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â- *i mm^mmmmtrnmn / FEEDING FOR WINTER EGGS ly Soine..Practical Suggestions. BY W. F. TAYLOR. The sjiitein of feeding shouM le onifomi, and during the Bhort tfayB, wh«re light <i are not used, all possilile daylight sbauld bo utilized. ARaiii, during the »hort days, plenty of hop-^ p«r 8p<ic<« Is importunt. The so-'iior the hen3 can breakfast after coniiiu: off tho roost in the morning, the bet- ter; and the chance for tha last hun- gry bird to 1)0 satisfied ui»on poinR to roo.<it at niRlit, is equally necessary. Something to drink and plenty of it, is equally important. During the very cold weather is requires extra elTort to provide warm drink, but it will pay. If either the wat«r or the milk he too cold, the birds will not drink enough «f it, and what they do drink will tend to chill them. RATION NEEnS ECC-PRonilCING FACTORS. The average farm flock lays but few ejtgs during the winter, usually for two reasons: Firi-t, it contains a small percentage of pullets, and it Is hard during December and .Tanuary to se- cure high production from old hens that have laid' well during the year. Second, the ration fed the average farm flock in winter will not produce eggs in paying quantities. This is true becau.<ie it is n.>t a balanced ration ; in some cases corn is fed almost exclu- sively. Here and there is one who feeds Twthing but wheat. I have in mind one man who told m^ last spring that his hens had eaten nearly half a bushel of wheat a day. They get wheat to eat and water to drink, and March 1, they were not producing a dozen eggs a day. ANIMAL PROTEIN NEEDED. There is a very general lack of ani- mal protein in the ration fed the farm flock. This lack can be very easily supplied by feeding a dry ma.sh con- taining the necessary proportion of meat scrap. There are several kinds of prepared poultry mash on the mar-: ket. Many of the local dealers are I mixing a^id selling very good poultry | matih at reasonable prices. If farmers,! generally, would buy this feed and use : it, the pro<luction of these small flocks would be greatly Increa.sed. If one desires to mix the inaah at home, the formula put out from our college .sliould bo consulted. Equal parts of bran, cornmeal, middlings and ground oats, with anywhere from ten t<) twenty per cent, of meat «crap, ac- cording to tho anwuivt of milk the hons are getting. This is the formula, and it is hard to improve on. Usually one per cent, of salt is added, and from ono to two per cent, of ground limestone (calcium carbonate). A PRACTICAL MASH. The writor has one bunch of Ijcg- horns in which he is getting interest- ed. In this flock arc 170 pull«ts. They were hatched June 8. We bought this bunch, cockerels and all, when they were seven weeks old. To begin with, there were 400 of them, but we fed the, weasels pretty well on two occasions, and the number was reduced. The birds never ate a kernel of scratch feed after wc got them, until they were four months old. We fed a mash made practically as follows: Seven hundred pounds of yellow cornmeal, 3O0 pounds of good middlings, sixty pounds meat scrap, ten pounds of salt, and twelve pounds of calcium carboru ate. Wo had it mixed at the mill, which saved son» time and labor. As the hours of daylight shortened and the nights grew long, we gave the pullets a feed of corn j ust before they went on the roost. They began laying shortly before they were five months old. They were five months and nine- teen days old yesterday, and we gath- ered seventy-five eggs from the 170 birds. There are several good methods of feeding hens. They will consume a variety of grains. In fact, all the grains commonly known on the farm except rye, can be fed with profit. There are many ways in which a good poultry mash can be made, but the principle of the balanced ration must be kept ever in mind, and for growing chicks yellow corn is preferable to the white variety. THE CANADIAN HOMEMAKLR Jl merits y i»e»m ortic^ covering. PLANNINQ . BUrLDINQ . FINANCINQ OCCORATINQ . FURNISHING . GARDENING «^* CtpifrnKt iHt ' â- â- â- â-  Corn Excels Barley for Laying Hens. In an effort to find a cheap home- grown food for laying hens that could bo substituted for imported corn, the Lethbridge, Alta., Experimental Sta- tion made a teat comparing barley with corn in the grain ration. Four hundred and fifty pullets were used for the experiment. To half the num- ber the ration consisted of one part Clacked corn, one part crushed oats and two j)arts wheat as scratch-feed, and equal parts of bran, shorts, mid- dlings, oat-thop, meat meal and corn meal