- AGRICULTURAL NOTES.|1914-03-21|Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder

- AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

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AGRICULTURAL NOTES. (By a Practical Farmer.) Manuring Turnips. During the past eleven years no fewer ulia,n 3S6 experiments have been maodp Under the auspices of the Irish Depart- ment of Agriculture to test in a great diversity of soils the effects on turnips of artificial manures in combination with f wmya.rd manure, and to test the effects of artificial manures used alone. The results show that though good crops ot turnips may be grown with farmyard manure aJone it is not oconpmical to apply hoavy dressings. A medium dressing of ia-rrnyard manure, fay from ten to fifteen tons per statute aore supplemented by superphosphate or baric slag, is better than a heavy ciressiug of dung alone. Of the three kinds of artificial ananures, nitrogenous, phospliatic, and potassic, phosphatio manmes alone materially increase tihe yield. When a medium dressing of dung, supple- mented by superphosphate or basic slag, is used, it is very doubtful whether the ndditior; of either sulphate of ammonia or kainit or both will pay. But when no dung is used it is advisable to apply these manures along with superphos- phate or basic slag. The use. of a com- plete mixture has one decided advan- tage inasmuch as the plants are stimu- lated in their early growth, and con- isequently suffer less injury from attacks cf the turnip fly. Superphosphate and bajaic slag are pi-acticaily of equal value as manures for turnips. nw question as to which should be used to supplement jiufcg must lie decided by local circumstances, but where the laiid is deficient in lime, or whore the diseiise. finger-and-toe is prevalent, basic slag should undoubtedly be applied. As much as 6cwt. per statute acre of either manure may be, used with satisfactory results. Espe- cially is this the ea.se when no farm- yard manure is applied. Under ordinary conditions, the fol- lowing manurial dressings may be thor- Ioughly relied upon to give satisfactory results, (a) A medium dressing, from 10 to 15 tons, of farmyard manure sup- plemented with from 4 to 6cwt. of superphosphate or basic slag per statute f. acre or (b) the following dressings per j; statute acre of artificials used withe,at farmyard manure: Four to 6cwt. of superphosphate or basio slag, lewt. sul- phate of ammonia, and 3cw.t kainit. Basic slag- must on no account be mixed with sulphate of ammonia. Farmers and Agricultural Colleges. An iiaportant Jettor has just 0euji ad- dressed Oy the Boa c.t oi Agriculture tor Scotland to the Agricuioural Colleges ■ within its area, pointing to the desira- bility of securing <;ai increase in the number of practical farmers on the Boards of these Colleges, in accordance nith a rcsoiutioll whICh was adopted .unanimously at a recent Conference or the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture. Th~ letter states that while the Board appreciate and acknowledge the ser- vices rendered by the bodies of Gover- nors of the Colleges as at present con- stituted, they agree that there is room lor a greater infusion among them of iarmers. who are most directly 111- terested in agricultural education. The above-mencioned letter points out that in the early stages of the develop- ment ol tgricultural education tile Reaching institutions were largely de- on contributions Irom local authorities, to whose public spirit and enlightened policy farmers are deeply indebted. At that time it was proper that county and town councils, who wore tbe contributing authorities, should have a predominant influence in the administration of funds contributed by themselves. The financial situation JS mlyr, however, romp-ietoiy altered as, vith the exception of the income de- rived from fees and other minor sources, the whole of the grants available for .agricultural education are derived from Imperial funds. In these circumstances the Board concur that the time luts come wbei: farmers should be more fully and direct!v represented on the govern- ing bodies of the Colleges." Shrire Horse Society. I At tjic general meeting held during the thirty-fifth annual show of the