1908. 
“THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
47 
WHY DO HENS GROW LAME? 
About eight years ago I built new hen¬ 
houses and increased my flock of hens from 
15 or 20 to about 175. I raised about half 
pullets every year and disposed of the same 
amount of old hens in order to keep the 
flock young. All went well for three or 
four years, then the trouble began. The 
fowls would be taken lame, one at a time; 
grow worse every day until unable to stand. 
Then I generally applied the ax cure. A 
very few got well. Old hens and pullets 
are affected the same. I lost several pul¬ 
lets when they were alwut ready to lay. 
liens and chickens have free range in Sum¬ 
mer and are not crowded in the houses. I 
have tried Leghorns, Wyandottes, Ply¬ 
mouth Rocks and crosses of the same. All 
have the same disease. I generally feed a 
mash in the morning composed of a few 
small potatoes and three or four kinds of 
meal and bran with a little meat meal when 
the hens are shut up. At noon and night 
they get whole grain of different kinds. I 
have always fed as much as they would eat 
up clean. I try to keep the houses reason¬ 
ably clean : have burned sulphur sometimes, 
and sprinkled chloride of lime under the 
roosts, but the hens would keep on dying 
just the same. I have lost about 40 or 50 
in a year. I have lost very few from any 
other diseases. Hens have water, grit, cut 
bone occasionally and scratching material, 
such as straw or leaves on the floor. The 
egg yield has generally been satisfactory for 
the well ones. Can you give any kind of 
a guess from my description as to what the 
trouble is? e. c. b. 
Windham Co., Vt. 
One of the difficulties in trying to as¬ 
certain the cause of the trouble this man 
has with his fowls—and his case is not 
exceptional—is the insufficient data. 
The particulars which one most desires 
to know, are generally not stated. In this 
case, guessing rheumatism, I would like 
to know if the houses are damp, either 
from insufficient ventilation or from 
beng in a wet location; or are all the 
roosts so high that with no cleated 
boards to walk up and down on, the 
fowls injure themselves in jumping 
down? Quite likely it is neither of 
these causes, and may be entirely heredi¬ 
tary. I had occasional cases among my 
fowls of canker around the vent; it was 
almost the only trouble I had with them 
for some years. I cured some cases, but 
it would reappear every month or two. 
Finally I took to using the ax, on every 
case and succeeded in getting rid of it. 
I have not had a case in nearly two 
years. The fowls are using the same 
coops and yards, are of the same breed, 
and are fed the same as formerly. Why 
is it that they do not have this trouble, 
now? Isn’t it because I have got rid of 
those that had a hereditary tendency to 
that disease? 
In the case of E. C. B., I would recom¬ 
mend that he purchase all the eggs for 
hatching that he uses next season, and 
if possible remove his coops to a new 
location. If the coops have board 
floors I should clean them thoroughly 
and whitewash the floors with a string 
solution of crude carbolic acid in the 
whitewash. I much prefer dry earth 
floors ; scraping off three or four inches 
of the top in Spring, you have an excel¬ 
lent fertilizer for the garden, and re¬ 
placing it with clean dirt your coops are 
practically in a new location. I sink a 
wide chestnut board into the earth just 
inside the coops; this keeps out the - 
moisture from the earth outside, also 
prevents the ground inside from freez¬ 
ing. In the coldest zero weather I can 
dig down in any of my houses as deep 
as I please, without any sign of frost. 
Hot ashes, full of live coals, from my 
wood-burning stove, are buried in the 
earth. The fire is soon smothered out 
and the hens have fun digging out the 
charcoal. 1 here is no litter in the coops. 
Litter is in the scratching sheds only, 
so there is no danger from fire. The 
latter part of this article has not much 
relation to the correspondent’s question, 
but it may contain suggestions of inter¬ 
est to others. ceorge a. cosgrove. 
Jack : “Why didn’t you bow to Henry 
just now?” Jim: “What’s the use? He 
knows I know him.”—Harvard Lam¬ 
poon. 
A DAIRY RENTER’S FIGURES. 
We rented a farm of 125 acres, taking 
possession November 1, 1905. We were to 
pay $120 rent for place anjl no taxes except 
the road tax. We rented 14 cows at $5 and 
$6 per cow. We had one of our own, and 
bought a three-quarters Holstein bull calf. 
We intended to raise a number of calves 
but only succeeded in raising one. This is 
rather a one-sided account, as I have not 
kept an accurate account of feed, etc.: But¬ 
ter, $92.29 ; deacon skins, $9 ; old hens and 
roosters, $10.39: eggs, $26.33; cheese, 
$.394.69; calves, $25.21. hogs, $31.62; pota¬ 
toes. $10; total, $700.48; rent and cow rent, 
$199; total returns $501.48. Besides this 
I have done some teaming, more than enough 
to pay what I have hired. I changed work, 
some in haying, potato digging and cutting 
wood. We weighed the milk from our cows 
and let the poorest ones go. Our poorest 
cow freshened March 31 and from then till 
October 1st she gave 2,019 pounds; she was 
then giving about seven pounds. Our best 
cow freshened March 5. and gave 3,889 
pounds from then till October 1st. She was 
then giving about eight, pounds. I think I 
can make them do considerably better this 
year, as I have better hay. This year we 
are keeping 10 cows, four of them our own, 
a yearling bull (two this Spring) and a calf. 