as a dry mash. The other half of tho flock received a similar ration, differing only in the substitution of barley for tho corn both in tho scratch- feed and the mash. The usual addi- tions of salt and charcoal were added to tht mash in each case. In the sum- mer a Blightiy higher proportion of wheat was used than in tho winter Both pens had access to alfalfa runs in tho fall, spring and summer and in the winter were given cabbage, alfalfa leaves and mangels in liberal quanti- ties. Only water was given for drink. The results of tlio test were greatly In favor of the corn-fed lot both as to egg production and vitality of tho birds. The average egg production in the pullet year was 201 eggs for the corn-fed pen and 174 for those re- ceiving barley, and while the corn ra- tion was higher in price, the feed cost per do7*n was 3 per cent. les.s where corn was fed. A serious objection to barley was brought to light in tho higher mortality of the birds given this feed. Many other useful experiments were carried on at the Lethbridgo Station and are reported in the annual report of tho Station for 1925, available at the Publicationa Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa. •« Mulching Berries With Fertilizer-Bags. Old fertilizer sacks como in handy on our farm. We lay tho sacks along each side of the rows of strawberry plants, with edges close to tho planta and parallel to the rows. Tho sacks are moro easily placed if they are wet. | To hold the sacks in place, use galvan- ' Iced wire, bent Into "U" shaped pieces, I ♦ith the opening about two inches across and five inches long. These are inverted and run Into tho soil, usring one in each corner of tho sack. | The fortiliicer sacks serve several purposes. Thoy keep <lown wee<l3; they tend to prevent the production | of runners between rows ; when it j raind they lessen tho anmunt of mud 1 apkushed on the berries ; and if sacks \ axe used immediately after thoy aro wnptled, the soil receives the fertilizer thut i« wa£hod out by rains. Thi.n' HHthod of caring for strawberry pUnta seems to us ideal for ueo on a â- mall aeato where straw ia unavall- •bl«. If th«i« «r« only a few hundred plants in the garden plot, the use of •orlap i> more desirable than bothcr- tnt with straw, we find. â€" A. D. -♦ > Ifonirry hens, those ev«r ready for flieir few!, hif the most eggs, and niak« the beat breeders. Such h«n8 eome flrsl at feedign time, and linger till the last; and yet, whll« they eat the most, th»y do u>t becoqiA over fat. Breeding for Quality Eggs. There is' a growing feeling among poultrymen and the trade alike that thp average size of market eggs is de- creasing. The feeling is that this is especially the case on large commer- cial egg farms, where strenuous ef- forts are made to breed high produc- ers. It is a recognized fact that if a bird lays more eggs, and one continu- ally breeds for high egg production, especially in tho naturally heavier brced.s, there is a tendency for each succeeding generation of birds to be- come smaller in size and to lay small- er eggs. It would seem, therefore, that we mu.5t give serious attention to the maintenance of egg quality. This can bo done only by careful se- lection and mating, a.nd by careful breeding. The answer should be to hatch only eggs of normal size from birds of good sizo and weight, and to hatch only eggs of normal color for their i-espcctive breed or variety. When short of eggs the tendency is »o often to put small eggs in the machin^. Research studies tell ua that these small eggs hatch small chicks, which grow into small pullets, which again lay small eggs. If nothing but two- ounce eggs are set, poutrymen need have no fear about the quality of tho eggs, in reference to size at least, from tho forthcoming pullets. A SMART DRESS WITH SLEN- DERIZING LINES. Dignity and grace are combined in tho attractive daytime dress shown here. The bodice is slightly gathered to the skirt in front, while the back is in one piece. Slenderizing lines are accentuated by means of the deep V front, shawl collar extending to the waist, and the plaited front tunic. Tho sleeves are in two sections, the lower part being of contrasting material to match tha vestee. No. 1461 is for ladies and is in sizes 30, 38, 40, 42 and 44 inches bu.st. Size 38 requires 3 Ms yards ;j9-inch materia! and % yard SC-inch contrasting for sleeves and vestoa. Price 20c the pattern. Many styles of .smart apparel may bo found in our Fashion Book, Our designers originate their patterns in tho heart of the style- centres, and their creations are those of tested popularity, brought within the