Shire Horse l Society at the Royal Agricultural llall, Islington, Earl Bat-hurst, who pre- sided, presented the council's report. This stated that the membership was 4.199. an increase of forty-three com- pared with last year, and the largest in the history of the society. The accounts showed a margin of, C918 19s. lid. on the year's wording, after deducting the 1;400 expended in the purchase of gold cups presented for competition in Aus- tralia, Canada, the Argentine, and the United States. The entries in the new volume of the Stud-Book totalled 1,008 ttallions and 3,995 mares, and 346 fx- port certificates were issued, against 455 last year. The United States took jnore thar. half the number shipped, the others going mostly to Ca,nada anti Russia. Sir Berkeley Sheffield was elected president for the ensuing year, and Lord Northbourne president-elect. The s how. I may add, was one of the largest of recent years, the total entry of 719 showing an increase of thirty- four over last year, and being the largest since IN- It was also one of the best in the history of the society. A study ofhc origin and ownership of the prize animals shows the value of the breed to tenant farmers. In the fourteen classes of breeding animals 109 exhibits received prizes. Of these sixty- two were bred by tenant farmers, each of whom received a prize of L10 or £ 5 as the breeder. Of the sixty-two animals only nine were shown by their breeders, the other fifty-three having been sold as foals, • vearlifigs, or at inaturer age. Twenty-three were exhibited by tenant farmers Of the remaining forty-seven L. animals twenty-four were bred in the studs of the wealthy owners they repre- sented, eighteen had passed from one "Ilch stud to another, and five had been Purchased by tenant farmers from inde- pendent breeders. Cost of Feeding Dairy Cows. I From the University College, Reading, comos a valuable and very instructive report by Mr. James Mackintosh on some investigations he Las been making as to the ocst of feeding dairy cows in twelve Berkshire herds. It was found that the idea of the investigation ap- pealer! strongly to the local farmers, and ill. a few days more requests to be in- cluded in the inquiry came in than tvuld be granted. as the limited facili- ties only ill owed of twelve herds being embraced in the scheme. The farmer- were required to keep weekly mill records, while once a month these were taken by an official recorder, who L.a t?y gathered particulars of the quantities Df food used, and so the cost of food pei gallon of milk produced was ascertained A he observations lasted ten months, am the returns during December, January February, and March indicate that tlr average daily yield per cow was 2.1 ( gallons, and the cost of food 5.7d. pr gallon. For the month of April thei was an increase in the quantity of mil end a falling off in the food bill, th figures being 2.30 gallons and 5.28f The individual herd returns over th four months showed that the dail" average cost of food per cow vane- frigin IO.Wi4. to 14-15d. In Auril minv were enabled to make a sharp reduction in the feeding outlays. Thus in the herd where the feeding was most ex- pensive during wintcsr the April rations cost. only 8.82d. daily, nearly 5ld. per cow less than the winter bill. During the five months from Decem- ber to April it was found, by Mr. Mackintosh that on one farm milk was costing less than 5d. per gallon in food; Oil seven fia rms vlw expenditure was from 5d" to 6d.; on two farms irom 6d. to 7d. and on other two from 7d. to 8d. the tvorage being 5.83d. per gal- iou. In the five summer months the daily yield of milk was 2.31 gallons per cow and the cost of food 2 77d. per gallon. The limit.s of variation during the summer months in the different herds were 1.78d. and 1.4Od. To illus- trate the influence of careful manage- ment and good cattle it may be said that the herd with the cheapest ration varied from forty-fonr to fifty-sax cows, and averaged 2.40 gallons. Whore more was spent on the food the average was 2.09 gallons, and the number of cows thirty-six to forty-two. It is quite pos- sible that the lower yield may have responsible for the higher cost of the rations, as the class of cow miy ik)t. have been so zood.

