Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 305, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1918 — Page 2

A Bird in the Hand

(Special Information Service, United States Department of Agriculture.) HOW CULLING PAYS POULTRY KEEPER. .

A Few Properly Selected Hens Will Produce as Many Eggs at Less Cost Than a Greater Number Not Culled.

REDUCING FEED BILL OF FLOCK

■Results of Some Culling Demonstrations Held by Several County Agents SELL UNPROFITABLE FOWLS . ■ Poultry Keepers Are Urged to Dispose of All Nonlaying Hens—Farmers Save Money by Selling on Co-Operative Plan. The advantage of culling the poultry flock —eliminating the unprofitable layers—is shown by a number of reports being received by the United States department of agriculture from county agents who have conducted culling demonstrations. In many instances the culled birds were retained and fed for a few weeks in order to demonstrate to the farmers the advantage of proper culling. “Culling drives” by county agents were conducted by poultry raisers In many localities. In one community in Missouri the nonproducers in more than 300 farm flocks were taken out in one day and sent to market. In making a, report to the department of agriculture on the culling work in Missouri, H. E. Cosby, state extension poultry husbandman, says: Saving in Grain. “Miss Nellie McGhee, emergency home demonstration agent of Green county,' together with County Agent E. A. Cockefein, report that 16,607 birds were culled .put of 40,169 —about 40 per cent. These 16,607 were sold, making a.saving in grain in the form of $9,640.80.” The interest on the money received for the sale of the culls would bring the total saving to ■ alwut SIO,OOO. Mr. Cosby further says: “To show the efficiency and .accuracy of local leaders the following will suffice: From one flock of 75 chickwas laid in the. culled pen in four days. From another flock of 200 chickens, 60 wfere culled. The pen of culls produced only two eggs in three days. Flfty.-two birds were culled from a flock of 58 hens, leaving only, S ‘T Rood ones. In four days only one egg was laid in the pen of 52 culls.” One county agent reports on two flocks. There w’ere 142 hens ip the first flock, 105 of which were selected to make up the winter pen of layers, while 37 were put in the cull pen and fed the same ration as the others for two weeks. During this period the hens that were selected for whiter layers laid 620 eggs, or an average of about 6 eggs each, while 15 *ggs wereproduced in the other pen; less than one egg for every two hens. In the second flbck then) were 92 hens, 67 of which were retained and 25 put in the culled clasp. In one week the 67 good birds produced 137 eggs, while in the pen of 25 discarded hens only eight were produced.

. Co-Operative Marketing. A ‘*cull the flock” campaign was held In nine Mississippi counties this fall, and a» a result 10,792 birds weighing 25,900 pounds were marketed. These birds came from 1,349 flocks. If they had been retained throughout the winter, they would have been fed at a loss. Through the help of county agents these birds were sqld by a cooperative plan and brought $5,698. If they had been sold by the Indiyiddal owners they would have brought $4,144, the extension poultry hnsbandman estimates. The co-operative selling plan thus saved the farmers $1,554. Culling the FleckWith feed in price and In many cases difficult to get, it is of greatest importance to cull the poultry flock; Chilling serves two purposes: First, it Imnires that the feed will be consumed by the batter-producing hens, thereby lucreaalne the profit Second, it makes it .to save those best suited for brewers, bbth on ucovrtof their and on account of

