676 
THE RURAb NEW-YORKER 
Juno 10. 
The Henyard. 
GIVE LITTLE CHICKS THE GROUND. 
Could you, or any of your readers, tell 
me what ails my chicks? Chicks were 
hatched the middle of March with every 
appearance of being strong, healthy chicks. 
I have fed according to directions in “The 
Business Hen.” They seemed all right for 
about a week, when some of them suddenly 
become crippled in legs and feet. Some¬ 
times they would act as though choking, 
would shake their heads from side to side 
and walk backward, and fall over until I 
would think they were dying. In a few 
minutes they would go to eating as though 
nothing had ailed them, while others would 
remain in crippled condition. Sometimes 
they peep loudly at night, as if in pain. I 
have heard one peep loudly at night, would 
raise lid of brooder, find chick limp, some¬ 
times dead; sometimes would find it gap¬ 
ing for breath, and would pick it up only 
to have it die in my hand. I keep tempera¬ 
ture about 90 degrees in brooder, have not 
overfed, as I always keep chicks a little 
hungry, keep them clean and supplied with 
fresh water and grit. I have raised chick¬ 
ens several years, but never had a disease 
like this. I have kept chicks on board 
floor, as weather would not permit being 
put out. I would be thankful for remedy 
or preventive. m. l. h. 
Martinsburg, Pa. 
I thought this a rather hard question 
to answer, and I wrote the case to a 
friend whom I consider the best posted 
poultryman I know. Here is his reply: 
“Chicks that are kept on board floors 
will develop just such weaknesses. 
Chicks should never be kept from the 
ground more than three days after they 
are hatched, no matter what the weather 
or the time of year. I’ve proved this 
time and again; there is something in 
the touch of old Mother Earth that they 
require, and to deny it to them means 
death or weakness, and often the first 
within two weeks. And this no matter 
what or how they are fed; often in ad¬ 
dition to the symptoms stated by M. L. 
H. their bills will become soft like rub¬ 
ber, and their legs get out of shape.” My 
friend also states that if it is not possi¬ 
ble to get them on the ground, then 
sprinkle their litter with lukewarm 
water one a day; this helps some; but 
shovel away the snow and let them on 
the ground, and if they are from healthy 
stock you won’t lost two per cent. I 
think my friend has stated the case 
rather strongly, yet I have seen a big 
brooder house with hundreds of chicks 
in it, wherein every condition seemed 
favorable for the chicks, and they seemed 
to thrive for two or three weeks, then 
became weak on their legs, totter around, 
and lie down and die, apparently from 
sheer weakness. I saw those chicks 
taken out and put on the grass and bare 
earth, and in one week a person could 
hardly believe them to be the same 
chicks; the leg weakness was gone, they 
were running around vigorous and 
thrifty looking, but I believe they would 
all have died if kept in the brooder 
house. The runs inside my brooder 
house are of bare earth or sand and 
gravel, but I find it good practice to dig 
a pail of damp earth from outdoors and 
empty it in a heap in the runs, and I 
often mix their dry grain in this heap 
and let the chicks scratch it out. In a 
state of nature the feet of the little 
quail or partridge are wet with dew 
every morning, and I think far more 
chicks are injured by being kept too dry, 
than are ever harmed by dampness. 
GEO. A. COSGROVE. 
THAT WHITE-EGGED “AMERICAN”. 
On page 57G you discuss the necessity 
of an all-purpose fowl of the American 
type that will lay white eggs and at the 
same time he a first-class table fowl. Per¬ 
sonally I have felt that want, and I am 
now making experiments looking to that 
end. 1 am crossing the White Wyandotte 
hen with the Rose Combed Leghorn, and I 
think with a prospect of success. The bird 
will certainly be all right, but it will take 
several generations to fix the white egg 
type. It has been done in the Indian Run¬ 
ner duck, and why not with the ordinary 
chicken?” I have some Indian Runner 
ducks, and every egg they lay is clear 
white. I believe I or others can do the 
same thing with the cross I have men¬ 
tioned. Of course the cross above men¬ 
tioned has been made by many persons, but 
so far as I know no one has pursued the 
matter with the view of making a white 
egg layer. I believe the cross will be a 
first-class egg layer and at the same time 
a first-class table bird that will mature 
early and prove to be hardy. 