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INO APPETITE FOR FOODI

CANADIAN NEWS ITEMS. !

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CANADIAN NEWS ITEMS. The formal opening of Manitoba Agricultural College, which has just -taken place at Winnipeg, marks a new epoch in the history of agriculture in that province. The new college signal- ises an advance on the old one no less marked than the forward movement of the new agriculture over the haphazard methods which prevailed before the time when careful scientific training was available to the young men and women of the farm. The province has been generous in its expenditure cn the new institution but it has the satisfaction of knowing that it possesses a oolleg-ee unsurpassed, probably unequalled by any in the world. Canada's Native-Born. I The latest volume issued by the Can.. adjan Government contains details of the census that was made of the Dom- inion in 1911. and deals with the origins of the people. It is notable that, de- spite the heavy immigration, more than one-half of the total increase in popu- lation during the ten years from 1901-, 1911 is given as being of Canadian j birth. In all the provinces, with the exception of Alberta and British (Aii- i umbia, people born in Canada are in the majority, and in those two pro- vinces, when the people born outside Canada but in the British Empire are counted wi i,h the native-born Can- adians, the resulting totals gve decided of the ,;)101e popula.t ion. majorities of the whole popu l ation.

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GARDENING NOTES. I

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GARDENING NOTES. I (By F. Dallman Page, F.R.H.S.) I THE FLOWER CARDEN. I Violets, violas oornuta, violas and violettas, and pansies, are all members of one family. They are perennials. The sweet violets are spring-flowering plants, and ought to bo bedded out dur- ing the autumn. In the viola. cornuta we have tho origin of our modern viola. i faiso position, because tho Council It is a charming and perfectly hardy little plant, and worth growing for its slender beauty. The blooms mo-re re- semble a violet, and the foliage that of the violctta. It is a pretty subject in the rockery, and flowers the whole sum- mer through..Many folk may not know of these uncommon species of the g-?nus, and vet be glad to grow them by way of d vc+? be There is a creeping viola- of cl ange. "vioia gracilis," a small-flowered plant a rapid grower and continuously in bloom. For hanging over rock work, we are not aware of Anything more robust or more flowery. Vjolettas aire minia- ture riol-is Tho type "violctta" is still the bes-, of the group. The oolour is white, with a yellow centre, and the fragrance nearly as powerful as the "vt violet" (" viola odorata "). The pansy is the only member of the race that is not quite hardy in bad win- ters and the sweet violet the exception to being peqwtual.blocmors—that is to say. continually throwing up the flower buds right the way through the summer and autumn. To make a complete suc- cess of pansies, slightly improved culti- vation is demanded. Tho remainder of the genus, including hardy violets, and there art, tender varieties of the violet, I will flourish under oilr viola culture. The Pansy. I Where a situation in the half-shade e-an bo found, their culture is easier and the blooms do not deteriorate until the autumn. The worse possible conditions a.re a sunny bed, extra, light soil, and shallow digging. Thon the only thing to be done is to double dig the sit-c-it may b< an edging, to put plenty of de- cayed natural manure and leaf mould into the second spit, to plant somewhat deeply, and to saturate with wate-r dur- ing a season of drought. But on the shady side of the garden, one spit dig- ging will serve Moderately manuring iiitl also suffice, and planting tho plant- Jets an inch lower than previously grown This advice applies to loose roots as well as pot plants. The Pansy and the Viola. I Similar treatment will produce ex- hibition violas, viodettas, etc. Howbeit, the size of their blooms will not nearly so quickly diminish in the dlJ-y sunshiny border as the pansy whilst in more con- genial positions they will succeed with- out so ranch food within the soil. And so with the atter-culture-the proper care of tho. pansy is the more urgent. The most important Retail is to cut off every Jead and fading lfower once a week A second detail is to thoroughly drench the plants when the ground dries up. Scientific watering is occasionally soaking as opposed to frequently sprink- ling. The latter procedure attracts the rootlets towards the surface, where they remain exposed to the sun's rays. Then, when the evening sprinklings aao neglected, you can learn by experience an elementary gardening lesson. The third point is worth a special paragraph. At the middle of their season, prune away the old flowering stems. Cut bhem as far back as possible without spoiling the shape of the clump. The result of this operation, together with summer feeding, will be that the plants will again carry blooms of almost their former size. One manner of sum- lnør feeding would be an inch layer of "old" animal manure. Optional dress- ings are, half and half hop manure and 8Qil, or a complete artificial with fibre or leaf mould. A good way to apply th" mulch is to scrape away an inch of soil from around the clumps, to put in the manurial mulching, and then return the removed soil. Thus will aJl the strength in the manure go to nourish the plants and nono be used in feeding the atmosphere. Sweet violets are only pruned after flowering is finished, and should be manured before Christmas. ————. —————

THE FRUIT CARDEN.I

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THE FRUIT CARDEN. I Pruning Currants and Gooseberries. I Birds have a liking tor the buds of these bush fruits. They will leave the pip and stone trees alone, and also the blackberry, raspberry, and their crosses but when the ground is-hatrd with frost, and excepting other more attractive food is handy, they-although truly our feathered friends inasmuch as they de- vour insects and the cg;gs--becomc the foes of currants and gooseberries. And they seem more partial to red and white currant and gooseberry buds than black currants. Indeed, a. knowledge of their taste in food may save time in winter- protecting the bushes. If a neighbour- ing gardener is chancing his luck with red and white ourrants and with goose- berries, your black currant hushes will be safe. The argument for spring prun- ing is that by allowing all the buds to rema-in upon the bushes over the winter the probability is that a proportion will be spared 1,1. the owner. Gooseberry and red and white cur- rants are pruned much as an apple tree, which is to say, the fruit is expected on spurs. So, during summer and autumn the side shoots upon the ripened siemr, should be stopped at six inches and the continuatior laterals at the first or the second bud. This plan causes the sap be concentrated towards the has? of the side shoots: and, if these are shortened to three inches or thereabouts now, the remaining buds will produce strong bunches of fruit. While tho fruits just mentioned are carried upon spurs" along several-voar- old stems, the choicest clusters of black currants are always found on the stems started and developed the year previous the stems loss then a yoar old. Prun- ing the black varieties of the currant consists in thinning congested growth, the removal of a few inches from the leaders to give the buds lower down an impetus and cut ting away muoh of the rood that has already hürnc a crop.