There was a very short hay crop this year. 
We have about 40 hens and pullets and two 
ducks. We have bought an incubator and 
separator and hope to make more from poul¬ 
try and dairy. Last year we used a cold 
water separator and of course did not get 
nearly all the cream. p. h. m. 
Lewis Co., N. Y. 
HOW TO CURE THIS HORSE HABIT? 
I have just noticed the article on horse 
training by “Horse Wrangler,” and would 
like suggestion from him or some one as to 
the means to be used to break my five-year- 
old mare of the habit of breaking from the 
trot to a run in the buggy. She is perfect¬ 
ly gentle, a great pet, almost invariably 
coming to her friends at call when in the 
pasture; is afraid of nothing. She has not 
the habit of the ordinary “puller" in start¬ 
ing from a walk to a trot and then a run, 
but for the first three or four miles from the 
stable, when started to trot, except in sand 
or on an up grade, will trot five or ten rods, 
then gradually throw up her head and start 
to run, unless held down by no little force. 
After being pulled down to a walk she does 
not seem afraid or excited, but will do the 
same way when next started to trot. The 
first indication of running is a slight turn 
of the head to get a view of the driver, and 
she watches the driver until she is in full 
canter. I have owned her 18 months; have 
never touched her with a whip but twice, 
and do not carry one in the buggy. When 
running at large she will come to me as 
quick if I have a whip or stick in hand as at 
other times. After she has roaded a few 
miles she will drop the running trick and 
trot as steadily as any horse, though she is 
a fast roadster. If the road Is sandy or 
very slightly up grade, she will not break 
from trot to run. She is of nervous dis¬ 
position, full of grit, and I think would 
drop dead in thr harness before failing to 
respond to the driver. I have used both 
rubber and Wilsou four-ring bits, side checks 
and overdraw, with and without martingale. 
We use the mare but little, except at one or 
two seasons of a few weeks each, in the 
year; do not take her in the harness over 
two days a week, and then only five or 10 
miles a round trip. From a careful study 
of her disposition and actions I do not think 
she does this out of viciousness, rather 
from abundance of life and desire to get 
over the ground. Perhaps the trick is some¬ 
what inherited, as her sire, who is some¬ 
what of a track horse, will do the same 
thing. w. f, cobb. 
Maine. _ 
Hus Feeding. —On page 928 a Montana 
man presents some poultry problems. He 
does not say how much food he is giving to 
his 175 hens, but judging from the state¬ 
ment that they run at him every time he 
enters the coop and that he aims to feed 
only so much as they will clean up quickly, 
it is fair to presume that they are not over¬ 
fed. Overfeeding and overfatness are com¬ 
mon causes of soft-shelled eggs. He has 
variety enough if the quantity of food is 
right. Are his birds overcrowded? it ap 
pears that he has them all together and 
his flock is too large for one “coop.” Not 
more than 50 birds should run together 
and these should have an allowance of five 
square feet of floor space to each. If there 
is overcrowding the general health of the 
birds may suffer, more or less, and tliiu- 
shelled eggs may result. If this is the 
cause no amount of lime will remedy the 
difficulty. Besides, overcrowding has often 
a great deal to do with the habit of egg¬ 
eating. If such is the cause in this in¬ 
stance, give more room and furnish darker 
nests for laying and keep the hens busy by 
giving them more litter to scratch for grain 
in. As to the use of flaxseed, it is well 
to watch the droppings and not give enough 
to loosen the bowels. Fnless lie is giving 
ground hone and fresh meat with regularity 
it is advisable to keep good beef scrap be¬ 
fore the birds all the time, except when the 
bone or meat are fed. Plenty of green vege¬ 
table food will improve the color of the egg 
yolks. , W M. R. FISHER. 
Pennsylvania. 
When you write advertisers mention Tun 
R. N'.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and 
"a square deal.” See guarantee, page 14. 
You Must Know 
Because You 
Need M 
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It’s your business and if you don’t 
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necessary. There is money in cow 
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because either now or some other day you will decide 
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a postal gets this Free Book. 
THE SEVERANCE TANK 
& SILO COMPANY 
Dept. L, Lansing, Mich. 
SILO’S 
THAT 
GIVE 
motion 
SEVERANCE 
TANK * 5ILO CO. 
CANS IN® , MICnrOAN 
You need a Tubular Cream Sepa¬ 
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I you; because it saves labor; because 
it saves time; because it means all the 
difference between cow profits and 
cow losses. 
Look into this matter; see what a 
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because you need it. 
How would you like our book 
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The Sharpies Separator Co. 
