862 
THE) RURAt NEW-YORKER 
September 
The Henyard. 
In the Dog Days. 
In these hot. lazy days the hen man is 
resting. He is sleeping, but, I hope, with 
one eye open to the future and his ear 
cocked for “coons” since chickens are fryin’ 
size. After his confining cares of Spring 
and early Summer, sleep will do him good. 
Don’t let him rest too long, however. Soon 
the laying season will be on, and in the 
rush, those odd jobs he was laying by for 
a slack time will have to go over again. 
It is so easy to let these lazy days slip 
by without doing much ; one almost 
grudges the time it takes to feed and water 
the biddies. I5ut in a few weeks he will 
wake up with houses to clean, pullets ready 
to lay, old hens to be gotten rid of, and 
the rush of Fall farm work on him. If 
doing nothing else between naps, he ought 
to be at least planning his Fall campaign 
for eggs. And if he stops to think for a 
moment, this was the time the drain in 
front of his long henhouse was to be dug— 
three feet deep to be filled in one foot with 
coarse stone, the balance with finer stuff, 
lie will remember it again when after the 
first quick thaw of Winter the litter gets 
damp and his hens get the “snuffles.” And 
while he is digging why not dig a little 
farther and run a line of pipe from the 
house cistern to the henhouse? Have water 
on tap all the time instead of breaking 
your back lugging it out in pails twice a 
day, all the year round. A few rods of 
pipe will do the trick, and he needn’t lie 
much of a plumber to own a Stillson wrench 
and put a few pipe joints together. 
And the other henhouse that he was 
going to roof with fresh paper—it will 
take only a couple of these warm, dry 
days to do it. He will remember it when 
the Fall rains come dripping through and 
lie is warming his fingers and the sealing 
tar after a sharp frost. And again, if he 
tar after a sharp frost. And again, 
if he doesn’t attend to them, in a 
few weeks he will be wondering why 
his hens don’t begin to lay. And 
their answer, as shown by their poor con¬ 
dition and lack of life, will tie, “Bo, the 
mites are upon us !” For hot. sultry days 
are days of glory for the little red mites. 
Go after them, hen man. while they are 
lively and you can get at them, with the 
sunlight to help. Get your spray pump 
and whitewash brush. Clean house and 
do it well. Mix kerosene and crude carbolic 
acid, half and half, or if you choose use 
some prepared stuff, and soak it into every 
crack and corner. And all the odd coops 
and uncleaned brooders you have left lying 
about, bring them in. Clean them out. dis¬ 
infect them, and pile them up neatly under 
the best shelter you have to spare. You will 
want them in a hurry when the hatching 
season comes, and you will want them clean 
and sweet. Empty out the water in the 
brooder tanks while you are about it: 
freezing and the tinner’s bill won't swell 
the profits. You will be glad you did it— 
next Spring. r. n. 
Iron Roof for Henhous?. 
I have been thinking of putting a corru¬ 
gated iron roof on open-front chicken house, 
using no boards, but tacking roofing direct 
to strips or rafters. Will this be too cold 
in Winter and too hot in Summer? If so, 
can I remedy it economically? The labor 
of applying and cost of material will be 
less than tar paper and boards. Has any 
one tried this metal roofing on chicken 
houses? c. M. 
New Jersey. 
ft. N.-Y.—This is printed to call out a 
discussion. Can anyone give us experi¬ 
ence? 
Cover Crop for Henyard. 
What is tlie best seed to sow in my hen 
runs this Fall? I want something which 
will grow quickly and luxuriantly and be 
hard to run out. I intend to plant some¬ 
thing this Fall, so that my liens can have 
plenty of green food when I turn them out 
in the Spring. a. n. l. 
Conecticut. 
Rve is the surest to grow and hardest to 
kill out, after it Is well started, of any¬ 
thing I know. It can be fed down to the 
ground; then, if the hens are kept off for 
a while, it will start up again as vigorous 
as ever. If it was in Spring I should sow 
a mixture of rye, oats and barley; also 
wheat, if I had it. oeo. a. cosgrove. 
Labor in Caring for Poultry. 
Mr. Mapes’s very instructive article on 
page 873 filled me with delight. I was 
much pleased to find out more of his meth¬ 
ods of feeding and taking care of those 200 
hens in five minutes a day. When one 
reads more of Mr. Mapes’s articles it be¬ 
comes clear that his great bulwark of 
success is hired help. That may work very 
nicely where one has enough hens to play 
superintendent to a large poultry plant, 
and watch somebody else do the work, but 
very few in proportion to the number of 
people who keep poultry are thus situated. 
