Quincy City (part 11 of 12)

"Leo isn't taking care of the garden now. He is working in Boston and has turned his book and records over to me, and I am going to finish up the club work. Our oldest bcother was drafted, and Leo is taking his place in my uncle's store in Boston, so I have all the work to do outside, as well as help my mother inside. The weeds grow pretty fast but I keep right after them, and now the garden looks just as good as if Leo were tending it; don't you think so?"

(Tlie "Leo" spoken of was a club member and a prize winner at the Eastern States Exposition last year, and had laid out an excellent market garden for this year. On going to work he turned the project over to his younger brother, who made the above remarks w^hen visited.)

"My sister and I picked 83 bushels of peas from those vines and sent them into Boston where we got from $2.50 to $3.00 a bushel for them. As soon as the vines are plowed under, we will put in a crop of late turnips. By that time we will have to spray the potatoes again, so you see we always have enough to do. Father had the land plowed and we helped him plant a big garden because he expected to work at home on the farm all sumaner, but now 'he is working away all the time and w^e girls have all of it to take care of - including the horse and a pig. We are thinning out the beets now, and are canning all the little ones and the greens."

(These wer;e two high school girls who, when their father went away to work, took over the entire charge of an acre and a half garden and are keeping it in good shape.)

These two quotations give a good index to general conditions throughout the section. Mills, factories, ship yards, and machine shops, are claiming many of the best boys of high school age, and they are turning their projects over to younger brothers or sisters. Many men who have formerly stayed on the farms are also answering the call of high wages, and are turning their work to the women and young people of the family.

Because of this there is a greater need than ever before for encouragement and personal help among the home garden workers. Most garden supervisors have been quick to realize this, and have done a great deal of good in keeping many gardens going in good shape under such adverse labor conditions.

During the past month great interest has been manifested in the boys' and girls' canning clubs, and forty-two clubs have been formed in the following towns: Franklin, Foxboro, Plainville, Sharon, Stoughton, Weymouth, Holbrook, Randolph, Needham, Bellingham, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Dedham, Canton, Walpole, Cohasset, and Norwood.

Every club is now organized with a president, secretary, and local leader. A canning demonstration has been given to each club by an instructor from the Farm Bureau or a trained local leader. Great credit is due these volunteer leaders who are giving much time and thought to the club work. They are often busy housewives who are willing to sacifice their scanty leisure in the interests of the boys and girls.

Club meetings will be held fortnightly as a rule, and they are planning for a canning lesson as well as a business meeting and recreation period at each meeting. Members will do the rest of the canning to meet the club requirements at home. It is planned for each club to be visited mont'hly by a representative of the Farm Bureau, to stimulate the interest and raise the standaijds of the club wo'^k. The following program will give an idea of what we are aiming to accomplish at these visits: July Meeting

Practical Canning with the Club Members Discussion: Primers and Report Sheets Judging of Canned Products Labels for Exhibit Jars How to win the Club Banner Recreation: Games August Meetinfi:

It is hoped that some canning demonstration teams may be developed in many of the towns. The boys and girls, as well as the leaders, are showing a fine spirit of enthusiasm and willingness to do their part to make this season's club work a success.

The value of the canning clubs to the county can readily be seen. Using a minimum membership of 500, and the minimum club requirement of 24 quarts per member, we see a total of 12,000 quarts of products preserved during the season. Since the average actually canned in the three months by each member is usually in excess of the required 24 quarts, we begin to realize what the boys and girls are doing to help make our county self-supporting.

The Norfolk County Agricultural School will open its third fall term on Monday, September 30. It is expected that the enrollment will include most of the students who were members of the school when the spring term closed. New student applications have been received from Boston, Dedham, Norwood, Medfield, North Attleborough, Foxboro, and Hyde Park.

The question of membership was recently discussed in the Norfolk Pomona Grange, and was held to be of such vital concern that a vote was passed authorizing the appointment in each town in the county of a committee to secure students for the coming year. This committee has been appointed and is to hold a meeting at the Agricultural School, Saturday, August 31, at two P. M.

We wish to make announcement at this time of the school's earnest desire to admit girls "as well as boys to the agricultural courses. The Trustees are planning, too, to establish home making courses this fall if a sufficient number of young women present themselves for admission. Enrollment week for the Home Making Courses will be September 16 to 21 at the School. Consult Miss Simonds or Miss Homer. The original announcement of these courses was made in the July, 1917, School Bulletin. It is repeated here:

Mr. Charles W. Kemp and Mr. Horace C. Funk, members of our teaching staff since the opening of the Agricultural School in 1916, have tendered their resignations to take effect August 31.

Mr. Kemp has been in charge of the Agricultural Department in the Weymouth High School, a branch of the County School, and has also acted as chairman of the Food Production Committee of the town of Weymouth. Mr. Kemp is leaving our service for a position as supervisor of agriculture in a private school in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Mr. Funk's specialties have been animal husbandry and farm crops. He has also taught elementary science, history, and civics. Mr. Funk resigns to enter the military service.

The work of these two men has been highly commendable, and it is v.'ith keen regret that we sever our official relations. It will be difricult to fill their places.

The annual midsummer meeting of vocational agricultural directors and inst-uctors was held from July 30 to August 2, with headquarters at the Massachusetts Agricultural College at Amherst. There was a full attendance. The meetings were held under the direction of Mr. Rufus W. Stimson, Agricultural Agent of the State Board of Education.

The object of the conference was twofold: First, improvement in teaching; second, knowledge of agricultural conditions In the state. The mornings were devoted to lectures and discussions. Among the speakers were Deputy Commissioner Robert O. Small and Mr. F. E. Heald, Agent for Teacher-Training. Mr. Heald's three addresses were very helpful, particularly so to the men just entering the service. The new men seemed to be in the majority, and it is probably true that as the war goes on more men will leave the teaching of agriculture for military or naval service. Under such circumstances, an expert in charge of teacher training is indispensable. Additesses were made by State Forester F. W. Rane on a Forestry Policy for Massachusetts, and Professor W. R. Hart on Agricultural Education. ,'

A number not on the program which will be long remembered, was the address of Dr. Hamilton Holt, Editor of the "Independent." Dr. Holt had just returned from the battlefront and from conferences with crowned heads and statesmen of the Entente nations. Well gi^ounded optimism as to the outcome of the war now" prevails among our* co-belligerents. Success for our arms is assured, but there is no reason to expect a speedy ending of the war.

Many observation trips were made to home projects of students and to the points of interest with which western Massachusetts abounds. The tobacco and onion sections of the Connecticut Valley, the views from Mt. Tom, where we were guests at dinner of the Trustees of the Smith's

Agricultural School, the Smith School itself at Northampton, the College Farm, the Mohawk Trail, the observatory near the Hoosac Tunnel, all made contributions to our information and pleasure that well repaid a most strenuous week of effort at professional improvement.

Those of us who live in Norfolk County are wondering whether we shall be able to do as well when our turn comes to display the farming opportunities and attractions of eastern Massachusetts.

The annual field meeting of the Eastern Massachusetts Society of Bee- Keepers was held at the Agricultural School on Saturday, August 17, with about one hundred present. The speakers were as follows: Mr. J. E. Crane, Middlebury, Vermont, "The Flower and the Bee"; Mr. Arthur C. Miller, Providence, R. I., "The Wintering Problem in New England"; Mr. Allan Latham, Norwichtown, Connecticut, "Pasturage;" Dr. Burton N. Gates, Massachusetts Agricultural College, "The Bee-Keeping Situation Today and the Future of the Industry in Massachusetts." It is hoped that a complete report of the meeting may be included in the next issue of our bulletin.

On Monday afternoon, August 19, the garden supervisors of Norfolk County met at the County Agricultural School to exchange ideas on fall exhibits. Mr. H. D. Phelps of the Garden Department of the Massachusetts Agricultural College was present, and presented the reasons for having fall exhibits and the organization of the fair programs. He said that it gives the gardener an opportunity to show what he has accomplished, and gives the citizens of the community a chance to view the garden products of those who have taken active interest in growing their own food. It also gives the gardener an opportunity to exchange and discuss ideas with otheP gardeners of his town and gain much information by so doing. In many cases this information has been used in the succeeding season with beneficial results. He also set forth the value of trade exhibits for those dealers in the community who supply garden accessories. Mr. Phelps then discussed in detail the premium list and recommended that the lai^ger prizes be offered for staple crops, as they should be promoted in preference to fancy vegetables during these war times. After the discussion of the fall exhibits, the subject of winter storage of vegetables was taken up, and many ideas were expressed on the conservation of the products which are the result of the many home gardens. Ten supervisors were present at this meeting.

