March, 1915 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
i45 
March Poultry Work 
M ARCH is altogether the best month 
in the year for the amateur to be¬ 
gin hatching, whether he be using an in¬ 
cubator or hens, although the third week 
is early enough when the eggs have come 
from the hens of the smaller breeds, like 
the Leghorns and Anconas. In all hatch¬ 
ing, much depends upon the breeding 
stock, and it is better to buy one’s eggs or 
to purchase day-old chicks than to incu¬ 
bate eggs laid by hens which have been 
kept in close confinement all the season. 
The man who lives on a town lot, with 
only a back yard available, can get just as 
many eggs from a flock of good hens as 
the professional poultryman with acres of 
land for his birds to range over, but when 
spring comes the hens will be in no condi¬ 
tion to breed from. The best plan for the 
amateur so situated is to renew his flock 
every season by the purchase of either 
setting eggs or day-old chicks, taking care 
to get them from reliable breeders who 
have their birds on free range much of the 
time. 
It is perfectly feasible for the man who 
seeks only to keep his table supplied with 
fresh eggs the year around to adopt the 
no-yard system, his hens being confined to 
roomy, open-front bouses at all times. Of 
course, there is no reason for keeping a 
male bird then, and the neighbors escape 
what might otherwise be a local nuisance. 
When hatching eggs laid by one’s own 
flock, it is important to remember that 
very much depends upon the male. It is 
necessary that he should be full sized, well 
formed and vigorous. Vitality is the first 
essential in both the male and the hens. 
And heavy-laying pullets cannot be ex¬ 
pected unless the head of the flock came 
from a heavy-laying strain of birds. It is 
considered a good plan to breed a two- 
year-old cock with pullets, or vice versa, 
and often there are two males, which are 
allowed to run with the hens on alternate 
weeks. 
Poultry lice are likely to be much in 
evidence this month, and it is important 
to keep them in subjection. Most active 
hens will keep themselves reasonably free 
from body lice if they have a good dust 
bath, but they are entirely at the mercy of 
the red mites, which suck their blood at 
night and retreat to the under part of the 
perches or to cracks and crevices in the 
walls before daylight comes. The com¬ 
mon practice of poultry keepers is to spray 
or wash the perches and surrounding walls 
with kerosene at frequent intervals, but 
there are preparations on the market 
which are applied with a paint brush, and 
one application of which will keep the red 
mites away for three or four months. 
Usually the roosters need to be dusted 
with insect powder occasionally at breed¬ 
ing time, for they are prone to neglect the 
dust bath, however convenient it may be, 
and often become badly infested. 
W hen only a few chickens are to be 
hatched the amateur is likely to use a set- 
KENNEL DEPARTMENT 
The purpose of this department is to give advice to those interested 
in dogs. The manager will gladly answer any troublesome questions. 
Address "Kennel Department” and enclose a self-addressed envelope. 
1 1 " THE 
Midkiff Kennels 
W. T. PAYNE, Owner 
For the past twenty-eight years we have been the 
largest breeder and exhibitor of Cocker Spaniels. 
During that time we have won more prizes than 
any other exhibitor in the United States or Canada. 
Our entire breeding stock including both stud dogs 
and matrons are the very best obtainable. 
Our dogs are all farm raised insuring strong con¬ 
stitutions and rugged health, and the development 
of their intelligence and house manners receives the 
same careful attention as the maintenance of their 
health. 
We always have a large number on hand, both 
sexes, all ages and in all the various standard colors 
for sale 
Also several broken and unbroken. Pointers, 
Setters and Irish Water Spaniels. 
For full particulars , description and price *, address 
THE MIDKIFF KENNELS. Dallas, Penna. 
EQUAL PARTNERS 
Is the relationship existing between the 
child and his pet. They share each 
day's Joys and sorrows on an equal basis, 
and the welfare of one Is the welfare of 
the other. Put your child In partnership 
with the Ideal pet—one of our Persian 
Kittens. 
BLACK SHORT HAIRED CATTERY 
Kennels: Hasbrouck Heights, N. J 
Address all communications to 
N. Y. Office: 112 O Carnegie Hall 
Telephone 3691 Columbus 
American Kennels 
Most up-to-date, largest establishment of its 
kind. St. Bernards, Great Danes, Jumbo 
Black Newfoundlands, $15 up; English Bulls, 
grown and puppies, also Bitches in whelp, 
Boston Terriers, French Bulls, $15 up; Scotch 
Collies all ages, $7.50 up- Irish Terriers, 
Airedales, $15 up; white Esquimouxs, $15 
up; Toy Fox Terriers, $5 up; Bull Terriers, $10 
up; Toy white silk Poodles, the real small 
kind, from 3-pound parents, smallest ob¬ 
tainable, $i5, all pedigreed stock; Toy Pom¬ 
eranians and Pekingese Spaniels, grown and 
puppies, $20 up. Everything for the dog. 
State wants. We ship anywhere. 233 Third Ave. New York City. 
SAFETY FIRST 
fT 1 A Police Dog insures your children’s 
safety, your house and property, and 
reduces the high cost of insuring your 
property from burglars, tramps, etc. 
WlJb The “German Shepherd Dog” is your 
best friend and companion. He does 
anything that any other dog can do, 
and then beats the other dog. His in- 
telligence is of the highest order, 
r -therefore, he will learn readily and obey 
^ implicitly his master’s slightest order. 
H A Police Dog is not a big brute; his 
;■ jjgill /, r wolfish looks do not prevent him from 
yC ■ . 1-, : being the most gentle and affectionate 
protector. 
x, i We specialize in breeding and training 
stra insof the “German Shepherd,’’who 
are known to be perfect in character. 
^ Ask us about him. 
TRAINING SCHOOL FOR POLICE DOGS 
’Phone. 
East killingly, near Danielson, Conn. 
The first ami only organization of its knnl 
Airedale Terriers 
From the greatest living sires 
Ch. Soudan Swiveller, Ch. King Oorang and Gold 
Heels. Farm-raised, very keen, alert and full of 
vigor, with true terrier characteristics. Prices reason¬ 
able. Shipped on approval to responsible parties. 
THOMAS K. BRAY. 232 Clark Street, Westfield, New Jersey 
Phone 424 M Westfield 
AIREDALE TERRIERS 
If y° u want a real pal, guard, or 
companion for your children get an 
Airedale. I usually have husky, 
country raised puppies and grown 
terriers for sale at $20.00 and up- 
HENRY H. TAYLOR, Neshonshon Farm Kennels, R. F. D. 52 , Bridgeport, Conn. 
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ATTRACTIVE TOURS 
to the SUNNY SOUTH 
NEW YORK to OLD POINT COM¬ 
FORT, NORFOLK and RICHMOND 
Special 4-Day All-Water Tour 
888 miles of *4 Q Including all 
all-water expenses afloat 
travel. and ashore. 
Convenient connections to and from Southern 
Resorts, with wide choice of “Circle Tours.’ 
Every week day at 3 p. m., from 
Pier 23, N. R., New York 
Send for illustrated Pamphlet No. 41 . 
J. J. Brown, Gen’l Passenger Agent 
W. L. Woodrow, 
Traffic Manager 
4®**- -rtf* 
In writing to advertisers please mention House & Garden. 
