878 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
December 16 
ARTIFICIAL HEAT FOR HENS. 
I have never known hot-water pipes 
to be used for hens. The cost of fuel in 
proportion to gain would be too great. 
The proper temperature is from 40 to 
80 degrees, and where many hens are 
together there is considerable animal 
heat. For a small house I hang up a 
stable lantern. If a large house be made 
warm the hens can stand a low tem¬ 
perature, as they are naturally well pro¬ 
tected. Dry quarters and exercise will 
keep them warm. I do not know of a 
single plant having heating arrange¬ 
ments for hens. r. h. Jacobs. 
I tried artificial heat once with disas¬ 
trous results; it worked all right for a 
time, but the birds became so tender 
that they took cold with the slightest 
change. They would enjoy the heat, but 
could not be kept always housed, and 
if they went out even in good weather, 
they would be likely to take cold. I 
would prefer to have good houses with 
no artificial heat. It might pay if one 
desired eggs for market, and forced the 
hens for eggs, and marketed the hens as 
soon as they had done their best service, 
but I do not think that they would be 
much good for breeders. D. A. mount. 
With us artificial heat is necessary in 
the case of large flocks of layers in large 
houses. Hens kept in small numbers, in 
well-constructed houses of limited di¬ 
mensions, require no heat. Again, the 
conditions under which layers of eggs 
to sell at Winter prices, and layers of 
eggs for incubator use, are kept, are 
somewhat different. We have, owing to 
peculiar construction of our houses on 
Experimental Farm, to use artificial 
heat in the shape of anthracite coal 
burners. But withal, our houses, in 
cold dips, are not much over 38 degrees 
to 45 degrees. Heat enough for the egg 
layers for any purpose. Stove heat is 
enervating to the fowls. If I had a 
well-constructed house, in which I kept 
hens to produce fertile eggs, with strong 
germs, for incubator use, I would try to 
do without artificial heat. If I had to 
use artificial heat, I would certainly pre¬ 
fer hot water to any other system of 
heating, and I would certainly not keep 
the temperature of the building over 40 
degrees, or at most 45 degrees. 
Our experience here is that young 
chicks—late hen-hatched chicks—be¬ 
come stunted if kept in cold quarters. 
There 4s no doubt that young chicks re¬ 
quire a properly-cons tructed brooder 
house to develop in. I am inclined to 
think, in a cold region, that a moderate 
amount of warmth will aid in egg pro¬ 
duction in the case of grown-up fowls, 
all other conditions, such as feed, man¬ 
agement, etc., being right. 
Ontario Ag’l College, a. g. gilbert. 
DUCKS AND THEIR DOINGS. 
Our friend “A Michigan Farmer” 
(page 811) has surely neglected the 
early education of his ducklings, or they 
are not of a good strain of pure Pekins, 
as the writer has frequently had duck¬ 
lings to weigh more than 11 pounds per 
pair when 10 weeks old, and occasionally 
as much as 14 and 15 pounds per pair, 
live weight, at that age. This, of course, 
Ss exceptional, but have frequently had 
whole flocks to average over 10 pounds 
per pair, and while it may not be 
“Michigan corn” that did it, nearly all 
our corn, as well as other feed, comes 
from the West. As to prices, we eastern 
people cannot afford to sell our poultry 
in the market alive except on special oc¬ 
casions during a scarcity of such stock. 
In The R. N.-Y.. in which live ducks 
are quoted at 40 to 55 cents per pair, 
dressed ducks are quoted at 13 ^ cents 
per pound, or $1.35 per pair on an aver¬ 
age of five pounds each, which makes 
the difference between profit and loss, 
and the freight or express is not so 
heavy on dressed poultry. In The R. 
N.-Y. for June 10 we find ducks quoted 
20 to 22 cents per pound, and earlier in 
the season even higher. It is the early 
bird that pays best. The feathers will 
nearly pay for the picking, as we have 
no trouble to sell all we can save at 50 
cents per pound. Of course, if we had 
more than enough for the local demand, 
and were compelled to put them on the 
wholesale market, the price would be 
quite different. Our ducks have aver¬ 
aged us about $1.50 per pair for the past 
seven years, and the cost of feed to grow 
them has not exceeded 50 cents per pair, 
and lit is only a question of the number 
raised as to the amount of profit. And 
right here would say that we would all 
have to go “without shoes, and taxes 
go unpaid,” if it were not for our ducks, 
as we find our shoes get worn very thin 
when our ducklings fail to hatch well. 