You mention the Iloudan as a desirable 
bird for the object named, but mention 
certain objections to it. I raised Iloudans 
at least 25 years ago, but discarded them 
as not being satisfactory. I am raising 
them again at the present time, and again 
find them not satisfactory. I procured eggs 
from three of the leading Iloudan enthus¬ 
iasts and raised some fine birds. 1 have 
also bought some fine male birds and have 
birds as good as any I have seen at the 
shows. I do not find them as good layers 
under similar conditions as the White 
Wyandottes. Neither are the young chicks 
as hardy, and in fact I find them to be the 
hardest chicks to get up to the four weeks 
period I have ever tried. Just four weeks 
ago I took 54 young chicks from my in¬ 
cubator, about half White Wyandotte and 
Leghorn cross, and the other half Iloudans. 
During the four weeks I have lost 10 of 
the hatch, nine of them being Iloudans and 
one the W.vaudotte-Leghorn cross. I be¬ 
lieve it is thought that the conditions at¬ 
tending the feeding have much to do with 
the vitality of the egg germ. This is rea¬ 
sonable, but in this case the Iloudans had 
the advantage very greatly. The Wyan¬ 
dotte hens that laid the eggs from which 
the Wyandotte-Leghorn cross came were 
and are yet kept up in a small dry lot in 
which there is not a green thing growing, 
while the Iloudan hens run at large in a 
beautiful Blue grass pasture, with a stream 
of running water in it. In all other re¬ 
spects they were fed just the same. I 
think the crest is a decided disadvantage 
in more than one respect. It is objection¬ 
able in wet weather, it obstructs the birds’ 
vision, and hence is an easier prey to 
hawks. But what I believe to be the worst 
objection is that the great tuft of feathers 
on the head is an invitation to the head 
louse to take up his abode there. How¬ 
ever, the Iloudan is certainly a choice table 
fowl. I believe it has more breast meat 
than any other fowl of anywhere near its 
weight, and the meat is of the choicest 
kind. Permit me in conclusion to say I 
have neither chickens nor ducks, nor the 
eggs of either for sale. I raise both be¬ 
cause I like the birds and like to work 
with them. I hope some one else will take 
up the production of the cross I have 
mentioned and bring it to completion, be¬ 
cause I believe it is needed, and that this 
cross is the shortest road to the desired 
end. a. w. FOREMAN. 
Illinois. 
Snake After The Mice. 
Apropos of your article on page 558, re¬ 
garding rats and mice in the henhouse, my 
experience was this: Our henhouse was 
over-run with mice last Summer. We not¬ 
iced they disappeared in the middle of the 
Summer, and about a week later my boy 
uncovered a big snake, its body as round 
as a man's arm. literally chuck full of 
mice. Unfortunately he killed the snake, 
but we were free from mice. They are, 
however, making a showing again, and we 
are after a snake for a couple of weeks’ 
work, which we expect will clear them out 
for the remainder of the year. 
New York. c. d. Richards. 
Here are some probably new ways. Try 
sticky fly paper for those mice. I cut it in 
two to three inch squares before opening the 
two sheets, and put it around where the 
mice run. They will stick fast and seem to 
frighten the others away. For crows in 
corn rather a cruel way, but quite effective, 
is an egg, broken at large end, removing 
tho shell for a little way and putting a 
little strychnine in the egg and set it on 
small end in the ground. A crow will see 
the egg in a 10-acre lot. I haven't used 
this for some years because I think it too 
barbarous and I think the crows get enough 
cutworms to pay for the damage they do. 
