1897 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
511 
LIVE STOCK HATTERS. 
(CONTINUED.) 
in all, has not been explained to my 
satisfaction. I confess that I do not 
understand, and never expect to, fully, 
all the questions pertaining to artificial 
incubation ; undoubtedly weak germs 
in an egg from a hen out of condition, 
account for a part of the deaths in the 
shell. A hen may be out of condition 
one day and better the next; what 
affects one or more hens in a pen, may 
not affect all alike ; therefore, the eggs 
from the same pen may vary in vigor 
from day to day or week to week. An 
overfeed of green bone, or a feed of it 
when too old and rancid, may cause 
quite a severe bowel trouble, and the 
hen so affected would be sick ; the eggs 
formed during that period would natur¬ 
ally have less vitality than when the 
hen was in perfect condition. The same 
causes would operate from the moment 
life is begun in the egg until the end of 
the bird’s life, whether it lasted a day 
or a year, depending upon the severity 
of the disturbance. Sudden and great 
variation in the heat would have the 
effect of causing some deaths in the 
shell—the weaker the germ the quicker 
it would succumb. 
Has animal magnetism any effect on 
the germ in the egg ? Does it have any 
strengthening effect by which those 
germs which would die in the machine, 
live and grow stronger under the hen ? 
I prefer the ventilation to be below the 
eggs. The most important thing con¬ 
nected with the use of an incubator, is 
a good incubator ; then, eggs from stock 
in as perfect health as possible. The 
regulation of the heat, in any of our 
standard machines, is not difficult, with 
good oil and reasonably good attention. 
Since the regulation of the moisture to 
be supplied has come to be determined 
by the size of the air cell, which in¬ 
dicates the amount of moisture evapo¬ 
rated from the egg, one element of great 
uncertainty has been eliminated, and the 
successful termination of the hatch made 
much more certain. b. holmes. 
Experience of Mr. Mount. 
I think that your experience is about 
the same as others that use incubators. 
What seems to be the best way to run 
an incubator at one hatch, is not right at 
another time, as the eggs need to be 
evaporated sufficiently for the chick to 
have room to pip the shell, and to get 
out. To get that result, requires more 
ventilation at some times than others ; 
in fact, it is hard to evaporate enough 
at certain times, while, at others, one 
can easily get too much. The best 
hatches I ever had were in an old Per¬ 
fect Hatcher incubator that opened and 
closed by a battery, and kept a current 
of air going through the machine. I 
have hatched with that 70 ducks from 72 
fertile eggs, and sometimes had nearly 
as good results with hen eggs. The in¬ 
cubators that are made now are, as a rule, 
made with but very little ventilation. I 
have bad more ventilation put in what I 
use. I have used top ventilation, and 
have not tried bottom ventilation. 
Grade the Eggs Properly. 
The losses which you mention in 
hatching were, probably, due to several 
causes which I am unable more than to 
guess. I feel quite confident, however, 
that there was more than one cause. 
Unless the eggs are graded much more 
evenly than seems possible in general 
practice, I believe a slight percentage of 
loss of the fertile eggs is unavoidable 
where a large number of eggs are 
hatched in one machine. The proportion 
of shell to the egg varies much, and 
eggs with shells of, apparently, the 
same thickness differ considerably in 
the rate of evaporation. While a tem¬ 
perature of about 103 degrees F. seems 
right for most hen eggs, I am not sure 
but some of the eggs would hatch better 
at other temperatures. When the ma¬ 
chines are operated carefully, I think 
the trouble is more often with the breed¬ 
ing stock. There are often losses in 
hatching which I cannot account for 
with any satisfaction. Sometimes em¬ 
bryos have died at all stages of incuba¬ 
tion, and many fully developed chicks 
have failed to hatch ; while in the same 
tray, the fertile eggs from another pen 
of the same blood and of much inferior 
vigor have all hatched. Again, when 
chicks from such hatching have been 
grown together in the same brooder, 
equal numbers from each parent pen, 
those from eggs hatching so poorly have 
been as vigorous and strong as possible, 
while those from eggs hatching better 
have been weak and sickly, confirming 
the estimate of the vigor of the parent 
stock. These are exceptional instances, 
but show that conditions favorable to 
hatching some eggs may not always be 
best for others. 
