FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 
55 


dantly, and a cure is certain. As an astringent and preven- 
tive of cholera, I use alum and saltpetre, about two parts of 
the one and one of the other, dissolved in hot water, and 
mix them a feed of bran or oatmeal and bran with the 
water; not too wet. After giving this feed for two or three 
times, and some of the fowls are still mopish, single them 
out and give a large tablespoonful of castor oil to a grown 
chicken. To a large turkey, give from two to four table- 
spoonfuls at a dose. I have seldom to repeat the treatment. 
A friend of mine says, a few drops of tincture of iron on 
the oil is a great benefit; but in the absence of the iron I 
saved some fine Maine turkeys by one dose of oil, when, 
without the knowledge of this cure, I would not have given 
anything for them. 
At a future date I will give my method for treating roup. 
Also the causes, under my observation, of both these diseases. 
Excuse the lengthiness of my letter, as it is one of my 
many faults, 
Tei. 

— wee + 
(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
RUMPLESS FOWLS. 
In the Practical Poultry Keeper, page 170, Mr. Lewis 
Wright thus discusses concerning the Rumpless fowl : 
“ Rumpless fowls are of various colors, the only essential 
characteristic being the absolute want of a tail, or of any 
approach to one. It is, indeed, exceedingly difficult to breed 
_any particular color, as few persons have interest in the 
breed sufficient to persevere long enough for securing uni- 
formity. 
“The handsomest are white; black also look well; but 
speckled are the most common. The size also varies very 
much, ranging from three to seven pounds.”’ 
During the years 1845 to 1850 I resided in Canada, and 
in those years bred the Rumpless fowl, and the farmer living 
adjacent bred them very extensively. With the exception 
of pure white, I found them as varied in plumage as the 
common barnyard fowl, and averaged the same weight. The 
prevailing color of my fowls was that of black-breasted red 
games. Combs rather large and thin; legs usually lead 
color, but occasionally yellow. 
In breeding Rumpless fowls, the black-breasted red is 
what I should strive for in the way of color, and when thus 
bred are pretty fowls. As layers and sitters, I found them 
identical with the barnyard fowls. 
I think their shape commends them for a table fowl. 
Wishing to try the effect of crossing, I put a fine plum- 
aged, rose-combed Dominique cock with five partridge- 
colored single-combed Rumpless hens. From that cross I 
raised twenty-eight chickens. Part of the chickens had 
double combs; all were Dominique in plumage, with a good 
deal of yellow in hackle and saddle, and none showed the 
least approach to a tail 
This fact I have observed, that where Rumpless cocks are 
mated to tailed hens, or vice versa, the progeny is either 
decidedly Rumpless or otherwise in shape, however much 
the plumage may vary; and I cannot, with all my experi- 
ence, call to mind a single fowl whose form appeared to be 
changed by crossing. 
Wright further observes that ‘the eggs, however, are 
very apt to prove sterile,’’ an observation my experience 
does not corroborate. 
vies ele 
WATERTOWN, N. Y., January 7, 1874. 

(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
RUMPLESS FOWLS. 
CARBONDALE, Pa., December 30, 1873. 
Mr. Jos. M. WADE. 
Dear Sir: Noticing in your issue of the Fanciers’ Jour- 
nal and Poultry Exchange of the 8th January, 1874, a letter 
addressed to you by Mr. Allen Carter, of Maine, with regard 
to “ Rumpless Fowl,” I think that I can afford you the in- 
formation you require, having seen that breed of fowl sey- 
eral years past in the Isle of Man, Irish Channel, and from 
their hardy nature, superior laying qualities, tender, plump 
flesh (fully equal to the best English Dorking for the table), 
I consider them on a par with any of the domestic poultry 
in the States, and far surpassing Cochin Chinas, Brahma 
Poutras, or any of the Asiatic breed. The ‘“‘ Rumpy,’’ as it 
is called in its native place, The Isle of Man, is a strong, 
plump-looking bird, with single comb, short legs, handsome 
plumage (minus the tail), especially the cock bird. I be- 
lieve it would well repay you to introduce this breed of fowl, 
that is, if you can procure it pure, for which I presume you 
would have to pay an extra price, as I am aware the breed 
is becoming scarce, and those who possess these birds duly 
appreciate their profitable qualities. In the northern part 
of the island, among some few of the native farmers, I think 
your agents could procure you a few of the genuine breed. 
I have often heard the question asked, but never heard it 
solved, ‘* Why are the fowl, sheep, and cats, natives of this 
island, without tails?’’ It is, however, a fact that they are 
so, and visitors on their return to England generally take 
With them one or two ‘‘ Rumpy Kittens ” as a curiosity. 
Yours, A. CARR. 



tems Huteresting wid Aunsing. 
A RAT-HOLE in a Duluth elevator discharged 600 bushels 
of wheat last month. 
A youna lady at Athol, Mass., has a tame duck which 
follows its mistress about like a dog. It escorts her to church 
on Sunday, and remains outside until the service is over, 
when it escorts her back home. 
PouULTERER’s SuccEss.—Miss Annie Kirk, of Bethel, Pa., 
kept last year (1872) eighty fowls, Cochins and Brahmas, 
from which she cleared $330 net. She fed from seven to ten 
bushels of corn per week to the old fowls and cracked corn 
to the young chickens. 
A Minnesota Trout Ponp.—The trout pond started be- 
low town last spring has become one of the attractive insti- 
tutions of our city. On visiting the pond a few days ago, 
we were informed by the proprietors that they had already 
placed in position for hatching 135,000 eggs, from which 
they expect to save 100,000 at least. Already 15,000 have 
hatched out in forty-five days—about the shortest time on rec- 
ord. It will be remembered that they procured from 1000 
to 2000 breeding trout out of the streams about Lake City 
the past summer, and as soon as the season opens again they 
will endeavor to add as many more. This number of breed- 
ers, together with the young fry which will be coming 
along, will enable them to supply the markets about here in 
a few years; but not until the stock is amply sufficient will 
they attempt it.—Lake City Sentinel. 
