Pratt's Practical Pointers on the Care of Livestock and Poultry Part 13

_Treatment._--Give each adult hog one heaping tablespoonful of Pratts Worm Powder with the feed once a day for four days. After the last dose give a bran mash to loosen bowels.

Repeat this treatment two weeks after the first to insure killing any worms which may have hatched in the meantime.

Even if you are not sure that your hogs have worms--as they _probably_ have--you should use Pratts Worm Powder as above as a matter of precaution.

_Woodsboro, Md.

I bought four pigs, four months' old, weighing about 16 pounds each, and, in bad condition. Began to feed Pratts Animal Regulator and at 5 months' old they averaged a gain of one pound a day per pig.

CHARLES W. HOLBRUNER._

[Ill.u.s.tration: Care of Poultry]

~POULTRY~

"One hundred hens on every farm" was the small number set by the United States Department of Agriculture in its great war drive for increased production of foods. And certainly this number of fowls, and many more, can be easily and profitably maintained on the average farm. Easily, because under free range conditions, which are possible on the farm they require but little attention. Profitably, because under these conditions, where they pick up much of their living, the cost of production is comparatively low, while eggs and flesh sell at good prices. Further, these delicious and nutritious foods add variety to the farm table.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ~BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS~]

_South Easton, Ma.s.s.

I have used Pratts Poultry Regulator regularly.

The egg record for 900 fowls for five months the past winter was as follows: Dec., 50%; Jan., 43%; Feb., 55%; March, 69%; April, 69%.

The lower record of January was caused by some pullets moulting.

Would say that fertility of eggs averaged 87% in December to over 90% later in the spring.

J.H. RANKIN._

Many a farmer's wife finds her poultry flock a never-failing source of pin money. Many a farm girl and boy have secured their education from faithfully saving the "egg-money." And the opportunities for profit in this line are now greater than ever before.

~Helps for Poultrymen~

In a short chapter in a general publication of this kind it is impossible to go into the finer details of modern methods of poultry husbandry. For those who desire more information on this subject we have a big 160-page book, pages 6x9 inches in size, fully ill.u.s.trated with 150 photos and drawings. The t.i.tle is "The Poultryman's Complete Handbook." It's worth a dollar, but we will send you a copy, prepaid, for only ten cents in stamps or silver. Address your request to Pratt Food Co., Philadelphia.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ~WHITE WYANDOTTES~]

Pratts Poultry Service Department is maintained to give expert information and advice on poultry topics. There is no charge for this service. Whenever you get puzzled, write Pratts experts. They will send you a prompt personal reply containing the information you desire. No charge, no obligation. Address such letters to Poultry Service Department, Pratt Food Co., Philadelphia.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ~S.C. WHITE LEGHORNS~]

~Breeds of Poultry~

Regardless of breeding and appearance, a heavy layer is a good hen to own. And laying ability is not confined to any one breed or cla.s.s of fowls. There are exceptional layers, dependable profit-payers, in practically every fair-sized flock, whether made up of standard-bred stock or mongrels.

As a general rule, however, standard-bred birds are best. By that term we mean those which have been bred to meet the typical breed and variety descriptions as appearing in the official Standard of Perfection which is published by the American Poultry a.s.sociation. Such a flock is bound to be uniform in size, appearance and general characteristics, is easier to manage properly because of its uniformity, and its products, both eggs and table poultry, will also be uniform. Further the income from such a flock may be increased through the sale of eggs for hatching and of breeding stock at prices many times greater than those of table eggs and poultry.

No matter what breed you select, the most important matter, the very foundation of success, is the securing of _individual birds which are strong, st.u.r.dy, vigorous and healthy_. Only stock of high vitality can be depended upon to give continuously good results. It is time and money wasted to keep fowls which are weak, sickly or "run-down," the result of improper breeding or management.

As a rule, it is best to select that breed which is most popular locally, because such popularity indicates that the breed in question thrives under local conditions and meets the requirements of the local markets. Further, one has greater opportunities of securing good birds and a larger market for hatching eggs and stock.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ~RHODE ISLAND REDS~]

_Clemson College, S.C.

We have been using Pratts Baby Chick Food and are very well pleased with it. I think that it is the best baby chick mash on the market today.

FRANK C. HARE, Prof. of Poultry Husbandry._

Among the farmers whose markets demand white-sh.e.l.led eggs, the S.C.

White Leghorn is the most popular fowl. The Black Minorca is another favorite. It produces the largest white eggs.

[Ill.u.s.tration: TOLMAN TYPE HOUSE]

Where brown-sh.e.l.led eggs are wanted, the Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red and Orpington lead. And for the production of the largest table carca.s.ses the Light Brahma, either pure or crossed with a more active breed, is a favorite. The live weights of adult birds of these breeds are as follows:

Breed. c.o.c.k. Hen.

Leghorns 5 1/2 lbs. 4 lbs.

Black Minorcas 9 lbs. 7 1/2 lbs.

Plymouth Rocks 9 1/2 lbs. 7 1/2 lbs.

Wyandottes 8 1/2 lbs. 6 1/2 lbs.

Rhode Island Reds 8 1/2 lbs. 6 1/2 lbs.

Orpingtons 10 lbs. 8 lbs.

Light Brahmas 12 lbs. 9 1/2 lbs.

Most of these breeds have varieties, determined by color of plumage or shape of comb. Select that one which best pleases you.

[Ill.u.s.tration: UNEVEN SPAN ROOF HOUSE]