1904 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
MAPES, THE HEN MAN. 
Information Wanted. —The pre¬ 
vailing high prices for eggs this Win¬ 
ter give an added interest to the dis¬ 
cussion of Winter egg production. The 
hen that has laid an egg every alter¬ 
nate day for the past two months has 
paid her board for the entire year in 
most localities. How is that for a 
“target”? Two months work for biddy 
and 10 months for the owner. Almost 
anyone Would gladly take a partner 
“on shares” at such terms. I have lit¬ 
tle doubt but what some readers of 
The R. N.-Y. have flocks that have av¬ 
eraged 50 per cent a day for the 
months of December and January or 
have positive knowledge of hens be¬ 
longing to some one else that have 
done it. I invite all such to send me a 
careful account of the conditions 
w'hich brought about such results. A 
careful study and comparison of such 
accounts in order to find some of the 
essential requisites to success running 
through them all, will be among the 
most interesting and valuable litera¬ 
ture extant on the subject. A daily 
record of even 33% per cent for the 
two months will be of value. Give 
breed of hens, description of quarters 
ih which they are kept, amount and 
kind of feed supplied, age of hens, etc. 
A Two-Story Smoke House. —I can 
assure R. N.-Y. readers that a two- 
story smoke house (page 69) is entire¬ 
ly practical, having used just such a 
one for the last 25 years or more. The 
first story of ours is built of stone 
masonry, about four feet high, with a 
door in one side. On top of this 
masonry wall rests a thick flagstone 
covering the entire top, excepting a 
few inches at each end. Above this is 
built another story of brick, making a 
very neat and durable structure. A 
number of openings through the brick 
walls on two sides allow the escape of 
some of the heat and smoke. Local tra¬ 
dition has it that the former owner who 
built it had trouble with his hams 
“sweating” before these openings were 
provided. It has worked with entire sat¬ 
isfaction since it came into my posses¬ 
sion. The lower story is used for stor¬ 
ing wood ashes, with no danger from 
fire. 
Eiog-Bound Hens.— Is there such a thing 
as hens becoming egg bound? What is the 
remedy? s. m. c. 
Port Chester, N. Y. 
I have seen a number of hens killed 
that had an accumulation in the oviduct 
of material resembling the yolks of eggs 
sufficient to make more than a dozen 
eggs. Generally this is hardened like 
the yolks of hard-boiled eggs. Some¬ 
times there will be a number of sacs 
filled with albuminous matter resemb¬ 
ling the white of an egg. I presume 
this is what is referred to as “egg- 
bound.” I do not know the causes which 
produce it, and doubt whether there is 
any cure except the chopping block. 
Such hens show little symptom of sick¬ 
ness until abdomen becomes greatly en¬ 
larged. 
Starting in the Hen Business.—I have 
about eight acres of good tillable land, and 
am thinking of going into the hen busi¬ 
ness. How many hens can one keep on 
this, and what would you advise me to 
raise for crops? Soil is gravelly and can 
be made to produce well. I wish to make 
hens clear me at least calculation $1 each. 
Can I do much better than that if I raise 
nearly all the feed? I have thought of 
putting up silo and buying in six or eight 
new milkers in Fall and turning them off 
in Spring as I have no pasture, and want 
to till all of my land. Station is near at 
hand, and paying $1.20 per 100 at present 
time for milk. Cows would produce a good 
supply of fertilizer which would save buy¬ 
ing to a large extent. Would you advise 
cows and hens or hens alone? I think 
there is more money in the latter, r shall 
breed White Wyandottes exclusively, as 
I think they are the best for both eggs and 
meat. j. d. 
Hubbardsville, N. Y. 
This man has not land enough to raise 
grain and supply home-grown feed to a 
very large flock. He has room enough, 
however, to keep at least as many as ono 
man can attend on purchased feed. It is 
likely that his eight acres can be plant¬ 
ed to some special crop, which grows 
and sells well in his locality, and give 
a better return than with silage fed to 
cows which must be bought every Fall 
and sold in the Spring. His hens will 
furnish a good quantity of excellent fer¬ 
tilizer. If Timothy hay sells well wilh 
him, he can get. a good return from his 
land in Timothy with little labor. Small 
fiuits, onions, etc., will give greater re¬ 
turns from small areas in many locali¬ 
ties, but require much more time and 
labor. 
What is the outside number of hens, 
\\ bite Leghorns, we could satisfactorily 
house, for laying purposes, in a building 
n»0 feet long, using the roosting pen and 
scratching shed principle, passage-way at 
back? Hens will be confined absolutely 
to house, usually for four or five months 
on account of snow. t. r. w. 
Marcellus, N. Y. 
I am pleased to note that at last things 
are beginning to move my way. For a 
long time 1 got little support in oppos¬ 
ing tin# necessity of small flocks and 
large floor space as essential to success 
in profitable egg production. The cost 
of the necessary buildings to house 
enough hens to secure a paying business 
under the old plan of scratching shed 
and large floor space, has been the great 
obstacle to success in numberless cases. 
