1912. 
THE RURAX> NEVV'.YORKER 
1193 
The Henyard. 
THE EGG-LAYING CONTEST. 
The first international egg-laying con¬ 
test closed Thursday, October 31, and the 
second contest began November 1. The 
first contest has been a great success from 
every point of view ; it has stimulated an 
interest not only in poultry-keeping itself, 
but among poultrymen an Interest in keep¬ 
ing better laying fowls, and it has demon¬ 
strated the fact that with proper care the 
tenderest breeds can be kept in this severe 
and changeable New England climate in 
open-front houses, night 'and day, with 
too few birds in a house for their body 
heat to affect the temperature of the house. 
The fact that only 17 birds have died iu a 
year, less than 3.5 per cent, shows the ex¬ 
ceeding healthfulness of plenty of fresh 
air, as well as the splendid care and 
proper feeding which the fowls had. In 
the old times the estimated death rate 
was 10 per cent. This contest has also 
proven that there are some families or 
strains in nearly every breed which are 
much better layers than others of the same 
breed, so it is not wise for a man to con¬ 
demn a breed simply because the birds he 
has are not good producers. I have known 
of men who would not keep Rhode Island 
Reds because they were such poor layers; 
and other men who would not keep any 
other kind because the Reds were such 
extra good layers, and each was speaking 
from personal experience. 
F. G. Yost of Pennsylvania wins the con¬ 
test, his White Leghorns having laid the 
greatest number of eggs during the year, 
viz., 1.071. This is an average of 214.2 
eggs for each bird in the pen. Mr. Yost 
wins a silver cup valued at $100, donated 
by the Philadelphia North American, a 
silver cup of the same value, donated by 
the American Poultry Journal of Chicago, 
cash $50 from the competition fund, a 
Buckeye incubator, a non-freezing drinking 
fountain, and a silver cup donated by the 
Taylor Instrument Co., not to mention sev¬ 
eral thousand dollars’ worth of free ad¬ 
vertising. 
The Canadian White Wyandottes of 
Beulah Farm, Ontario, tried hard to over¬ 
take and pass the leaders; in the last few 
weeks of the contest every one of the 
Wyandottes was laying, while some of the 
White Leghorns had stopped and were 
molting. They nearly succeeded, cutting 
down the lead of the White Leghorns until 
at the close there was a difference of ouly 
two eggs. 
The total scores for the year are as 
follows: 
F. G. Yost, White Leghorns. 1,071 
Beulah Farm, White Wyandottes.... 1,009 
Marwood Farm, White Leghorns.... 1,042 
Thomas Barron, White Leghorns. . . . 982 
Toms Poultry Farm, White Leghorns. 973 
Frederick Peasley, White Leghorns.. 970 
Cullencross Farm, White Leghorns. . 970 
Susie Abbott, White Leghorns. 942 
White Rose Farm, White Leghorns.. 918 
George II. Schmidt, Buff Leghorns.. 947 
A. P. Ilillhouse, Brown Leghorns... 907 
H. P. Doming, S. C. R. I. Reds. 930 
Mrs. Harris Lehman, S. C. R. I. Reds. 903 
W. B. Candee, White Wyandottes.. 955 
R. J. Walden, Barred Rocks. 925 
Hans Lobert, White P. Rocks. 901 
Individual scores cannot be accurately 
told because of the number of eggs that are 
laid in the litter, or at night on the 
droppings boards ; only those found in the 
nest with the hen can be recorded. Iu 
some pens from 30 to 50 eggs have been 
found in the litter or outside the trap 
nests. Of course it is impossible to tell 
which of the five hens in the pen should 
be credited with these eggs. But so far as 
the record shows, the S. C. Rhode Island 
Red pullet No. 4. entered by Mrs. Harris 
Lehman of Kentucky, laid 254 eggs, being 
the highest individual score. If Mrs. Leh¬ 
man will mate this pullet to its sire, thus 
intensifying its qualities, the cockerels bred 
from that mating ought to be worth big 
money for breeders for foundation stock. 
The laying of the English pen of White 
Leghorns deserves special mention; they 
were put out of the race by the death of 
two of their number, but until then and 
for some time after they led all the pens 
in total number of eggs laid. Mr. Barron 
has entered another pen in this second 
contest, and it is to be hoped that they 
will have a fair chance this time. Most 
of us want to see American birds win; 
but we want them to win fairly and on 
their actual performance, or not at all. 