During the week of August 12 to 17 the Farm Bureau arranged with interested poultrymen of Norfolk County to hold poultry culling demonstrations at centrally located poultry yards in their communities. It was a little difficult to locate these de,monstrations, and in order to do it with any degree of satisfaction a letter was mailed to many poultrymen of the county asking whether they would be interested in having such demonstrations in their communities, and if they would cooperate with the Fanm Bureau in advertising it among their neighbors. Ther.e were enough answers to these letters to warrant arranging for twelve demonstrations, and an itinerary was arranged so that Professor L. P. Payne of the Massachusetts Agricultural College could conveniently give these demonstrations during the five days he could allow for Norfolk County. These meetings were held at the farms of the following men: R. T. Clark, West Medway; C. H. Siggins, West Medway; James Simpson, Wrentham; Mrs. Fred Sachs, Norfolk; F. H. G. Morse, Stoughton; Herbert Mitchell, Medfield; Walcott Farm, Canton; E. J. Bowmar, Canton; G. H. Rogers, Sharon; J. M. Dennie, Needham; W. S. Keene, Braintree; A. H. Shaw, Wellesley.

The attendance at the meetings was fully up to the expectations, running from six to thirty eight, with an average attendance of sixteen. Many of those present were very enthusiastic in expressing their appreciation of the value of the many points which Professor Payne brought out in his discussion, and in his culling work in the poultry houses. Some of the comments of the poultrymen heard at the demonstrations were: "One of the most valuable meetings I have attended for a long time;" "No poultryman could have afforded to miss this demonstration"; "I knew about most of the facts presented before, I got two new ones"; "Those demonstrators r^rp ce-tainlv doing valuable work for the poultry keeper"; "I can go home and sell fifteen per cent, of my hens and feel pretty sure they are slackers"; "This demonstration will save me a lot of money on feed, I won't feed the non-layers any longer"; "That demonstrator knew his business and he did not give us any hot air"; "I got my money's worth at this demonstration, it cost me ten cents to get here"; "I knew all about it but enjoyed the meeting."

The various points presented by Mr. Payne are given below, but we feel that it is necessary for a person to see the culling done in order to get the most out of the facts presented.

A Method Of Jt Dgtng Fowls For Egg Production

Further, the bird must be free from physical defects, such as crooked beak, excessively long toe nails, eyelids that overhang so that the bird cannot see well, scaly leg, or anything else that would keep the bird from seeing or getting an abundance of food.

A laying fowl uses up the surplus fat in the body, especially it removes the fat from the skin. In yellow-skinned breeds this loss of fat can readily be seen by the loss of yellow color. The different parts of the body tend to becqme white, according to the amount of fat stored in the body and the amount of circulation of blood through that part. The changes occur in the following order:

The vent changes very quickly with egg production so that a white or pink vent on a yellow-skinned bird generally means that the bird is laying, while a yellow vent means a bird is not laying. It should be recognized that all yellow color changes are dependent on the feed, coarseness of skin and size of bird. A heavy bird fed on an abundance of green feed or other material that will color the fat deep yellow will not bleach out nearly as quickly as a smaller or paler colored bird.

The eyering, that is, the inner edges of the eyelids, bleach out a trifle slower than the vent. The earlobes on Leghorns and Anconas bleach out a little slower than the eyering, so that a bleached earlobe means a little longer or greater production than a bleached vent or eyelid.

The color goes out of the beak beginning at the base and gradually disappears until it finally leaves the front part of the upper beak. The lower beak bleaches faster than the upper, but may be used where the upper is obscured by horn or black. On the average colored, yellowskinned bird, a bleached beak means heavy production for at least the past four to six weeks.

The shanks are the slowest to bleach out and hence indicate a much longer period of production than the other parts. The yellow goes out from the scales on the front of the shanks first land finally from the scales on the rear. The scales on the heel of the shank are the last to bleach out and may generally be used as an index as to the natural depth of yellow color of the bird. A bleached-out shank usually indicates fairly heavy production for at least fifteen to twenty weeks.

The yellow color comes back into the vent, eyering, earlobes, beak and shanks in the same order that it went out, only the color returns much more quickly than it goes out. A vacation or rest period can sometimes be determined by the outer end of the beak being bleached and the base being yellow.

A laying hen has a large, moist vent showing a dilated condition and looseness as compared with the hard, puckered vent of a non-laying hen.

The whole abdomen is dilated, as well as the vent, so that the pelvic arches are widespread (and the keel is forced down away from the pelvic arches so as to give large capacity. The more eggs a bird is going to lay the following week, the greater will be the size of the abdomen. The actual size of the abdomen is, of course, influenced by the size of eggt laid and by the size of the bird.

Heavy production is shown by the quality of the skin and the thickness and stiffness of the pelvic arches. Fat goes out from the skin and body with production so that the heavy producers have a soft velvety skin that is not underlaid by layers , of hard fat. The abdomen, in particular, is soft and pliable. The sternal processes arfe very prominent and are generally bent outwar;d. The thicker and blunter the pelvic arches and the greater the amount of hard fat in the abdomen, the less the production, or the longer the time since production.

One of the finer indications, but yet one of the most valuable, In picking the higher layer is the fineness of the head and the closeness and dryness of the feathering. The head of a high layer is fine. The wattles and earlobes fit close to the beak and are not loose and flabby. The face is clean-cut. The eye is full, round and prominent, especially when seen from the filont. The high layer is trimmer, that is, the feathers lie closer to the body, and after heavy production, the oil does not keep the plumage relatively as sleek and glossy, but the plumage becomes worn and threadbare.

The comb, wattles and earlobes enlarge or contract depending on the ovary. If the comb, wattles and earlobes are large, full and smooth, or hand and waxy, the bird is laying heavily. If the comb is limp, the bird is only laying sligbj;ly, but is not laying at all when the comb is dried down, especially at molting time. If the comb is warm, it is an indicaton that the bird is comingr back into production.

When a hen stops laying in the summer, she usually starts molting. The later a hen lays in the summer or the longer the period over which she lays, the greater will be her production, so that the high producer is the later layer and hence the late molter. The length of time that a hen has been molting or has stopped laying can be determined by the molting of the primary feathers. It takes about six weeks to completely renew the primary feathers next to the axial feathens and an additional two weeks for each subsequent primary to be renewed.

A good layer is more active and nervous and yet more easily handled than a poor layer. A high layer shows more friendliness and yet elusiveness than a poor bird. A low producer is shy and stays on the edge of the flock and will squawk when caught.

While the characters discussed have dealt ppecifically with the current year's production, it should be borne in mind that a high producer one year is, generally speaking, a high producer in all other years.

Secr/etary A. W. Gilbert of the New England Regional Milk Commission has recently mailed to milk producers questio'.ina'res regarding the cost of milk production. If you have received one of these foriis, it would help the board in its wol^k of securing a just price for your milk if you will cooperate and answer the questions, mailing the completed reply not later than September 12 to the Secretary of the Federal Milk Commission, 167 State House, Boston, Massachusetts. '

I wish to call the attention of the farmers in this County to a new outlet for some of their produce and one which would enable many of them to establish a regulai- and permanent business.

Mr. Walter P. Plummer, Bureau of Markets, 148 State St., Boston, Mass., is an expert in marketing by parcel post and express who has recently been placed here in New England with his headquarters in Boston.

He has already made a number of transactions between organizations In cities and towns and the farmers to market considerable quantities of produce. At tlie present time he is looking for eggs, butter, blueberries and sweet corn. He has one customer who desires to buy fifty dozen ears of A No. 1 sweet corn daily as long as it lasts. Another wishes to contract for twenty-five dozen eggs every Wednesday and Saturday. Another wishes to obtain six or ten cases weekly and others are in the market for apples and other fiaiim products which are easily shipped.

Anyone who has these products or any others that can be easily shipped in this way should get in touch with Mr. Plummer at once, as at the present time the demand far exceeds the supply that he has been able to get hold of.

Here is a chance to market your products at a minimum cost and receive full market price without having to pay any commission for the selling. R. W. MERRICK,

If you have a :lar,ge quantity of goods to be marketed and for which you cannot find an immediate or regular market, your County Agent can put you in touch with my office as I will be very glad to help j'ou on any problems to the best of my ability.

In order to obtain the conscientious objectors who are being sent out from Camp Devens, it is necessary to make application to Captain E. J. Hall, Intelligence Officer, Auxiliary Units, Camp Devens, in the following form. The applications will then be acted upon and the men sent if available.

for the furlough of a soldier under the authority of the letter of the War Department, A. G. O. 383.2, Disposition (misc. Div.) June 1, 1918, and in accordance with the conditions therein contained.

I agree 'to pay the soldier, who may be furloughed to work on my farin the standard wage of this locality for farm help of his proficiency in the work, to board and lodge him, to report ;at least monthly upon the industry, ability, conduct, etc.

