Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1890 — THE POULTRY-YARD. [ARTICLE]

THE POULTRY-YARD.

Poultry In Orchards. In several localities observations have been made of orchards in which poultry have been yarded, and the conclusion is that fruit-growing and poultry-raising are joint occupations. A cherry tree in a poultry-yard that has yielded no fruit for years, the American Poultry Journal says, was this season literally loaded down with fruit, and of such quality and freedom from Injury as to surprise the owner. No insects seemed to have appeared, and the tree also gave signs of renewed vigor and health. Nor is this applicable to cherry trees alone, but to other kinds of fruit. The fowls did not roam over extended areas, but were kept in a yard of limited dimensions, which compelled them to busy themselves in the earth near the tree, their presence apparently preventing the depredations of insects. But how the fowls managed to keep off the insects that fly from point to point can only be accounted for by supposing that iustinct prompts the parents not to deposit eggs on trees that are within the limits of danger. The visits of insects are for the purpose of propagation, and nature has ordained that they use caution in order to’protect their young, which often descend to the earth. This is a theory, but it is a fact that poultry are a protection to orchards, whatever the cause. Feeding NhellH for Lime. As the hens will not eat oyster shells when ground as fine as meal, and prefer the large, coarse pieces, it Is doubtful, says an exchange, if oyster shells assist in supplying lime for the egg shells, and are rather eaten because of being sharp and assisting to grind their food in the gizzard. Oyster shells are as Insoluble as limestone, or any other carbonate of lime, and cannot therefore be utilized as food. If lime Is to be given to fowls it can best be done in the drinking water, as the freshly burned lime (hydrate, when slaked) is the best form for the purpose. The lime of the egg shell can be secured from the food very easHy if the hens are supplied with plenty of grass and a variety of food. The grains are deficient in limo, and when the hens are confined and fed entirely on grain, the eggs will have soft shells, no matter how well the hens may bo supplied with pounded oyster shells. In some sections of the country, oyster shells are seldom seen, yet there is no difficulty in regard to the hardness of the egg shells. Tho oyster shells promote digestion, by assisting to grind the food, and in that respect are very serviceable, and aid in promoting tho secretion of Hine for tho shells of the eggs.— Farm, Field and Stockman. »