GEO. A. COSGROVE. 
GUINEAS AND GEESE. 
I always knew that Guineas would take 
care of themselves and roam over the 
plantation. Ours used to make nests, lay, 
hatch and come. up to the barn to pick 
up grain, fatten and be ready for the 
table any month of the year. They lay 
more eggs between sittings than any other 
domestic fowl in existence. Guinea eggs 
keep better and carry more safely than 
hen eggs on account of the shells being 
so hard. The breast feathers are thick 
and fine. There is very little quill; they 
are as Huffy and soft as the down of the 
wild daek or goose. All this I knew on 
the old cotton plantation in my early life. 
But I did not know that a farm in the 
Middle West could be stocked with Guineas 
and geese at largo profit, where there were 
no sheds, roosts or houses convenient, and 
no time from clearing up new ground and 
building the home the first year to build 
chicken houses and sheds. The farm was 
heavily timbered. About one-third of 160 
acres was cleared and the house, barn and 
cistern built, with other conveniences. The 
elderly lady of the house had been a 
pioneer settler in another part of the 
world and it was by her advice that her 
son and daughter bought 30 Guineas and 
20 geese, and turned them loose. 
There was a broad stream of deep water 
for the geese and plenty of green grass and 
herbage. There was wide range for the 
Guineas. The first day they were turned 
out, both Guineas and geese were fed 
under a large tree in the grove back of the 
house. About sunset they came back and 
were fed again. Planks and strips were 
tilted against the largest tree and the 
Guineas went up to roost. The geese 
squatted around on the grassy ground of 
the grove. Regularly, night and morning, 
grain, cracked corn and kitchen leavings 
were. scattered in straw all around the 
roosting place, so the Guineas and geese 
kept tame. Guineas make a loud “pot 
rack” or cackle when they lay. They in¬ 
variably run some distance from the nest 
and then call their “pot rack !”' The trail 
through the grass and weeds is easy to find 
to the nest. When the nests were full, a 
long-handled spoon was used to take out 
the eggs, one by one, leaving a few in 
every nest. If allowed. Guineas will sit on 
more eggs than they can cover, but when 
sitting time comes, 15 eggs make a sitting. 
Geese make their own nests not far from 
the water, and there is no need to disturb 
their eggs, as they lay just so many and 
no more to sit. As wild as Guineas are, 
they take good care of their young, and no 
younglings of the poultry yard understand 
self-preservation like young Guineas. They 
are the fleetest little things that ever run 
through the grass and hide behind weeds, 
dead leaves, or flatten themselves to the 
ground. Guineas and geese both have a 
natural way of defending themselves from 
wild animals or vermin of any kind. It is 
by their remarkable wakefulness and the 
terrific clatter they make. Rome was saved 
by the quacking of geese when the guards 
slept. I know a ranchman out West that 
had a turkey ranch. He slept under a 
tent, with loaded gun and a watchdog, to 
protect the turkeys from coyotes, till he 
happened to get a flock of Guineas, turned 
loose with the turkeys. After that the 
coyotes made themselves scarce. The 
Guineas scented them any hour of the 
night, and before a coyote could enter 
the turkey lot, began their din and clamor. 
They are as good as watchdogs to protect 
themselves and other poultry. Guinea meat 
is dark, but sweet and tefider. Young 
geese make as good eating as turkey, but 
all old geese should be kept for propagating 
young and for their feathers, as their flesh 
is tough. The Jewish families buy geese 
in preference to turkeys, and the Jews are 
liberal patrons of the market. Guineas 
and geese have the proverbial good health 
of wild fowls beyond any other domestic 
poultry. Guineas lay 50, 60 and frequently 
more eggs before they sit. It takes three 
Guinea eggs in cookery* to balance two 
hen eggs. g. t. d. 
Mobile, Ala. 
Indian Runner Ducks. 
Indian Runner ducks have been greatly 
boomed in recent years as layers, but opin¬ 
ions as to their superiority over Pekins in 
that respect are as yet far‘from unanimous. 