their superior strength and vitality, (qualities so essential to layers if they are to stand up under the severe strain of heavy laying. Under war conditions It is imperative that the poor producers be weeded- out; the slacker hen {gust go. Reding out the poor hens gives those rest more room and a better chance. Where trap nesting is practiced, culling is a comparatively simple process. Culling should be continuous throughout the year. This continuous culling should consist of weeding out, when discovered, any hen which is sick, which is very thin or emaciated, or which shows evidences of nonproduction, weakness, or poor vitality. The whole flock should also be giveh a *careful and systematic culling at some one time. The hens should be handled individually and gone over carefully with the object pf.dlvidlng them into two lots, one the better producers and the other the poorer producers. From the better producers it is also desirable to pick out as many of the best as will be needed for breeders. Band or otherwise mark theSe hens so that eggs from them only will be saved for hatching. Market those selected as the/poor producers. Save for laying and breeding those selected as the better producers. When a single systematic culling is made, the best time to do this is in August or September. At this time it is easier to form a fairly close estimate of the relative value of a hen as an egg producer, and to weed out the Hens which show indications of laying at this time are those which on the average have been better producers for the yeaF.-It jmisl be remembered, too, that the bettei producers during the. first laying yeai < are those which will be the better producers in subsequent years. Hens showing indications of having been good producers throughout the year should be retained for the next year regardless of their age, but relatively few hens will prove to be profitable producers beyond their second laying year if of the , heavier breeds, such as the Plymouth .Rock, Rhode Island Red; Wyandotte, dr Orpington, or beyond their third laying yfear if of the lighter breeds such as the Leghorn. Additional culling during July is also de, sirable in order /to eliminate hens which have started to molt and -have stopped laying.

. In going over the entire flock for the purpose of culling ‘ there are a number of points or characteristics which should be giverT special attention in selecting the layers from the nonlayers. Where the different characteristics, or several of them in the case of any individual, agree as indicating good production or poor production, selection is comparatively accurate. Where they do not agree, judgment must be used in deciding which should be . given the greatest weight. The following are the main points to consider: Sickness and lack of vigor are usually indicated by listlessness, inactivity, tendency to stay on or under the roost during the day, poor appetite, dull eye, dark or bluish color of comb, long toe nails, snaky or crow head, and the tendency to go to roost early in the evening and to be one of the last to leave the roost in the morning. '

SAVE THESE HENS

Healthy, strong, vigorous, alert and active; good eaters; . not molting or just beginning to molt i In September or October; with h large, mpist vents; With large, | ! combs; thin, pliable I pelvic Stones well spread apart, I wide spread between pelvic ' bones and rear end of keel, andu large, soft, pliable abdomen. In\ breeds with yellow skins and , shanks, the bens saved should ’ also show pale or white shanks, and pale or white beaks and yents.

Produce the infertile egg. Infertile eggs are produced by hens that have no male birds with them. Removing the male bird has no influence on tin number of eggs laid by the hen*.

• .. • - z VT; - * THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND. .. .. >

TO THOSE WHO DIED

Connecticut Town Has Memorial for All Ume. Plot of Ground, Well Called "Tract of Glory,* Will Be Henceforth the Most Cherished Spot in Norfolk. ' ■' * ii Im* i .• In the little Connecticut town of Norfolk is a triangular piece of ground belonging to the people. For years it stood useless, almost abandoned, and to a certain extent unnoticed. Norfolk sent to France early in 1918 a score and a half of heryhoys to fight In the American armle/ Other boys followed. / A few months aft/r the first contingent marched away Norfolk began to. receive its share ■> of tidings from the front. Names/of boys known to every one in the/town were found fn the lists of tho/e “killed In action." Boys ;whose faces were .fright and shining and whose voices were strong and never to return. They were In the fields of France. / The return of these names to Norfolk instead of flesh and blood that went away gave Norfolk its inspira- ' lion. The little green triangle became a tract of glory. No more will it be looked upon as a waste, np more will the people of Norfolk call it worthless. For-some one thought of a way to make It rich, the most cherished spot in Norfolk.

On Flag day Tn the year that the way made heroes of these lads from Norfolk the people of that place dedicated the point of this triangle to the memory of those who were not to come back from France. At that time four of Norfolk’s boys were lying in France under little crosses of wood, and on this day four little crosses of wood similar to .those In France, with a name and a date on each, were driven into the ground at the point of the triangle. There they will stay until they are perhaps replaced by more enduring and Impressive marks of tribute. But the little crosses of wood are not all that the people of Norfolk placed In the village triangle in memory of the boys who will not come back. Something that will live and thrive and beautify the barren triangle was placed -there for each bdy, and it is named for him. For each hero a tree was planted, and it will always be known as bis tree, by his name; and long after the great-grandchildren of those who now live in Norfolk are dead and gone these trees will still stand and will be known through all the sunshine and storm of the ages by the names they received at the christening. .They will grow to be tall and mighty and spread their branches, over the cross that was won on the battle fields of France —the simple cross of honor that every -man wins when he gives up his life for his country. The thought is beautiful. That little triangle in Norfolk will have more trees and crosses; the boys who died in France will live and grow to an age far .beyond the years of the oldest of men?) How simple this way of commemorating the deeds and the spirit of the boys who go forth to the war never to come* home again! A little cross of wood for the present, a towering tree for the future, and the name of a hero preserved for an age to come. —George Barr McCutcheon.