If our Michigan friend will not allow 
his ducklings too much range, feed them 
carefully five times per day the first four 
or five weeks, then four times until 10 
weeks old; give them each time all they 
will clean up, and no more; feed corn 
meal, four parts; wheat bran, four parts; 
middlings, one part; ground meat, one 
part; thoroughly mixed, with about 
three per cent of fine grit or coarse, 
sharp sand; keep plenty of grit within 
easy access; fresh water for drinking 
only, in vessels deep enough to allow 
them to immerse their heads (this is es¬ 
sential, or their nostrils will become 
clogged, and in a short time the duck¬ 
lings will look as though they were 
sorry they were alive), and if his ducks 
still fall below 10 to 11 pounds per pair 
at 10 weeks, I will show him just how it 
is done, if he will come and stay with 
me 10 weeks next Spring, and at the 
same time show him how we Jerseyites 
have to hustle. j. e. stevenson. 
COLOR OF PLYMOUTH ROCKS. 
How It Originated. 
Why do Barred Plymouth Rock fowls re¬ 
vert back to what is thought to be one of 
the breeds of the foundation stock, the 
Black Java? I had two sittings of Barred 
P. Rocks from a neighbor, that were not 
crossed in breeding, and the chicks are all 
black. A neighbor had the same results. 
It seems to me that it is the result of not 
using purebred cocks; that is, those not 
fully up to the standard. Am I right? 
Derby, Wash. J. R. 
One may mate Barred P. Rock cock¬ 
erels wit'h almost any variety of hens, 
and a very large percentage of the off¬ 
spring will appear to the inexperienced 
breeder to be Plymouth Rbcks of a fair 
quality. Thus many farmers, iin using 
Barred P. Rock males for improving 
their flocks of common fowls, are some¬ 
what surprised to find nearly all the 
chicks apparently Plymouth Rocks, but 
should he breed the cockerels and pul¬ 
lets together of 'this cross, another sur¬ 
prise is in store for him, for nearly all 
the chicks will be black or the color of 
the original hens, with the majority 
black. But if he should continue to use 
Barred P. Rock males on the best pul¬ 
lets each year, he will, after years of 
careful selection, get birds that will 
breed reasonably true to color. I think 
that this is the trouble with J. R.'s 
chicks; there certainly is some cross 
near at hand, as while it is possible for 
pure Barred P. Rocks to sport a black 
or even a white chick, it is an exception, 
and very seldom occurs. During several 
years’ experience breeding them in large 
numbers I never had a black or white 
chick from them. They are much more 
likely to sport white than black, espec¬ 
ially the cockerels. The Barred P. Rock 
originated from several different 
sources, but in nearly, if not in every 
case, the Dominique was used in the 
cross to get the color. One of the most 
popular strains of its time, the Essex, 
■was said to be produced by crossing 
the White Birmingham on Black Java, 
the pullets thus obtained crossed with 
Dominique males. The cockerels from 
this last cross were mated to pullets ob¬ 
tained by mating the cockerels and pul¬ 
lets together from the first cross of 
White Birmingham on Black Java, the 
offspring of which were white and black 
and Dominique, using these Dominique- 
colored pullets to mate with the above 
cockerels. 
Another strain was produced by Black 
Spanish on White Cochin, and the pul¬ 
lets crossed with Dominique males. Still 
another, Dominique males on Buff 
Cochin females, reaching the desired re¬ 
sult by careful selection, and breeding 
from the best specimens for years. All 
this occurred about 30 years since, and 
there is small chance for any of the 
original color to crop out in birds that 
have been bred pure. From what I 
have noticed in my short travels, I 
should judge that there are more birds 
of the Barred P. Rock color in this 
country than of any other two varie¬ 
ties combined, with a much smaller per¬ 
centage of really fine specimens of true 
standard quality. They are one of the 
most popular and at the same time the 
most difficult to breed to the standard. 