At the Skinner Poultry Farm in Chenango 
Co., N. Y., from 400 to 500 Pekins were 
kept as layers, and averaged from 130 to 150 
eggs each per year over a series of some 
10 or 12 years. In their opinion, Indian 
Runners will do no better in equally large 
flocks. As to the profitableness of duck 
raising compared with hens, it is difficult 
to make a fair comparison. The two lines 
of poultry culture are entirely distinct, and 
no one should think of going into duck 
raising on a large scale until he has had 
an opportunity to learn this branch of the 
business by observation and experience on 
a successful plant. To a man without 
special training in the work the chances 
of success are, in my opinion, greater with 
hens than with ducks. m. b. d. 
Sprouting Oats. 
We think our method of sprouting oats 
more convenient than those outlined iu 
The R. N.-Y. Quantities given were suf¬ 
ficient for 20 hens last Winter; this year 
we shall double the recipe for 45 hens. 
Place four quarts dry oats in six-quart 
pail, fill with warm water, cover, and set 
behind the stove for 12 or 18 hours. Drain 
by holding the cover in place (it should 
fit closely enough to retain the oats) and 
inverting the pail. When drained place 
behind stove again, keeping covered to 
prevent oats drying out. In two or three 
days the oats will fill the pail and begin 
to mat together. While it is yet possible 
to pull them apart, take the oats into the 
cellar and transfer to a tub, mortar box 
or anything that will hold oats. Keep 
them damp, by moistening with warm 
water, shaking well each day and turning, 
so they do not become matted. Begin to 
feed when the thick leaf sprout is about 
one-half inch long, using 1% to two quarts 
at noon. This plan was satisfactory in an 
unheated cellar, temperature 48 degrees in 
cold weather. a. g. m. 
Ohio. 
Ailing Cockerel. 
A short time ago I noticed that a cock¬ 
erel in my flock of chickens seemed to have 
a very bad cold, and when lie tried to 
crow he could scarcely make a sound. 
Later he acted droopy at times, and finally 
I decided to kill him. I did so and discov¬ 
ered that there was a large sac in his 
chest. The sac was located just over the 
crop, but not connected with it. Upon ex¬ 
amination this sac was found to be filled 
with a greenish liquid and a greenish jelly- 
like substance. In all there must have 
been nearly a small cupful. I have looked 
in two or three poultry books, but don’t 
find any disease that fills this description, 
and I write in the hope that you may be 
able to enlighten me as to what ailed my 
bird. h. e. b. 
Pennsylvania. 
Your cockerel was probably suffering from 
bronchitis, due either to exposure, to the 
inhalation of irritating dust or vapor, to 
contagious catarrh or roup, to tuberculosis, 
to the presence of gape worms, or that of 
a parasitic fungus known as the aspergillus. 
Bronchitis from some of these causes, such 
as roup, is contagious; if due to any of 
the non-contagious causes mentioned, its 
presence in other members of the flock may 
be ascribed to their exposure to similar 
conditions. The lungs of fowls have this 
peculiarity, that they connect directly by 
extension of the bronchial tubes to nine 
large air sacs contained within the body, 
and forming part of the respiratory appa¬ 
ratus. Inflammation of the mucous lining 
of the bronchial tubes may extend to that 
of these air sacs and cause an exudation 
of fluid such as you found upon your post¬ 
mortem examination. The remedy for this 
condition is, obviously, to ascertain the 
cause of the bronchitis in any given case, 
and remove it. m. b. d. 
Six Rhode Isi.axd Reds. —I put six It. 
C. Rhode Island Reds in a coop 20 inches 
high and three by nine rent on the 1st 
of November, 1911. At that time one 
pullet was laying, and by the middle of 
the month all were laying. By the 1st of 
February they had laid 335 eggs, and by 
the 1st of April had increased that number 
to 552 eggs. I then took out one pullet, 
as they were too crowded. For the next 
seven months they laid 717 eggs, and dur¬ 
ing all this time they were confined in the 
same coop. During the first three months 
the eggs were worth 45 cons per dozen, 
the next three, 30. and in the Summer 
from 23 to 35 cents. I used about 300 
eggs for setting. From these I got 150 
pullets and am getting four and five eggs 
a day. I have sold 83 young chickens, 
amounting to $58.41. I have 12 roosters 
on hand and have gathered to date 150 
pullets’ eggs. They laid their first eggs 
on he 17th of August. I would not take 
$300 for the pullets. I merely give you 
the facts, you can figure as you think 
best, but I can see no chance of any cows 
earning more profit than those five pullets. 