means of the average woman. Price of the boo 10c the copy. HOW TO ORDER PATTERNS. Write your name and address plain- ly, giving numijer and size of such patterns as you want. Enclose 20c in stamps or coin (coin preferred; wrap it carefully) for each number and address your order to Pattern Dept., Wilson Publishing Co., 73 West Ade- laide St., Tororto. Patterns sent by return mail. AN ENGUSfl DOMESTIC DESIGN FOR A SOUTH-SIDE LOT Pay-Day Selling. A young farmer and his wife, whom I know, have shrewdly worked out a marketing plan whereby they get rid of their surplus products at good prices, and get cash for them. They sell on "pay-day" in nearby factory towns. First, this man has his meats cold and fresh in pieces of convenient size. He does not encourage small sales, as they take too much time. The \vomen have the pay cheques and can buy quantities, so everything is arranged in 10, 16 or 20-pound parcels. A good chunk of beef or pork- at from (Ive to eight cents less per pound than the butcher n«k« is always attractive, while eight or ton pounds of fresh Bausago will not go far in a large family. The meat is tho very last thing prcpai-ed, so it wjll be perfectly fresh. Scrapple, pigs' feet, hearts, livers and all the .scraps are used. , Then there are kraut, vinegar, cot- tage-cheese, live chickens, egg.s, late vegetables, psars, apples, drie.l corn and dozens of other things. Frequent- ly he hais to run home for a secoild and third load. The more perishable things go first, then the canned stuff and tho vinegar and fruit. He stays mostly in the district where factory workers live, tlnding them excellent patioiw on pay-day. They have the money and lay in a supply of cheaper food than thoy can get down town. He f.,ives them good measure and first quality stuff. Ily taking a whle day and getting out a largo quantity, he does much better than to break up a number of days going tho rounds. His patrons know when to look for him, and have tho money ready.â€" H. R. .» Scrub poultry may serve .a good purpose In the pot, but should not be permitted to occupy spao* la the breeding-p«na> Speeding Up the Bearing Age. Though it is perfectly natural to want to get our orchards into bearing as quickly as possible, and tliough we are justified in putting more or less pressure on the trees to bring that about, yet we frequently overdo it. Tho principal factor.s which influ- ence early bearinjt are tho following: Setting precocious varietie.% summer- j)runing the trees while young, sotting tho orchard on soils which aro not ovorfertile, and being conservative in our use of cultivation and fertilizers which promote growth. Now, any one of these is legitimate if ifopt within lK>inidS. We might easily justify setting Mcintosh, which comes into bearing in five or six years, in preference to Northern Spy, which takes ten to fifteen years; and we might well bo cautious enough in our use of nitrogenous fertilizers so that our trees do not overgrow. But on tho other hand, wo ought always to keep in mind the fact that for the first ten years at least we are building up our manufacturing plant ' which will yield us returns for many I years; to build a good one should be 'our first concern. Tho writer onco saw an expHjrimen- U.il orchard in which part of tho trees I had been summer-pruned and part !had been pruned during tho dormant season, and tho former, at eight years of age, had produced several timen as many apples as the latter. But they showed it, and I would far rather , have had an orchard of trees like the dormant-pruned. I Do not be afraid of making the tree grow vigoi'ously for the first four or five years. Get eighteen inches to two feet on the leaders if yo\x can, for it reipjires a big tree to carry a big crop. I *'v-â€" , I To get customers, an Iowa farmer . who ships eggs has the ends of the I crates neatly stenciled. This plan ad^ vertlses his goods to thcie who see his shipments on depot platforms. Fas- , tened by a short string to one comer I of each box he puts a number of de- I tachable tags, each bearing his name I and address, and the current price of I his eggs by parcle-post. Painted on 1 the l>ox, near the string, are the words "Take One," es a hint to travelers who see tho shipments and wish they could obtain atmilar fresh eggs for their own tablftfi. A residence should bo designed to suit the lot on which It 1« to be buUt and be so arranged as to give the beS't outlook and tho greatest amount of light to the more Important rooms. Often we find tho rooms so arranged as to give consideration to the rubllc highway only regardless ot the real