The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

AGRICULTURAL NOTES. BY A PRACTICAL FARMER. p POULTRY ON THE FARM. in arrn,er8 are taking an increasing interest fj Poultry, according to the experience of the dam Agricultural College, so the ^ipal, Mr. P. Hedworth Foulkes, stated Trials of different breeds and dif- C0nIlt strains had been carried out at the « u«ge, and it was interesting to notice how ^.Poultry had improved throughout the eom- Thons which had been in progress. be first competition, which extended over Pe elve months. was in 1996-7. and in that t.1" the average number of eggs laid by all a- birds in the trial was 132., the money value Sh being 12s' 7d" In 1912 13 the *vera8e iKr h«n went up to J51'9. the money friT being 14s. 5d. In 1913-14, last year's the average yield was up to 187 eggs hen, and the money value went up to M 0id" which was not due to inflated war I Pes. This year another competition was 1^8 conducted. The figures at the end of the month would be equal to the previous « records. GQ T- Foulkes said he naturally did not re- **end that farmers should devote the of their holding to poultry. But as an ^JUnct of the farm he believed that a great t* n^ight be added to the income of the by improving the poultry kept on it. Y IMPT u ri this connection it is* interesting to note Yee Harper-Adams College is starting a two- 0 and a one-year's iaying competition on c'ober 1st. These will each include a section ^^Pri.sing each ten pens for farmers- and holders. 1 may point out that these ^'Petitions are no fancy affair, but repre- a really serious attempt to improve the ,^try's pojltry stock; and the figures above show that they are having very ^iderable success. RENOVATING BY SEED MIXTURE. tft4 demonstration of the improvement in Cte,c1 by the use of a suitable seeds mixture j ^'h:ch wild white clover was prominent was efitly arranged for the benefit of local 4lltJer.:i by the Agricultural Education Com- of the j)llr};arn County Council. J}J be demonstrator. Mr. F. P. "ker, first ^°^ed various labour-saving implements at on a farm, and then took the farmers as- th a nei"bbouring fifteen acre field on jQj^-Jinte farm. He said that in the winter of k 1the farmer had asked his advice as to ft;* cou^ renovate without ploughing out j/15 strong field, which three years ago he had \1] with a permanent seeds mixture. Like 1JY such mixtures it bad proved unavailing, t he was loth to .plough it out again on ac- lllJt of labour a7id expense. 1r. Walker gave it as his opinion, from his i] experience, that it -would still be possible renovate the field economically. In the .Prjiig of 1914 they had taken an acre right pi *be middle of the field. Half an acre of this was simply manured, one quarter-acre lOcwt. per acre of high quality basic ^a8- and the other quarter with the same •e><vn„ of s'ag and 6ewt. per acre of kainit. remaining half-acre was harrowed with jtav}' duck-foot harrows to form a rough 4 '> and then sown with a renovating mix- containing wild white clover-seed, peren- 3{. «. rye-grass, timothy, and cocksfoot grass Or S' was ^ben rolled. At the same time quarter-acre of this half-acre was top- with lOcwt. per acre of high quality t;. and the remaining quarter-acre with £ t. of kainit per acre in addition. "fardul records were being kept of the ^'glits of hay produced and the costs of the e.atlrient. As, however, the experiment was y in its initial stages, he would not give figures, and only asked the farmers now plots themselves, and notice the ^ng contrast of the growth of the wild ^_lte clover-seed, fed by the phosphatic 'Hire, with the other plots and the re- ader of the field. A DISEASE OF WHEAT. «iuj are many reasons for having an of samples of seeds made by a com- t authority. Many of these reasons for ,Practice are no doubt quite familiar to a/s I have frequently