Frequent requests have come in for information regarding the purchasing of fruits and veget^ables in quantity for preserving work. These inquiries have led to the establishment of a county market information bureau. The names of the producers of all fruits and vegetables in quantities in and around Norfolk County have been assembled and filed, one file being placed in the Norfolk County Agricultural School, Walpole, Massiachusetts (Telephone Walpole 268), and the other file at the Food Centre, Norwood, Massachusetts (Telephone Norwood 470). This will enable the housewife who wishes to procure any products for preserving to get in touch with eithei* office and learn where she may procure the material for this work.

The file has been arranged in a most complete manner. It will be possible for one to learn (1) of the kinds of products available in each town; (2) of the various towns where each product may be purchased; (3) of the kinds of products grown by each producer listed.

The County Market Bureau should be of value to the residents of Norfolk County. In ordei- to make this Bureau must effective, ic will be necessary for all residents of this county to be made familiar with its existence. Will you not tell your friends about the county market buieau, and in this way mutually benefit the producer and consumer by bringing the two parties together?

Recently a complaint came to the Farm Bureau from one of our Norfolk County towns saying that we were not doing enough of a certain kind of work in that community. We are always pleased to receive complaints and criticisms, as they oftentimes give us an idea of our shortcomings and help us to correct a mistake or a faulty policy. This is especially true if the criticism is made directly to us, without going through an intermediate agency.

The Farm Bureau was established in Norfolk County for the service of its citizens, and further than that for community service. In giving service to a community, we are able to reach many more people than could possit)ly be done if we tried to reach every individual citizen personally. It would be i ^possible to reach every one of the 200,000 people of the county, but by doing our work with groups of people who will take it to many others, it is much moiie far-reaching. Although the number of agents which the Farm Bureau employs is small, we have managed to meet, so far as we know, every request that has come, and if for any reason we have been unable to come personally it has been our custom to arrange to have some one take the call who is well posted on the special work to be done. Oftentimes, we feel that we can serve the communities to a greater degree of satisfaction by arranging to have a specialist handle the work, rather than for us to try to do it. This gives those interested the latest and most authoritative facts that can be gathered on a subject, and it comes first hand.

The Farm Bureau work of Norfolk County has not been evenly distributed. We find on going over our records that some communities have received several times as much service as others, and in one or two cases very little has been given. The only way that we have of knowing what is wanted and in what the residents of a town are most interested, is through the requests that come to us. We are always pleased to have our records examined, to discuss our work with anyone who so desires, and to plan any work which will advance the various agiricultural interests.

During the past month we have visited with the garden supervisors many private and community gardens. Much better results have been attained in the gardens this season than last. The supervisors have been very helpful to the residents of their districts in laying out their ;^vfilable land so as to get the most out of it, applying fertilizers, controlling insects and diseases and cal^ing for the crops. Arrangements are now being made for the fall exhibits, and the supervisors will be able to help a great deal in making them successful. They are also ready to give information regarding the proper methods of storag'e of garden produce for winter use.

The shortage of good seed corn in many parts of the Northern States last spring emphasizes the importance of being prepared next year. Preparation should begin now, for the only proper way to select seed corn is from the standing stalks as soon as the corn matures and before the first hand freeze. Select plenty of seed - ^enough for your own needs, for replanting if necessary, enough for the following year, as next year's crop may not be fit for seed, and enough to supply your less thrifty neighbors who may wait until spring to take their chances of getting good seed from the crib. Well-chosen, home-grown seed of varieties of proved worth in the community, properly dried immediately after it has been gathered and carefully preserved until planting time, produces the best yields,

Gathering The Seed

As soon as the crop ripens, go through the field with a bag conveniently slung over the shoulder, and husk the ears that are ripe. This will take a little longer than selecting the seed at husking time, but it will insure an earlier strain. Field selection makes it possible to consider also the character of the stalk and the conditions under which it grew, but these .are only secondary matters.

Care Of The Seed Cokn

Immediately after the seed corn is gathered, the husked ears should be put in a dry place where there is free circulation of air, and placed in such a manner that the ears do not touch each other. This is the only snfe procedure. Good seed is repeatedly ruined because it is thought to be already dry enough when gathered. The vitality of seed is often reduced by leaving it in a sack or in a pile for even a day after gathering. During warm weather with some moisture in the cobs and kernels, the ears heat or mildew in a remarkably shorft time.

The best treatment immediately after gathering is to string the ears. Ordinarily the best place to hang strings of ears is in an open shed or loft. Wire racks are more convenient and in the end cheaper than binder twine. Such racks may be made from electrically welded lawn fencing. The cutting of the fencing into seed-corn racks is done without any waste.

Only during unusually damp weather at seed-gathering time will fire be necessary to dry the seed. If heat is employed in a poorly ventilated room it will do the seed ears more injury than good. If used, the fire shouM be slow, long continued, and below the seed ears, with good ventilation above them.

After hanging in the shed or lying on the racks for two months, the seed ears should be as dry as a bone and contain less than ten per cent, of moisture. They can remain where they dried or be stored in mouseproof barrels, boxes, or crates during the winter, but in either case they must not be exposed to a damp atmosphere, for they will absorb moisture and be injured.

The numerous diseases which have been prevalent in the potato fields this year make the potato grower wonder what he is to do in order to protect himself and be reasonably assured that next year's crop will not be alTected as this one has in many cases. Professor E^rl Jones of the Massachusetts Agricultural College has visited many Norfolk County potato fields with the agent of the Farm Bureau, and writes him as follows:

Potato fields planted with Massachusetts grown seed seem to have more weak plants and a more uneven stand than usual this year. The plants vary consideral)ly in height, vigor and often there is a poor stand. Weaker plants are likely to show a rolling of the leaves and brown areas on the leaves, while others are healthy.

It has long been known that for most parts of the state. Northern grown seed is ordinarily better than home grown seed. This year we hear frequently that Northern grown seed potatoes are better than our own and fields demonstrating this are numerous. Possibly the hot weather of last summer reduced the vitality of home grown potatoes more than usual and some of the poor results may be due to the chilling of the seed during the severe winter.

It will not be long before corn will be going thi^ough the ensilage cutters into the silos. This is the cows' winter green feed, and in order to get the best results and the most from the corn, it should be allowed to pass the milk stagie and begin to dent, or glaze in the case of ilint corn, before being cut. E\'en the risk of having the corn slightly frosted may be taken in order to get the ears as mature as possible. The finer corn fodder is cut, the more easily and more compactly it can be packed, and the result will be a much better silage.

Too much stress can not be laid upon the necessity of thoroughly packing the fodder in the silo so as to exclude the air as much as possible. It is upon this one thing that the keeping of silage largely depends. A device consisting of a jointed pipe or some variation of it attached to the top of the blov.'er pipe is at present in use for distributing the cut corn fodder in the silo. By the use of this distributor it is possible for one man to scatter the cut corn evenly and at the same time to tramp it. Without tlip use of this device it is necessary to have at least one extra man in the silo to fork the material over, so that it is evenly packed. Besides the saving of one man's labor, the distributor does away with the nuisance of having the loose material flying around.

Oftentimes the corn fodder is so dry when it is cut that it is necessary to add water to make up for the deficiency in moisture and provide for th*> proper packing of the silo. This water is most easily added to the blower when the corn is being cut, and it is also more thoroug^'hly mixed with the cut material in this way.

If the silage is not to be used for some time, it sliould be covered with hay or heavy green stalks. This helps to pack it and helps to keep the top layer of the silage from spoiling to any great depth.

By Earl Jones, Massachusetts Agricultural College Wheat or rye? Whether to grow wheat or rye depends hugely upon soil conditions. Rye is a hardier crop and does not require such early seeding, good soil conditions, on careful preparation of the soil. It will ordinarily stand our winters better than wheat and is therefore the safest crop for this state. However, where conditions are made right winter wheat can be successfully grown and this year we see many fields of winter .wheat.

Seed-bed and seeding. All grains do better with a compact seed-bed. The land should, where possible, be plowed some time previous to the sowing of the grain crop. With land that has grown a cultivated crop, discing will do as well as plowing. All grains do better when sown with a graindfitl. Broad-casting can be successfully done but a little more seed is required. Five to seven pecks of seed should be used foi-* both wheat and rye.

Varieties. There are no varieties of rye in general as but few definite varieties have been developed. Rosen rye has been developed in Michigan in the past few years and gives promise of being a better yielder than the common rye and the seed is carried by a few seed-men. It is rather difficult to say what the best varieties of winter wheat are, because it is not grown extensively in New England. Dawson's Golden Chaff, Red Wave and the Klondyke have been grown in New England and have yielded well in tests.

Fertilizers. Fertilizers for grain should be high in phosphoric acid. For wheat a mixture containing 3 to 4 per cent, nitrogen and 8 to 10 per cent, phosphoric acid is good. Depending upon soil conditions 250 to 500 pounds per acre should be used. This should be applied broad-cast when s-c-'ing. Manure applied to the nrevious crops shows good results on the wheat. The use of fertilizer with too much nitrogen is not advisable for rye as it may cause lodging. On poor soils rye will respond to an application of 150 to 250 pounds of acid phosphate or fertilizer containing a small amount of nitrogen.

