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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Advocate, 1924-3-6, Page 7Addreau Communications to Aeroneintsfe 73 Adelaide St. West. Tdronte SUCCESS WITH BABY CHICKS. Raising ninety-nine chicks out of elvery hundred may seem a little in- credible to those who have been less m,. fortunate, or, as someone has express - i d it, "fishy!' Now it is not so much • ea matter of luck or good fortunte as it is the, result of careful study and pain's -taking in the most petty detail, Which exists in the poultry business as well as in any other business. The writer believes that anything worth doing is worth doing well; and to do thing well one must not omit even) the slightest detail. It is to be said, of course, that in' order to insure the minimum loss, only husky, vigorous chicks are to be considered. If chicks are bought, care should be taken to get pure-breds. ' 'Most hatcheries send out only their best chicks. If one does one's own hatching—vigorous chicks can be se- cured by carefully selecting eggs, for the hatch, from perfectly healthy flocks. The first, and an essential step to' be taken against the prevalent dis- eases among baby chicks is to get them to drinking sour milk; this can be done by dipping the bill of each' one into the milk. Care should be taken to see that each one gets a taste of the milk; after that they will not bother to take less than they want. This is the first thing we do when the chicks are received; and chicks hatched at home are given milk before receiving any feed. Water is omitted from the ration for the first two or three days to insure their drinking the maximum quantity of the milk. Sour skint -milk is found to be the best. Best results are obtained from sour milk by feeding it at an even consistency; to do this some feed only the curd. Huddling of the chicks results in niany losses. Wire screen fastened in • a semi -circle in the corners of their house will help to prevent huddling; but if the proper amount of heat is supplied but little loss will be ex- perienced from this. At first the chicks are given com- mercial chick -feed, oatmeal, and wheat screenings. This comprises most of the grainration for the first two or three weeks; then a little mash, is added. A very small quantity of mash is given at first, on plates, or pans, once or twice each day. It is then gradually increased, and at the end of a week is kept before them at all times, preferably in a self -feeder. This consists of equal parts of wheat bran and middlings. Finely cracked corn can now be added with good re- sults. Cooked feeds are avoided as Much as possible; yet corn -cake has been fed with no bad results. One thing that is commonly over- looked in the ration is grit. The lack of grit has been the cause of great losses. A small pile of gravel is dump- ed where our chicks have access to it the very first day. If you will watch them you will discover that they need no one to teach them what it is for; hence is absolute necessity. Coniforteble quarters—only a shed in our case—must be provided, and this, of course, must be kept clean and well ventilated. Plenty of light must be supplied. There must be plenty of room for exercise. Chaff should be kept on the floor for them to scratch in. Fresh, clean water is kept in the fountains at all times. Sour milk is supplied when available. A supply of mash should be kept in the feeder, and other grains should be fed regu- larly each 'day. With this ration and proper care, a ninety-nine per cent. survival is not uncommon; thus the chicks can be made to weigh between two and three pound's at broiler age; and the pullet's will mature rapidly to early winter - layers. The petty details differ with almost every individual case, and offer splen- did opportunities for study. Artificial Incubating. S. W. Knipe I shall not make any effort in this article to give instructions how to 1 suitable brooder accommodation for them, better a trifle warm than too cold. They can get away from the heat, but they can't stoke the fire. The t better care given the chicks will in- sure better results for the breeder. eiierate an incubator. I will rather devote it to a few suggestions as to what you ought not to do. It is not a wise policy to wait until a few days before you intend to start hatching before ordering Your incu- bator. The dealer may not have the size you desire in stock. While a second-hand incubator is not recommended, nevertheless there are many purchased each season on account of the lower price. If you do buy a used incubator thoroughly test It before using. If any parts are miss- ing procure them, but probably one of the greatest drawbacks to buying a second-hand incubator is the fact that rarely are they accompanied by the book of manufacturer's instructions. These instructions usually can be ob- tained at a very small