I would be glad to join a farmers’ party 
if it can be so organized and conducted as 
to be generally accepted by the farmers. If 
readers of The R. N.-Y. or any farm paper 
will keep a scrapbook and clip articles of 
special interest, keeping them under same 
or similar headings, they will find it very 
convenient and will seldom need to write 
for information. I am using the grain drill 
to broadcast 350 pounds of acid phosphate 
to the acre, and the corn is up. It will do 
instead of harrowing. On poor land I 
would use some prospliate for Crimson 
clover; it makes a great deal of difference 
with the results, and do not sow it too 
late. We are paying .$28 a ton for very 
poor hay, but will soon have new hay 
crop here. H. b. 
Virginia. 
Lice and Mites. —For several years we 
have advised the use of moth balls in the 
nests of setting hens as a sure preventive. 
Fears are entertained by many that the 
fumes would destroy the chick in the shell. 
We gave a trial this Spring that proves the 
value of the moth ball. We put three balls 
in each of six nests and one of these was 
very high-priced eggs. The balls were left 
in the nest the entire 21 days and every 
fertile egg hatched out, and the chicks are 
as lively as can be, with no sign whatever 
of either lice nor nits. We use the moth 
balls in the roosting house also and they 
are entirely free from the pests; 10 cents 
buys a pound of the balls and these will 
answer for 50 setting hens. Once tried it 
will be the one remedy used. Lay aside 
your fears and try them. 
, J. H. HAYNES. 
I set 30 R. I. Red eggs October 21 in my 
incubator; on November 21 I hatched 17 
chicks. I kept them in an empty room; 
they did not do as well as I hoped. They 
developed weak legs. I gave them small 
doses of quinine and rubbed their legs with 
liniment; however. I lost 10. The other 
seven I placed out of doors in February. 
They picked up finely and on April 29 
(chicks a little over five months old) I got 
my first egg. Since then I get four or five 
a day; the eggs are small. My neighbors 
think it is unusual for chicks to lay at five 
months. Their toes are still crooked, other¬ 
wise they are fine. f. v. 
Norwalk, Conn. 
The International Utility Poultry Asso¬ 
ciation has been organized, with headquar¬ 
ters at Buffalo, F. A. Kuhn, secretary. Its 
object is thus stated: To encourage the 
breeding of pure or cross-bred birds in re¬ 
gards to utility by breeding only from se¬ 
lected birds. To establish laying contests, 
under proper management. To conduct 
utility poultry shows. To obtain the best 
advice for members relating to the selection, 
breeding and keeping utility poultry. To 
give prizes to members for the best and 
most economical way of packing and mar¬ 
keting poultry products. Arrangements will 
be made for members having surplus poul¬ 
try products by putting them in communi¬ 
cation witli retail dealers and large con¬ 
sumers. By the adoption of a standard 
package to be used, by members only. To 
try to reduce shipping rates. To draw at¬ 
tention of tlie consuming public of the high 
quality of the members’ poultry products. 
Dues, $1 per year. 
Farmers having sand or gravel cn 
their places, are invited to send us samples 
for inspection. After careful examination, we will 
write you our opinion as to whether your sand or 
gravel is suitable for concrete work. Be sure to 
send us a sample of about six pounds, by express, 
charges prepaid. Send to Room 1836, 72 West 
Adams St., Chicago. 
Remember that the only materials necessary for 
concrete work are cement, sand and gravel or 
crushed stone. If you use Universal Portland 
cement, you may be sure that you have safe 
cement, but you must also make sure that your sand 
and gravel is suitable for cement work, 
UNIVERSAL P cement D COMPANY 
CHICAGO PITTSBURG MINNEAPOLIS 
72 West Adams St. Trick Building Security Sank Building; 
Annual Output 10,000,000 Barrels 
—r -■? --—t- "rrr. ——.-.-r- ——rr *7 - —tt—— 7 — -;-*--—~—— 
1 
• ----- ■ - ■ •—■- -■.•■■•..•-ft.-. ■■ .. .— igj-V-t.-.,Aril 
DflVAPn~ A specially prepared scratch food 
rvIVflUU which will positively prevent diarr¬ 
hoea among chicks. 2-bu. bag $2.00. Circular free. 