Fairport, N. Y. h. f. c. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
II. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
START A CENTRAL 
CUSTOM HATCHERY 
FOUR COMPARTMENT, 1,200 EGG SIZE CANDEE 
A CUSTOM HATCHERY is just as necessary 
as a creamery or grist mill. The only 
equipment needed is a clean cellar and a 
CANDEE SECTIONAL INCUBATOR 
A man or woman can run it and make good 
money. Write for our free Custom Hatching 
Booklet, which explains it all. 
Candee Incubator and Brooder Co. 
Dept. 27 Eastwood, N. Y. 
For a short lime only, we are offering 
a full three months’ subscription to 
KIMBALL’S 
DAIRY FARMER 
(or the small sum of ten cents, stamps or coin. 
Think of it I Six big issues of the BEST dairy paper 
in the country. 20U pages of live dairy literature by 
prominent authorities. Van Pelt, the cow judge and 
dairy authority, writes exclusively for KIMBALL’S 
Kimbail's Dairy Farmer is the leading dairy publica¬ 
tion. It is r ad by 100,000 dairymen. It will keep 
youright up to the minute in your profession. Better 
than a book, because always up to date. It comes 
every fifteen days. You don't get tired of Kimball's 
Dairy Farmer. 
Send 10c in Stamps or Coin To-day 
KIMBALL’S DAIRY FARMER 
Box A Waterloo, Iowa 
DeArmon Automatic 
TRAP NEST 
Make Your Own Trap Nests 
Fnr $1 00 wi " mai ' von 
ror »i.uu b , ue )irtnt 
drawings and full instruc¬ 
tions for making an abso¬ 
lutely reliable Trap Nest, 
that is both cheap and sim¬ 
ple. Geo. W. DeArmon, 911 
W .Superior Ave., Dayton,!). 
The S.G. BUFF ORPINGTONS 
thnt I entered in the 
EGG CONTEST 
at Storrs win FIRST PLAGE 
for they breed with an average of 172 eggs and 
are mated in a special pen for the season. All 
but 45 eggs from this pen for sale. 
O. WILSON, N. Carlisle, W. Va. 
I IGHT BRAHMAS— April Pullets and Cockerels. Yearl- 
•- ing trio $5.00. Splendid, Northern-bred, farm- 
raised; bargains. H. P. COPELAND, Canton, N. Y. 
DARRED ROCK COCKERELS and Indian Runner Ducks at 
D Farmers' prices. Write G. F, Williamson, Flanders, N. J. 
Prevent Roup 
colds, catarrh and similar ailments" 
from ruining your Hook. 
Roup Cure 
prevents and cures. Use it. Keep 
your birds well and productive. 
25c, 50c, $1. 
“Your money back if it fails.*' 
Get Pratts Profit-sharing Booklet 
At dealers everywhere, or 
... PRATT FOOD CO. 
.•Philadelphia, Chicago 
160-page 
Poultry Book 
4c by mail. 
EVERY LOUSY HEN 
is losing real money for you. Every egg you don’t 
get is SO much money lost. Hop that liaik ! Hens 
tormented with lice can't be expected to lay eggs. 
You can keep them free of lice with one application 
a year, and Circular 01 tells you how. Sent Free. 
■Write ns today. 
CARBOLINEUM WOOD PRESERVING CO. 
181 Franklin Stroet New York 
MAKE HENS LAY 
By feeding raw bone. Its egg-producing value Is four 
times that of grain. Eggs more fertile, chicks moro 
vigorous, broilers earlier, fowls heavier i — 
profits larger. 
MANN’S l m£d!I Bone Gutter 
Cute all bone with adhering meat and 
gristle. Never clogs. 10 Days' Free Trial. 
No money In advance. 
Send Today for Free Book. 
