People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1893 — Potntets on Tutay Raistng. [ARTICLE]

Potntets on Tutay Raistng.

lixilaaapoiH SratiueL A reporter recently visited the turkey ranch of A. Ferguacm at Liverpool. The first object that appeared strange was an old turkey gobbler strutting about alone, There were no hen turkeys in sight and the visitor inquired about them, Mr, Ferguson replied that he had lotsof femalWf but they were away set* ting. “Let us go and see ttatoti,” we suggested. . “By all means/’ replied Mr. FergtlSOii. “If you will show me' where they are.” “Do ybu mean to say you don't know where the turkeys are setting?” asked the visitor in astonishment.

“I know they are somewhere in the back part of the swamp,” replied Mr. Ferguson, “but I would’nt be able to raise a bird if I visited ‘their breeding grounds. Turkeys prefer to breed in the same localities as sand-hill cranes. I have reared young turkeys that had to swim from the place they were hatched at. The old hen never moves after the chicks are hatched for four days, and there is not a particle of egg-shell left, then the old one starts off. I have made a study of turkeys and their habits, and what f say is correct. North America is the natural home of the turkey. If left to themselves the males and females separate during the summer months. It is a peculiar fact that after the beginning of July the gobbler can’t gobble any more until he has moulted and got a brand new suit of clothes. The hens have deserted the gobbler already, but will return to him in the autumn, bringing back their offspring. Then I will know how many turkeys I will have. The great mistake people make is in trying to rear turkeys. They kill them by feeding. Make a note of this: Fed chicks die of indigestion. Leave them alone and they will grow up strong.”