1’OKACO CHICK FOOD CO., 
30 Gansevoort St,, - New York, N. \ T . 
fsfinfl Single-Combed white Leghorns, Barred 
nilUU Plymouth Rocks, Imperial Pekin Ducks, 
vwww 3 r<)nze Turkeys and Guinea Hens at 
right prices. Yearlings, pullets, cocks or cockerels. 
Order at once for best selections. Largest success¬ 
ful poultry plant in the vicinity of New York City. 
Agents Cyphers’ Incubators. 
BONNIE BRAE POULTRY FARM, New Rochelle, N. Y. 
DAVIS S. C. REDS 
200 ECC STRAIN Prices reduced after May 1 
EGGS utility, $5.00 per 100; $1.00 per 13, 
LAKEHILL FARM 
YV. H. T11ACHlilt. 
Single and Rose Comb W. Leghorns, W. P. Rocks 
and Imp. Pekin Ducks. Cockerels and Ducks of 
both sexes for sale iu any quantity from $2 up. 
Chicks. $15 per 100 Ducklings, $25 per 100. Write 
for special prices in large lots. Orders booked for 
early delivery of hatching eggs and day old chicks 
and ducklings. Safe delivery and satisfaction 
guaranteed. CARL W. LLOYD, Mgr,, 
Hillside. Westchester County. N. Y. 
Mammoth Hot Water Incubator Chicks, $15.00 per 100 
DAVIS POULTRY FARM, Berlin, Mass. 
Eggs For Hatching-?.-, KS?_ 
Indian Runner Ducks. Higli-class stock- 
utility, show or export SINCLAIR SMITH, tiU2 
Fifth Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Hunn Lake Poultry Farm 
White Wyandotte Chicks, $12 per 100. Eggs,»5per 100. 
Rahv From grand free range S. C. W, 
utxuy v.uii.iy» Leghorn Hens mated with males 
$10.00 per 100 hatched from D. W. Youngs 
THE FARMER'S FOWL—Rose Comb Reds, best winter 
layers on earth. Eggs, $1.00 per 15. Catalogue 
free. THUS. WILDER, Route 1, Rich land, N. Y. 
HICKORY ISLAND FARM. Clayton, N. Y. 
1A/HITE EGG STRAIN INDIAN RUNNER DUCKS—Thor- 
VV onglibred, vigorous birds. Wonderful layers 
of largo white eggs; mated with imported drakes, 
well marked, fawn and white; $2.00 for 15; Buff 
Orpingtons, $1.50 for 15. Liberal discount for incu¬ 
bator eggs. Cherry Hill Farms, Pittstown, N. J. 
\X7YCKOFF-BLANCH A RD strains Single-Comb 
’ v White Leghorns, $1.25 setting. Heavy laying 
Rose-Conib Black Jlinorcas, $1.50 setting. Circular. 
HIGH RIDGE POULTRY FARM, Laurel. Mi>. 
Buff, Wh. Leghorns, Mottled Anconas, S. C. R. I. Red. 
Eggs. 90c. per 15, $1.50 per 30. $2.75 per 00, $4 per 100. 
Catalogue free. JOHN A. ROTH, Quakertown, Pa. 
SPECIAL OFFER-White Rock Eggs. $1 ft 15; $5 $ 100. 
Partridge Cochin Eggs, $1.25 ^ 15; $0.00 ^ 100. 
Partridge Wyandotte Eggs. $1.00 15: $5.00 ^ 100. 
Barred Rock Eggs. $1.25 15; $7.00 ^ 100. 
Fresh eggs from good stock, free range and healthy. 
Circular prices hold on your choice of matings. 