At a recent conference of the instructors of the agricultural schools of Massachusetts, held at Amherst, the scarcity and almost prohibitive price of nitrate of soda was discussed. It is a well-known fact that fresh hen manure contains about 69 per cent, moisture, 1.3 per cent, nitrogen, .4 per cent, potash, and 1 per* cent, phosphoric acid. It Ts also a wellknown fact that the manure loses a large percentage of nitrogen if allowed to stand for any length of time without the addition of some preservative.

The method of preservation depends upon the use to which the manure is to be put. A mixture of 100 pounds of fresh manure, G5 pounds of dry loam, and 20 pounds of acid phosphate, makes an excellent top dressing for grass lands or lawns. The dry loam is thrown on dropping boards after each cleaning, and in this manner becomes mixed with the manure when the boards are cleaned. The mixture may then be weighed and the acid phosphate stirred in. A ton of this mixture will supply plant food at about the rate of 20 pounds of nitrogen, 43 pounds of phosphoric acid, and Zyo pounds of potash.

A mixture of 100 pounds of droppings, 70 pounds of dry loam, and 50 pounds of acid phosphate makes a good mixture to apply to land to be used for vegetables or field crops. A ton of the above mixture will furnish about 18 pounds of nitrogen, 90 pounds ©f phosphoric acid, and 3 pounds of potash. This last makes an excellent mixture for the backyard gardener having a small flock of hens and a small garden, for this mixture is much stronger than most fertilizers in the market today. If it is not possible to get the loam, dry sawdust at the rate of 30 pounds to. 100 pounds of droppings may be used.

A small flock of 10 hens will produce 400 pounds of droppings a year.. Adding 280 pounds of dry loam or 120 pounds of sawdust and 200 pounds of acid phosphate, 880 pounds of fertilizer would be produced. This makes a splendid application for a quarter acre plot intended for the raising of vegetables.

Nearly all the chicks should be roosting at this time. The house should receive an occasional visit during some of these hot nights, and those chicks that are found on the floor should be placed on the roosts.

There are three things to consider in placing the roosts: (1) Place them just far enough apart so that one line of birds will not touch the other; (2) Have the ends of the roosts free so that the birds will not criowd at the end of the roost; (3) Place the roosts on the same level so that the birds will not all crowd on the highest roost. It is also a good plan to paint both new and old roosts with a mixture of equal parts of either carbolineum, creosote, or carbolic acid, and kerosene.

In speaking of culling, it might be well to mention that on July 23 the school flock of 110 hens laid only 29 eggs. On the following day 19 hens were taken out, and the production still remained 29 eggs. On August 8, the same flock, new numbering 91 hens, laid 32 eggs; on August 10, 19 hens were sold to the butcher, and the production still remained 32 eggs from only 72 hens. This shows that many of our flocks can be culled down about 20 per cent,, and still have the production remain as before.

The U. S. Food Administration issued, some months ago, a four-leaf pamphlet setting forth the importance and food value of milk. About two million copies of this leaflet have been distributed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. This leaflet should be in the hands of every consumer, but the appropriations to these Departments are limited and they have not the funds to print the required number to reach every home.

The U. S. Department of Agricultui-e is in a position to furnish these pamphlets in quantities to dealers, associations, or commercial organizations for the sum of $1.13 per thousand delivered to any address in the United States. Make checks payable to the American Security and Trust Company, Treasurer, (who is handling the funds under this joint arrangement) and mail checks together with order for leaflets to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Attention Alexander H. Kerr, Special Assistant, Washington, D. C.

We can fully recommend this leaflet and would urge that milk distributors especially avail themselves of this liberal offer. Every school should order enough of these leaflets to give one to every student capable of understanding it. It could profitably serve as a lesson in all classes from the fifth grade up.

Hoard'S Dairyman

All causes have contributed this year to make the fruit situation a critical one. The unusually severe winter last year prevented a normal yield of our native fruits. Consequently, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and peaches have been scai^ce and expensive. The direct outcome of this situation has been that many housewives have felt that fruits have been delegated to the class of luxuries and in many cases less fruit has been preserved than normally. Many people are adopting this policy without knowing the situation as it will doubtless be this coming winter. The banana, our staple winter fruit, will be a stranger on our tables, owing to the fact that the fruit carrying steamers are to be used for war purposes. We are told that the government has taken over the greater part of the supply of prunes, which deprives us of one of our most popular and economical winter fruits. If we have not been sufficiently far-sighted this summer to preserve fruits in some form, what will we include in our winter diets to take the place of this valuable food? The mineral salts, vegetable acids, and growth promoting substances found in fruits are most essential in our diets, and to remove them from our menus would be a step toward undermining our health.

It is unfortunate that the sugar shortage should reach its height during the preserving season. However, we have found that fruit preservation is not dependent upon large quantities of sugar. Jams, marmalades, and butters made of twenty and twenty-five per cent, sugar are superior in flavor to our old time rich conserves.

Fruit butters are the cheapest kind of fruit product, since they can be made from imperfect fruits and require little sugar. They may be used as a relish or as a spread for bread, and make excellent butter savers. Apples, grapes, peaches, and plums all make delicious butter. An effort should be made to save many of our early windfall apples in this way.

The following receipts will save the maximum quantity of fruit with a minimum amount of sugar Lay in a supply of butters for winter to replace the jellies which we are unable to make this year.

Apple Butter

Wash 4 lbs. apples, remove the decay and worm holes. Cut into quarters, place in cooking vessel, add cider to cover, and cook at the boiling temperature until fruit falls to pieces. Rub through a seive to remove pealings, cores, and seeds. Add 1 cup of boiled cider to pulp and return to the fire. Cook with constant stirring until it begins to thicken. If a spread is desired, add sugar at the rate of 8 ounces to 4 pounds of apples used. If a relish is desired, omit the sugar. Continue cooking until the desired consistency is obtained, add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and one half teaspoon clove, or sufficient spices to taste. Fill into sterilized containers and seal at once. A bushel of fair grade apples and the cider* from a bushel of cider apples will make 3 to 4 gallons of finished product. This is an excellent substitute for the rich jellies and preserves, and should be used in every home. To make boiled cider: Boll 5 cups of cider until evaporated down to 1 cup.

Grape, Peach, And Plum Butters

pulp to the cooking vessel and cook with constant stirring until it begins to thicken. Then add sugar as follows: Grapes, 1 part of sugar to 4 parts of pulp. Peaches, 1% lb. sugar to each peck of fruit. Plums, same as peaches, unless fruit is acid, in which case sugar will have to be increased.

Ripe broken fruit may be used in making jam, but one half of the quantity of berries used should be slightly under ripe to give the best consistency to the finished product. Crush fruit and measure it. Cook fruit rapidly in porcelain lined vessel, stirring occasionally to prevent Catching down. When the greater part of the moisture is evaporated, add the sugar, using one part of sugar to three parts of fruit pulp as measured before cooking. Continue to cook after the sugar is added until It will give a jelly test, i. e. a small quantity when cooled in the spoon flakes off from side of the spoon instead of coming off in drops. Pour hot jam into sterilized air-tight jars and seal. Jams and jellies and marmalades made with this proportion of sugar must be sealed in air-tight jars.

Carrot Marmalade

1% lb. carrots, 1 orange, 1 large lemon, sugar. Select tender carrots and put through food chopper. Cook until tender with a small amount of water. Wash orange and lemon thoroughly, put through food chopper, and cook in a double boiler until soft. Combine the two mixtures and measure. Add 1 part of sugar to 2 parts of pulp. Boil until thick and jellylike. Only a few minutes is required. Pour while hot into sterilized air-tight jars and seal.

Although the present outlook for a bumper crop of wheat in this country is very favorable, it does not in the least permit us to relax our efforts toward conserving the white wheat flour. We realize that the present situation of shortage would not have occurred had we built up any reserve store both here and abroad. This reserve is a necessity for the future and must be obtained by economy of use of white flour on our parts for some time. We must also consider the transportation conditions which must be encountered before the present harvest is available for New England.

Owing to the improved outlook, The United States Food Administrator, Mr. Hoover, has released from their pledge the hotels, restaurants, and householders who pledged themselves to use no wheat until the next harvest. But victory products, if obtained from the bakery, and the fiftyfifty purchases of white flour and substitutes still hold good. We are requested to use no white flour but have been asked for the present to substitute entire wheat, graham, or rye.

Wheat is also the source of entire wheat and graham, as well as of white flour. More of the entire grain is used in the milling process, however, thereby saving somewhat on the amount of wheat to be milled. We are at present overstocked in Massachusetts with these two products, owing to the fact that they have been classed as wheat products, and the purchase of equal quantities of substitutes has been required. The same surplus of rye is also prevalent. Therefore, we are urged until the present stock in the hands of the retailers is exhausted to purchase these two in place of white flour, not, however, in place of the substitutes. These are still to be widely employed^ No substitutes are required with the purchase of graham, entire wheat, and rye. This situation will last only while the present supply is on hand. It will not continue to the extent of milling any more of these flours.