Save Garden Surplus.

An example of the success brought about by co-operation is shown In a report received by the United -States department of agriculture from Gila county, Arizona, where the local home demonstration agent and county agri l cultural agents united their efforts in developing methods for conserving $81,200 worth - of surplus products grown on more than 100 acres df irrigated land divided into one-eighth acre gardens. A marketing store was established near the gab* dens on the edge of town on the main traveled road. A community canning kitchen was also operated under the supervision of the home demonstration agent, no charge being made to the cooperating gardeners who wished to make use of It. This plan also presented an opportunity for teaching the most approved and economical methods of canning and drying.

Watches Made of Cannon.

War souvenirs in the shape of watches- made from the steel of Belgian cannon which were In active service on the Belgian front since the beginning of the war in 1914 till October 29, 1917, are being manufactured in Switzerland by order of the king and queen of the Belgians. The watches, which bear inset in gold on the cases the monogram "A E" of the Belgian sovereigns, are to be presented by King Albert and Queen Elizabeth to soldiers who have specially distinguished themselves and also to prize winners of military competitions.

Holds Receiver in Position.

Free use of both hands while tele phoning is , made possible by a wire device, lately invented, that bolds the receiver in convenient operating position. The bracket is so constructed that it normally depresses the receiver book. To release the latter a thumb- s piece is pressed. The hook Is drawn down and the bracket 7 member moved in the opposite direction when one ceases telephoning. The device is con venient for both home and office use, and specially in public telephone booths.

LAUD OF LOST CIVILIZATION

Abundant Proof That Africa Was al One Time Peopled by Races‘of High Intelligence. Evidences are multiplying that Africa contains the secrets of a greet civilization. At present It is partially a savage land, given over to savage animals and equally savage men, and ft is difficult to conceive that in the mists of antiquity this continent was peopled by Intelligent communities. In the last century a great deal was .learned about-this dark continent, and; the South African company , did much to add to our store of knowledge; The expedition of this company into Mashonaiand, in search of gold, passed the wonderful ruins of Zimbaye, pearly 200 miles due west of Sofala, »n the Indian ocean. They Have been attributed to the Moors, the Phoenicians and the Persians, and it is said by the old chroniclers that there were inscriptions, which modern archeologists have set out to decipher. '• These structures were reared of granite, hewn into small blocks a little larger than a brick, and put together without mortar. In all the walls are seen two or three courses of masonry, where tfle granite blocks are inserted in zigzag fashion. There Seems to be no doubt that they were erected as plaees of defense, and also for the smelting, storing and protection of gold, eoppe/ and other metals. On removing a quantity of the surface rubbish inside, there was found what was evidently three large circular roasting floors, formed of burnt fireclay and slightly concave. There were also remains of slag, and other evidences that the place had been used for smelting metals. It is certain that the last thing civilized men would expect to find in this region, where the natives belong to the lower stages of human development, are these great'rock structures betokening the existence of a former civilization amid these wilds. The natives have not eyen any/tradition as to the origin of the ruins. There are many facts proving their great antiquity, and among them the circumstances that at one of the great ruins at Zimbaye an ironwood tree, which was undoubtedly hundreds of years old, had risen through the wall and spilt it.

Watch for Tacks in Pie.