Nearly all the best breeders use two 
matings, one for breeding cockerels and 
one for pullets. Otherwise the cockerels 
will be too light in color and the pullets 
too dark. It requires a large amount of 
experience and skill to make up these 
matings for best results. 
J. E. STEVENSON. 
1 was taken with a harsh, dry Cough. 1 grew 
steadily worse. My neighbors thought I was going 
into that dreadful disease, consumption. A friend 
recommended Jayne’s Expectorant, which I tried, 
and in less than ten days I was cured.—(Mrs.) W. A. 
GROVE. Sterling Centre, Maine, Oct. 31, 1895. 
For Headache, take Jayne’s Painless Sanative 
Pills— Adv. 
Tuttle's Elixir 
has drawn the following expressions of 
endorsement from its grateful users in 
every state and terri¬ 
tory in the Union. 
Invaluable for man or beast. 
Gives immediate relief. 
Unequaled for Colic. 
Very satisfactory results. 
Best for Spavin. 
Shoe Boil removed. 
Wouldn’t be without It. 
Never lost a hair. 
Saved a heap of money. 
( Speedily relieves pain. 
$5000 REWARD 
for every one of the above endorsements 
that can be proven spurious. 
Tuttle’s Elixir for use in the stable. 
Tuttle's Family Ellxlrforusein the 
home. Both are unequaled remedies. Fifty 
cents buys either at any drug store. Sam¬ 
ple free for 6 c in stamps—to pay postage. 
Used and endorsed by Adams Express Co. 
DR. s. A. TUTTLE, Sole Proprietor, 
80 Beverly St., Boston, Mum. 
Bowari) of all so-called Elixirs, none genuine but Tuttles 
A FEED COOKER 
is a money saver on every farm. It 
increases the grain you have by 
making it more palatable and di 
gestible. THE 
FARMER’S FAVORITE 
is athoroughly reliable cooker at a 
reasonable price. Furnace made of 
best gray iron; boiler of best gal¬ 
vanized steel. It is of special value 
for cooking feed for all kinds of 
live stock and poxiltry; for heat¬ 
ing water for scalding nogs, etc. 
Excellent for evaporating Maple 
sap, boiling down syrup, “sugar* 
Ing off,” etc. Just the thing for boiling down cider. 
Don’t buy until you get ourcirculars and prices. 
L. R. LEWIS, 12 Main St., Cortland, N. Y. 
LUMP JAW 
Easily and thoroughly cured. 
New, common-sense method, 
not expensive. No care, no 
pay. FREE. A practical, ill¬ 
ustrated treatise on the abso¬ 
lute cure of Lump J aw, free to 
readers of thispaper. 
Fleming Bros., chemists, 
Union Stock lards, Chicago, 
Breeders’ Directory. 
White Wyandotte Cockerels.— None better 
Write wants. Ralph Woodward, New Rochelle, N. Y 
White Wyandottks Exclusively.— 
Write wants. 8 pencer’s Poultry Farm, Phenlx, R. I. 
Home-Bred Bronze Turkeys. 
Do not wander from home and lay in the barn. 
Enormous birds. Brilliant plumage. 13 to $5 each. In¬ 
crease weight of all your young stock 5 to 10 pounds 
by putting in one of our young toms. It pays. Send 
for catalogue. C. E. CHAPMAN, Peruville, N. Y. 
BRONZE TURKEYS 
from heavy set stock. Pairs not akin. 
Also Shropshire sheep and Chester 
White swine; line stock a specialty. 
SIDNEY 8 PRAGUE. Falconer. N. V 
are ready now. We have a fine lot 
renne I O of Ferrets trained to hunt rabbits 
and rats at S3 each, male or female. Also a few 
pairs of Fitch Ferrets from imported stock, at $10 
per pair. Order quick. L. MITCHELL, Pulaski, N. Y 
HOLSTEINS IQQ 
FOR SALE. \£{j 
Heavy milking cows, fine Heifers and richly-bred 
Bulls, ready for service, at very reasonable prices, 
high quality considered. Write now. state just what 
you want, to DELLHURST FARMS, Mentor. O. 
Some GOOD young 
JERSEY BULL CALVES 
FOR SALE at fair prices. No PLUGS nor un 
registered for sale at any price. 