cost from the maker and in no case should one at- tempt to operate without them. The latter also applies to the purchaser of a new incubator. Do not attempt to pmt it together any other way than in- structions indicate, Do not experi- ment. The manufacturer has already done that. Because you have used one make of a machine don't think in- etructions with another make can be dispensed with. It is absolutely no Use to expect good results from the Best incubator made if you put it in a room where windows have been sealed tight in one way or another to keep out the winter winds and frost. The incubator lamp uses a great quantity f oxygen and gives .off a volume of Zoisonoiis fumes, which are sure to ause trouble unless reduced to mini - seem by proper ventilation, Have a regular system in looking af- ter the machine. Eggs can be turned and lamp filled just before or after supper daily, and then in the horning ;ill that will be necessary will be to turn eggs and see that the tempera- ture is alright. Have a table eor shelf nvenient to place trays on when 'ferning eggs. Do not forget to close incubator door when eggs are removed for turning. Always turn your eggs first; then trim your lamp and fill it. It is Impos- sibly to trim and fill your lamp with- out soiling fingers with oil, and eggs will absorb such substances very .vapidly, resulting in eventual killing zi live embryos. You will find that one filling of the lamp may last for two .days, but it's best to fill it daily, Alien .you are posiidve it will always have enough. Take a last look at tem- peratuue before retiring; have heat strong enough jest to held damper up a fraction of an inch. This will take oars of a change of either looter or' higher outside temperature. Take out all infertile eggs on 7th day, and about 1.0th day pay etriot at- ientlon to your heat, as the animal heat from the live embryos will there- after increase, makingit nem -eery for you. to occasionally regulate some. Always endeavor to maintain an even temperature throughout. Be sures .to have a, good .thermometer, which has been tested before hatch •'is :started (better keep an extra one nn' hand In case of accident).. Instructions come web thermometer also. Wad care- iuJ'.,c, as there are several ,styles, the When to Use Oversize Tires. Oversize tires are frequently urged for the farm truck and it is promised that the higher cost of the larger tire will be more than made up in the in- creased mileage and other advantages obtained. However oversize tires are not always feasible, because some- times there is not sufficient clearance between all the tires and the adjacent parts of the truck. It is especially important to make sure of this when the truck is heavily loaded. There niay be sufficient clearance when the truck is empty, but once it Is loaded there may be too little clearance be- tween the fenders and the new and larger tires. It is then .wino to make sure that if the springs are severely compressed, as in going over a heavy bump, the fenders and other adjacent parts do not come in contact with the tires. In everyday use this can hap- pen frequently, and the only result can be increased wear or injury to the tires or even damage to the truck itself. Under such conditions oversize tires are not an economy and therefore not advisable. It pays to investigate be- fore yeti oversize. Useful Graphite. Fifty cents' worth of graphite used about the farm can be made to pay a high percentage of interest. Flake graphite mixed with ordinary lubri- eating oil to the consistency of butter is a rust preventive and will cure most of the squeaks on a truck' or touring car. A little applied to demountable rim studs when a tire change Is made will make setting up the nuts easier and also act as a rust preventive, Ap- plied to the :rims it defeats rust How- ever, this i3 not usually advisable, as it makes black everything it touches, especially the hands of the one who must remove and replace the tire. Be- fore a spark plug is replaced a little graphite paste should be spread on the threads. This allows screwing the, plugs in to their limit without danger of breakage and at the sarne time helps prevent leakage of compression, especially an advantage on tractor! and other heavy-duty engines. The plugs will also be easier of removal' next time. Rubbed on either side of an engine- head gasket of copper or like types it forms a binder superior to shelled, one that does not break down under heat and which does not cause stick-4frig► Although it blackens whatever it touches, it is superior to plain cup grease for spring bolts, leaves, steer -1 ing connections and the like, having, the' further advantagee that even after' the grease or oil has been used up! there will still be enough graphite re- maining in the parts to lubricate them for some time. - rt is superior to white lead for gas pipe joints or other