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mr . H tf?!M GREEN FEED FOR POULTRY jSgHfj- Good Flock of Plymouth Rock, Ely L. E. CHAPIN. j 1 rogard green feed as absolutely necessary to the welfare of poultry, old and young. Where fowls are kept J confined It must be 6upplied to them, and where they have full liberty it may bo fed to them with profit during the months when vegetation is some what burned by the heat Throw out a lot of fresh lettuce leaves where the liens can get it, and they will eat It up clean Cabbage Stumps thrown out to the hens will be picked clean, even where the hens run at large Those w-ho must keep their hens confined will find that a small plot of rape -will furnish a large quantity of green feed during the summer. ( It will be large enough to begin cut- I OLD FIELDS By A J. LEGG There are many old fields that have oeen thrown out years ago, and have so grown up with scrub timber green briers and other filth that it looks to be almost an Impossible undertaking to reclear them. : If it is undertaken to kill them by grubbing out briere and bruh it is in deed a hard job, and the briers will Bprout for years, but, if the brush is hacked down and let dry, then burned over, the land can be effectually cleared by pasturing It with cattle and heep. A few years ago I had a field over grown with green briers and pine There were patches of green brier so dense that it was impossible to get through them, let alone grub them out These thickest patches were burned through. The fire killed other briers then in a few months they, too, would burn, so I made it a rule that when ever I found a patch of preen brier dry enough to burn I would set fire to pines were all cut down and as soon as they got dry, they, too, were burned. The briers were kept down by the stock grazing o er them. Whenever a yoaDg brier appeared it was ripped up. By the end of the third rear the brier roots were all rotted and the pine stumps were pretty well rot ted so that the land could be plowed. I KEEP SUMMER CHICKS GROW ING FAST The old notion that chicks must be all out of the way by July has been largely driven out partly by the in cubator, which Is willing to work at all seasons; partly by the poultry raiser, who finds that there is less feed to buy when the bugs and worms are most plentiful As we have learned better how to raise the flock and keep them grow ing fast, the old problem of having pullets ready to lay in fall is more easily approximated, even though the chicks do not emerge from the shell during a snowstorm Summer chicks must ha's e a little extra care in keeping the feeding board and drinkiDg fountain clean; they must also have plenty of shade, but in several ways they can better , ting in fhe or six weeks and as soon as it Is cut off w ill throw up new shoot.-, thus renewing itself constantly, so the same ground may be cut over time j ! after time. Lettuce or dandelions make a very good green feed for laying hens or ' growing chicks. There seems to be some medicinal property about both j these vegetables which promotes good health In the fowls Roth are easily grown and furnish la good supply of feed If the tops are cut off instead of pulling the plants out by the roots when gathering the i ; feed Turnips and beet tops, mustard. Dea vines, and all other tender green stuff ! will be relished, and saAe much feed of a more costly kind care for themselves than during the spring months If they are liberally fed morning j and night after they get nicely feath ered on' they are readv to hunt up j the numerous seeds of early autumn grasses which do no good to the farm er, but rather the reverse, though I they put plenty of flesh and j muscle into the chick Crowd them with as much pains as if they were early, and the extra waste grain and Infers will help them along : amazingly. You will have little wet weather with which to contend Even if they are not quite ready to j commence laying in November, they will be among the best workers in the flock during spring and the less ened cost o'f production will offset the winter eggs that may be lacking Let them run in the orchard when little, and gie them plenty of fresh water, and they will thrive KEEPING UP THE LAWN Kill weeds on the lawn by either , pulling or cutting off the plant below the crown. Don't mow- the lawn too closel" ' during the heated term, but do not ! allow weeds to go to seed. Deep working, thorough pulverlza i tion. effective fertilization and a thorough raking and rolling down to a smooth level are all necessary to a j smooth, level lawn, j Get your lawn seeds of a reliable , seedsman and ask for the best and ' the freshest Don t use old seed left over from last year, but insist on hav ing it fresh and of a good mixture. The best time to seed a lawn Is during the latter part of August, or the early part of September. At that season, the heat is over and showers i are almost sure to come, and the ! young grass will have several months ! f of cool, moist weather in which to grow before winter. J As soon as the Icmbs are weaned I the thin ewes should be separated from the flock and given a little graln twice a day until they are in good con dltlon again. They will not be apt to breed this fall unless this precaution is taken to insure their being in ! thrifty condition. I Why not take the boy into partner j ship In your farming' The son of a good man and a good farmer should , mak" a desirable- partner TRADE IN PEDIGREED STOCK II If you expect to sell hogs at fancy prices you must produce fancy hogs. Too many breeders are content with a fancy pedigree, expecting the blood lines of the animal to carry it into popularity. While it is very essential that an animal have a desirable pedigree it is all the more essential that the animal itself possess individual merit A well-known Illinois breeder of Poland Chinas says that he has had I the best trade the past six months that he ever enjoyed, and the prices he received have been very satisfac tory. As soon as breeders of pedigreed hogs come to a full understanding that I the animal produced must possess greater merit in connection with the pedigree, then the people will readily pay a good price for it, regardless of whether or not public demand is strong for such animals.