Farm and Garden

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 259, 14 May 1910, Page 3

Farm and Garden

BALSAM FOR POULTRY. A writer in the "Feathered World" (England) makes reference to the value of friar's balsam as a remedy for the various ills that afflict poultry and cage birds. He writes: —"A very old but nevertheless valuable agent that has stood the test of experience in spite of all the modern research and the introduction of innumerable medicinal agents is friar's balsam, which is technically named compound tincture of benzoin. It is composed of benzoin, prepared storax, balsam of tolu, and Socrotrine aloes dissolved in alcohol. For wounds and ulcers it has no equal, and should be preferred, for birds at least, to any other agent for these conditions. It acts not only as a reliable antiseptic and disinfectant, but also as a varnish or covering of the wound. By excluding the atmospheric air containing innumerable germs, and by neutralising the germs already in the wound, it prevents inflammationn, and in consequence matter formation and pain, and also general blood-poisoning, so often having its starting point at a breach of the skin. It is also useful in the treatment of scabies mange or itch, that occasionally is seen in cage or aviary birds affecting the beak and face, and in poultry the legs. It may be applied to the affected parts by mean's of a small camel hair pencil or brush, or J even a small feather. For internal purposes, it should be mixed with the drinking water. A few drops just to make the water milky in appearance, will be sufficient. It is invaluable in the treatment of so-calle I asthma so often encountered in canaries, and occasionally seen in other cage birds. It is also useful in the treatment of bronchitis, parasites in the windpipe (gapes), crops, proventriculus and intestine. It may be given with benefit in torpid liver, jaundice and constipation. As an inhalant in catarrh or bronchitis it should be poured on boiling water and placed near the cage, which should have a piece of waterproof cover over its top so as to include the utensil containing the liquid under the covering. For the larger birds it may be given in capsule form. SUNFLOWER SEED FOR POULTRY. Sunflower seeds are used for feeding poultry and other birds, and also in the preparation of medicinal foods for stock. The soil intended for the crop should be dressed with 10 or 12 tons of farmyard manure per acre, and the seed is sown from two to three inches deep in drills about 3ft apart. Fifteen pounds of seed usually suffice to sow an acre. The seedlings are thinned out from 12in to 18in apart in the row when they are Bin high. The crop withstands drought and is peculiarly free from diseases of all kinds. About three or four heads may be left to each plant, the balance being picked off by hand. About 8001bs of seed are usually secured per acre; and it should be noted that, if stored in large quantities, the seed tends to heat and spoil, so that it should be kept in bins and other receptacles. BREVITIES. Lice will eat the profit right off your chicks. Keep the laying hens busy in scratching a good part of the day. A broiler should weigh at least two pounds. Stewers may run up to three. That old rooster is a tyrant now. Get him fat and let him go to the market. Better off without him. Hot water is good to settle with mites. It kills both the and the mites that are already doing business. Scrape up an acquaintance with your hens. The tame hen is the happiest, and happy hens bring in the dollars. As the nights get colder, drive the young birds out of the trees and get them in the habit of roosting in the house.