The question as -to whether a person who finds a black tack in a piece of blueberry pie is entitled to recover damages from a restaurant company for gross negligence in not detecting the presence of the tack in the pie, has been passed on by the supreme court of Massachusetts in Ask vs. Childs Dining Hall company, in which the court ruloid for the defendant and held that the plaintiff had failed to sustain the burden of proof in establishing either direct or inferential evidence of negligence. In pointing out the difficulties confronting the defendant in keeping small black tacks out of its blueberry pies, the court said: “The tack was very small. .It was so tiny that it readily might have become imbedded in a blueberry. If so, its color and shape were such that it would naturally escape the mosh careful scrutiny. It might as readily have stuck iijto a blueberry before it came s to the possession of the defendant aa afterward. The carelessness of some person for .whom the defendant in no way was responsible might have caused its presence in the pie, The maker of the basket, some previous owner of the berry, or some other third person, is as likely to have been the direct cause of the tack being in the pie as the defendant or those for whose conduct it is liable.”

Beams Made of Redwood.

Wood is now rapidly supplanting steel beams in industrial plant construction, as may be seen in a large paper pulp mill which is now being 'erected. What are known a? laminated, wooden trusses are being put in by Chicago construction company havIngjthe contract for the mill. The largehk trusses use 4 are 96 feet long, there, six off these, and the material is a There are 21 50foot trusses and seven 64-foot trusses. Twenty thousand feet of the material is redwood and the remainder southern pine. The redwood is u?ed in the part of the cut work that is directly above the big vats |n the mill, this wood being considered more adaptable to stand the action of the steam from the vats.

Uncle Sam Doesn't Flatter.

The persons employed In, Washington to make' out passports for eager young ladies bound for Red Cross service in France must have soured dispositions. That is what a Kansas City girl says, and she has proof of it. • “She has a large mouth, a prominent nose and sallow complexion," runs the official description on her passport, and now the girl says ?she doesn't know whether she wants to go to France or not. X, ‘

A Serene Mind.

"Did you forglvftJivlllie BUmmer for throwing a stone at you?” asked the solicitous mother. “Oh, yes, mother,” replied the angelfaced child.. “I threw, a stone ranch straighter than he did and now Willie has some forgiving to do i»ls ownself.”

Patriotic.

“See how Bill’s wife Is stamping her foot at him for wearing out the carpet by not wiping his feet." “Tea; those are regular thrift stamps."

the House wife and Her Work

(Special Information Service, United States Department CH Agriculture.} FOR CHEAP DELICIOUS MEAT, TRY RABBIT.

Girls as Wall as Roys Are Members of the Rabbit Clubs.

RABBIT MEAT IS MOST DELICIOUS

Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Being Formed in Various Parts of United States. IS CHEAPER THAN CHICKEN Great Many Hotels Now Regularly Serve Hare Prepared In Some Particular Way—-Pelts Are Used to Make FelJ Hats. Fifteen hundred boy and girl club members are raising rabbits In Tacoma, Wash., and more are constantly joining in this enterprise to produce cheap and delicious meat. All over the country the boys’ an<T girls’ clubs, formed under the supervision of the department of agriculture in connection with the state agricultural colleges, for the purpose of growing rabbits, are on the Increase in size, number and popularity. When the fact began to be realized that the number of domesticated animals ordinarily used for food was not equal to the demand, various other sources which might be used to help supplement the regular supply were Investigated. One of the most promising discovered lay in Increasing the number of rabbits and encouraging their use for food. This was in line with the findings In other countries on the same question. It is stated that 30 per cent of the meat used in Germany last year was rabbit. Delicately Flavored Meat Those who know good food long ago realized that not even chicken could a young hare In delicacy of fiber and flavor, and to increase their use Should not prove a difficult matter. Nearly all the best hotels now regularly serve rabbit prepared Jn some special way their chef has devised. The rabbit associations In California and Nebraska Are making special offers to boy and girl club members which will enable a youngster to start a warren at a moderate cost with good stock. * In Utah the rabbit Industry among the boy and girl club members is increasing in importance, with many youngsters going’ into it this season and finding ft profitable. Demonstrations are given In the boys’ and girls’ clubs as to the best way to kill, dress and market rabbits. The young people are also taught hoW to can the meat and tan the skins for home use.- The popular use of rabbit skins by furriery of this country Is evidenced by the Import lists of last year/ which show 90,000,000 skins', were shipped here from foreign countries in the 12 months preceding. These pelfs are also used by hatters to make better grades of felt hats. Rabbits don’t crow or lay eggs, but they are right there with the cheapest meat that can be produced. Salads for All Winter. For those who Hve away from the large markets, where green salad material is procurable the year around, the problem in the cold months of material for a salad Is often a serious one for the cook. A salad without lettuce, to many, Is like mince pie without the mince, "but necessary as lettuce seems, attractive salads may be served without It Cabbage, if treated as follows, may almost take its place. Cut part of the stem of one off and set it In a bowl of water for several hours. The moisture which will be drawn up through the stem will, make the flabby leaves crisp. The tender center thus treated,® ay be used In the same manner as l«fuce leaves or ft mhy.be shredded before the other salad material placed on It, suggests department. Of agriculture specialists. Small raw carrots or turnips put through a-meat gander may be sue-