With this reduced largely and a better 
understanding of the food requirements 
for egg production outside of the natural 
laying season, I look for a complete 
revolution of the whole poultry industry. 
There is no good reason why the world 
should not draw on the United States for 
supplies of eggs, as freely as it does for 
grain, pork, beef, etc. The success of 
Mrs. Cook (page 76) with 125 hens in a 
room 10x24 feet, marks an important 
point in the progress towards this de¬ 
sirable result. The success of Mrs. 
Crawford with her 50 Houdans in a little 
wigwam made by covering poles with 
old barrel staves and tarred paper is an¬ 
other case in point. I shall await with 
interest further particulars of the con¬ 
ditions under which Mrs. Cook’s hens 
have accomplished such results. While 
the high temperature maintained in the 
house is undoubtedly desirable, and 
economizes food to some extent, I do not 
believe it is essential. Mr. Cook truly 
says that “eggs are a product of com¬ 
fort,” yet who shall say that a well- 
feathered hen may not sit in comfort in 
a temperature much below the freezing 
point? 1 do not suppose I was ever more 
comfortable in my life than when lying 
in bed as a boy in a low attic with my 
own frozen breath glistening on the low 
wall above my head. A hen as well as 
a robin knows enough to hide her head 
under her wing on a cold night for the 
sake of comfort. I have seen many a 
perch full of hens on a cold morning, 
when every hen would have a tuft of 
frosty feathers just back of her wing 
from her own breath. With this long 
digression readers will be prepared to 
hear me advise the above correspondent 
to abandon the scratching shed plan and 
enclose the whole 100 feet of his build¬ 
ing snug and warm, not forgetting prop¬ 
er ventilation. I believe that 200 hens 
could safely be kept in a room 20x20 feet. 
This would be no more crowded than 
Mrs. Cook’s hens. A 100-foot house 
would give five such rooms, making 1,000 
hens. Whether or not this is the “out¬ 
side” number I am not prepared to say. 
With a thousand hens comfortably 
housed in a building only 100 feet long 
what a saving in first cost, and also in 
labor and expense in caring for them, 
over the methods now in general use. 
With the whole lot producing eggs 
equally as well as Mrs. Cook’s, what a 
nice income for little work! Who will 
be the first to work this “dream” into 
fact, and give to the world another ex¬ 
ample of what Yankee enterprise can 
do? O. W. MAPES. 
THE CHAIN-HANGING 
Cattle Stanchion 
The most practical and humane Fastener ever in¬ 
vented. Gives perfectfreedom of the head. Illustrated 
Circular and Price free on application. Manufactured 
by O. H. ROBERTSON, Forestvllle, Conn. 
Spavin 
Care These Blemishes 
_ Also Ringbone, hard or soft 
_ 1_ enlargements. Sweeny, Knee- 
Hjirnng.Flstnla and Poll Evil 
Splint 
—ght cost and certain cares. 
Two big booklets telling how I 
to do it sent free.Write today. 
FLKHINb BROS., Chi-ml.U, 
<31 Union HtoekYmrda,Chicago,! 
COOK YOUR FEED and BAYS 
Half the Cost—with the n 
PROFIT FARM BOILER 
With Dumping Caldron^JEmptles Its 
kettle In one minute. The simplest 
and best arrangement for cooking 
food for stock. Also make Dairy and 
Laundry Stovesa Water and Steam 
Jacket Kettles, Hog Scaldors, Cal* 
drees, ate. •-»" Bend for circular*. 
D. It, SPERRY A OO- Kata via. Hi. 
More Cow Money 
You can invest in nothing that will bring 
you larger cash returns than the 
EMPIRE 
Cream Separator 
Guaranteed to turn more easily, to last longer, 
to bo more easily cleaned, to give less trouble 
and to bo more satisfactory In every way than 
unyothersepurator. Simplest in construction. 
Investigate our claims—ask any Empire user. 
Handsome Catalogue Free. 
EMPIRE CREAM SEPARATOR COMPANY, 
Bloomfield, N. J. Chlcego, III. 
145 
FREE STOCK PRESCRIPTIONS. 
Eminent Veterinarian will Diagnose Cases 
and Send Special Advice to Every 
Stock Owner, Fret', during 
February. 
NY clay of the month of 
February any reader 
of this publication 
who has an ailing or 
injured animal may 
get, entirely free, ad¬ 
vice as to treatment 
and special prescrip¬ 
tions from Dr. Hess 
(M. D., D. V. S.), one 
of the most successful of American veterinari¬ 
ans. The only conditions are that you fully 
describe the animal’s condition; state what 
stock you have (number of head each kind) ; 
what stock food you have used; mention this 
publication. Send two-cent stamp for reply, 
to Dr. Hess & Clark, Ashland, Ohio, care of 
Information Bureau. 
Dr. Hess is a graduate of famous American 
medical and veterinary colleges, and these 
well-known institutions and the profession 
generally recognize his written works as au¬ 
thoritative, and his preparations for cattle, 
horses, sheep, hogs and poultry as formula¬ 
tions beyond criticism. No matter how much 
money you may be willing to pay a veterin¬ 
ary, you cannot get better service than Dr. 