For every one who thus depends on hired 
help to clean out his poultry houses, draw 
his feed, and do the rest of his “harder 
labor,” there are hundreds, yes, thousands, 
who keep a flock of poultry varying in 
size from a dozen or less to two or three 
hundred and depend upon their own two 
hands for all the care they get. “harder 
labor” and all. Since this class of poultry 
keepers is vastly in the majority, they are 
the ones who benefit most largely from 
what practical information they can absorb 
from the articles of Mr. Mapes and others 
who write regarding their methods of feed¬ 
ing and caring for poultry. 
One thing that greatly interested me was 
the very effective way Mr. Mapes disposes 
of tlie lice question. We fight lice by 
spraying the nests and roosts with kerosene 
oil. This thins them out for a time, but 
with this system, truly “Eternal vigilance 
is tlie price of liberty” from lice. Now 
if I could only get hold of some of Mr. 
Mapes’s lien-lice wax. and not have to look 
for lice only once a year—O. the anticipa¬ 
tion of such a condition is too heavenly 
for words! 
Another thing I would like to have Mr. 
Mapes tell us. is how does he handle his 
poultry droppings to get the maximum profit 
out of them? Are they stored or applied 
fresh? To what crops and in what quanti¬ 
ties per acre? Mixed with other manure or 
clear? This is one thing that often puz¬ 
zles the small poultry keeper. In many 
cases there is more waste of plant food 
from the poultry droppings than from any 
other source of the farm. 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y. c. c. clement. 
R. N.-Y.—In former years Mr. Mapes 
sold the pure hen droppings to a tannery. 
Raising Guinea Pigs. 
My neighbor keeps a lot of guinea pigs 
and sells them to laboratories for experi¬ 
ment purposes, so he says; says there is 
good profit in raising them. I wrote to 
the Government for bulletin on guineas, but 
did not get any. What do you know about 
them? Where can I find out about them? 
New Hampshire. b. w. r. 
In certain cases like that you mention 
guinea pigs may be found profitable. They 
are usually kept as children’s pets and I 
would be slow to take them up with any 
idea of much profit. They breed quite 
rapidly, having young about every two 
months in litters of two to six. They are 
not difficult to feed, living on grass, grain, 
such as oats, and vegetables. A small 
pamphlet on them can be secured from 
Edw. 8. Schmid, 712 12th street. N. W.. 
Washington, D. C„ price 25 cents. The 
best thing you can do, however, is to find 
out all you can from your neighbor; if he 
is really making them pay. he ought to be 
able to put you on the right road. 
R. B. 
Crop-bound Hen. 
T have a choice Barred Rock hen which 
stretches her neck, acts ns if something 
in throat, eats well: I think breast looks 
large, seems well other ways. I notice 
it some days more than others; she stopped 
laying. What is the trouble and remedy? 
New York. J. B. H. 
Would judge that the hen is crop bound, 
the crop being stopped by grass or feathers 
becoming twisted together. The bird will 
continue eating for some time. If it is 
not too late, give her a teaspoon of sweet 
oil and “work” the crop with your hands. 
You may be able to loosen the stoppage, 
and force the food on through, or work 
the stuff back to and out of the mouth. 
After emptying the crop, do not feed for 30 
hours, letting her drink a little water con¬ 
taining 20 grains of bicarbonate of soda to 
the quart. Start feeding on bread soft¬ 
ened with milk or water. R. b. 
Will Not Feather. 
I have five chicks hatched in May and 
they won’t feather at all. and it is pretty 
cooi here just now. T feed cracked corn 
and wheat in litter and bran before them all 
the time, also grit and charcoal before 
them all the time. n. w. B. 
Pennsylvania. 
Probably not enough meat in their ra¬ 
tion. In place of bran, try a mixture of 
two parts by weight of bran, one part beef 
scraps, one part linseed meal. Binseed 
meal is about the most valuable feed for 
forcing feather growth and giving birds 
good plumage. e. b. 
An Engineer’s Hens. —Poultrymen, for¬ 
get the “per hen per year” and get your 
mind and hands on the returns from the 
large flock, the largest your labor and 
brains can successfully care for. I am an 
engineer, away from home from (? a. m. to 
0 p. m. For the past three years I have 
kept 300 layers, hatched and raised about 
800 chicks each year. Tlie only help I 
have had is about one hour a day for three 
weeks with the baby chicks, and about 
five minutes each day by Mrs. T. in empty¬ 
ing tlie pails of grain in the litter at 3.30. 
While T have crosscut tlie work I am not 
down to Mapes’ time of 2% minutes per 
hundred birds, but I shall try for it, as 
my way keeps me too busy. l. b. t. 
Somerville, N. .T, 
Tope Powder. —Again and again we are 
asked how to make a good lice powder. 
The following is tlie standard homemade 
lice killer: Mix three parts of gasoline 
with one part of crude carbolic acid. 90-05 
per cent, strength, or if the latter cannot 
be obtained with one part of cresol, and 
adding gradually, with stirring enough 
plaster of paris to make when the liquid is 
uniformly distributed through the mass .of 
plaster a dry pinkisli-hrown powder having 
a fairly strong carbolic odor and a rather 
less pronounced gasoline odor. As a gen¬ 
eral rule, it will take about four quarts 
of plaster of paris to one quart of the 
liquid. 