MINCH BROS., R-2, Bridgeton, N. J. 
SINGLE COMB WHITE LEGHORNS 
Baby Chicks, prompt shipment, $9 per 100. Hatch¬ 
ing Eggs, Pullets and Yearling Hens, prompt or 
future shipment. Quality kind at right prices. 
SUNNY HILL FARM, Flemington, N. J. 
PRIZE WINNING STRAINS! 
dottes, Rhode Island Reds, both combs, Single 
Comb White and Brown Leghorns, eggs $1.50, 15; 
$7.00, 100. Light and Dark Brahmas, $2.00, 15. Cat¬ 
alog gratis. F. M. PRESCOTT, Riverdale, N. J. 
S. G. White Leghorn BABY CHICKS 
Chicks that make good. High class utility stock. 
Prompt delivery. $10 per 100. Circular. Van Chest 
Poultry Farm, Salt Point, Dutchess Co., N. Y. 
IXrRIGIIT’R WHITE WYANDOTTE WINNERS 
— Baby Chix. June Hatch, $11 per 100; $0 per 50. 
grand View farm, - stanfordville, n. y. 
C f» UfHITE LEGHORNS. Barred Plymouth Rocks. 
w> Ua If Mammoth White Pekin Ducks, Stock, 
batching eggs, chicks, ducklings. Circular. Kst.1904 
Abovo Poultry Farm. Chatham, Morris Co. N. J. 
no EGGS SI. 00 — Leading varieties, 52 breeds. Prize Poui- 
ZU try, Pigeons, Hares, etc. Booklet free. Luge illus¬ 
trated descriptive Catalog 10c. F. G. WILE, Telford, Pa. 
DABY CHICKS— Single Comb White Leghorns, 
Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds, 9c and 12c each. 
Strong and livable. From vigorous free range stock, 
bred for utility and standard qualities. Safe delivery 
guaranteed. WESLEY GR1NNELL. Sodus, N. Y. 
EGGS— $1 p«*r 15, $2 per 40 of Thor. Brahma*. Rocks, Wyan- 
dottes, lted«, Mlnorcas, Houdans, Leghorns, Ilamlmrgs; 19 var., 
28 years’ experience. Catalogue. 8. K. Mohr, Coopcrsburg, l*a. 
Pflll 1 TRYMFN -I>on ' t f:lil t0 secure Stock and 
lUULI 11 I IYiLIi Eggs at our reduced prices. 
EAST DONEGAL POULTRY YARDS, Marietta, Pa. 
Farmers and Poultrymen. 
You must not blame us if occasionally our en¬ 
thusiasm hubbies over when speaking of our cus¬ 
tom hatching department as carried on by our 
experts in our mammoth hot water incubator. 
Results are showing people all over the country 
that we know our business by saving them time, 
worry and money, and giving them stronger chicks 
than the old lien or kerosene oil fume incubators 
ever did. You send us the eggs—we’ll do the rest- 
do it right and send you the chicks. Write for in¬ 
formation and prices, anyway. 
MAPLE GLEN POULTRY FARM, Millertan, N. Y. 
S. C. W, LEGHORN 
Breeding Hens at low price to make room. Also 
promising Cockerels cheap in quantities. Also R I. 
Reds. Eggs for batching SI. Moritz Farm, Ramsey, N.J 
Fawn and White Indian Runner Duck Eggs at half price 
for June. $1. per 13. W. T. Easton, Rt. 5, Delaware, Ohio. 
PP* A HFMQ-TWO FOR SALE, $5.00—DO- 
r C.AY.rilLl'NO MESTICATED: also WHITE 
PEKIN DUCKS, EMBDEN GEESE — PURE 
H. M. POTTER, MT. VISION, N. Y. 
rppo—BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS, 
" U U U Mammoth Bronze Turkeys,Pearl Guineas, 
w and Indian Runner Ducks. Write for 
Free Price List. POPLAR LAWN FARMS. West Falls, N. Y. 
