Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1892 — THE POULTRY-YARD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE POULTRY-YARD.

The Poulterer** Friend. Among the many enemies with which the poultryman has to contend none are so subtle as the parasites which suck away the life-blood of his flock, depriving them first of graceful motion, then of glossy plumage, growth, activity, and finally of existence itself if they be not removed. No flock is exempt from their attacks, however well-bred and handsomely housed it may be. and whether owned by laborer or lord. These insect foes are no respecter of persons and will creep in apd multiply in unlooked-for ways. Worst of all, the amateur seldom knows what causes his flock to droop, and administers drugs and condition powders withouteffect. The old poultry-keeper notes the first symptoms; in fact is likely to attribute any difficulty among his birds to these insidious pests, and to get out the lard and kerosene with which to rub the heads and under the wings of his charges. But the owner of several hundred birds dreads the task and, although knowing well Its importance, is prone to put it off, believing himself unable to spare the time required to catch and anoint every individual in the yards. Not infrequently it is a process of several days, during which time other things must wait and suffer. Anything to hasten the work he should regard with interest It was with just this object in view that the simple footpower contrivance shown was invented. By its use and the aid of two attendants a hundred fowls of any age may be thoroughly “doctored” in a few minutes. It is light and portable, and may be carried from one roosting room to another, over all the

premises in one short evening. The machine may be quickly constructed by any person at all accustomed to the use of tools A carpenter's horse is the first requisite, to which two pieces of four-inch board four feet long are nailed. Next a disc of wood eighteen inches in diameter is made with a grooved edge, and after being centered is attached to the horse. Then two other discs three and a half inches in diameter are made, one having a grooved edge, lhese are centered on a wooden shaft long enough to allow them to play either side of the upright boards, in which notches are cut for the shaft to run. A belt connects the large and small

grooved wheel and a simple treadle turns the large one. In the flat edge of the small wheel numerous gimlet holes are bored the size of a lead pencil, in which bristles are inserted. These are held in place by melted sulphur or hard tar, as 1 tyave seenmany larger flat brushes made for common work. The bristles must be inserted into the wood an inch and project at least two inches to be soft enough to spare the skin of the birds. A small pail of lard, scented with and thinned with cottonseed oil, is suspended just above the whirling brush, and drops its contents slowly upon it through an orifice near the bottom, the stream being regulated by a spike.—Hollister Sage, in American Agriculturist.

MACHINE FOR GREASING POULTRY.