacking off naturally on ac¬ 
count of their moulting season. We 
have had no experience with feeding 
grapes and tomatoes, but our hens have 
free range of five acres of fine apple or¬ 
chard, and from the time the early ap¬ 
ples commence dropping in July until 
the hens are shut up in November, they 
eat all the ripe apples they can hold, and 
we can find no fault with their laying 
except when they are moulting. As a. 
matter of fact, all of the successful poul¬ 
try men in this section let their hens 
range in their orchards for mutual 
benefit. white & rice. 
Two Fine Pigs. —I see on page 751 
that Billy G. has gone to market. He 
lacked one day of being seven months 
old when butchered, and dressed 209 
pounds. That would make him 214 days 
old, so you see that he lacks five pounds 
of weighing one pound for each day of 
his age. That is a good pig. But here 
are two that are better. Henry Wright 
butchered two pigs 223 days old that 
dressed 653 pounds, an average of 326 1 / £ 
pounds each. These pigs were half 
Berkshire and half Chester White. They 
were fed on corn and milk, balanced by 
the feeder. If anyone can beat them let 
us hear from them. A. L. E. 
Bainbridge, N. Y. 
Sensible Sheep Talk. — I think the 
outlook for sheep quite encouraging. 
One reason is that the wool market is 
steadily getting into better shape; an¬ 
other that in many of the older States 
the number of sheep is on the decrease, 
so much so that the local demand for 
mutton will now consume the local sup¬ 
ply. Still another is the prevailing high 
price of meat, mutton included. While 
there is much in the old saying, “Well 
summered is half wintered,” §t?fl a flock 
that is healthy and on the gain at the 
beginning of Winter may- outstrip one 
that is carrying more tallow: ~ If sheep, 
can have an intermediate period during 
t 
the late Fall months, say October, No¬ 
vember and December, if open, between 
their Summer runs and Winter quar¬ 
ters, have a general opening of gates 
and bars, give them the run of the horse 
pastures, stubble fields, etc. This will 
give them a start that will help all Win¬ 
ter. As to the early feeding of grain, 
roots, etc., I would say yes, especially 
to lambs and yearlings. In all cases 
where fresh range cannot be provided 
mangers of hay or other fodder will do 
good. Always try to make the Winter 
as short as possible for a sheep. 
Cuba, N. Y. s. e. cole. 
.a 
lA OSLF 
DYSPEPSIA. 
like practically all other 
kinds of dyspepsia and in¬ 
digestion results from 
“bolting” or taking the , 
food too rapidly. This pre¬ 
vents the proper admix¬ 
ture of saliva and other ——-— 
digestive substances. Who ever heard of a calf getting dys- T 
pcpsia, scours, potbelly, Hu*, etc!, wbllo sucklig Ha oVn 
i„£. tho 0 u" k Wb « ,o ° r!ch? lt,s - 
COMMON SENSE CALF FEEDER 
naturc s a*«l the ttlllt can be regulated 
„ 9“' ** quantity. Cairo, dojust a. 
well aa when Slicking their mother, and the feeder absolute¬ 
ly prorente their sucking the cows when weaned. Gold Medal 
mtn't A st«!i™? fnitT * do P*»d hr Experi¬ 
ment Stations. Over 50,000 In use. Durable, simple, eco¬ 
nomical, prac.lcal and scientific. Price »1.60. Sent postpaid 
- for 91.75. Our Cows r.ellef is guaranteed 
to euro Caked Hag in 12 to 24 hours, 
bample box by mail t: r c. Pend for 22 rea¬ 
sons why you should use a feeder. 
Sold by ono dealer In erery town. 
O. lUirg.t'o., llox II, Lyndon,Yt. 
tflVCTIESi B 6 Crushed for poultry, fresh 
viol sliq Oaf.EieBeO front Baltimore factory In 
1001b. bags, 35c each; SG.00 per ton. 20c more per bag 
from Bath or Milwaukee. Circulars free. 
Canfield Coon Co.,55 Main St., Bath, N. Y. 
INCUBATORS 
From #6 up. Best reasonable priced 
hatchers on the market. 