called attention But. there is another reason to which is rarely made, and 1 doubt if many "5aJtilea.l men ai>e aware of it. But it may £ £ a g^at, difference to the yield, of a j CTop if the grower is not warned1 in time, as a result of having a seed j^^ysis made, that a large percentage of the is not capable of germination. ^rV^ntion is drawn to this matter ki a hv the Board of Agriculture, is pointed" out that it occasionally hap- especially after exceptionally wet har- w<'atber, that wheat gathered' in appar- first-rate condition and perfectly good nulling purposes 'has, when tested for "()t purposes, a low germinating capacity, Jt higher, perhaps, than 40 or 50 per cent. Su ePt that the space occupied by the embryo H kittle depressed or shrunken, the grain Will *° outward appearance, be good, i§ht, plump, and dry. this reason suspicion seldom falls on l^.fceed' when the crop is a failure in the fol- jjiUg season, such failure being generally incorrectly attributed to some wholly (w^ent cause. Further, it is not usually *oih € to determine in the winter or spring, ♦xaminatioin of such plante m grow ^iseiused seed, what is the cau.se, though '1,011 may 'be aroused when it is found tne seed is slow in germinating and that *2 °f the plante. die subsequently. "h .ted wheat may, however, be detected I Ile" in flower, or at any time before it is ty) by the presence of a minute fungus be chaff (which is diseoloured with a 3ls'b or olive green stain), or occasionally if leaves, leaf-sheaths, and even the ears I a^'ack is severe. As a rule, but little results from the presence of the fu-ngus f leaves, but when the ear is attacked fj,'iderable loss may result. disease in its mildest form is probably | ^5^' widely spread, and is present every It « in every country where wheat is sown. Nvt ^^rally escapes observation, as it does On a rule extend beyond the glume or chaff bich it usually lives. t%, ',fortunately, nothing can be done to .l!}f the progress of the disease while the Agronving. The only precaution that ^i\]j p taken is to have the seed tested, espe- Sp,, after a wet harvest, and to reject all I 68 that do not ahow a reasonably high ^age of germination. 1 > v- POTASH SUPPLIES. ?> b iw of the scarcity of potash occasioned Avar a great deal of information has •M^leeted a.t the Imperial Institute, and ^Ppj 'n a" Pamphlet ejititled The WorJ-di's Potash," in response to commercial iV ^or particulars respecting new a ^HiS P°tasb. The potash hitherto used tu «n 00an^rJ" ^as heen chiefly derived from 0Pl»ous deposits of potash salts which J^ar Stassfurt in the north of Germany. have been systematically and lea}1y worked and the trade so well ^hat German potash, on account of became the almost t xeliTsiw sonroe 1'h.. Potash required throughout the world. gives details of all the sources iiior'lsb> the German mines and the various ?lU an^°llrees of supply, but it does not hold 5" present hope of fresh large supplies ^iti^eavai|able, and therefore farmers are re- > b11 t° fall back upon such supplies as obtained from the burning of wood to trimmings, and vegetable refuse. they can to liberate the natural lh- islf>'<erv('s in the soil. gratifying to note that the German 1)()II;1)1 QY not continue to exercise such a J, C'j>r!e ^nonopoly in the future. 4 deposit 1>?'S h —a low-grade potash mineral — j011 discovered in Spain. Work has '??n it, and there are hopes that in din. deposit may prove to be an im 'i in ,.Source of the salt and be. able to com- l^-t.nie measure with the German pro- ^v, lerc are also said to be deposits in *}' oa z^b may prove to be of importance if M Am • economically workexJ. en0r€r^Ca efforts are being made to utilise j^<l, w?PUs bedo of a special kind of sea- f5( £ \Sh, contains a Iricili percentage of according to an official estimate '^ed t°ns potash salt a year could 1m rom this source.