To summarize the present wheat outlook, it is still necessary to conserve as strictly as we can on the use of white flour and to use substitutes as far as possible. For a time graham, entire wheat, and rye are urged in place of white flour, and may be purchased without substitutes as long as the supply lasts. It will be clearly seen that the situation may change at any time owing to the demand on the supply available.

Sour Milk Graha3I Bread

Mix one cup of bread flour, 1% cups Graham flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, % cup of sugar, and ^4 cup molasses. Add li^ cups of thick sour milk, mix with two teaspoons of ;5oda and beat well. Let stand 20 minutes in a tin, and bake one hour in a slow oven. This receipt will make one and one half dozen muffins.

Quick Nut Loaf

cut in pieces Mix and sift flour, soda, baking powder, and salt. Add remaining ingredients, putting in the nuts when mixture is smooth. Bake in a slow oven about an hour; cover pan for the first half-hour.

Steadied Graham Pudding

Melt shortening, add molasses, milk, egg well beaten, dry ingredients, mixed and sifted, and raisins; turn into buttered mould, cover, and steam two and one-half hours. Dates or figs cut in small pieces may be used in place of raisins.

Corn And Rye Muffins

4 t. baking powder Mix and sift dry indgredients. Add egg, milk, and melted shortening. Bake in shallow greased pan or muffin tins about 20 minutes.

It has been the custom in many towns for several years to hold a tall exhibit or harvest festival where the results of summer efforts along gardening and preservation lines are shown. These exhibits are not only interesting and entertaining, but have a distinctly educational value. At these fairs, a high standard of work is usually exhibited, and through competition the standard of work is raised in the community. The possibilities of preserving foods in various ways are shown, and many people unfamiliar with food preservation are encouraged to try it, having seen the success obtained by a neighbor. In many towns there are boys' and girls' canning clubs, and it seems as if the fall fair is a splendid opportunity for the juniors to show the results of their work.

Prizes, although small, help decidedly in encouraging more and better worli, and it would seem as if this were a valuable way for the local food production committee to spend $25 to $30, as it would react directly upon the work of the coming year.

.There is an opportunity this year to make these fairs of still greater value by encouraging food exhibits and displays of receipts relative to food conservation.

Is your town or society planning for a fall exhibit? Are you as an Individual planning to contribute your best work to this exhibit? The Home Demonstration Agent will be glad to advise and assist in planning the local exhibit, and is interested to visit all fairs that are held in Norfolk County.

The Food Administration is desirous of obtaining an accurate estimate of the amount of material preserved in Massachusetts this year. In order to get this information, the local food conservation chairman in each town is asked to take a census of the preservation work done in each home. Towns that have previously been organized for Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives can easily be handled, a captain for each district being appointed to get the information in her district.

The food preservation survey will probably be taken in each town between the middle of September and the middle of October. The success of this undertaking can be assured only through the cooperation of all of the people. Will you do your part toward making the Norfolk County report one hundred per cent, complete?

In response to the interest we have tried to arouse in regard to canning demonstration teams, six or seven towns have begun to organize such teams and train them to give public demonstrations. The Assistant Home Demonstration Agent has planned for at least two meetings with each group before exhibit time. It is hoped that competition between sever'al teams may develop in towns where a large fall fair is held. A few simple prizes offered to the children will encourage their efforts. We believe that the actual demonstration of the cold pacS method of canning given by children who have successfully used this method in their own homes during the summer, will arouse the interest of the townspeople in the concrete results obtained by this means of preservation, and par> ticularly in the value of the girls' and boys' club work.

The privilege is also given to this county to send a team to the New England Fair held at Worcester, September 3, to compete with other counties from this state in demonstrating canning and in judging canned products. We are plannng to send two such teams at that time. Prizes are also offered ranging from $1 to $10 for the best exhibits of canned goods put up by the children. It is hoped that some gjood work will go from our towns to compete in these exhibits.

The Brockton Fair Association has offered the following prizes for Pig Club Members in Plymouth, Bristol, Barnstable, and Norfolk Counties at the Brockton Fair:

STORIES: For the best practical story of 200 to .500 words on pig raising. Send stories to your County Boys' and Girls' Club Leader before Sept. 25,

GAIN OF WEIGHT - For the greatest gain in 4 months - must be a spring pig and weighed at the Fair. Prizes given by President Cross. Prizes: 1st 2iul 3rd 4th

MODEL EQTJIPSIENT - You will be allowed a space 2 ft. by 3 ft. in which to exhibit model equipment, so make it conform to this size. Should consist of house, trough, rubbing post, self feeder, pasture crops or anything you think essential in caring for a pig.

Mr. George Farrell, from the States Relation Service, Washington Office, and Mr. George L. Farley, State Club Leader for Massachusetts spent a day early in the month in the county, looking at the boys' and girls' work. Visits covering market garden, canning, and pig club work were made in Walpole, Canton, Stoughton, Weymouth and Cohasset.

A county farm bureau is an institution for the development of a county program of work in agriculture and home economics, and for cooperating with State and Government agencies in the development of profitable farm management and efficient and wholesome home and community life, for man, woman, and child. It is organized agricultural democracy, by means of which farmers and their families express themselves concerning all matters relating to the advancement of agricultural, home, and community life.

The third fall term of the Norfolk County Agricultural School is to open on Monday, September 30. Applications have been received from different parts of the count y and from the Boston district, and it is hoped that a good enrollment will be secured.

Write Today

The MASSACHUSETTS GUERNSEY BREEDERS' AScOClATION invites each and every one of you to attend its first annual consignment sale of Guernsey cattle at the New England Pair Grounds, Worcester, October 24th at 10:30 A. M. This sale will be composed of seventy head of thoroughbred Guernseys from leading Massachusetts breeding establishments and will offer the first opportunity of its kind here for the purchase of high quality breeding stock at buyers' prices. We also invite you to meei with us and attend our banquet at the Bancroft, Worcester, on the evening before the sale. It will be a "Dutch Treat" at a reasonable price. . .

Please bear it in mind that you are not invited for the purpose of buying cattle unless you wish to do so, but for the purpose of meeting our members (among whom are many of the finest breeders in this country) as well as to inspect our cattle and enjoy our

Richard G. Harwood

The Farm Bureau agents have been called upon to judge the exhibits at many of the fairs held in the communities of Norfolk County. The improvement noted in these exhibits from year to year bears evidence to the progress which is being made in the various activities which come into competition at the fall fairs. The interest in the exhibits is showing a healthy growth, which gives those in charge reason to believe that a good thing started should be continued if its full value is to be attained. There is increasing evidence of the necessity for exhibiting garden products, canned products, cookery, sewing, live stock, etc. It is of vital i portance to ag icuUural iiitc:c.its tl'.rt the Ircrl friii's ;hci;'d cu iauo f: cm year to year. Ihey give the people an opportui ity to see the best products that are raised in their communities, and to learn of the methods, the pains, the time, and expense required to bring from the soil and the home these specimens of perfection. The fair is a means of advertising what is being done in the surrounding territory; it encourages others to make an effort to p oduce better vegetables, live stock, and home products. The exhibitor has an opportunity to talk with the judge who is glad to point out the strong and weak points of the specimens selected. He has a chance to compare his products with those of his neighbor and learn much in this way.

Winning the prize is a goal worth .-triving for, but it should not be the sole aim. Oftentimes, the winner neglects to find out the reasons for his winning, whereas the loser r-.akes a study of the strong and weak points in his exhibit and is in a better position to win the succeeding years. The person who knows how to put up a good exhibit, whether it wins or loses, commands the respect of all who view it.

From year to year the local fai's have grown better and better, until now some of the exhibitors are becoming very efficient in preparing and arranging exhibits. Let the good work continue and its support grow

On August 26, one hund "ed seventy five interested people and poultryn-.en attended the prultry culling demr n'tration given by Professor Graham and Mr. Banter, at the far ^i of Mr. Arthur H. Shaw, Wellesley. Mr. Ralph Morgan of the New England Poultry Producers' Exchange was present to explain some of the work which this Exchange hopes to do, and the program it has made to date. Mr. Morgan said that there are now enough members to open a store in Boston, which they hope to do very soon. This is to be for the benefit of the poultrymen of New England, and they hope it -vfill create a demand for more New England poultry products. No profit is to be made by the Exchange. If there are surplus funds after all bills have been paid and the members have received thei - returns for products sent in. It will be returned to the members In the form of dividends.

Profes or Graham made a few remarks in regard to the extent of the poultry culling work which has been done in Massachusetts. He also gave some timely points in regard to the efficient management of poultry in order to get a continuous supply of eggs during the entire year, and have a good percentage of that supply coming during the fall and early winter months when prices are high. He empliasized his point by saying that tlie fall production at the College is forty per cent, of the production during the year, thereby yielding the largest returns when the prices are high.