--A. T. S. Poland China Hog. 1 m FENCE POSTS MUST NOW BE GROWN By THOMASWCISEL. Timber Land Nee Farmers of the central and eastern states are now seeing the need of re placing the timber lands that were so needlessly destroyed In order to se cure more land for cultivation and as a method of securing money by cut ting into lumber and other materials Now this same timber is wanted to replace farm buildings and then in the building of fences. Thoughout the central west, good fence posts can only be had lrom lum ber dealers, who sell cypress and ce dar posts at prices almost beyond the reach of the small farm owner. Many are now planting timber for a future supply. In planting, many plant the calalpa. Others are plant ing Osage orange, but It is a slow growing tree and has the fault of growing crooked, with short trunks and over much top The tree that gives the bert results with little care after planting Is the black locust. It does well on any soil, wet or dry. It is a quick grower and when planted thick, say six feet each way, the trees will grow tall with but little top, and will, at the end of five years, be ready for the first thinning out At this time all stunted trees should be worked up, and from this time on. ground thus planted will furnish ma terial for posts as each year more thinning must be done In 15 years the trees will be largo enough to make four posts to the cut and many of them will make three to five post cuts, with some round posts In the top. The black locust is also a fine tree for planting about the house and barn. When planted in the open it forms a dlessly Destroyed. beautiful tree, having a thick, heavy foliage, retaining Its leaves through out the sumer. and in the early spring, has an abundance of sweet-smelling white flowers. When young, it is well protected by thorns, making it a tree that can be grown In a pasture or stock lot with out being damaged by stock Next to the black locust for quick returns, Is the white mulberry With this tree on rich soil, only four to five years are required to grow thorn large enough for use, but they seldom make over one post length to the tree, and ; should all be cut at the end of the seventh year, as they will soon re place themselves, from two to five shoots sprouting from the 6tump. If left to grow longer than 6even ' years, they will commence putting out limbs near the ground, spoiling the growth already made. All land owners should plant some kinds of trees. There s always some waste land about the farm, some hill side or swamp that is not cultivated, which if planted to some kind of tim ber, would soon return a profit and would also lmproe the looks of the farm PUTTING IN TILE DRAINS , By W. M. KELLY. There has been much discussion in the agricultural press concerning the ' best investments for farmers In my opinion there Is no better or safer in vestment for the average farmer, than tile drainage on such parts of the farm as fp.il to produce maximum crops during wet seasons. There are many acres of naturally I fertile soil that are not paying the 1 owner the C03t of working, that could bo made the most productive portion of the farm, if a good system of under draining were put in In many cases the first crop will pay the entire cost of drainage Of course many farmers are so situated that they cannot afford to put in the com plete drainage system at one time. My advice to such men is to have their plans made at one time, and do a little every year. In this way their work will not be haphazard, discon nected efforts, but will fit Into a pre viously worked out system and form a permanent part of It. A work bench well stocked Is a modern farm necessity. I 1 I Three-Year-Old Catalpas Grown for Fence Posts on a Farm in Illinois. FACTS ABOU DUCK RAISING rrV? ' By L M, BENNINGTON. A Fine Flock of Ducklings. Change the pens of the ducks and1 sow the unused ground with rye or ba rley. To fatten ducks do not allow them) to have access to a swimming pool, as the exercise of swimming keeps ' them down. The ground and duck pen should be disinfected every spring and fall by digging up and sowing green crops. Feed and water ducks at the same time. You will notice that they take a sip of water after every two or three bites of food. Young ducks are extremely nervous j and cannot stand undue excitement Keep the dogs and strangers away from them A light placed in the roosting quar ters will keep the ducks quiet at night Young ducks should be ready for market at ten weeks uld. No profit in feeding them after thai Never set duck eggs under a duck they are poor mothers. Put them under a large hen. Provide plenty of shelter for the youngsters to which they can run dur ing sudden storms. The water troughs should be deep 1 11 1 r - - enough to allow the ducks to plunge ' their heads entirely beneath the sur- 1 face. If there is any difference, the duck runs should be kept cleaner than the chicken yards. Round up the young ducklings before the storms Sometimes they will sit on the ground with their bills open , wide, pointing upward, during heavy storms and drown It is claimed by those who have tried it that a cross of Muscovy drake on Pekln ducks will produce sterile ' progeny. RECEIPT FOR YEAST CAKES Boil a large handful of hops in two quarts of water, then strain, scald two cups of flour with the water, stirring constantly to keep It from forming lumps Add a large handful of salt, same of sugar tablespoon of ginger. Let cool until milk warm, then stir in two yeast cakes, dissolved In water. Let rise over night, early the next day stir thick with corn meal aDd let rise once more. Put on a board, knead in more meal if needed, roll to less than a half-inch, cut In pieces as large as two yeast cakes side by side Put on a board; dry In the shade, as the sun will sour It. Turn often, put in a sack and hang up to keep Plant evergreens to induce the birds to come early and 6tay late. Trees of this class form the best protection from the storm. , r a D - . - Good