THE VEGETABLE CARDEN.I

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THE VEGETABLE CARDEN. I Spinach. I. Carefully grown, spinach is a most I profitable crop; and, w hen the are soaked in water for the six hours prior to sowing, cutting can be com- menced within two months of the Easter sowing. Germination and progress are 1-etarded in the case of earlier batches by cold and sunless weather, whereas late-spring and summer sowings are de- layed through tho lack of the soft rain- water in the ground. Of course, some allotment folk drain the water from the roof of their tool shed into a barrel, and then the seed rows can he nnrsed with Nature's unexcelled stimulating liquid. The chief reasons for want of success i,re sowing the seed thic-kly, culture in a hot and dry bed, no attention to watering and overcrowding in the lines. The pla-nts must finally stand eight nehes apart i 11 rows a foot apart; Lut until one-third grown the plantlets can remain at four inches, and tho final thinnings are very choice eating indeed and early. Spinach for summer picking is of the round-seeded type, and "Victoria" is much superior to the ordinary "Round" variety. Being grown for its foliagc; I so soon as seed stems are produced, the plants must be grubbed up. Dry soil is the main cause of the plants run- ning to scxl; a.nd preventives a.re deep digging, genoeous quantities of decayed animal and. loaf manure in the subsoil. watering, and regularly picking the rows. A study of the summer culture will tell the reader what to do to make the best of the present plants, the winter varieties of spinach. If you have not worked the site twenty inches deep, give the plants a manurial mulch, for the soil often becomes too dry during the spring. Bu.ry the dressing should time permit.

AGRICULTURAL -EDUCATION.I

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AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. Carmarthenshire coinmittee to Spend I Ll,000 a Year. An important and comprehenaiTe scheme for the development of agricul- tural e d ucation has been decided by the Carmarthenshire Education Committee, according to which the sum of t558 now spent on such education is to be in- creased to £ 1,000 per annum. Towards the extra expenditure 1 pet cent., oi- i::31J, is contributed in the form of a grant from the development fund, while JE129 is provided. by the county. The scheme provided that the in struction sliall-be given by the lJni- versity College of Aberystwyth, who will appoint an organiser to reside in the county. The organiser, in add-on to giving instruction on one or other the branches of agriculture, will give advice on ordinary agricultural questions. The scheme provides lor the alloca- tion of the £1,000 in the following mannerSalary of orgallisc.r, £.31) per annum, with VO travelling ex- penses port-ion of salary of instructor m horticulture, £3<5, with expenses; a portion of salaries oi dairy and poultry instructresses, £;0, with I £ 'io travelling expenses; scholarships, £ 300; grant to college farm, £ 75; field experiment-), 4;100 -1 reserved for special courses at local centres, £ 50.

WELSH PONIES. I

THE CARDIFF MURDER.

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I WEEKLY REVIEW OF THE GRAIN…