cessfully addqd to cooked vegetables for a salad. Apples raw and sliced thin will furnish crispness when fresh plants-are not available. Dried aprieots, peaches or plums, when fully soaked, are delicious In a salad. These are served uncooked. If stuffed with cottage cheese they make a- dish fit to be served on any occasion. Canned pineapple combined with cottage cheese, dates stoned and filled with the cheese, a slice of apple with a small ball of cheese on the center, bananas and chopped nuts are salad combinations which are popular and the material 'for them Is available all. the year In most localities. , ,

Some Ways of Saving Fuel.

More heat will be obtained from less coal if all heat-absorbing surfaces are kept free from soot and dust. Hot-air pipes carry more heat if clean. Circulating air Is mdre easily heated than still air filled with impurities. To get the maximum of heat from coal, the air in the house should be changed once an hour. Moist air heated to 65 degrees Fahrenheit Is as comfortable as dry.,hlr heated to 70 or 75 degrees, according to specialists of the department of agriculture. The moisture can be supplied by evaporation of water a| the point at which the heat enters the room, In the ease of the furnace. A pan o? water on the radiator or stove will answer the same purpose. If a continual fire in thfe range Is not absolutely necessary a combination of wood and coal is economical* Use wood for the preparation of breakfast and. supper,! and coal for the mid* day dinner and principal baking. The fireplace is a luxffry in winter but an economy In spring and fall. Coal should not be burned In the fireplace. It can be kept supplied hr the rural home by prunlngs from trees and shrubs, bits of waste wood and broken boxes. The fireplace insures ventilation and affords a means of burning rubbish, ' J

Make Deilcious Sandwiehes.

... Nut bread, a favorite with , both young and old, is especially good to have on hand to make sandwiches for the children’s school lunch. *The cipe below, recommended by the department of agriculture, conserves both sugar and wheat flour, but wjth wheat flour ft present on the approved list it may be used If desired in place of the corn flour called for in the recipe. s Quick Nut Bread. 4 of 2 cupfuls rotted oats, corn sirup. ground. 2 eggs. " 2-3 cupful corn flour. 2 tablespoonfuls fat. 4 teaspoonfuls baking % cupful liquid. powder. % cupful mashed 1 teaspoonful salt, potatoes. % cupful chop’d nuts. Mix in order given. Bake ho&rs in moderate oven. Raisins may be used in place of nuts.—From Department Circular on Use of Oats.

Have Potted Meat Ready.

The end of a boiled ham or corned beef sorted, bone and gristle removed, fat and meat chopped fine, may yield more than could be used advantageously at a single meal. Heat it, with little water, irr its owm fat and pack solidly in jelly tumblers or small jars. , There should be a quarter inch of fat on top to harden and form a seal from the air. With a tin cover on top, meat thus prepared will keep several weeks. *" • , * Seasoning may he added as for any potted meat. Meat thus prepared, both fat and lean, is ready to be used with from two to four times its hulk of potatoes or other vegetables for hashes, , or for sandwiches, etc.

Cottage Cheese In New Ways.

Both city and country housewives have become familiar with the value of cottage cheese as a ment substitute. If your family Is tired of your old recipes. In which the cheese is an ingredient, why not try some new approved .ones? “Cottage Cheese and Its Uses,” Circular 10Q. Issued by the department of agriculture will be sent to anyone who writes for It