II. F. SHANNON, 907 Liberty St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
HOLSTEIN BULL CALVES 
of the best breeding, from 3 to 10 months old. Chester 
Whites, smooth and growthy. Pamphlet free. Prices 
right CHA 8 . K. RECORD, Peterboro, N. Y- 
Sale of Guernseys. 
Registered stock of all ages, from dams having un¬ 
usual records. Supt. Mahlon Sager, Orangeville, Pa. 
Trees bred from finest strains. Our 
catalogue will tell you about it. 
THE ROGERS NURSERIES, 
Tree Breeders, 
DANSVILLK, NEW YORK 
BLOODED LIVE STOCK 
Sheep —Oxfords.Shropshires,South- 
downs. Fancy Poultry. Pigs— 
Berkshires, Poland-Chinas, Chester 
Whites, Yorkshires. Catalogue/ree. 
H. L. HOLMES, Harrisburg, Pa 
Poland Chinas Berk- 
& Chester Whites. Choice 
Pigs, 8 weeks old, mated not 
akin. Bred sows and service 
Bouts cheap. Poultry. Write 
for hard times prices and free 
circular. Hamilton & Co., Rosenvick, Chester Co , Pa 
flfiClTIrf Ont As our business prevents 
LHWllft-VUl 00.10 prompt attention beinggiven to 
our herd, we will close them out at private sale, at 
pork prices. F. H. GATES & SONS, Chittenango.N.Y. 
Choice Jamworth Swine, 
different ages, for sale at Rock Bottom prices. 
CHARLES E. DECKER, Lemont, Center Co., Pa. 
If Yah Uficlt to know how to raise CALVES 
I Oil if ISn cheaply and successfully with¬ 
out milk, write to J. W. BARWELL, Waukegan Ill 
COOK Your FEED and Save 
Half the Cost—with the 
PROFIT FARM BOILER 
With Dumping Caldron. Emp¬ 
ties its kettle in one minute. The 
simplest and best arrangement for 
cooking food for stock. Also make 
Dairy and Laundry Stoves, 
Water and Steam Jacket Ket¬ 
tles, Hog Scalders, Caldrons, 
etc. U" Send for circulars. 
D. R. SPERRY & Co.. Batavia. Ill. 
ONLY S5.QO 
ior this first-class cooker and water heater. 
Fust the thing for cooking feed for stock, 
or poultry and for heating water 
for sc aiding: hogs. Burns wood only. 
The Farmer’s Feed Cooker 
B made of best cast Iron with No. 22 gal¬ 
vanized steel boiler, and holds 20 gallons. 
We make larger cookers and will quote 
prices on application. Send for free circulars, 
Sellable Inch. & Brdr. Co. Box 101, Quincy, 111. 
EUREKA STEAM FEED 
nnntfFRSaves M to x your 
wUUACflcorn ana other feed. 
Makes mouldy hay, straw and 
corn stalk* sweet and digestible. 
ENA BLES YOU TO MAKE 
STOCK FOOD OF POTA¬ 
TOES AND NEARLY EV¬ 
ERYTHING RAISED. Made 
of heavy’ boiler steel. Tested 
to 100 lbs. hydraulic pres- , 
sure. Only 500 for sale. Cash / 
price, $21.50. Saves you at I 
least 30 per cent. Order' 
now. Write for FREE cat¬ 
alogue of Buggies, Cutters, 
Harnesses, Tank Heaters,_ 
Corn Shelters, Feed Cutters, Horse and other 
Powers, Washing and Sewing Machines, Household 
articles, &o. Write: CASH SUPPLY & MFG. CO., 
KALAMAZOO, MICH. 
lOUBLE THE FOOD VALU 
D I 
can be secured from grain fed to live stock if it is cooked. It is 
more easily digested and aa«lmilated by the animal stomach. 
Th« ELECTRIC FEED COOKERS 
cook feed in the quickest and best way and with theleastamountoffuel. 
Made ef cast iron. lined with steel. Boilers made of heavy galvanized 
steel, made in 12 sizes. Capacity from 25 to 100 gals. Strong, well made 
will last indefinitely. Order before the cold weather catches you. 
circulars and price*. Electric Wheel Co., Box 88, Quincy, 