joints that may be subjected to heat or where future easy reMovel.le an Important feature, DAIRY Dairymen who . have. kept milk re-' cords for a series of years well know. the effect of a big sto= on the pro-' during herd. •Invariably there is al severe shrink resulting from a cold, stormy -winter period. To prevent this shrink requires some additional work on the part of the cow -keeper. A herdsman who is able •to prevent a ehrink during a blizzard understands his business and deserves commenda- tion, for he has proven that he is efficient and skillful in his work. ' As it requires extra fuel during a cold spell to keep warm, so with ani- mals it requires extra feed when the temperature is low, which means that the feeder must always increase the ration during very cold weather. He must also see to it that an animal con- sumes its required amount of water, as on an average eighty-seven per cent. of milk is water. The carcass of the animal has more water than solids so the water item is essential. From experience we know that during cold weather we drink little water, and a cow will naturally drink less during a very chilly period. Especially is this true if the water supply is made dif- ficult to reach or the tank filled with floating cakes of ice or even worse, is coated over. On most farms the water supply comes from a tank located close to the well. Invariably it is open and exposed to the weather. With sub- zero temperature it is either neces- sary to keep the ice cut and thrown out, or to employ the use of a tank heater. The most practical method is to use a heater, for in this way the water can be brought up to fifty or sixty degrees, at which temperature it will be consumed in larger quanti- ties than if colder. The dairy farmer should keep in mind that it is difficult to recover a shrink, and if his cows lose in milk it will require considerable extra feed and time to get them back to a normal production. The best way is to pre- vent the shrink if possible, and this can be done by keeping the animal comfortable and well supplied with food and water. Exposure to cold winds and drafts are more harmful than low temperatures. An animal, in fact, will stand with considerable com- fort even zero weather, provided she has a good bed and plenty of feed, without a cold draft striking her body. Irregular hours are often caused by storms. The men will have extra work in clearing away snow and are handicapped in supplying feed and water; this, coupled with the desire to seek the warmth of the house often results in irregular milking hours, which again adds to the shrink in milk flow. Regular milking and feed- ing periods are essential' for best re- sults, and so I say again, that the cow -keeper who avoids a shrink in his herd during a blizzard or cold spell deserves the prize of success, and he can truthfully be said to be an expert dairyman. THE CHILDREN'S HOUR - 7 . KINDNESS PAYS. "I'm tired of playing this game," said little Benny Fox, bobbing his head out of a' pile of leaves, "Playing hide -and -go -seek In the leaves isn't• fun just. for, two." Little Benny had come over to Sam- mie Squirrel's house for an hour's play, and Sammie was doing his best; to entertain him. "What, would you like to play, next?" asked Sammie, "Oh, anything that's lots of tun," i he replied, "let's get your little wagon' and draw some branches together and; make a twig house. Then we can have: a little playhouse all -to ourselves." "That will be heaps of fun," said; Sammie, "Come! we'll get the wagon. It's in the back shed." Off they raced for the shed and tumbled in at the door at the same time. Both hurried toward the dusty little wagon hat hadn't been out for several days. Just as Benny reached down to draw it away, Sammie called, "Stop, stop, Benny, we can't take the wagon, it's in use." "I can't see who is using it," said. Benny, looking around bewildered. "See that big black spider?" asked Sammie. "Shucks," cried Benny Fox, reach- ing for the handle, "he will scamper off as soon as we move the cart." "Stop, stop," commanded Sammie, "How would you like to have your house torn to pieces? This big black spider has woven a beautiful house here; and, see, there are two little spiders. What would they do if we tore up their home?" "I never thought of that," said Benny. "It wouldn't be quits right to tear up their house just so we could play with your little wagon." "Isn't that the most beautiful lace? I do wish mother had as pretty a cen- trepiece for her table or curtains for her windows," said Sammie. "Look at the corners. Every part is perfect. And it is strong when it holds such a big spider. Let's leave him alone now and go to make our twig house. We can carry the twigs in our arms," said Benny. "Yes, and we can .come back and see the big black spider, to -morrow," said Sammie; and off the two scamp- ered. "Tip-fip-p-p-fo-feet I sure