ENEMY AND RIVAL. It was told last week how, after a couple of centuries or so of drifting, the English people woke up one day to find that a relentless, im- placable, and unscrupulous enemy had in- stalled himself in their midst-had their tradie, finance, and industry in his grip; and knew that unless this stealthy invader were shaken off. uprooted, and cast out, England was fated to become a. subject people—slaves beneath the whip of an unpitying task-master. That, as it was told, the awakening to reality, was in the days of Queen Elizabeth; and then as now our enemy was the German. Off and on for 200 years he had been at his scheming for the peaceful conquest of our land; having thus subdued us, he proceeded to the endeavour to strike us down by force of arms, and' so to the crown upon his con- quest-he stood' behind Philip of Spain with money, men, munitions when the Invincible Armada was launched against our coasts; and in that last tremendous hour Spain, the overt enemy, and Germany, the secret one, were broken, and. ENGLAND WAS HERSELF AGAIN. England was herself again—the Scots and Irish, too, were restored to their ideals of nationhood. Yes. but not for many a day after that. The Armada was sunk and shattered; but the German remained. He remained here still, despite that immortal victory. The Germans still remained. Again, as it is to-day, they had lured an ally on to his destruction'—'Jen the swaggering Spaniard, now the Austin-i gull—and still they held the j mastery over aii (nr peaceful arts and indus- tries. Off and 0" ror 200 years ou.r people had groaned benieatn the German yoke, and made only fitful efforts to cast it off. It was only when they, our forefathers, had felt the shock of battle and .had tasted blood that at last they awoke to realities, saw where the real and abiding danger lay, and cast the yoke from off their necks. It was war, ter- rible and yet purifying and cleansing war tha.t showed the way to resolute and cunning statecraft, t'nat was to throw off the German yoke and shear away the tentacles of the German octopus from offonr national body. It was Queen Bess and her statesmen, wise, crafty, and, when the occasion called, cun- miid and even unscrupulous as the traitor they had to meet and overthrow, who be- stowed this crowning mercy, welded our fore- fathers of that day into a united and self- reliant people, and opened out the spacious times of great Elizabeth. A LESSON HALF-LEARNT. There is a lesson for us to-day-how it those elder days we were rescued from shameful subjection, and given new national vigour and ulllity--a- lesson that as yet we have only lialf-learnt. And our destiny as a race—'whether we are to wither and decline, or to be recreated. and made one in national spirit, purpose, and tim depends upon whether we sitalit fully learn and take to heart the lesson taught by our great forebears, and act upoe, it in the manner of Elizabeth, without faltering, and fearlessly. We are confronted now with precisely th8 same peril that confronted the Elizabethans, and, but for their strength in leadership, would have destroyed them. The same-bu. now it it. a thousandfold greater. GERMAN THOROUGHNESS. For once in a way let us be honest about it, and. while hardening our hearts against the enemy, in the field and within our gates, acknowledge that the blame for this long start he has gained upon us, first in peaceful pene- tration, then in his texrible strength, equip- ment, and readiness in war-the blame must fall on our own shoulders. For fifty years or so we have sung the praises of German per- fection and thoroughness in education—intel- lectual, scientific, technical; and we have sent our sons and daughters to absorb and imitate this thoroughness — to be Germanised in method, but not, thank God, to any appre- ciable extent, in spirit. And all this time, what have we done to emulate this thorough- ness in our own country? Germany by her education maker, of each succeeding genera- tion not merely book-learned youngsters, but equips them also to follow that calling in life for which Providence has adapted them- business men, craftsmen of every sort, scien- tists, chemists, artists, and all the rest. And each one is stamped with the seal of citizen- ship, and with uiidevi-tijig loyalty to a ellear- cut national aim and ideal—to excel and dominate. Let our own teachers, professors, our Board of Education, and all whose busi- ness it is to teach patriotism and good citizen- ship—let slavisli admirers of this Ger- man thoroughness in education, make answer and say how far they have taken example, and cultivated a like British thoroughness in edu- cation and the cultivation of citizenship. Let us answer for them, and say: In science, in- dustry. trade, commerce, the Germans, this last iifty years or thereabouts, have gone ahead of us, and gained their deadly hold upon us by reason of this very thoroughness we ho much admired but somehow would not emulate. And so. as it was in the days of Elizabeth, when the enemy is conquered in war, still he will remain a deadly rival in our midst. Then he must be reconquered, cast out, or brought to submission, after the man- ner of Queen Bess, by being fought with these, his own, weapons—of thoroughness and efficiency; and by fearless, all-British state- craft and law-making. Otherwise our fighting men shall have died for us in vain. MILITARISM—THE GROWING PERIL. Of course it. will be said that this German thoroughness in the peaceful arts and its effects upon us is only a si(le-,issiie-tliat we are out to destroy Prussian, militarism and aggression, and, that being crushed, the rest is easy. Who say so blind themselves. This thoroughness in peace and this tremendous national unity and perfect obedience of the German people became the weapon of the Prussian overlords. These at last, swollen and arrogant in might and prosperity, reached out for world power and: made the nation drunk with prospects of glory and great, riches, to be won by that terrific fighting mswhine of which each one was part, and servant. And just as we saw ourselves being con- quered' by thoroughness and persistency in our trade, and would not take measures to defend oir.-scV.es; so the clear warning year by year was sounded by the enemy himself, that this peaceful invasion was but the forerunner of war, to complete our destruction. And, still misguided, we would not heed, we would not take steps to guard against this greater peril. Now we must pay the terrible price. And when we have paid the price in full there will still remain the further reckoning. German thoroughness will still remain-it is busy amongst us even now—to make good the de- vastation and losses in war by out-manceuvriug us, as heretofore, in the never-ending rivalry in trade and commerce, unless we take steps and, like great Elizabeth, beat him at his own game. So it is for each one of us to see, as clearly as that, we are at war with Germany in the field, that we are at war with her also, and have been long since, and shall be after the laying down of arms, here at home, and throughout the length and breadth of our dominions, and that Germany is still unbeaten. This is a fight in which everyone can bear a hand. Spying, enemy trading, and in- trigue are all about us. This broader view of the danger has been given that its magnitude may be realised. The Anti-German Union exists to focue resentment and take effective action against this enemy. It is a vital cause in which all may help; therefore, all should offer service and adherence to the lion. sec. of the Union, at 346, Strand, London, W.C.