I do not know why fewer fertile eggs 
were found in the machine than under 
hens, but suspect that this was accidental 
and that large numbers would average 
alike. By the fifth day, I should expect 
to find the germs much more evenly 
started in the machine than under hens, 
forthis has been my experience. 
I do not know which is the better way 
to ventilate, but prefer thorough venti¬ 
lation. There seems to be little differ¬ 
ence so long as the air is continually 
and completely changed without any 
pronounced currents or drafts. Aside 
from the great essential of good eggs, 
the important matters connected with 
running an incubator seem to be pure 
air and control of temperature and 
moisture. I should, in general, proceed 
under the following rules, although 
modifications must sometimes be made : 
Start at a temperature of 102 5 degrees. 
During the second week, run at 103 de¬ 
grees and during the third week at 103.5 
degrees. While the chicks are hatching, 
let the temperature run above 104 de¬ 
grees. If it go above 105 degrees, let it, 
provided the chicks do not pant. The 
bulb of the thermometer should rest on 
a live egg, a little more than two-thirds 
of the egg beiDg below the bulb. This 
is on the assumption that heat is sup¬ 
plied by radiation from above. 
Turn the eggs twice daily until the 18th 
day, beginning on the second day. When 
turning eggs by the trayful, turn slowly 
and not by a quick whirl. Hatch in a 
good-sized cellar having a moist floor, 
but not wet. Admit the outdoor air 
freely to the cellar through open win¬ 
dows and door whenever it approximates 
in temperature that of the cellar. For 
most machines, open the ventilators half 
the capacity for the first week, and leave 
them wide open for the rest of the time. 
Use no water in the moisture pans until 
the first eggs are chipped, then fill with 
warm water, although this is sometimes 
unnecessary. Test the eggs often, three 
or four times during the hatch, in a 
warm room. Test by a ray of sunlight 
reflected into a dark room, if convenient, 
rather than by a lamp. Air the eggs 
once each day at turning time. Leave 
them out of the machine until they cool 
to about 85 degrees, and two or three 
times during the last week, to about 80 
degrees. After all, if I were to rate the 
desired result, a perfectly vigorous 
chick, at 100 points, I should credit 
entirely successful incubation with only 
the last 10, for so much depends upon 
the egg. WM. P. WHEELER. 
/VOTES OR AB0RTI0R. 
Next to milk fever, perhaps the worst 
thing the dairyman has to contend with 
is abortion in the herd. While now and 
again we are told of the cures which 
each dairyman thinks he has found, the 
veterinary surgeons of high repute and 
long practice can give no certain cure, 
or explain always how it is caused. 
Various causes will bring it about, such 
as blows, slips, falls, diseases of the ab¬ 
dominal organs, musty fodder, stalls too 
much inclined, overfeeding for milk at 
the expense of the system, drinking 
putrid water, the fungous growth on 
corn, wheat and ergoted grasses, and 
above all, the abortive discharges of 
other animals. We have, so far, been 
able to confine it to our young heifers 
with their first calves. As soon as the 
animal shows signs that she is going to 
abort, she should be isolated from the 
herd at once ; if there be much strain- 
ing, give one ounce of laudanum to re¬ 
lieve her. After the calf has come away, 
she should be thoroughly disinfected, 
her body and stable surroundings most 
rigorously cleaned with some disinfect¬ 
ant. We have used Harlow’s Ghloro for 
this purpose, and find it a good thing. 