West Chester, Pa. 
Toronto, Can. Chicago, III. 
You need a Green Mountain Silo 
So write For Special Offer 
For Early Orders 
Low Prices if ordered NOW. 
Creamery Package Mfg. Co., 
220 WETS STREET, RUTLAND, VT' 
Free Veterinary Book 
Infalliblegulde. Makesevery man 
his own horse doctor. Postage 2c. 
Tuttle’s Elixir 
Insuressoundhorses. C’uressplint, 
curb, spavin, etc. 8100 reward 
for failure where cure Is possible. 
TUTTLE’S ELIXIR CO., 
30 Beverly St., Boston, Mass. 
Beware of all blisters; they givt 
only temporary relief, if any. 
BEATH TO niAftS 
Heavy Steers 
A steer receiving a small amount of 
Dr. Hess Stock Food twice a day in his 
grain will consume, digest and assim¬ 
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and make steady growth from start to 
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Food acts upon the digestive organs, 
keeping them in perfect health and 
activity. 
Dr. Hess Stock Food is 
the prescription of Dr. Hess 
(M. D., D.V. S,) and con¬ 
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cleanse the system. 
D B HESS 
STOCK 
Is a perfect animal tonic. It causes 
rapid growth, increases milk yield and 
insures good health and condition in 
all farm animals. 
Sold on a written guarantee. 
lOO lb«. $r ,.00 ) Exce 5 l in Canada 
lb. pall S 1.60 j West and South 
mailer quantities at a slight advance. 
Where Dr. Hess Stock Food 
differsinparticular 
is in the dose—it’s 
small and fed but 
twice a day, which 
proves it has the most 
digestive strength to 
the pound. Our Gov¬ 
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Dr. Hess Stock Food as 
a medical compound 
and this paper is back 
of the guarantee. 
If your dealer can’t supply you, we will. 
DR. HESS & CLARK, Ashland, Ohio. 
Also mauufaotarcrH of Dr. Hess Poultry Pan-a-oens and 
Instant Louse Killer* 
NEWTON’S Heave and Cough Com 
« VETERINARY SPECIFIC. 
IB yearssale. One to two cane 
»mll cure Heaves. $1.00 per 
can. Of dealers, or express 
prepaid. Send for booklet. 
Thehei, tonkeiaed jt’o,,Toledo,O. 
MILK TUBES - 
Indorsed by leading veterinary 
surgeons. Coin Silver 50c. Set of Tour 
$2. TeatOpener75c. Dilating Plug 25c. 
Milk Fever outfit $3. Teat Slitter 
$1.50. Postpaid on receipt of price. 
Full directions. 
GEO. P. PILLING & SON, 2233 Arch St., Phila.,Pa 
Death 
Worms 
to 
the 
Stomach 
Guaranteed 
W» will send you 100 lbs. of Dll. 
HOI,I,AXIHS MEDICATED STOCK 
SALT on 60 days’ trial freieht 
prepaid. If you derive no benefit, 
It costs you nothing; If you do, it 
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The HOLLAND STOCK REMEDY 
COMPANY, Wellington, Ohio. 
A $100 HORSE 
may quickly become worthless by developing a 
curb, spavin, splint or going lame'. Don’t sacri¬ 
fice him. Cure him with 
Quinn’s Ointment 
It cures permanently and absolutely all common 
horse ailments. The unfailing remedy of years | 
which has the confidence of horse owners. S 1. a 
bottlo. Alldruggistsor by mail. Testimonials free. 
W. B. Eddy & Co. Whitehall. N. Y. 
DR.WEARE.S 
HEAVE REMEDY 
Your horse has either got or is getting 
the heaves if he “Roars,” “Whistles, 
or breathes hard after a slight exertion. 
Don’t neglect him or you’ll ruin him! 
Dr. Weare's Heave Remedy has fulfilled well 
the claims made for it. It Is an original discov¬ 
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For thirty-five years it has been curing heaves 
and apparently hopeless cases have been cured. 
5-lb. package sent prepaid for $2.00. 
If Dr. Weare’s Heave Remedy proves inefficient, 
we will refund your money right quick. 
Send for free booklet. 
George G. Mulllner & Co., Pftirport, U S.A, 
Summer’s Worm Powders 
Fop 
Sheep, Horses & Hogs 
Fed to millions of animals 
GASOLINE 
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every year. Powders never 
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prevent further attacks. 
„ . _ In popular use 25 years. 
Price S lb. Pek. 60 cents. ? lb. Pck. $1.00. 
Send for FREE catalogue of Stockmen's Supplias 
Cyril Franeklyn, 73 Beaver St., New York Cltj 
Gas and Gasoline Engines 
Stationary, 
and Portable 
for all purposes 
Catalugupg on Request 
w. D. DUNNING, 
331 W. Water St. 
Syracuse, N. Y. 
Abenaque Gasoline Engin 
■ 30 DAYS FREE 
In order to let you prove, to your own {satisfaction, surely in cold weather 
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