ONTARIO CONSTRUCTS FAST BIPLANES.-It is reported from Toronto that the construction of biplanes for tho British Government is pro. ceeding in the new air machine worke, which are expected to attain a speed of over 95 miles an hoar. TORONTO UNIVERSITY AT THE FRONT.—A re- port pablished by the University of Toronto shows that no less than 1,868 students from thin University have joined the Cauadian Officers' Training Corps.

I I RJi:G18TX..D TUADE IIÀ&K. j ■ W ■» T 'a ■■ aUf ■ I RADIUM BATH SALT added to your ordinary Bath gives you a RADIO-ACTIVE BATH at Home. Both XTervous and Muscular Complaints, I such as Nerve Exhaustion, Depression, Insomnia, Rheu- matism, Gout, Neuritis, &c., yield to a course,of RA-BA-SA Baths where medicines fail to give relief. 1/- per packet or box of 7 for 5/9. Of all Stores and leading Chemists, or, if unable to obtain, post free on receipt of P.O., from Radium Salt Co., Ltd., 21, Farringdon-ave., 1/- per packet or box of 7 for 5/9. Of all Stores and leading Chemists, or, if unable to obtain, post free on receipt of P.O., from Radium Salt Co., Ltd., 21, Farringdon-ave., London, E.C. Booklet, "A Bathful of Health," free on receipt of name and address. II EXTRACT FROM "THE LANCET." I' "We have tested a solution of the Salt with the electroscope, and it certainly shows ionising properties. The method appears to be an ingenious one of preser- EXTRACT FROM "THE LANCET." "We have tested a solution of the Salt with the electroscope, and it certainly shows ionising properties. The method appears to be an ingenious one of preser- ving the radio-activity of the salt, and affords a means of observing the thera- peutic effects of a radio-active Bath." peutic effects of a radio-active Bath, RA-BA-SA BATHS GIVE SOUND, REFRESHING SLEEP. Local Agent: W. GW/LLIM, M.P.S., Medical Hmll, Brecon. I

WHITE PLAGUE WAR. Year's Work in Breconshire. A bulky volume just issued by the Welsh National Memorial Association contains the report of Dr. A. C. Johnson, tuberculosis physician for Breconshire and Radnorshire, on the work done in the two counties during the year ended March 31st. This report states Progress during the year has been fairly satisfactory; only during the last quarter has there been any considerable increase in the number of patients examined. The total cumber of new cases examined represents an I increase of 25 per cent. on last year's total, but the number found to be tuberculous has slightly diminished. About 42 per cent. of the cases examined showed signs of active disease. Of the re- mainder, some were suffering from other diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and, in the case of children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids and whooping cough. Many others, especially women and children, presented signs of no definite disease, but were in a condition of chronic ill health, which could be attributed only to bad teeth, bad feeding and bad housing. The problem of bad teeth is very pressing both among tuberculous patients and others. Only one patient with a full set of sound teeth has been seen in the area in the last eighteen months. The diet in the rural districts consists too much of tea and bread and butter. In the industrial districts to the south of Brecon there is more variety, but tinned foods of low nutritive value are depended on far too much. In this respect, the lectures which are being given in all the schools should have good results. There has been little improvement in housing conditions. The majority of people are agreed that there ought to be better houses for the people-especially tuberculous patients-but no one is prepared to build them. Sanitary authorities are in many cases anxious to condemn the worst cottages, but are prevented from doing so by the fact that there are no others available. At the recent Local Government Board housing inquiry in Brecon, in seems to have been clearly proved that there was a great demand for modern four and five roomed houses by people who could pay a fair rent, but that there were not enough available. Patients themselves have often said, I know this is not a suitable house, but I cannot get another." The outbreak of war has put a stop to some housing schemes, and it seems that nothing further will be done for the present. APATHY OF PATIENTS. No new Visiting Stations have been opened during the year. It has been found sufficient to visit some of the districts once a fortnight, instead of once a week, owing to the small number of patients. It has frequently happened that a patient has attended once or twice, a diagnosis is made, and treatment recommended, and then the patient is not seen again. Visits are made by the nurse, and the patient often promises to come next time," but usually does not. Such patients often continue at work until they can no