V. W. Mann Co., Box 15, Milford, MassJ 
MacKellar’s Charcoal 
For Poultry is best. Coarse or fine granulated, also 
powdered. Buy direct from largest manufacturers ol 
Charcoal Products. Aslc for prices and samples. Est. 1844 
R. MacKELLAR’S SONS CO., Peekskill. N. Y. 
BONNIE BRAE POULTRY FARM 
—“NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y. 
Breeders and shippers for 20 years 
of hig-h-class S. C. W. LEGHORNS 
and BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS. 
BABY CHICKS AND HATCHING EGGS 
OUR SPECIALTY pf pf pf 
■ ■ ■ -" CORRESPONDENCE INVITED — ■ 8 
EARLY PULLETS HENS 
Leghorns, Wyandottes, Rocks and P. Cochins 
MAPLE COVE POULTRY FARM - R. 0. 24 - ATHEMS, PA 
Pullets and Yearlings For Sale 
500 April and May Single Comb White Leghorn Pul¬ 
lets. 700 selected yearlings. Every bird guaranteed 
purebred, healthy and vigorous. 
SUNNY HILL FARM Flemington, N. J. 
S. C. W. LEGHORNS 
Annual Sale of Selected Yearling Breeders. 
HENS AND COCKS, $1 EACH. 
Mt. Pleasant Poultry Farm, Havre de Grace, Md. 
"IK Selected S. C. W. Leghorn Cockerels 
* ** and ICO Clioice Breeding Hens, one and 
two years old. One of the best laying strains in 
existence. Large white eggs and large white birds. 
J. M. CASE, - - Gilboa, N. Y. 
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. 
S. C. W. LEGHORNS 
Choice April hatched Cockerels for breeders. I red 
for vigor. Beared on free range. Write for prices 
WHITE & RICE. Yorktunn, N. Y. 
—Send 2c stamp for Illustrated 
Catalog describing 35 varieties. 
RY YARDS MARIETTA, PA. 
POULTRYMEN 
EAST DONEGAL POULTl 
White 
African Guineas~^ it,ier ? ex r2each - 
W. WILBUR 
Eggs 
WALLACE, 
in season. 
Sigel. Pa. 
R, I. Reds, Houdans, Indian funner Ducks 
High-class stock for UTILITY, SHOW or EX¬ 
PORT. Eggs for hatching. Mating list on request. 
SINCLAIR SMITH. Southold. Suffolk Co., N. Y. 
BUFF PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
Have a few choice specimens in Cockerels and Pul¬ 
lets to spare. The best I ever ral-ed. 
THE FOUR ACRES - Nutley, N. J. 
WHITE EMDEIM GEESE 
MAPLE COVE FARM, R. D„ 24, Athens. Pa. 
Hone's Crescent Strain of R ose CombReds 
are bred for profit and pleasure. High-class breeding 
birds bred front tested layers. Can also furnish exit! 
bition birds for any show. Every bird sold on ap¬ 
proval. D. R. Hone, Crescent Hill Farm, Sharon Springs, N.Y 
Purebred Poultry, Light Brahmas 
White and Barred. Plymouth Rocks. No common 
birds. In trios or more- J. A. ROBERTS, Malvern, Fa 
Rose Comb Rhode Island Red Hens 
One year old. Good utility stock. $2.00 each. No. 1 
Baldwin Apples, wrapped in paper, $2.00 per box. 
Green Hubbard Squash $2.00 perbbl. WESTWOOD 
FARM, A. K. Heath, Mgr., Mt. Kisco, N. Y. 
S. C. Black Orpingtons 
Prices reasonable. E. VI. SLATE, So. Hammond, N. Y 
Prize Winning 
wards. White Leghorns. Brown Leghorns, Rhodo 
Island Reds, Barted Rocks, White Wyandottes, 
Light and Dark Brahmas. Catalog gratis. 
F. M. PRESCOTT . Riverdale, N. J. 
200 S. C. W. Leghorn Yearlings cheaper 
taken at once. F. B. GARNSEY, Clayton, N. Y. 
Qfin THOIIOUGHBR El) S. C. W. LEG- 
000 HORN PULLETS —Also a few choice April 
Cockerels. Write to JOHN L0RT0N LEE, Carmel. New York 
Purebred White Holland Turkeys 
from prizewinners. MRS. E. J. RIDER, Rodman, N. Y. 