During the meeting, Mr. Morgan took a census of the number of birds kept the first of last January. Forty nine poultry keepers reported an aggregate number of 14,075 birds, an average of 328 for each one reporting. These poultrymen reported that they would probably keep in their winter flocks this year 16078. This gives an increase of fourteen and one fifth per cent, over last winter's flocks. A more optimistic sentiment was shown at this meeting in regard to the future of the poultry industry in Eastern Massachusetts, than has been shown at similar meetings for some time past.

After the culling demonstration, Mr. Shaw gave those present an opportunity to inspect in detail his recently built poultry houses. In one of these houses he has cold storage rooms, fattening rooms, and killing rooms, under the main poultry room. In the fields on range are 2000 head of young poultry running in large corn fields and over large areas of grass land. These are mostly White "Wyandottes coming from stock purchased from some of the best breeders in the United States. Mr. Shaw has already some young cockerels which are being fitted for the shows.

As people left the farm we were pleased to hear them express their gratitude for the opportunity to attend this meeting and go over the poultry plant, equipment, and yards of the Sabrina Farm. Poultrymen were present from Norwood, Bellingham, Needham, Medway, Franklin. Wellesley. Norfolk, Medfleld, Stoughton, and Canton. Undoubtedly, other towns were also represented.

The crop of apples in Norfolk County, although small, is of very good quality. Some of the fruit was injured by hail, but diseases and insects have been better controlled this season than for several years past. Some of the young orchards are yielding fruit for the first time. Those that have been well cared for are giving good results and bid fair to make the owners a profitable return in the near future. These stand out in marked contrast to those orchards which have been planted in the past few years and allowed to shift for themselves. No fruit is being harvested from these neglected trees and they show few signs of ever amounting to much.

Even in growing an apple tree, the results depend upon close attention to every detail from the time it is planted, and more and more attention is needed as it begins to bear.

Farmers who have spent time and money in breeding dairy cattle are considering the possibilities of exporting some of their stock after the war to the devastated countries of Europe. For years we have been importers of dairy cattle, and many of our breeders have depended upon the European countries for stock with which to lay the foundations of the herds which they have developed to such a high degree of perfection. But this condition will be reversed at the close of the war, when America will be called upon to restock the herds of Europe.

The loss of cattle through German confiscation in Belgium and Northern France has been tremendous. In the countries of Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Holland, cattle have been slaughtered at a rapid rate on account of the shortage of feed and difficulty of obtaining it. The United States is about the only source from which stock can be obtained to rebuild the dairy industry in these countries. France, Italy, Holland, and Belgium have sent commissions to the United States to ascertain the available supply of cattle which can be used in these countries when the time comes to reestablish their depleted herds. Already, the Department of Agriculture at Rio de Janiero, Brazil, has purchased a herd of registered Jerseys from the Brookwood Farms, at Barry vi lie. New York.

Last spring many of our Norfolk County farmers planted wheat to see if a profitable result could be obtained in this locality. Very satisfactory results are now being reported, ranging from twenty two to forty bushels per acre. This success should lead to a larger planting of wheat next year. In order to get spring wheat into the ground as early as possible, it would be well to plow the ground this fall.

Rye has also yielded exceptionally well this year. This crop we know can be grown profitably on a large portion of our soil, and its acreage should be considerably increased. There is still some time left for sowing rye this fall.

Those interested in raising hogs to make the largest returns would gain considerable knowledge by visiting the Millis Stock Farm in Millis, Mass. The owner, Mr. H. F. Allen of Arlington, is raising hogs by the pasture method, using rape and field corn, supplemented by a grain mixture. The pasture furnishes about half the food consumed.

The rape is sown in rows. When sufficient growth is attained, the hogs are turned into the field and allowed to feed upon the green stuff as they wish, and are fed grain once a day. When the gree i feed is good and plentiful, each large hog is allowed two pounds of grain per day. Rye is used on this farm for early spring feeding, and the corn which is now nearing maturity will furnish late feed along with the rape,

Last year we had a frost and a cold snap in September. This year the same conditions again prevailed, yet many of us were caught napping and many cases of roup are again devastating our flecks. These conditions exist not only in our own country, but in many other sections of New England. The results have already been felt: a decrease in egg production, the loss of a few choice pullets, and the injured appearance of many birds we had intended to exhibit at the fairs.

Those among us whose flocks have already been "hit" must seek a remedy, and others will profit by our experience. Those of us who have "patted ourselves on the back" must heed the old saying that "an ounce of p.evention is woith a pound of cure."

Roup is simply an advanced stage of a cold. The relation is similar to that which grippe bears to a slight cold among humans. There is a cure for roup, just as there is a cure for grippe, but the cure for roup takes tire and patience, and even then the bird is hardly fit for breeding purposes. Practical poultrymen rarely bother with roup, but simply kill and bury or burn the infected bird.

The fall cold is much more frequently found in the pullet flock than in the flock of mature fowls. Its first symptom is moisture at the nostrils. The poultryman should be on the watch for those birds whose nostrils ard beaks are plastered with bits of straw, dirt or feathers. These birds should be examined at once and will probably show that their nostrils are clogged. At first there may be no odor to the breath, but the cold is indicated and if allowed to run its course the odor of roup will follow. The next symptom is the formation of beads of moisture in the corner of the eye, and finally the eye swells, white patches form on the lining membrane of the mouth and throat, and a genuine case of roup is developed.

The treatment of fall colds begins with the location and removal of the cause. It may be any of the following: low vitality of the birds, crowding, drafts, lack of ventilation. The causes of low vitality are an inherited weakness, faulty breeding methods, wrong methods in rearing, poor housing conditions, and the presence of lice and mites on the birds or in the houses. The first three causes cannot be corrected in this generation, but the last two causes, and especially the last one, can be remedied. There is no reason why lice and mites should be found in sufficient numbers to hurt the birds. The application of blue ointment and vaseline will kill the lice on the bird, while a thorough spraying with crude carbolic acid (one part) and kerosene (three parts) will kill mites and lice in the house. These methods have been described in a previous bulletin.

A frequent cause of fall colds is the crowding of pullets upon the roosts at night. Even though plenty of room is provided, the birds have a tendency to huddle too closely together on cold nights. The remedies for this are to leave a space at the end of the roost, or to pay the hi ds an occasional nocturnal visit and scatter the.n upon the rco^ts until the habit of huddling is broken up.

Another frequent cause* of fall colds is a draft that strikes the bi ds upon the roost. The wall about the roosting quarters may not be tight, the summer ventilators may be too low, or the roosts too hig'o, or there may be too much open front. It seems better in this climate to adhere to the old rule of one square foot of open front to every eiglit square feet of floor space.

Still another cause of colds is lack of ventilation, sone people still clinging to the old idea of allowing little or no fresh air to enter the house at night. In order to maintain their normal temperature of 105 to 107 degrees, birds must have plenty of oxygen. If we go into the house at night and notice the slighest odor or dampness, then the nroblcT:! of getting rid of roup is a problem of ventilation.

A point that is often overlooked by the poultryman is the fact that these colds are passed along, not only in the drinking water, but also in the mash hoppet s, and in the very air breathed. Unaffected bird, may easily contract the disease from those who have already succumbed. The first step in treatment, therefore, is to remove from the flock all birds who show any evidences of cold. Treat them for lice and mites, cut off all supplies of water except those provided in drinking vessels. The w^ater in these should contain some good disinfectant. Heretofore permanganate of potash has been used quite effectually, but the p ice of this disinfectant has risen to $6 per pound in many sections which makes it p ohibitive. Many poultrymen use kerosene with varying result'^. The drinking ves^^els are filled to about three fourths of an inch of the top with water, and then sufficient kerosene is poured on to make a light film completely coveri g the surface of the water to a depth of one eighth of an inch. The birds are compelled to drink this water until conditions improve. There are many other treatments which are more or less effective. One of the best is the use of a patent disinfectant called fersul. This compound, as its Latin name implies, is a compound of iron and sulphur together with other ingredients. It has been tried out in the Delaware Egg Laying Contest with great success, and is used not only as a disinfectant but is used as an eye wash for birds infected with ocular roup.

In addition to the above treatment, the entire flock should receive a good dose of epsom salts and sulphur once a day fo-; at least th^ee days. This should be given in a w^et mash, because birds that have become accustomed to dry mash will devour wet mash ravenously and in their haste will not detect the presence of the distasteful mixture in the mash. The salts and sulphur clean up the system, prevent new cases, and aid recovery. Following this a nourishing diet of not too rich food, and an abundance of green food should be given until the birds recover.