thought • my house was gone that time," said i the Big Black Spider after the two / visitors had closed the shed door. "I`ll just surprise little Sammie Squirrel for being so good to me." So the very next morning when the sun peeped in Sammie's window it shone through the prettiest spiderweb lace curtain he ever saw. HOGS In an attempt to learn the effect of the management of sows upon the number and condition of the farrowed pigs, fifty-three cases were brought under observation. It was discovered that the majority of those who were bringing the highest average to live pigs up to weaning time saw that the mothers were supplied with plenty of protein food and exercise. The sows were kept in medium condition and did not receive more than three ears of corn each per day. One farmer ad- vised that a good way to give the sows needed exercise is to have the sleep-, ing quarters some distance from the place where the animals were fed. This will force them to cover the distance at least three times each day. Handling Bulls. It is usually a so-called "gentle" bull that hurts people. This is be- cause more precaution is taken with an ugly bull than a tame one. A "gentle" bull is likely to suddenly be- come ugly and if he is not properly secured he will hurt someone. Two things are worth observing in handling mature bulls. First, make their environment such that they are not likely to become ugly, and second, have them where they can't do any damage if they do get mad. The ideal conditions are to have plenty of exercise in a stout enclosure, a chance to see other cattle, good ra- tions, and gentle but firm handling, with no teasing. It is best to have a good strong staff to lead the bull with. The Water Supply in the Farm House BY ' L. STEVENSON, B.S.A., ONT A motor truck with a specially con-; strutted extension platform top, load- ed with an exhibit of pumps, plumb= ing equipment, tools and demonstrat- ing materials related to household water supply installation, left the of- fices of the Dept. of Agriculture on May 23 to tour Western Ontario. This demonstration on wheels was prepar- ed under the direction of the Super- intendent of Women's Institutes for the purpose of illustrating to the peo-i ple of rural districts the best way in which to install or improve the house- hold conveniences so necessary in the reduction of labor in the farm home. Water in the kitchen, in the bathroom and in the laundry, together with the disposal of sewage, at a cost in keep- ing with the farm exchequer, the pur- chase of the proper typo of equipment, and advice on farm plumbing were the main thoughts in the demonstra-. tion. Farm surveys have shown that too few farm houses are equipped with any water service, and that many are not taking advantage of the natural conditions that surround them. Qarry-, ing water from a spring when either, a gravity lino or a hydraulic ram would deliver a water supply at the' kitchen sink is a waste of time and energy still being practiced. The un-' sanitary cesspool is'still being used in spite of the fact that the septic tank is known to many, and is a conven• - lenee within the reach of all. Tho demonstration was in. charge of two capable officials, well versed in plumbing and sanitary en. gineering, and as prearranged and advertised,' attended gatherings of rural people under the auspices of the local We- anen'ta 'Institute: ARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Complete plumbing equipment for kitchen and bathroom was set up and demonstrated at each gathering. The work of piecing together the various parts of the equipment was done in such a way as to make clear the mys- teries of plumbing to the handyman of the farm, enabling him to return to,his own home and put in like equipa nient with his own hands and tools. Plumbers' bills have frightened most farmers who have been unfortunate enough to see them, and it has been this. high cost factor that has kept the labor-saving water equipment out of many farm homes. One demonstration stand per day was the practice, thus giving the people of the various districts visited an opporunity of inspecting the ex- hibit xhibit at their own convenience, at any time between noon and nine p.m., and of consulting with the officials in charge, A general meeting was held early in the evening at each point visited. The officials in charge were able to visit, on Bequest, many farm dwellin •s . t14, give expert advice oil the ground, while passing from place t.o place during the early }dart of the day. The attendance at these Farm, Household Water and Sewage System Deenonstratioias was large and ertbus- iastic.'It is the aim of the Department to encourage the development of an inexpensive and efficient form of plumbing equipment that is simple in. installation, so that the farmer can install it himself. The bringing of water pipes into, the house and ''the