Brahma Grosses.— Page 848. R. B„ in 
answering A. .T. H„ advises against the 
crossing of Brahma and White Rocks. Isn’t 
this cross the latest addition to the “Stand¬ 
ard of Perfection.” “Columbian Rocks”? 
Are they making good? If anv of your 
readers has had any experience.' will they 
kindly advise, as we thought of trying 
them? On same page. Geo. A. Cosgrove 
advises ground Alfalfa in mash for chicks. 
We have been advised against either ground 
dried clover or Alfalfa for poultry, claiming 
that it contains too much fibre, which 
creates indigestion. s. F. 
Martinsville. N. J. 
On practically every modern and 
up-to-date farm in the country con¬ 
crete is the general choice for silo 
building. 
A concrete silo is weatherproof, 
fireproof, ratproof—and practically eoer- 
lasting. The airtight construction, to¬ 
gether, with the perfectly smooth in¬ 
terior, allowing the contents to settle 
evenly, insures perfect silage. The 
acids formed by the natural fer¬ 
mentation of the silage which act 
quickly on wood or metal- have no 
effect whatever on concrete. 
LOACH 
PORTLAND 
CEMENT 
meets with the unhesitating approval 
of every - ,ian who has investigated 
the cement question thoroughly. It 
is undoubtedly the strongest, most 
durableand most economical Portland 
cement that has ever been placed on 
the market. It is the best cement for 
building barns, water troughs, corn 
cribs, fence posts, etc. The best dealer 
in your town handles Lehigh. Don’t 
forget the name— Lehigh— make it a 
particular point to ask especially for 
Lehigh and be absolutely safe. Book 
for the Lehigh trade-mark. 
A valuable book—giving full, de¬ 
tailed directions for every use of 
concrete on the farm—sent free on 
application. 
Lehigh Portland 
Cement Company 
11 mills—11,000,000 
barrels yearly 
capacity. 
Dept A 
Allentown, Pa. 
“MEN WHO KNOW” 
USE THE 
Why should YOU experiment or 
take chances with anything else ? 
THE DE LAVAL SEPARATOR CO. 
165-167 BROADWAY, 
^^^fJE^YORK. 
29 E. MADISON ST., 
CHICAGO. 
Standard Veterinary Remedy 
In Uae 21 Years 
Trade Mark 
Registered 
HEAVES CURED 
NEWTON’S REMEDY Coughs, Distempers. 
Safe, positive cure that is Guaranteed tor 
Heaves. It gets at the root of the trouble. A 
scientific remedy for indigestion,which is the real 
cause of heaves. Heaves affect the lungs only 
indirectly. Newton’s Remedy drives out intes¬ 
tinal worms and is an excellent stomach and 
bowel conditioner. Book explains fully, free. $1 
per can, at dealers’, or sent direct, prepaid. 
THE NEWTON REMEDY CO., Toledo, Ohio 
» will reduce inf lamed,swollen Joints, 
Bruises, Soft Bunches. Cure Bolls, 
Boll Evil, (Jultor, Fistula or any 
unhealthy sore quickly: pleasant 
to use; does not blister under 
bandage or remove the hair, and 
you can work the horse. 12 per bot¬ 
tle, delivered. Book 7 E free. 
ABSORBINK, JR., liniment for 
mankind. Reduces Painful, Swol¬ 
len Veins, Goitre, Wens, Strains, 
Bruises, stops Pain and Inflamma- 
.tion. Price $1.00 per bottle at deal- 
Jers or delivered. Will tell you more 
/if you write. Manufactured only by 
W.F.Y0UNG, P.D.F., 88 Temple St., Springfield,Mass. 
R. N.-Y.—No doubt Brahma blood was 
used in producing the Columbians. Such 
blood is found in most of the “made” breeds. 
A simple cross of Brahma on “Rocks” would 
be a quite different proposition. 
For Sale-Parks Strain Barred Rock Pullets 
Early April hatches, averaging close to 4 lbs. each 
in weight; with proper care will lay first part of 
October. Price $1.50 each. Detailed information 
upon request. The Mackey Farms, Gilboa, N. Y. 
23 
m nFYn 1S only engine built 
ut,u without packing. You 
can never have blow-outs or leaks. 
Fewer working parts than any other 
engine. The strongest engine built. 
Write for bulletin 12-B and receive a 
handsome watch fob free. 
DEYO-MACEY ENGINE CO. 