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I WEEKLY REVIEW OF THE GRAIN AND FLOUR TRADES. Since drafting my last review the weather has been principally stormy and wet, with a few fine intervals, and as the sun is more powerful, the land soon dries up. From an agricultural standpoint it is not favourable. Spring tilling has commenced, and good pro- gress is being made. Winter wheat continues to make steady growth. The young lam bs and other live stock are healthy and doing well. Trade in the fat stock market is fairly good, though not quite so brisk as formerly. Beef steady, (id. to 8 21 d. mutton steady, 7-J-d. to lOd.; pork dull and easier, 6d. to 7d. per lb. Wool continues in demand at ex- treme prices. Quotations as follows: Washed, 11>, to Is. Id. j unwashed, 9a d. per lb. Reports of the growing winter wheat crops in the principal European countries continue quite favourable, and the same applies to Canada and the United States. The Indian crop is now approaching maturity, and it will be larger than at one time expected, though even now it won't be an abundant one. Shipments of foreign wheat are still large, quite up to requirements, and deliveries by farmers, are maintained; warehouse stocks about the samo as last week. The Floating Crain Cargo Trade. I Wheat dull. Russian, 33s. 3d. to 35s. 6d.; Plate, 34s. to 35s. (id- Indian, 36s. 9d. to 37s. 6d.; Australian 3.56. 9d. to 36s. 9(1. Californian, 37s. to 37s. 9d. American Spring, 33s. 9d. to :36.s. Maize steady but quiet. Russian, 23s. to 24s. 9d.; Plate, 23s. to 24s. 3d.; American, nominal. Barley steady, hut quiet. Russian, 20s. 6d. to 24s.; Indian, 23s. 3d. to 25s. 3d.; Persian, 19.5. to 22s. 6d. Oats steady, but quiet. Russian, 16s. 6d. to :as. I- Plate, 14s. 3d. to 15s. 9d. Spot Prices at Mark Lane. I Wheat dull. Russian, 33s. 9d. to 35s. 9d.; Plate, 34s. 3d. to 35s. 9el.; Indian, 38s. to 38s. 3d.; Australian, ;3(38. 6d. to 37s. Californian^ 37s. 6d. to 38s.; American Spring, 34s. 3d. to 37s. 6d.; English White, 31s. to 36s.; Red. 30s. to 35s. Maize steady, quiet. Russian, 23s. 6d. to 25s. 6d.; Plate, 23s. fid. to American, nominal. Barley steady, quiet. Russian, 20s. 9d. to 24s. 3d. Indian, 24s. 3d. to 2fis.; Persian, 19s. 3d. to 23s.; English malt- ing, 33s. to 40s. Oats steady. English, 17s. to 23s. 6d. Foreign, 14s. 9d. to 22s. 9d. Feeding cakes steady, limited demand. Flour. I The consumption of bread shows rather a' falling off, and with dull wheat markets, and bakers well covered at favour-able prices, the flour trade has relapsed into a. state of ex- treme quietude, and millers and mer- chants are now competing for delivery orders from their customers. Quotations as follows: Town House- holds, 26s. 9d. to 27s. 3d.; White, 29s. 6d.; Country Patents, :t.5s. 9d; Whites, 23s.; Minneapolis Patents, 26s. 6d. to 28s. CAI. Manitoba Patents, 28s. to 27s. 6d.; Kansas Patents, 25s. 9d. to 27s. 6d. j American Spring Bakers, 24s. 3d. to 25s.; Hungarian; Patents, 36s. 6d. to 37s. 9d. t Wheat Forecast. Weekly shipments of foreign wheat are heavy, and will continue so fori some months. The winter wheat cropfl in both North American and European Continents are progressing satisfac- torily, and the Indian crop, now ap- proaching maturity, indicates turning out better than at one time expected, though it will be rather on the small side. Unless serious harm should happen to the winter wheat in Europe or America, which is not very probable, I se e no likelihood of a permanent advance in wheat markets, and there- fore no inducement to speculation. Feeding Stuff Forecast. I With spring advancing, and the sun more in evidence, the consumptibn of dry food is rather less, and will con- tinue to ea&e off, which means a decreased demand for feeding stuff. The Argentine maize harvest is now in full swing under favourable condi- tions, and a. large crop is practically assured. This will have a depressing effect on markets, and although values are at a. reasonable level, I see little likelihood of higher prices in the near future.

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THE POULTRY YARD.