longer do so, and then they ask (when there is no hope of improvement) to go to a sanitorium. On the other hand, when the patients really make up their mind to try to get better, some very good results have been obtained. It is not only those patients in the earliest stages of the disease who make great improvement; many with a consider- able amount of disease, as estimated by physical examination, who are determined to make a fight for it, have shewn very great improvement and have ultimately returned to work via hospital and sanitorium. I am convinced that the mental factor is of the greatest importance in the treatment of tuberculosis. The chief event of the year has been the provision of beds for the area in the Pontsarn Hospital, which was taken over by the association on December 1, 1914. Already the good effects of having beds expressly for this area, and under the supervision of the tuberculosis physician, are being felt. The waiting period has been greatly reduced, and several patients with a doubtful prognosis have been admitted almost at once, as well as advanced cases, in which the surroundings are bad. Already many patients have sufficiently improved to be transferred to sanitorium. Few patients can be recommended for sana- torium treatment at once; it is almost always necessary to give a certain amount of hospital or institute treatment first, even if it is only to enable the patients to have dental treat- ment. The sanatorium may be regarded as the optimum form of treatment, and should be confined to those patients who have a good chance of permanent improvement. It is not fair to the patients themselves to send them to a sanatorium when they are not likely to do well. They soon get despondent when they find the others around them improving, while they remain stationary. This point is often not realised by the general public, and sometimes by members of health committees and even doctors. For example, public complaint was recently made because, among other things, a patient with a temper- ature of 103 degrees was sent to hospital and not to a sanatorium. Domiciliary treatment has been given by the general practitioners in a considerable number of cases. The combined form of treatment in which the patient attends a visiting station once a fortnight or once a month, and is seen by his own doctor in between, when necessary, has proved valuable in country districts. It is to be regretted that disinfection is not always done after the death or removal of a patient. The sanitary authorities are usually anxious to have this done, but in many dis- tricts there appear to be no really efficient means of disinfection at their disposal. In several cases, clothing of the deceased patient has been removed before disinfection has been carried out, thus conveying considerable risks of infection.

BUSINESS MEN ARE STUDYING ECONOMY. The War compels them to watch I every item of Expenditure most carefully. Some things they are able to dispense with altogether. PRINTING IS INDISPENSABLE. And the only question to be decided is—"Where can one get "Quality and Cheapness?" GIVE THE BREOOK County Times OFFICE A TRIAL. IT WXLX. PAY WOU. Every description of Printing from a I Post Card to Illustrated Book I Work. Exclusive Designs. Excellent Workmanship. Prices Right. Estimates by Return. Brecon County Times, LTD., Bulwark & Lion St., BRECON. Telegrams: Times, Brecon. Telephone No. 12, Brecon. t X

DRESSMAKING AT HOME. By SYLVIA. An Overall for the War-Worker. Now that women are taking so great « share in war work, and many ladies are help- ing in all sorts of ways where overalls are aa absolute necessity, I am illustrating a deaigB in No. 1,913 which for suitability and sim- plicity is hard to beat. Prom the smaller sketch you will at once grasp the method of its cut and fastening, and see how easy it is to put on-the latter a very important detail, as I know by experi- eir-ee in such matters. The back, as I think is clearly shown, has the waist-part extended into long straps, which are brought round and buttoned in front. The pattern is cut in two parts if the mate- rial be wide enough; if not, you can join it under the arms, and also join on the strap, in order to prevent any waste of material. In order to pass the two ends round the waist a slot in the opening under the arm is PATTERN NO. 1,913. I as I need hardly point out, other- wise the one end could not be brought round to meet the other, as it would be underneath. The darts in the front are quite optional; but some workers prefer a smoothly-fitting to a loose front for a practical affair, though I may point out that the darts are of use in order to secure the ends of the pocket to something a little firmer than the material. Fo Cut Out and Make Up. The centre-fronts should be placed to the ■elvedges, as these