The cow should then be treated to an 
injection of corrosive sublimate in the 
proportion of 1 to 1,000 of water for six 
successive days, and kept away from the 
herd for six or eight weeks, or at least, 
until there is no sign of any discharge 
from her. She should, by no means, be 
allowed to go to bull again for at least 
three months, no matter how much she 
may be in heat, for it takes nature some 
time to make strong those weakened 
parts, and if put back too soon, she will 
lose her calf again. When abortion has 
made its appearance in the herd, doses 
of chlorate of potash, one-half ounce 
daily, are helpful. If run down by scant 
feed, early breeding or too heavy milk¬ 
ing, it would be well to give something 
in the shape of a tonic. Sulphate of 
iron, gentian and ginger have provec 
helpful. When abortion is found to be 
certain, help should be given if neces¬ 
sary, the same as in a natural birth, 
have had heifers calve at five or six 
months with their first calf, and they 
have come to their milk and it has been 
found necessary to milk them regularly 
right along. h. m. h. 
New Hampshire. 
SOME HORSE SERSE. 
I read with much interest that article 
about lonesome horses. I am always 
glad to know that some men have sensi¬ 
bility enough to pay some regard to a 
horse’s feelings. It shows the true 
gentleman. Perhaps I may be permitted 
to tell a story that I heard more than 60 
years ago, in proof that our dumb 
friends that serve us so faithfully can 
appreciate kindness, and often form 
attachments that it is cruel to sever. 
We were pioneers. One evening, neigh¬ 
bor Page dropped in as he often did, for 
a chat with my father. Mr. Page said, 
“ I was splitting rails by the roadside 
when a man came along on horseback. 
I was too busy to notice him till he got 
right opposite to me, when his horse 
balked, and he began to whip her 
smartly ; but it did no good, she would 
not go a step farther. I looked up to 
see what the fracas was, and the frac¬ 
tious jade whinnied to me as if she 
thought I would take her part. Then I 
recognized her. It was the old mare 
that I had sold two years before, and I 
had lost all track of her. I said, ‘ Stran¬ 
ger, you just hold on ! That old mare 
wants to see her old master.’ I walked 
up to her and called her by name, and 
TALKS ON GEESE. 
SA.HIJEI. CUSIIMAN, formerly with Rhode 
Island Agricultural Experiment Station, can he en¬ 
gaged to address Farmers' Institutes. Poultry Socie¬ 
ties, Grange Meetings and Agricultural College stu¬ 
dents In any part of the country on certain topics re¬ 
lating to poultry production Special attention gtven 
to Turkey. Goose and artidcinl Duck raping. For list 
of subjects and terms address Pawtucket, K. I. 
she gave me a look of recognition that 
could not be mistaken. 
“ Her rider said that he thought it 
very strange, for she never acted so be¬ 
fore. ‘And she never will again,’ said I ; 
all she wants is to see her old friend 
once more, and she was determined not 
to let this opportunity pass without 
hearing my voice once more. I patted 
her neck, stroked her mane and talked 
to her what I thought her horse sense 
could understand ; then chatted with 
the stranger for half an hour, after 
which, with the old mare’s cheerful con¬ 
sent, he resumed his journey ” 
Chaut. Co.. N. Y i.eroy whitford 
Pulmonary Consumption can bo cured In its in- 
clploncy with Dr. D Jayne's Expectorant. Of that 
there is no donbt; Indeed, numbers of persons testify 
to having been cured by t his remedy after the disease 
had reached an advanced stage. IT HEALS THE 
LUNGS. 
Easy to take and effectual, Jayne’s Painless Sana¬ 
tive Pills.— Adv. 
Horse Owners! Use 
GOMBAULT’S 
Caustic 
Balsam 
A Safo Speedy and Positive Care 
The Safest, Host BLISTER overused. Takes 
the place of all liniments for mild or severe action. 
ItomoveB Bunches or Blemishes from Ilorsea 
and Cattle. SUPERSEDES ALL CAUTERY 
DR FIRING- Impossible to produce scar or blemish. 
Every bottle sold Is warranted to givo satisfaction 
Price $1.50 per bottle. Sold by druggists, or 
lent by express, chargen paid, with full directions 
for its use. Send for descriptive circulars. 
TUB LAWRENCB-W1LLIAMS CO.. Cleveland O- 
Guernseys. 