Hess will give absolutely free during Feb¬ 
ruary. But this offer is good only for this 
mont h. 
While waiting Dr. Hess’ reply, get a pack¬ 
age of Dr. Iless Stock Food and use as di¬ 
rected on the package. You will notice a 
marvelous change in the condition and ap¬ 
pearance of your stock. 
It is a scientific preparation that tones up 
the vital organs of an animal—producing per¬ 
fect condition, vigorous health, greater weight. 
A wonderful tonic; a marvelous invlgorant; 
a positive weight producer. Dr. Hess Stock 
Food is a scientific compound, the result 
of lifelong, earnest study, successful prac- 
llee in medicine and a wide experience in 
handling stock of ail kinds, as breeder, 
grazier and shipper. 
No unprofessional manufacturer can equal 
it. 100 pounds, $5.00 (except in Canada and 
Pacific Slope) ; smaller quantities at a slight 
advance; fed in" small dose; sold on written 
guarantee. For every disease and condition 
for which Dr. Hess Stock Food is not recom¬ 
mended, a little yellow card in every package 
entitles you to a letter of advice and a 
special prescription from Dr. Hess, at any 
time, free of charge. 
If your dealer can’t supply you write Dr. 
Hess & Clark, Ashland, Ohio. 
Stands at the Head 
There Is no uncertain sound In what this man has 
to say about Kendall’s Spavin Cure. 
W or cellar, Man., Not. 17,1903. 
Dr. H. J. Kendall Co., 
Gentlemen:—Will yon kindly lend me one of your book* en¬ 
titled •* A Trentiae on the Horae nnd Hie Dieeaeea." My exper- 
lenoe tenches me that Kendall’* Spavin Cure m * liniment for 
man or beaet stands at the head . I have uaed and seen It usod 
duceeaafully all of twenty-ftvo yeari. 
Very truly yonrf, G. W. McHXNRY. 
Thousands of men report equally f?ood or superior 
results from its use. Vrice, $1, six for |6. As a lini¬ 
ment for family use it has no equal. Ask your drug¬ 
gist for Kendall's Spavin C»re, also "A Treatise 
on the Horse,” the book free, or address 
Cr. B. J. KENDALL CO., ENOSBURC FALLS, VT. 
NEWTON’S Heave, Cough, Di, -^^ EA I.u JPnfled VES 
temper and Indigention Cure. 
Cures heaves by correcting indi¬ 
gestion and toning up the lungs. 
$1 at dealers, or by mail prepaid. 
THE NEWTON KKJIKDY CO., 
Toledo, Ohio. 
FREE TRIAL 
of tie BEERY BIT 
Even a Lady can hold an ugly horse 
Cures h.chers, shyers, runaways etc. 
FOUR bits in one TEN days TRIAL 
PROF. j. BEERY, Pleasant Hill. Ohio 
Sample Busin Sent 
On Approval 
Send for Catalogue 
and Price List. 
F. H. CHACE, 
Sherman, N. Y. 
Rural Mail Many new routes will go in this year. We 
YlUlCfl Irl dll want name and address of every man who 
sends i n a petition. QAV CDCC to first onc sending 
We will send a DUA IliLL US lull Information. 
BOND STEEL POST CO., ADRIAN, MICH. 
SHARPLES 
TUBULAR 
FARM 
CREAM 
_ Separators 
New style, improved separator, made exclusively by 
us —The Tubular. Old style,complicated separators, 
made by everybody else—the Bucket Bowl machines. 
The Tubular 
is worth fifty per cent more than the others as we can 
show you. If we can't we don't want you to buy. 
Write for free catalogue No. 153. 
Th* Sharpies Co., * P. M. Sharpies, 
Chlftito, HI. Westchester, Pa. 
CREAM SEPARATOR CDCC 
■ ^>'"*1 This is a genuine ® ^ ® 
offer made to introduce the Peoples 
Cream Separator in every neigh¬ 
borhood. It is the best and simplf st 
in the world. We ask that you show 
it to your neighbors who have cows. 
Send your name and the name of 
the nearest freight office. Address 
• PEOPLES SUPPLr CO. 
Dept. 86 KANSAS CITY, MO. 
Superior 
Cream 
Separator 
GET ALL THE CREAM 
Complete separation is made in CO to 
DO minutes by cold water circulat¬ 
ing through the specially constructed 
center miter columns and outer water 
Jacket. Simple and practical. Does 
not mix water and milk. Surer results 
with less trouble and expense. 
We Give a Binding Guarantee 
and refund your money if not satis¬ 
factory. Write today for full particulars. 
Superior Fence Machine Company 
30 > Grand River Ave., Detroit, Mich. 
MILK FEVER. 
Wliy UNTot Prevent It? 
-WRITE FOR- 
MOORE BROS. G. C. D. Pamphlet, Free. 
Address, Albany, N. Y. 
JONES 
HE PAYS 
THE FREIGHT 
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FOR VALUABLE INFORMATION SIGN AND MAIL l\l 
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I 2I2pages of plain, practical Information Iq» 
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