Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1891 — THE POULTRY-YARD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE POULTRY-YARD.

An Egg Machine. Fowls are not a specialty on my farm. I seldom keep over thirty or forty and a mixed lot at that, but I have eggs the year round in abundance, even when they bring 45c a dozen. My success I attribute to two causes: First, I never shut them up, having my garden well away from tho barns and the front and side yard for flowers welj picketod, and second, the “egg maehino” is what does tho rest. The fowls being always in a healthy, natural condition, the result of freedom, they only need food and protection from tho inclemencies of the weather to .do well. Green and animal food they find in abundance during eight months of the year and the remainder of the time I furnish it to them as Ido grain the year around. Tho protection or egg machine is merely a tight shed with doors on tho south side so It can bo entirely or partly opened. It is 10x20 feet, attached to tho west side of one of my barns and only part

of it is high enough for a man to stand erect in. During snows and cold rains tho doors aro kept closed. All wet and snow are thus excluded. During cold, raw winds and the prevalence of warm rains I instruct the boys to throw open both doors and brace thorn back. Hero the hens can sing and wallow in tho dust. Tho sun can pour in Its rays and tho winds do not ruffle tho plumage and tempers of my pets and like a gently-handled cow they reward mo. I have found glass altogether unnecessary and do not believe It to bo needed any more than a stove. Sometimes a cart, wagon or mowing-machine finds temporary shelter hero, but I make it a rule to give the fowls the solo ownership. Sweepings from the adjacout barn floor are thrown in occasionally and the dust is so deep that tho whole grain fed mornings has to be sought for vigorously until nearly noon, and the exorcise is, I don’t doubt, a factor In the production of eggs. Once yearly the floor (earth) is hood over and all the accumulations taken to the corn field. Here is whero I get another profit. Tho droppings are in fine shape for use in the drill or planter, never being matted together. Tho dust does not only keep the lien manure disintegrated, but also absorbs the ammonia which in most hen-houses goes to waste. Properly saved and used no manure is bettor or goes further.— A. V. West, In Farm and Home. Cater to the I’uOllc. When poultry is raised for market, the poultrymau can learn much in a short time by inspecting the market stalls. The object should be to learn just what the buyers demand, and then aim to supply them. It will be found that all markets arc not alike, and that a close observation on the different markets, and also on the demauds of the consumers, as well as the seasons when certain kinds of poultry are preferred, will give the farmer or poultryman an advantage which will enable him to cure not only better prices, but bow to breed for the best results in selling poultry. It is the buyer who is to be satisfied, as ho fixes the price according to the quality and his desires. If yellow legs on poultry are preferred in certain markets, and the buyers arc willing to pay something extra for such, it is to the interest of the farmer to raise fowls with yellow legs. The best breed for his purpose is that which he finds will give the buyers the'greatest satisfaction, and in so regulating his breeding he is not liable to err.