Road, Help in Ev.ry W.y-Boin , AM. to Haul Over Road. Rduc h r.n&t of Delivery. Pad roads are an extravagance that no farming community can afford. Just what they cost in unnecessary ex pense, it takes but a moment to detcr ' mine A team and driver is reasonably worth $2 a day. and by the use of 1 these it Is possible to deliver to mar ket, from your home, 100 bushels of corn. Hauling over good roads, the cost of delivery Is three cents per bushel. But. if In consequence of bad roads but 50 bushels can be delivered, 3ATTLING WITH INSECTS : By BESSIE L. PUTNAM. The currant-v. orm. working with equal relish upon either currant or gooseberry bush, always works up ward. As soon as the first lower leaves are attacked, sprinkle the bushes with white hellebore when they are wet with dew and the pest will soon be I routed. While the antidote is poison, there is ' no danger, as the fruit Is small at this time and it will be washed by many 1 rains betore the fruit is ripe You can give It an additional rinsing when pre paring for use to destroy all prejudice against the drug. There are two or three broods dur ing the summer. Be sure that you are ready to receive each colony In the : proper manner. I When cats or dog? are kept, the flea is a source of annoyance Unlike many I ; insects they thrive in cleanliness I 1 rather than filth; and the more the pet j 19 washed the more the flea will annoy An entomologist of India states that the best method found in that country, notorious as a hothouse for fleas, Is an emulsion of crude petroleum, using it In the proportion of 80 per cent petroleum with 20 per cent whale oil ' soap. Dilute with water for general . use to about three per cent A ten ' per cent solution is warranted to de stroy fleas effectually The inroads of the gipsy moth can be kept in check by a parasite upon the larvae of the insect. It is a sort of ichneumon fly discovered by a mis sionary in Japan, who first noticed ! that while the gipsy mo'h Is a resi- Pigs should be sorted as to size and each lot kept by Itself. This is not much trouble and will enable the lit tie fellows to stand a better ehow at the feeding trough. Many small pigs are stunted in their early growth because they cannot hold their own against their larger and more quarrelsome brothers. The man w ho raises pigs ought to have a field of peas into which they can be turned just before the peas become hard There is no better way to harvest peas than by turning the hogs into them at this stage. Many farmers in the corn belt hog off their corn by turning the animals Into the fields and alldwlng them to ride down the stalks and help them selves This la a labor-saving plan, but it Is wasteful beyond measure. As soon as a ptg is discovered to be droopy or falling behind the rest of j the herd it should be taken out and put in an enclosure by itself A pig is nothing more than a money making machine and should be fed all he will eat cleanly from the time ho I is able to nibble, then keep him going until he goes to the block. I i the cost is doubled and the difference is what the impassable roads cost you. Continue this calculation, applying it to the hauling of all of your crops and it quickly becomes apparent that it amounts to a very burdensome tax. Good roads help in every way, they . I promote sociability by making friends I and relatives accessible, and by means I of them it is easier to reach the schools and churches, and to generally I do and enjoy those things which make J life really worth living. C. M. S. dent of that kingdom it seems to do comparatively little harm. It is said that if the birds were wiped out of existence, in ton years time the insects would master the earth, converting it Into a leafless tract. The birds will. If we permit, main tain the balance in our favor. But many of them thrive in spite of rather than with our co-operation. The -vast majority of our summer residents are insect destroyers, some even picking our potato bugs If we but allow. If the tent caterpillar pitches his home in your orchard, remember that its flock is gathered together in the home at night, the members going forth by day to look for food. A torch applied to the home evenings or early mornings catches the worm in quanti ties. If in midsummer you find a bunch of , brown worms with red markings clus tered on the trunk of a walnut or apple tree, do not be alarmed, but get busy Like the 6warm of bees they will not hang there many hours, for they are only molting. By the next day the old skins alone will be left to tell the I story, while the larvae, each in a bright new coat, will be scattered over the tree, rapidly denuding it of its i leaves. This is the hand-maid moth, easily kept In check by taking advantage of its peculiar habits. I There are various ways of routing ; that universal pest, the cabbage worm. Road dust, wood ashes or flour sprinkled lightly over the cabbage heads when wet with dew will inter fere with the workings of the Insect. Soap-suds sprinkled over the plants has also the desired effect NOTES OF THE HOG LOT I Keep a pair of nippers handy to snip off the sharp points of a sucking pig's teeth Sometimes they are as sharp as needles and hurt the sow so much that she will not permit them to suckle ' Sun stall is very often mistaken for mange Never turn very young pigs into tne field In hot weather for more than an hour or two a day until the skin becomes toughened It is a great mistake to fatten sows if breeding depends upon the spring gilts for a next year's crop, as thif plan will in time result in inferioi stock. If a sow proves a good breeder ther is no reason why sbe should not he kept as long as she produces strong pigs The most common mistake made by many farmers is to allow the boar tc run with the herd continually. Ht should be kept In a roomy enclosur? by himself. Cement floors are best for feedint purposes, but It is our belief that i hog should always sleep on a boarc floor with plenty of clean bedding A drove of hogs of all colors an sizes never brings as much raonev ai a drove of the same breed and coloi and size. A C. Champion Berkshire Sow. " ' jH