Another thing w^e should not neglect this fall is the- care of the poultry yard. With the amount of land in this county, we should be able to employ to advantage the so-called double-yarding system, by means of w^hich yards are arranged both in front and in the rear of the poultry house. By this arrangement the birds can have access to a bountiful supply of green feed up to November. Even the single yard should be limed, plowed, and sowm to rve. A good stand of rye can be secured if the yard is seeded down any time before the first of November. Here at the school we are planning to use the double yarding system. The rear yard, w^hich is not being used at the present time, will be sown to rye. The front yard, which must be used until November, will be plowed in the spring, three fourths of the yard nearest the house Avill be sown to oats, and the remaining fourth wall be planted to corn for summer shade. This plan has proved very successful m other localities, and a fair crop of corn has been secured if the birds are not allowed to range in the corn until it has grown to a height of two feet.

We must soon move the birds into their winter quarters. They must be there before they start to lay, for if moved after they have commenced to lay, they will invariably stop laying and perhaps molt.

Many of the poultrymen are now Avishing that they had hatched more chicks this spring. Eggs are selling at 75 cents per dozen in the Norwood market and dressed fowl at 45 cents per pound, while grain is a little lower than it has been. There may still be a dollar in the business, at least our western brothers think so. Let's think it over before we sell our birds. Eggs may be a dollar a dozen by November 27th.

In the present emergency when so many people have war gardens, it is important to have suitable storage facilities in every home. Such facilities will not only enable them to keep their own products safely, but to purchase and store a winter's supply of apples and many vegetables at fall prices. At that season such products can usually be bought from the producer at prices to which have not been added the cost of commercial storage, handling charges, and retail distribution. Furthermore, there is a considerable saving of time, and great convenience in having a variety of products immediately available, independent of the weather, the retailer, or the whim of his delivery boy.

Products Adapted To Storage Storage Of Vkgetables Tn Group A.

Pumpkins and squashes require a dry, warm at.-nosphere, about 50 to 65 degrees F., and will keep better on shelves in the heated portion of the house.

Storage Of Vegetables In Group B Or Cool Storage

Efficient storage for these vegetables must combine suitable temperature, moisture and ventilation conditions, with capacity in proportion to the size of the family. It must be accessible and should be large enough to hold a winter's supply.

In the majority of New England homes the best place will be found to be a room in the cellar which can be maintained at a low temperature without freezing, kept moist enough to prevent shriveling or drying, and ventilated from a convenient window or other opening. In a heated cellar, a corner partitioned off by a double wall will be satisfactory. If the cellar is unheated and there is danger from freezing, a similar room with the addition of a single boarded partition ne.xt to the outside wall will provide the necessary air space to keep out the frost. In extremely cold weather a small electric or oil heater may be used in such a room.

Model And Further Information

A model storage room in the Massachusetts Food Administration Building will be on exhibition after September 1, 1918, on Boston Common, nearly opposite West Street, where any details and further information will bo gladly furnished.

Mr. Endicott urges in his latest message to the public regarding conservation that the American people in no way relax their efforts in food conservation during the coming months. Statistics show us that the immediate food need for the Allies and Army is 28,000,000 tons. Of this amount the Allies can be relied upon to furnish 10,000,000, while the United States has promised 15,000,000 tons. The 3,000,000 tons deficit must come from the United States, ;and this can be saved only through the most economical living. As it is, 18,000,000 people in Northern Russia are actually starving to death as a direct result of the greed of a few thousands of people, and we are helpless to prevent it.

Reports of favorable crops in many of our food stuffs this year have tended in some instances to a slackening in food conservation. Any surplus food which can possibly be saved this year should be put by for a i-eserve supply, which every country needs as a resource in a year of poor crops. The food situation this year cannot be considered any easier than it was last winter. On the other hand, the American people must be more careful in the use and waste of food than they were last year. The war is not yet won; the war cannot be won without a suliicient food, supply. This is and will continue to be America's responsibilitv

Cottage cheese is assuming more importance than ever as a substitute for meat. It can be made from skim milk or sour milk and is less expensive as a muscle builder than meat, eggs, and other protein foods. The Government is urging its use to save quantities of skim milk that have been wasted in this country, and to prevent a shortage of dairy products which would be the most serious food shortage the country has known. To stimulate the production of milk and its products, a cottage cheese week was held September 23 to 28 in Boston and other cities in the state under the auspices of the Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense. One aim of the campaign was to insure a supply of commercial cottage cheese in every city where a demand was created. It is hoped that the demand will be continued where created, however, and not be spasmodic.

Skim Milk Cheese

Heat milk in double boiler until lukewarm. Allow it to remain at that temperature for 15 minutes. Add junket tablets which have been crushed and dissolved in % cup cold water, stirring while adding. Allow to remain until the milk curdles. Strain through cotton cloth, squeezing gently. Mash the curd with a fork, season with salt, moisten with milk, shape, and chill

Sour Milk Cheese

Put milk in large bowl. Add hot water and let stand 5 minutes. Strain through cheese cloth, squeezing gently. Mash the curd with a fork, season with salt, moi.-.ten with milk, shape, chill and serve.

The United States Department of Agriculture has issued a bulletin containing receipts for using cottage cheese as the foundation of various dishes, in soups, meat substitute dishes, salads, and desserts. Bulletin No. 109, entitled "Cottage Cheese Dishes", may be obtained by writing to the Homo Demonstration Agent

The problem of jelly making is rather a ditficult one this year, owing to the shortage of sugar. It is not recommended by the Government because of the large amount of sugar necessary. Experiments have been made and found very successful in using part sugar and part Karo corn syrup. In this way, the amount of sugar can be reduced. The following results have been obtained: apple jelly made of 50 per cent, sugar and 50 per cent. Karo was found to jelly perfectly and to be similar to all sugar jelly in flavor; less than 50 per cent, sugar was found to jelly but to be changed in flavor; fruits like grapes, containing less of the jellying substance than apple, will not make successful jelly with less than 50 per cent, sugar.

If jelly is to be made using the pre-war basis of three fourths of a cup of sugar to one cup of juice, and using syrup for one half the sugar, use for every cup of juice (first extraction) one third of a cup of syrup and three eighths of a cup of sugar; for every quart of juice, one and a third cups of syrup and opp and a half cups of sugar.

The following exhibits have been prepared by the Home Making Department and are available upon request for display at the fall fairs. They have already been used on several occasions.

On September 3, 1918, five gii'ls and one boy, chosen from various towns to represent Norfolk County, went to Worcester with Mr. Dizer and Miss Homer to compete in canning demonstration and canning judging contests with other counties from the State. On the demonstration team were Emily Hallowell of Norwood, Dorothy Healey of Needhan, and Helen Findlen of Dedham. They were a red letter team, for they carried off first prize at the Fair, winning a gold medal for Norfolk County. These girls were a credit to the county and deserve congratulations on their earnest work, sincere effort, and splendid results. Mr. Farrell of Washington was the judge. The other competing counties were Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Worcester.

The judging team, consisting of Marjorie Curra of Canton, Alice Peers of Weymouth, and Fred Mayhew of Walpole, were not successful in winning a prize, but were faithful in their efforts and drill.

Norfolk County was represented in canning exhibits by Emily Hallowell, who received one first prize and two fourth prizes, and by Elizabeth Trahan of Walpole

Canning Section

The Weymouth Pair, held on August 30, 31, and September 2, at the South Weymouth Fair Grounds, was opened this year to other towns in the county for exhibits and demonstrations in canning. The children's tent, under the direction of Miss Sarah E. Brassill, Junior Club Leader for Weymouth, was especially noteworthy, since the quality and variety of the work displayed was exceptionally fine.

The sweepstake county prize for the best collection of canned goods, open to all county exhibitors, was won by Barbara Endicott of Norwood, honorable mention by Gladys Price of Weyirouth and Emily Hallowell of Norwood. Prizes were also given to Evelyn Martell, Alice Brown, and Marion Curley of Cohasset, Ella Johnson, Madeline Wales, and Velma Holbrook of Stoughton, Oswald Baumgarten of Dedham, Beulah Howard and Alice Cullen of Randolph. The Holbrook club entered as a whole and won a prize similar to the competing clubs of Weymouth,

It is hoped another year to make it possible for every child who competes in an exhibit outside his home town to attend the exhibit, so that he may compare the results of his work with the work of other contestants. In that comparison of results lies the real value of an exhibit, and higher standards and quality of work should follow.

Demonstrations on canning and fruit butters were held in the main hall at various times during the last two days of the fair. The County demonstration team and representative teams from the seven canning clubs in Weymouth gave the demonstrations. The local demonstration teams show the concrete results of the training the children are getting in canning during the season, and although they require extra drill and time on the part of the local leaders, are considered the most satisfactory end of the club work.

Garden Section

Twenty three boys and girls from different parts of the county sent vegetables to the Weymouth Fair for the market garden competition, and about a dozen additional ones sent potatoes. This showing was not as good as was expected, but some fine vegetables were exhibited. The children's tent in which the vegetables were displayed attracted a great many people and several thousand h^d a chance to see what the gardeners have been doing.