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THE POULTRY YARD. I (BY" Cockcrow.") DAY-OLD CHICKS. Very much of muohness to the a.mateur eye axe the fluffy youngsters t-hat emerge from the aheil. The novice, whon you ask him the brood of these new aJTivals. will be sorely perplexed if he has mixed the eggs h4 set. He can distinguish the hreeos among grown birds without much trouble, but ho does not know a Houdsa-n chick from a Buff Orpington. Now, by a jliafcle trouble you can learn to olaasuy the day- old chicks surely and swiftly. The fol- lowing hints will prove a useful guide. Picking the Breeds. Take HouCLan. ou Vfat soon recog- nise these by their delightful creamy white colour: mark tiiem by their five toes. One variety it is posfcfble to con- fuse theru with is Anconas. These, how- ever, have neither the tuft nor the five toes. Barred Rock chickens have one important peculiarity. A light grey spot about the size ot a shilling appears oa the bead of ail chicks that are likely to grow to the righo colour. If you want properly m.arked pullets, always use cockerels of the Jigiit shade. A good proportion of the offspring will be black if you use dark male birds to breed from. The white Wyandotte is aji important breed. If the chicks are to be the right colour, they will have bright yellow legs, oroamy white or pure white plumage, and rose combs. Be sure the chicken has a double comb, or the birdv will grow up into a hope- less specimen. Lfrjghorns. are similar chicks, but have single combs. Single- eombed 'Dot-tes are thus indistinguish- able ti-oin legliai-iis at this stage. All feather-legged brood should have leg- feathering when hatched. Among these are CYoad-Langsbans, salmon l^aver- olles, and light Brahmas: Fa verolles are easily picked out by their possessing five toes clearly marked. Buff Orping- ton chickens appear with a rich golden- bufi colour, and are distinguished with out any troublo. The only thing is to be careful of the new variety, the Hingle-combed Rhode Island Red ohiekens, which have double combs. It is best to keep thesa two breeds away from each other. Brown Ix>ghom« show a pretty brown colour with a dark brown stripe running down the back from head to tail. Black T/eghorns and Black Minorca chicks a.re not easy to distinguish, as the T/eghorn when young often has quite dark 1.. Yon must judge by the sole of the foft. Don't be surprised -it a large proportion of white in the first and -socond lots of feathers in chicks of black breeds: thi? is quite usual, and is no danger to the bird getting a fine colour as it grows. A Lean-To House. -1 The above shows a good lean-to house which can be easily constructed against a high wall, and a ground floor of the siune. Ventilation lIoles will be noticed above and beside the door. The nest boxes are against tho wall below the windows. The perches are to the back of the bouse. Packing the Day-Olds. I If you are packing up your day- old chickens tor oespaich, a tew hints may be useful, while, if you are not, you wili stili have the pleasure of beuig able to deal out ziutitoritativo advice to your lleigobour who is. umbers 01 people ivilo,lise(I to buy eggs tor Hatch- ing now buy day-old chiuKaos, thelre being less risk in making a start tnis way. Consequently the uay-oki chicken trade is growing apaoe, and many pouitry-keepers wno have leared a nice urood of youngsters are finding a pronto able market. In fact, everybody, as the American poet says, is doing it. There is, i fear, a good, deal of bad packing done. it cannot, be expected that caickens can travel, perhaps two hundred miles, when they are thrust roughly in an uncomfortable box, the sender piously trusting to luck tha.t they will not get battered w death nor killed by draughts. Now, until the warmer weather sets in, wood boxer. are every way batter than cardboard. The ideal size is ten inches long by five wide, with a depth of a.bout five. The bottom should be lined with cotton wool, which is better than flannel, although the latter is sometimes used. Dry hay is put round the sides to form a oointort- able nest, which is just large enough to allow the chicks n»>vin^ I'ooin when they are put together. A layer of cot- ton wool is put on top. In every tiling aim at comtart. The eliicks must bo kept warm. The Food Question. I Newly-hatched birus oa.11 go for forty- eight hours with out food* Chicks w'liich are two or three days older should be well fed before the, journey. Under these conditions, no tood should bo put in the travelling bdis. It is, of course, advisable to dispatch the boxes so that they arrive at their destination early in the day. when the birds can get a meal. If they arrive at night they may be held up at the station till next day and have t-o undergo most disagree- able privations. By the way, don't make the common error, if the broody has to lie sent as well, to pack her with the chicks, as their noise will disturb her. It is advisable to send her in another box by the same train. At the Destination. I If the arrivals arc not given a oosy welcome after their long journey, they will, of course, fajl to act upon their promise. If the vendor sends hardy birds that reach tlieir destination alive and safe, his part cf the oontract is per- formed. and it remains with the receiver to warm them and feed them, and gen- erally get them into fighting form. The best thing is to put them into a brooder heated as near lOOdeg. Fahr. as pos- sible. Another moans to cheer the littl" creatures up commonly used by those who lack brooders is to put them in t ihunel-lined basket in the oven at about the same temperature, not more. Of course, the door is iMt open. Some- times it is lIfficient to warm t-he b<???' at the kitchen fire. They should be given a f-eeri of warm steeped oatmei!. or biscuit nieal when they arc warm. and be given a little warm milk. Tr you have a broody hen, it will be well to give her charge of the chicks after th?ir journey, introducing them one b? quo. 1

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