replacement of the old-fashioned .dish pan by the modern .sink is the first object sought. With this accomplish- ed,. tate rest will fellb ' Home. Education "Ths Child's First School it the Family"-Rrosbol." How Children Learn Ease of Manner.. BY EDITH LOCHRIDGE READ. A mother remarked the.ether day in as company silver and guest linen, the course of a conversation on child and so on, through all the chine and discipline, "I don't see why it is that glassware, suggests to the child a feel - my childreni, 'always act worse when ing of stiffness, and an atmosphere we have guests that at any other time, formal and conventional, though he I'm sure it isn't because they haven't does not -analyze -it in just those been instructed how to behave." t terms: • - Now this mother was perfectly sin-( Why not use the good dishes and cere in her remark, yet her own linen and silverware occasionally for phrasing contains the secret of her just the home folks? Then daughter distress over her children's 'behavior.; Lois will not cause a panic when therel Would a child learn to play the piano are guests by piping up, "0, goody, by being -instructed if he didn't prac- we have the fruit in the best hand- tice playing every day? Yet that painted bowl." If the little ones be - mother was expecting just as improb- come accustomed every day to what able a performance in behavior. She is good enough for guests, a great was stressing the old idea of "com- deal of strain for both parents and pany manners," and expecting the children is bound to be eliminated. children to put on culture just as' Right in line with this follows the they put on clothes for the dinner fact that the place to start preparing party. And because they didn't she the child in "company manners" le was deeply grieved and disappointed. the first day he sits in his high chair The , reason why children of this to eat a meal. There is no need for type act worse when there are guests i a tot even his age to throw his spoon than they do ordinarily is because of and cracker on the floor continually, strain and nervous tension, In the or to upset his broth or porridge. He mother's anxiety to have affairs move may' as well learn right then not to smoothly she has held out threats as! stand up in his chair, not to put his to what will happen if all the last face down in his plate and not to minute "Don'ts" arc n't observed, and scream for what he can't have, This the result has been to create an un-' much at least can then be omitted natural condition that is confusing from the "instructions" when the and disastrous to poise and courtesy. Browns come over to dine a few years But aside from the mother's em-' later. barrassment over slips of etiquette' When mother is alone and playing and behavior, this idea of "putting on with the babies she can teach them manners" is very unwise training for much by pretending visitors. They children. They gradually learn to may come in and call on her and ad - act on artificial motives and lose sight vance and take her hand. It will be - of the genuine and vital character come natural in a very short time. traits that are worth while and' A mother who includes good man - lasting. j ners and polite behavior in the every - Just the idea of alluding to the day home life, will never have reason various articles of table appointment to force courtesy* upon her children. • Unequal Compression Trouble. Throttled down or driven at low speeds the engine ran perfectly, but when the speed was increased to fif- teen miles an hour or better it would run unevenly. The valves had been ground and appeared all right. The spark plugs were changed and a test showed a good spark was being de- livered at each plug. ' The ignition system was gone over and the points found in good shape, with all parts apparently in good working order. Changing the carburetor adjustment from a maximum to a minimum of richness of mixture proved uneven-, ing. The push rods and rocker arms of the valves were in perfect order and yet the trouble continued. Final- ly testing the compression was tried and one cylinder registered sixty pounds, another fifty and the others about forty pounds each. Evidently here was the secret of the trouble, but what caused this unevenness of com-, pression? Our problem was to locate it and it was found due to weakened valve springs. The valves were not closing tightly nor quickly enough. —Ed. Henry. A Tile Smokehouse. The owner of a tile smokehouse is firmly convinced that every farmer who prepares his own meat should have a similar smokehouse to aid in, the job. The one in question is six feet wide and six and a half feet long. It is seven feet high to the eaves, and the concrete foundation and floor were cast in one piece. The tiles used are 4x8x12 inches and are laid up in the usual manner. The door is of wood, tightly fitted, and it carries a small window