edges are quite straight, and you should then smooth out your mate- rial in order to see whether a join will be needed or not under the arms, or only pieces have to be added at the lower part of the back. Having cut out and allowed turnings for hem and seams, stitch the fronts together; make the darts; also stitch oil the pocket, which will requite strengthening with, tape at the top and curved edges; then finish oil neck and back, having joined on the required pieces for the straps. The neck-part of back 3;n d front will require strengthening with tape, also the armholes, whillst the rest can be hemmed, and be sure and put a good deep one at the lower edge. Lastly, make the buttonhole and sew on the button at ends of front strap, or sew on tape to tie with if preferred, and finish off. m* overall will require four yards of 33. inel; material. A Basqued Blouse. Here is a nice design for the matron who waul-S something a little more dressy than the ordinary blouse. In No. 1.914 the bodice effect is attained by cutting the front in two pieces-the side por- tions being slightly gathered to the front, the PATTERN NO". 1,914. I seaming together being accomplished by means of faggoting or other fancy stitching. Though woollen goods can be used, this de- sign is especially suitable to something smarter, and such materials as thin silk and coloured "Jap" or Shantung can be men- tioned in this connection as giving excellent results; but satin corresponding or harmonis- ing in colour with the skirt fabric would make a smart and perfectly useful bodice for autumn wear, the transparent faggoted" seams, for which coarse silk would be em- ployed, giving the relief necessary. I C, To Cut Out and Make Up. Having chosen your material, which may be of wool or silk, place the to the selvedges, and, the side-portions to correspond with these. The centre-back goes to a fold. A'low ample turnings when cutting out, hav- i;¡.\{ marked the outline very carefully. When ready, turn in. stitch, and finish off th-" front edges, then turn in and tack those of side-portions, gather that corresponding to front, a wee bit, then join the edges as I have I mentioned above. If you do not feel equal to this, use a narrow passementerie, but the stitchery is smarter. Finish the back to cor- respond". then join the front to this at shoulder and under-arm seams, neaten and press, and be very careful that the seams meet. Make the neck band. with which is worn a litHe pointed muslin affair, sew to neck and finish off. Now join sleeves, make the cuffs and secure to the slightly-gathered wrist-portions by faggoting to correspond with the bodice"; then arrange in armhole and fasten off. Lastly, hem the basque, secure the bodice to the band and the Basque to the lower edge, sew on the fastenings, face HI side, and finish off. The blouse will require 21 yards of double- width material.

POULTRY KEEPING A PROFITABLE HOBBT. BY "UTILITY." WHAT IS A FRESH EGG? There are many ridiculous facts relating tic the sale of food, and it is really surprising that so many wrongs arl tolerated by the long suffering consumer. It is surprising that to this day nothing has been done to determine what a fresh egg really iis-that is to say, how many days old an egg may be and yet still be fresh. If it is to the advantage ol "■ the consumer that eggs should be what they are described as being, it is no less in the in- terests of the home producers and of sellers of genuine new laid and fresh eggs that stepe should be taken to deal more effectively with the application of the descriptions new- laid and fresh'' to eggs which, in view ol their age or condition, should not be de- scribed by these terms. It k satisfactory, therefore, to learn that the authorities have directed an inquiry to be made into the meaning of the terms new- laid and fresh as applied to eggs. It is stated that the principal question involved is the number of days from the date of laying up to which an egg may properly be described by these terms. Poultry keepers will be very in- terested to learn the result of the inquiry, and to see what steps may be taken in future. Although no evidence has been given me to prove it, I have been told that a good many eggs are sold during the winter months as fresh and at top prices that have been pre- served. If this is so, this is very unfair not only to the purchaser but also to the poultry keeper who goes to so much trouble to get his birds into laying condition in the autumn and winter months. WHAT LAYING CONTESTS HAVE DONE. Remarkable proof of the extent to which the average laying power of hens has been raised in nine years may be found in a com- parison of the results of the laying competi- tions of 1906-7 with those of the competition of 1913-4. In the former 132 was the average number of eggs laid, the money value