225 purebred Guernseys of the best American and 
Island breeding. Itutter average, whole herd, ;<IK 
pounds per bead. No catalogue. Como and make 
your own selection. 
EL.L.ERSL.IB STOCK FARM, 
KHINECLIFF. N. Y. 
JERSEY CATTLE^FOR^ALeT 
R F SHANNON I 907 Liberty Bt., Pittsburgh, Pa. 
lit la wnRR“Un» ) Farm.Kdgeworth.P.F.W.AC.R.R 
It Is UNLAWFUL to color oleomargarine, but It Is 
LAWFUL to use bulls of 
Willswood Herd 
Guernsey Cattle. 
£ choice bull calf, yearling heifer, and a few cows 
WILLS A. SKWARI), Hudd’s Lake, N. J. 
75 Head of Registered Chester Whites 
now.ready for shipping, from 
two to eight months old, 
sired by my prize boars 
Chester 2nd 0017, Eureka 
King 6961, George 11., 7369 
anti out of choice reg. sows 
Order soon and get the best. 
8 end 2-cent stamp for catalogue and prices. Come 
see my stock and select for yourself. EDWARD 
WALTER, Eureka Stock Farm, West Chester, 1‘a. 
P OLAND-CHINA PIGS. - Another litter of 10 
Poland-China Pigs from a 400-lb. Yearling Sow at 
$7. Just the kind to Improve your herd. Orders 
booked. F. U. Gates & Sons. Chlttenango, N. Y. 
O UR entire stock of Barred, Buff & White P. Rocks 
and 200 Selected Pekin Ducks; must he sold. Prices 
cut in two. Ground meat, $2 per 100 lbs. Stamp for 
catalogue. Brookslde Poultry Farm, Columbus. N. J 
SITTING HENS 
Will sit. eggs will hatch, chicks will grow, 
where LAMBERT'S DEATH to LICE Is 
used. Safe, yet sure. Trial size, 10c post 
paid; 100 ozs. by Ex., $1. Book vhkk. 
D. J. LAMBERT, Box 307, Apponaug, R.I 
Breasts, backs, mouths, etc., 
healed, toughened and cured 
whilo at work by 
MOORE BROS.’ 
Gall 
60c. and $ 1 by 
mail, postpaid. 
Moore Bros. J 
Albany, N.Y. rOWCld 
Kills Prairie Dogs, Woodchucks, Gophers, and Grain 
Insects. 
“Fuma” Carbon Bl-Sulphide Did It. 
“I treated 500 Inhabited (prairie dog) holes two weeks 
ago, and not a hole opened up."— Richard Kesuch. 
Send for free Illustrated pamphlet. It Is beautiful, 
Interesting, readable, and will save you money. 
EDWARD K. TAYLOR. Cleveland. Ohio 
How to Rid Building's and Farms of 
Rats, Mice, Gophers, Prairie Dogs, Ground 
Squirrels, Rabbits, Moles, Weasels, Minks and 
other Pests, Quickly and Safely. How to Snare 
Hawks and Owls. Valuable Hints to House¬ 
keepers, Farmers and Poultrykeepers.20 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, Nsw Yoke. 
AHORSE 
suffering from Harness or Collar Calls-Scratches-Cuts-Speed 
Cracks- cun be worked every duy and ut same time effectually cured 
by the useof BICKMORE’S CALL CURE. We guarantee such rosults. 1 
Equally good for Chap pod,Cracked Teats In cows or external sores in man. I 
Send 10 cents for sample. Enough to cure one horse. Fully guaranteed. 
BICK MORE CALL CURE CO. -Box 709, OLD TOWN MAINE 
■1 
AMERICAN LIVE-STOCK COMPANY 
will buy any purebred animal needed on your farm 8PECIAL FACILITIES In securing freight and 
other charges. Close connections with breeders In the United States and England enable this 
company to make exceptional selections at reasonable prices Address 124 State St., New York. 
4 ®* Refers by permission to Thh Rural Nsv7-Yobxbr. 
