POULTRY LORE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 859, 17 August 1888, Page 18

POULTRY LORE.

How Girls May Build a Poultry Fenoe, Miss E. IC. Winass, New Jersef.

Some girls who are poultry farmers have no fathers or brothers. to build fences for them. Some girls’ fathers and brothers will not build fences for them until ‘ by-and-by,’ although the fence question is a serious one one now, when the hens must be kept from the corn, the ducks from the strawberries, and the turkeys from the young chickens. If the poultry department is grand enough to need separate yards for different breeds, and chickens of differert ages, fence building and mending is an important part of the work and expense. Any vigorous girl who can play tennis well, can make a simple lath fence, if the posts have been driven for her ; indeed most girls can drive in light scantling posts ‘all by their lane.’ The girls who are not equal to either of these tasks may like tp know of a light, portable and serviceable fence. It is made by nailing laths together in square frames, which are to be tied or nailed to each other and to small stakes pointed and driven into the ground. For grown-up chickens fourteen laths are enough for each frame, which will be four feet square. The length of a common building lath is four feet, and one’s calculations for fences of this kind mnst be based upon that. The bundles sold at lumber-yards contain about one hundred laths, and will make seven frames or twenty-eight running feet of fencing. To make the frames, lay out a square of four laths, nail them in place, and then nail ton more laths across, that will make the distance between them about three inches. Make it all firm and straight. Turn over the frame and clinch or break off the

nails, driving in more from that aide ; for it should be as strong as possible with such light material. Clinching nails are best. Drive in one stake f6r every two frames and fasten two frames together, and then attach to their posts with nails or strong twine. One frame must be left loose for a gate. This makes a stronger fence than one would suppose, and will Btand against high winds or almost anything but large dogs, which sometimes break them. The chickens that are to be confined by it should have one wing clipped, or else' a fence only four feet high will not restrain ' them. The stakes may be eight feet high, and a doable course of frames used. For little chickens, set the laths closer, or tack unbleached muslin on half of each frame. Near the sea old fish nets tacked on light frames make pretty and convenient fences. Often it is easier* to fence in the garden than to fence out the poultry, because hens will not work so hard even to get at the newly-planted corn as they will for freedom.

Fence-building or any other thing that keeps the girls out in the orchards and fields in May and June is a blessing. They are almost sure to be joyous and good if they are out-doors all day long now, when even hard work is pleasant. Imprisoned chickens should often be set free. Their mistress ought to watch them, keeping them out of mischief, but letting them go far and wide for one happy hour, in which they can forage and enjoy themselves.

WAIRARAPA POULTRY SHOW.

(FROM OCR own CORRESPONDENT.) Masterton, August 9. The fourth annual show of the YVairarapa Poultry Association was opened to-day. The exhibits as a whole are of a high class, and numerous in all but pigeons and canaries. The attendance during the. afternoon was moderate, but much better in the evening. In game fowls, Mr A. L. Whyte takes nine prizes, Mr BillingtoD six, Mr Elkins three ; in Dorkings, Mr P. C. Anderson three, Mr Elkins two, Mr C. Perry two ; in Andulusians, Mr Elkins three, Messrs Perry, Dixon and J. J. Williams one each ; in Hondans, Mr Elkins eight ; in Cochins, Mr R. E. Bannister ten, Mr VV. G. King three, Mr Elkins two ; in Brahmas, Messrs_ Shelley, Bannister and Moots four each : in Langshans, Mr Remington four, Mr Hosking three, Mr M. Wilton two, Mr Elkins two ; in Plymouth Rock, Messrs Hosking and Elkins two ; in Hamburgs, Mr Elkins fourteen, Mr Fear three, Mr Wickerson two ; in pigeons, Mr Elkins'four, Mr Wilton two. For canaries the prizes are taken by Messrs Elkins, Schroder and Simmonds. Dr Hoskings showed an American bronze turkey of enormous size, the plumage of which was greatly admired. August 10. The poultry show to-day was poorly attended, the weather babng most unfavourable! The visitors also complain that they are unable to ascertain the names of the prize-takers without buying a catalogue.