Brooders, #4 up. None better at any 
price. Fully warranted. Catalog free. 
L. A. BANTA, L'GONIER. IND. 
CTORU 
INCUBATORS 
Hatch every fertile egg. Simplest, 
most durable, cheapest first-class 
hatcher. Money back if not posi¬ 
tively as represented. We pay freight. 
Circular free; catalogue 6c. 
Geo. £rtel Co„ Quincy* Ill. 
2 .80 For 
200 Egg 
INCUBATOR 
Perfect in construction and 
action. Hatches every fertile 
egg. Write for catalog* to-day. 
OEO. H. STAHL, Quincy 
Dept. 
THE SUCCESSFUL 
Incubator and Brooder 
Made for folks who succeed. Perfect regulation, 
hatches. Don’t experiment, getamaebin© 
can know about. Send for our largo 
166 pages. Books In fivo lan- 
Writo for the one you want. 
RELIABLE 
INCUBATORS and 
BROODERS. 
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money 
back. Send 10 cents postage for great pouW 
book j ust issued, explaining remark- 
guarantee under which wo sell. 
Ucliable Incubator A Brooder Co#* 
Box B- 101 Quincy, 111. 
CYPHERS SKCUBATOR, 
World s Standard Hatcher. 
Used on 26Gov. Experiment Stations 
in U. S., Canada, Australia and New 
Zealand; also by America’s leading 
poultrymen and thousands of others. 
Gold medal and highest award at 
Pan-American, Oct. 1901. 16-page 
circular free. Complete catalogue, 
180 pages, 8x11 in., mailed for 10c. 
Ask nearest offleef or book No. 101 
CYPHERS INCUBATOR COMPANY, 
Bstatio, N. ¥., Chicago, ill., Boston, Mass., New York, N. X. 
i^DAND«"t e er| 
will double your egg yield. Thous- J 
ands of poultry raisers 
say so. It costs less, turns easier, 
cuts faster andlastslonger than 
' any other. Price $5.00 up. Sol,1 on 15 Bay.’ 
Free Trial. Sond for book and special proposition. 
STRATTON MF’G. CO., 
Box 18, Erie, Pa. 
ADAM'S OUTS 
easily, quickly, neatly. Among 
GREEN! iOHE GUTTERS' 
It stand.i alone. The only one with 
Bail Bearingo. Write for our 
Free Illustrated Catalogue, No. 33 
YV. J. ADAM, JOLIET, ILLINOIS. 
Breeders’ Directory 
Registered Jersey Bull Calves 
from Imported Golden Lad at fair prices. 
R. F. SHANNON. 907 Liberty tStreet, Pittsburg, Pa. 
i g fr —Four Grandsons of Exile, 
sJ Sot Bn 3 CS solid color; 2, 4, 8 and 9 
months old. Cheap for quality. 
J. ALDUS HERR, Lancaster, Pa.. It. R. No. 4. 
Dili I ~~ A very ricll] y bred Jersey 
UfiEIStSE & uUlah Bull, four months old. dam 
has a record of 2-1 pounds of butter in seven days; 
also a young cow, dam record of 21 pounds. 
IKA WATSON. Fredonia. N. Y. 
A Foundation Herd of 10 or 20 young registered 
** HOLSTEIN COWS is offered at a special price 
by DELLHURST FARM. Mentor, Ohio. 
.—PUREBRED HOLSTEIN- 
FRIESIAN BULL CALVES 
and SCOTCH COLLIE PUPS from registered stock.. 
W. W. CHENEY, Manlius, N. Y. 
For Sale 
Holstein-Friesians c r c C k TZ 
best breeding for sale. Prices reasonable. Every 
animal registered. WOODCREST FARM, Rifton, 
Ulster County, N. Y. 
Mclennan brothers stock farm, 
ISCHUA, CATTARAUGUS CO., N. Y. 
Registered Holstein-Frlesian Calves for Sale. 