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK 
Manufacturers of DEY* POWER SPRAYERS 
THE ENGINE THAT WILL 
GIVE YOU NO TROUBLE 
FOR MENDING HARNESS 
It takes • shoes, tents, awnings, pulley belts, car- 
a wax_ -sat. pets, saddles, suitcases, buggy tops, 
thread, dash boards, or any heavy material, 
feeds Siewabt’ 8 Automatic 
from spool and Awl is the only per- 
does the work of *•—- Sewing 
any harness maker ^ 
machine. It is indis-^^S§gs^^~7/Vvatar?S ; Slbv 
pensablo for farmers. KC 
Agents wanted. Sent prepaid |k 
for $1.25. Sond at once for f 
catalog. STEWART-SKINNFR CO. Jm 
35 Hermon Street, Worcester. Mass. 
TWENTY 
FINK BOSK COMB 
__ RHODK ISLAND RKD 
COCKERELS. March hatched. One Dollar 
each. D. A. PHIL LIPS. Andover, Ohio. 
60 FINKST HUSKY ROSE C. R. I. RKD 
COCKKRKLS, selected from 1100 rango 
grown, at $2.00. Shipments at 0 lbs. made in order 
of remittances re ceived. Gori & Son, Ulster, Pa. 
THE FARMER'S FOWL— Rose Comb Reds, best winter 
I layers on earth. Eggs, $1.00 per 15. Catalogue 
free. THOS. WILDER, Route 1, Richland, N. V. 
Rose Comb Reds-Indian Runner Ducks 
High-class breeders and young stock for show, 
utility and export. May return at my expense if not 
satisfactory. Sinclair Smith, Southold, Suffolk Co., N. Y. 
INDIAN RUNNER DUCKS-f»™,S,o?St 
Price, $1.50 each; $5.00 for three Ducks and a Drake 
K. FRANK!,IN KKAN, Stanle y. N. V. 
0f| EGGS $ 1 . 00 —Leading varieties, 52 breeds. Prize Pou I- 
L\J try, Pigeons, Hares, etc. Booklet free. Large illus¬ 
trated descriptive Catalog 10c. F. G. WILE, Telford, Pa. 
BARRED ROCKS 
WHITE ROCKS, 
PARTRIDGE WYAN- 
DOTTES, PARTRIDGE COCHINS. We have a 
fine lot of youngsters, l’rize-winning strain. 
MINCH BROS., Route 3, Bridgeton, N. J. 
Pfllll TRYMFI\l~ I)on ' tf!,il tosecureStock and 
lUULl n I If I L li Eggs at our reduced prices. 
EAST DONEGAL POULTRY YARDS, Marietta, Pa. 
"YVTE offer for Sale about 250 Pure-bred S.C. 
White Leghorn Yearling' HENS.dre Bneig 
These are some of our best birds and are sold only 
to make room for Pullets. Price from $1.25 to $4.1*0. 
Maple Glen Poultry Farm, Millerton, N. Y. 
SINGLE COMB WHITE LEGHORNS 
Choice lot Yearling Hens, Early Pullets and Cock¬ 
erels; any quantity at attractive prices: bred-to-lay 
kind. SUNNY HILL FARM. Fleminoton, N. J. 
S INGI.K COMB WHITK BKGHORNS— Write 
at once if you wish stock from our ''mammoth 
utility” strain of heaviest layers and tlie most suc¬ 
cessful and probably tlie best known egg farm on 
Bong Island. "Quality” prices not considered— 
quick moving prices are. THORNEHAVEN POUL¬ 
TRY FARM, Shelter Island Heights, N. Y. 
5000 
Single-Combed White Leghorns, Barred 
Plymouth Rocks, Imperial Pekin Ducks, 
Bronze 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. 
MAKE HENS LAYH 
m / > A more eggs; larger, more vigorous chicks; 
Iiit!heavier [owls, by feeding cat bone. 
Ml M IIII9O LATEST MODEL 
HI A HU d BONE CUTTER 
I cuts fast, easy, fine; never clogs. 
K10 Days'Free Trial. No money in advance. Hook free. 
■KF.W.MANN CO., Box 16,MILFORD,MASS.H 
EVERY LOUSY HEN 
is losing real money for you. You can’t 
expect your lice-infested hens to have 
vitality enough left to produce eggs. 
Every egg you DON’T get is so much 
money lost. Bulletin N'o. 33, sent free to 
anyone, tells “ How to Keep Vermin 
Away Permanently,” saving monthly ex- 
f enses for Whitewash, Kerosene, Insect 
owders, Lice Killers, etc. Write us today 
CARB0LINEUM WOOD PRESERVING CO. 
181 Franklin Street. New York City 
THE LEVIN PRUNER 
The best pruner. Cuts J^-inch dry 
branch. Quick, clean, easy cut. We 
will send it post paid for club of two 
new yearly subscriptions at $1 each, 
or for club of 10 ten weeks trials at 10 
cents each. 
The Rural New-Yobker, New Y'ork 