covered with screen which can be raised or lowered to regulate the smoking process. The roof is a solid concrete slab, only two inches thick but well re - enforced. Though the building has stood for several years there is not a single crack in its surface Hooks made of quarter -inch iron' rod and bent to shape are hung from the ceiling within. ---H, R. Dalton. A Homemade Grindstone Soil Fertility Experiments. The three demonstration plots that have been started as follow-up work in connection with the soil survey are now giving interesting results. The outstanding feature so far is the proved beneficial effect of lime and phosphoric acid. On the light sandy soil of the Norfolk County plot the increasing amount of decaying organic matter is beginning to make itself felt in the improved texture of the soil and increased crop yields. On all three of these experimental plots certain mixtures of fertilizers are giving pay- ing results, while other mixtures are not. The Triangle experiments with po- tatoes have demonstrated in every county where held that legumes may bo used to gather all or nearly all the nitrogen requiredby the potato crop,. and that phosphoric acid and potash in proper proportion may be used to increase both the quantity and quality of the crop with profit. The lime phosphate experiments planned to discover the effect of lime, lime and acid phosphate and mixed fertilizer on wheat and the succeeding' crop of clover, have given interesting results. Each experiment consisted of four one-half acre plats, and these were laid down on three different farms in eight different counties, twenty-four experiments in all. All these experiments were started in Ithe fall of 1922, only the wheat crop has been harvested. The clover, how- ever, shows marked difference in de- velopment in the various plots and interesting results may be expected next season. The outstanding results so far obtained in that acid phosphate increased the yield of wheat in every experiment. The average for the check plot was 22.2 bushels per acre, and the acid phosphate plot 84.34 bushels per acre, an increase of a little over 50 per cent. Assuming that the addition of the acid phosphate at the rate applied on these experiments would have given the sante results on the 717,807 acres of fall wheat hers vested in Ontario in 1923, the value of the crop would have been increased by nearly eight million dollars, at a profit over the entire cost of the acid phosphate or over four million dollars, This work is being extended to eight additional counties and is being car- ried on by the Chemistry Department of the Ontario Agrieultural College in Though the owner had a good em- ery in the shop, he built the grind-' stone from scrap material for use on' garden tools and knives. What co-operation with the Agricultural prompted the venture was probably the Represeutatives. existence of an old stone on the scrap• - - — -- — • pile which obvrousiy was sound at heart, out of shape and chipped though its long -worn exterior proved: to be. First the wheel was mounted be— tween centres and dressed clown with, an old file. A small saw horse was built, two bearings mounted one at each end upon this, and through them was run a s el shafting to fit. One end of the shaft was deformed end' cemented to the centre of the stone with pure cement and water.! 1Card was taken to have the wheel' properly Mined up. An sight -inch pul- ley was then keyed to the other encl.! Singe the motive power required is' slight, no Staking down is neoessery, and yet the machine is so light that e it can be carried about with only one! hand. Se instead of moving the en -I gine to position, the stone is placed, where some job is to be handled and! belted up, Fertile. brains nd fertile soils ars the essentials of successful farming, A. working ability will bring results from such a combination. A well equipped desk is ,,a labor - saver in the farm hone, mare .9eeci. During the year 1923 the Field Husbandry Department of the Ontario Agricultural College supplied to near- ly 2,000 farmers pure seed and other material with instructions and full information for conducting tests on their own farms. One hundred and twenty-one dis- tinct experiments were conducted dur- ing the season on the Field Hnshan- dry area. Feeding the Calf. Experience has taught the inipor, fiance offeeding the calf milk of form temperature from day to day. But results are• obtained when this temperature is kept. between eighty and one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, A young calf should not be fed milk that has started to sour, The pail Should be ethotmeghlet cleansed after each feeding in the winter tune as well as during the sunnier season. The farmer who tests every ear corn that he intends to plant this cor� ing spring will be more certain of hie seed than he who tests eely e few te none of the ears,