Seven Heifer and three Bull Calves. Large, hand¬ 
some, perfectly marked animals, eight to nine months 
old. All sired by Dora DeKol's Count No. 23757. Dams 
equally well bred. Extended pedigree and full in¬ 
formation furnished upon request. Inquire 
P. 13. MCLENNAN, Syracuse, N. Y. 
Oakland Farm Hoistein-Friesians 
OFFICIALLY TESTED. 
First Prize Herd at New York, Indiana, Ken¬ 
tucky State Fairs, and at St. Louis, Mo., in 1902. 
Both sexes, all ages, for sale. Prices very reason¬ 
able, quality considered. 
T. A. MITCHELL, Weedsport, N. Y. 
FOSR SALE 
-A choice herd of thor- 
nnphhroii. Kt.firfid 
If* ho oh! mo - Spring and Fall Pigs. S. A. LITTLE, 
UllKoIlMCd Malcolm, Box A, New York. 
Excellent Berkshires at Ohio Farm, Le 
Rov. O., sired by our imported Boar, British Model 4th 
and others. M. L. & H. H. BENHAM. 
Derkshire, C.White and P. China Pigs, 2 mos. up. Also 
° Collie Put s, White Holland Turkeys and B.P. Rock 
Cockerels. Prices right. W. A. Lotbers, Lack, Pa. 
IMPROVED URGE YORKSHIRES 5? 
Cng. bacon 
.eg. P. CMnas, BerlisMres and C. Whites. 
8 wks. to 6 mos., mated not akin. 
Service Boars, ilied Sows. Write for 
prices and description. Return if not 
satisfactory; we refund the money. 
— c. OliUfUUV/tVi J I " ^ --- “-- 
HAMILTON & CO.. Rosenvick, Chester Co., Pa. 
RUfinDI I'flflTC are handsome, hardy and 
HiCyUllA (XUfft I O profitable. Prize stock. 
Low prices. Large cir. E. W. Cole & Co., Kenton, O. 
CETDDETC Some trained. Book 
faUUU b ERftE g d and price-list free. 
N. A. KNAPP, Rochester, Ohio. 
JACKS FOR SALE. 
150 Jacks, Jennets and Mules now ready for the 
Fall trade. Some bargains. Address 
BAKER’S JACK FARM, Lawrence, Ind. 
For Sale.—Scotch Collies, magnificently 
bred. A. J. BENEDICT, Woodworth, WIs. 
Collie Pups 
—Spayed Females. Circulars. SILAS 
DECKER, South Montrose, Pa. 
EGGS 
in Winter. 20 years’experience. Booklet 10c. 
J. B. Stephens, Montgomery’s Ferry, Pa. 
W hite Wvandottes, Light Brahmas, $1 up. Bronze 
Turkeys, finest flock, $2 up. Italian Bees, 
Duroc-Jersey Pigs. $4 up. 
GEORGE ENTY, Templeton, Pa. 
250 Choice ’SSS.EVSM 
Silver Wyandottes for sale. Price reasonable. 
Du. S. C. MOYER, Lansdale, Pa. 
• . • - ‘ ' t ’ . 
White Leghorn Qockereis 
We have a large flock of the finest stock we ever 
raised. Don't wait until Spring to buy your breeders 
and then take the leavings. Write now. State just 
what you want; price will suit you. 
WHITE & RICE, Box B, Yorktown, N. Y. 
New Mode! 
Bone Gutter 
easiest. Send for catalog 
and special trial offer free. 
E. C. STEARNS & CO., BoxllO SYRAOUSE, N. Y. 
cuts finest and 
* "4 ®f Everybody admits that cut green bone is the cheapest and most 
JHr productive poultry food. It is most easily and quickly cut by 
r#MANN’S BONE CVITER. 
I W Its latest improvements make bone cutting simple and easy. Try 
|jr it and see. We’ll send you one on Ten Days’ Free Trial and ask 
¥ no money until you are perfectly satisfied with it. Isn’t this better 
lor you than to pay for a machine you never tried? Catalogue free, f 
F. W„ MANN CO.. Box *5, Milford, Mass.f 
Granite Crystal Grit, Swinging Feed Trays, Champion Corn Shelters, fl 