Market Garden C03Ipetiti0N Potato Contest

The Norwood Canning Club, composed of about one hundred children, has completed a most successful season. Their results may be interesting to leaders of other clubs. It will probably not be possible to follow their methods in many instances, since their organization is unique, but they may give ideas which will assist others. The work has been carried on at the Community Kitchen which has been open four days a week. Every morning and afternoon different groups of children have been given canning lessons, while in the afternoon they have been allowpd ^'o bring any product they desired to can under supervision. Mrs. Eugene Endicott and Mrs. H. S. Winslow have been in charge, and v/orking hours were from 9:30 in the morning to oftentimes after eight in the evening. Stepping inside the building on any afternoon, one would find a leader with perhaps one helper superintending two or three dozen children who were canning all varieties of products at every possible stage.

The results of the tireless efforts of the leaders and enthu^instic interest of the children may be shown by the fact that 5469 pints have been canned during the summer at this kitchen by the children, ii^any of whom come from homes where heretofore no interest has been taken in this' question. This amount does not include any of the canning done at home. Due to the work in the canning club, a direct interest has been awakened at home, and much more material has been preserved ii thei^ own kitchens.

Selection of vegetables for show - the picking of the best and the use of it as an ideal - has been receiving a great deal of attention lately. Following is a brief outline on the subject which has been used with a fair degree of success among the children of several towns previous to their garden exhibits:

0. Match up as nearly as possible with others to make the required number. 7. Wash or clean vegetables carefully. It has been found that a little knowledge similar to the foregoing, if given to the children a little while before the exhibit, will better the quality of the material shown and do away with a great many of the freak«, such as hand-shaped carrots, potatoes that look like men, etc., which we of*-en see exhibited and attracting a great deal of attention while plates of perfectly matched table vegetables remain unnoticed.

The Extension Service of the Massachusetts Agricultural College is planning to run four extension tractor schools during the coming \Ylnter. These will be located at Pittsfield, Worcester, Boston, and Amherst. The first three schools will be run during the winter when it is impossib'e to give the students any field work. To make up for the lack of field work, which is essential in learning the use of a tractor, a scheme will probably be developed whereby the people taking the work in these three schools can come to Amherst for out-door training some time in the spring.

One of the serious drawbacks last spring in using tractors w^as the ignorance of the operators in handling the plows. Many of them wereunskilled in plowing, and did not know what a good piece of plowing looked like, and they failed to get the machinery in working ord'r so that the land could be fitted in proper shape. These schools Avill end avor to train the operators to use the tractor outfits in the proper manner so that when a job of plowing and hariowir.g is finished, the ground v,"ill be in condition to grow a satisfactory crop.

Three purebred Berkshire pigs have been purchased by the School for educational work with the students. These pigs came from the herd of Harry Knights, proprietor of the Overlook Orchard Farm, Littleton, Massachusetts. Mr. Knights has spared no pains in breeding one of the best Berkshire herds in the country. He has won many prizes at the different state and national livestock shows. At his first exhibit of Overlook Orchard Farm Berkshires, at the International Livestock Show, held in Chicago, 1917, the largest livestock show in the world, ten animals won thirteen ribbons: Grand and Senior Championship boar and sow, five first, one second, and three third prizes. This Grand Champion boar Double's Majestic sold after the show for $1000. We feel that we are very fortunate in being able to secure pigs from a herd which has been bred to such a high degree of perfection.

The people who are in a position to know the fertilizer situation at Washington, and the Extension Service of the State, are asking us to emphasize the importance of ordering fertilizers early. It is felt by those connected with the fertilizer factories that the lack of labor, not only now but during the previous several months, will render them unable to furnish the needed amounts if orders are withheld until the usual time for placing them. The materials which go into fertilizers have to be purchased some time in advance, and unless tlie factories know somewhere near the amounts that are to be used, they will be unable to secure these materials in time to mix them for the spring planting season. The fertilizer companies are behind normal production. Transportation facilities are certain to be interfered with by severe storms this winter, and every time they are obstructed, since they are already working beyond capacity, a serious slowing up in the movement of freight will result. If orders for fertilizers are placed early, those farmers who are dependent on their use in raising next year's crop will be relieved of considerable anxiety when the time comes for using them.

Under date of Octol>er 17, Professor Earl Jones of the Massachusetts Agi'icultural College addressed a letter to the County Agent containing the following information in regard to fertilizers:

There is definite information that fertilizers on the market next year will be lacking in available nitrogen (unless the war comes to an end very soon) from nitrate of soda, ammonium sulphate, and calcium cyanide. Practically all these materials have been diverted to other uses, and the quantity available for use in making fertilizers is so small as to be almost negligible.

There will be nitrogen available for use in fertilizers, but it will have about the same availability as tankage. Much of this will be produced by treating available materials with sulphuric acid. There is a good supply of cotton seed meal. This means that top dressing fertilizers for grass will not be available and that other crops may suffer from the lack of quickly available nitrogen.

We cannot too strongly emphasize the value of barnyard manure this year. Proper handling to save its available nitrogen and potash, its use on as much land as possible, and its economical handling are the points that should be emphasized. To be more specific, attention could well be given to the following points.

2. Manure should be applied to as much of the cropped land of the farm as possible. Because of the potash it contains, some manure should be applied to potato fields.

3. Labor can be saved by applying manure to the land as much as possible during the fall and winter. This would save time next spring to be devoted to putting in crops.

4. There is some loss when manure is spread on hilly land or there are deep snows during the winter. If under these conditions it can be hauled out and put in large piles during the winter, time would be saved during the spring.

6. The liquid manure is rich in available nitrogen and potash. There should be plenty of absorbent materials in the stable or barn cellar to prevent loss of this.

The value of wood ashes is well known. There will be larger supplies than usual owing to the fact that some factories will burn wood where they have ordinarily burned coal. These supplies should be made available to farmers as far as possible at reasonable prices.

The increasing size of the army and the continually increasing number of men on the firing line make it necessary for us to bestir ourselves to collect hickory, walnut, and butternut shells. Five hundred tons of these shells are needed daily by the Government, to make the gas masks required to supply the army. Every person who uses nuts must see that the shells are delivered to the Red Cross for shipment.

Mr. I. I. Margeson of Westwood is trying to direct-to-consumer plan for selling his 1000 bushels of Baldwin, Greening, and Russet apples. He is advertising in the Boston papers, and consumers are motoring to his farm, selecting their apples and taking them away with them.

The epidemic of influenza has caused the abandoning of several harvest fairs which had been planned some time ago. Many committees w^ere proceeding to get their halls ready and to advertise the premium lists, so that gardeners could prepare for bringing in their exhibits. The abandoning of these fairs will mean that many communities are left without this influence to inspire the garden interest next year and in so:r.e cases to increase it. In several communities the fairs which had been planned were to be much more elaborate than ever before, and the committees had every prospect of having their ambitions realized.

How well the people of the State have responded to the program of increased production is brought out by the following figures taken from monthly reports of Bureau of Crop Estimates, U. S. D. A.

At the same time other parts of the production program have been well sustained, that is, the live stock has not only been maintained but increased, and the great acreage ot home and community gardens is a tribute to the organized effort of the people.

In the new draft the district boards are charged with the duty of putting into deferred classes those who are more likely to further the war by remaining in civilian occupations than by entering the Army. Accordingly, three advisors are to be selected for each district board - one for agriculture, one for labor, and one for other occupations. The agricultural advisor will be appointed by the board upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture. The advisors are not members of the board but may, when invited, attend its meetings.

The duties of the agricultural advisor will be to furnish to the board fleets relative to farm-labor requirements, not only of his own district, but of the whole country. He should be the repository of all facts having relation to the deferment of agricultural workers, whether these be necessary farm laborers, managers or operators. He will be expected to advise the district boards as to a shortage or surplus of necessary farm workers for any given district, as well as for the entire Nation. Such information will be supplied to the advisors by the Department of Agriculture. This will make it possible to have necessary workers transferred from districts in which they may not be necessary to other districts in which they are sorely needed.

The advisor may also concern himself with individual cases that come before the district board. He will have the right, under certain conditions, to examine the questionnaires and other records in the files of the local board for the purpose of ascertaining whether persons entitled to deferred classification have actually claimed it. In case he finds the names of such registrants he may file for them a claim for deferred classification with the district board, which, in turn, may require the local board to certify the questionnaire and record of any such registrants for consideration. Reasonable time will be given for the purpose of obtaining information and supplying the affidavits required. If a local board determines to consider a case for deferred classification because a registrant is engaged in a necessary occupation, notwithstanding no claim for deferred classification on that ground has been made, it shall endorse the recommendation on the questionnaire of the registrfant and forward it to the district board having jurisdiction. The district board will thereupon consider the case and proceed to classify the registrant, notwithstanding the fact that no claim for deferred classification by or in respect of the registrant has been made.