per bird being 12s. 7d. In the latter 187 was the average number of eggs laid, and the money value per bird was 19s. OJLD. The competition .4 at present in progress is expected to show very much better results. It is now intended to go further with this good work, and to find out by means of an extended competition lasting two years the profitable duration of a hen's laying, and how far the constitution of a bird is affected by the strain of a heavy first year's laying. It wH also be of interest to note during such a test whether the size of egg increases during a second year, whether increase in broodiness lowers egg-production sufficiently to make the birdis unprofitable, as wel'l as the cost of feed- ing for two seasons against the value of eggs produced. The two years' competition which wrrl be held at the Harper Adams Agricultural Col- lege, Newport, Salop, will comprise an open section of forty pens of six pure-bred birds each, to be. divided into breed sections as fol- lows: (1) Leghorns; (2) Wyandottes; (3) Rocks, Orpin-gtons, and Rhode Island Reds; (4) Sussex and FaveroKes; (5) any other non, sitting breed. A special feature of the new competition is a section comprising ten pene for farmers and small holders. The same houses and pens as used in the past three competitions will be used, for the competition. The birds will be trap-nested, and all eggs laid carefully recorded. Medals and certificates will be awarded to the best pens in each sections according to the rules of the competition. A twelve months' competition will also be held concurrently with the two years' com- petition, comprising forty pene in an open- breed section, and ten pens in the farmers' and small holders' sections, on exactly the same conditions as for the two years' test. This competition will also start on October 1st. A COMMON DISEASE. A nasty complaint which is always common in hot weather is scaly leg. It is due to tiny mites, similar to those that cause mange in; horses and dogs and sheep scab. Their pre- sence causes the scales of the legs and feet to become raised and separated, as may be seen in the sketch. Rough, bumpy crusts are formed, and under these and the raised scales the mites live and breed. The infected birds soon fall off in condition, and go lame, and find difficulty in perching. If the disease is neglected and allowed to run its course the toes may drop off, and the bird die from the severe drain on its system. The first treatment is to isolate the infected birds from the healthy ones; then bathe the scaly legs in hot water to soften the crusts, so that they can be removed without causing jiXAMPLK OF SCALY LEG. an open sore. Then apply a mixture of creo- sote (one part) and. lard (twenty parts), or a mixture of equal parts of flowers of sulphui and vaseline. Some days after treatment the legs should be well cleaned with hot watei and soft soap, applied with a brush. Meantime the other birds should be closely watched and treated if they show any signs of the disease, and perches and houses should be well treated with carbolic limewash. As a pre- vention against further trouble of the kind, keep the birds on as cool a run as possible. The disease is commonest on ash runs, where the skin gets very dry and favours the lodging of the mite. Fresh green food should be given in abundance if the fowls cannot. get it oi their own accord. The trouble is found to be most common in the feather-legged Asiatics, and especially in Cochins and Silkies, and those who keen these should always be on the look-out for the first signs of scaly leg. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. C. P. P."—SCALY LEG.—See the article above. It is doubtful whether a bird thu. has had this complaint can ever be cured so thoroughly that its legs would not spoil its chances at a show. No bird that has its legs in a scaly condition should ever be sent to a show. This, however, is one of the ways in which the disease is spread. "R. H. E. "-EGGS WITH PALE YOLKS.— I expect your birds are not not having enougt green food. Cabbage and similar leaves may be supplied cooked or uncooked, so lo«g a? they are fresh, and turnips are also appre- ciated. Cut clover hay. scalded or steamed, is used n good deal by some poultrymen. Failing these, you can try sprouted oats. "L. T. B."—THE (CROAT) LANGSHAN.—- This is a valuable all-round bird. The hen is a good layer of the darkest brown shelled egg. As a table bird the Croad Langshan has a large, broad body, with a full, deep breast well covered with white meat of fine quality. The onlv recognised colour of the plumage is black; the legs are dark grey, with feathers all the way down. Another variety of the brood is called the Modern Langshan. All correspondence alTec-iing this column should

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