advantages possessed by the lot. The dea'.gu illusitrated here is tor a lot locatcid on the south side of a street having a desirable view or gar- den in the re<ir. The spaciou-a living room has a view on three sides. In its planning the natural advantages of the site are utilized to the utmost. French doors at ono end lead to the verandah and garden to the south, while a group of three casement win- dows look toward the street. French doo'rs give acce'ss from the living room to tho dining rconi. The dining room, like the living room has exposure on three sides. Windows on either siide ot the buffet look to the west while a group ot three casements face south and a pair ot French doors lead to the verandah on the eas^t. There is no waste space In hall- ways in this do&ign and the stairway is conveniently arranged at tho front ot tho hcuso with the basement stair under It. The trades entranco to the kitchen is plated at tho basement stair landing and also provides an entrance from tlio side drive to the front hall. Tho kitchen is of ample size, well eiiulpped with cupboards, broom cup- board, electric range and refrigerator. The same ccnsiderations have been By Craig & MadlU, Architects. given to the arrangement of the rooms on the second floor as on the ground floor. There are three bedrooms of convenient size with generous closet fipaoe. The owner's bedroom, wlilch has the preference in outlook is the largest and is provided with two wardrobes. .Where posislWe two groups ot windows have been pro- vided in the bedrooms to give cross circulation of air. The sunroom, which faces south and has three exposures, opens off two of the bedrooms and may be used as a sun sitting room or as a sleeiping porch. <».The bath room Is ample In size and is equipped with a built-in tub and pedestal basin. The S'tucco exterior Is relieved by red brick base, sills and trimmings. , The root is in keeping with tho general design end Is carried <_own with pleasing ef- fect over the front entrance. English cottage casement sash and shingles ! and woodwork etainod brown com- ' ptete the effect. } The cost ot ths huiiaing oxclu.siva ; of land would be in the neighborhood ; of J9.500. I Readers desiring further intorma- ' tlon regarding the plans and spfcill- I cations for this house should comrauul- ; cate with the architects direct. Ad- I diress, Craig & MadlU, 96 Blocr St. I Wes't, Tcrouto. Ont. OJDVND "y-rcOND-f-LGDL-PUN- A HEARTLESS VALENTINE PARH BY BEATRICE PLUMB. \ Could anything be moro original, with. Two players, boy and girl, than a heartless Valentino Party? [ stand in front of the group and at the Here is tho invitation: j word "Go!" both start talking. The I boy's subject is "My Girl Friend"; the Although a Valentine aflfair My party is a heartless one! The girls will givo tho men the Of course I only mean in fun! Wo'U show no heart at all, but then girl's subject is "My Boy Friend." The one who can talk the longest wins a gas balloon. Just before refreshments usher . your guests out with an all-pop relay. You'll meet some cultured girls who • q^^^ ^ach a paper bag and line up ^'â- ^8. your two teams facing the doorway. And lot? of promising young menâ€" Qn the word "Go!" the first player of In fact, they'll promise anything-! Lac^ team«rushes through the door- Hearts have no place at your party. ' way, stops, blows up his paper bag. Cooing doves, lovers' knote, cupids and "pops" it and sits down upon the floor, bows and arrows may be used instead. ; The next two players rush to the door- \ou cculd have an ice-cold atmosphere' way and repeat the performance. This by n literal use of \*hite crepo paper j continues until all of one team are cut in/to a fringle of icicles, with cot- seated. Pass popcorn balls to the los- ton batting for snow. j >HK '»»«»• The winners think this a When the girls are upstairs taking ^'^a'^l^^ procedure until they dis- off their wraps hang string.; over the'^oyf"- ^^^^ ^he losers mu.st eat the banister. Leave one end of each ' J*"^ ^'t^o"*^ touching them with their string where the boys downstairs can { "*"°8- roach it. To the top ends fasten doll- size gloves. Although Blind Cupid is a simple Those are illustrations cut from a! game, it is more fun than you can BLIND CUPID. "An Endearment Contest" comes, ne.\t. Secure partners thus: Give to the rien slips calling for some laugh-, able stunt such as "Snoring," "Do an' esthetic dance," "Smile sweetly upon some maiden," "Give an e.xhibition of, I cake-walking," "Dance the Charles- I ton," and so on. The girls aroi ' given slips of paper telling what kindj of stunts ai-e to be done, and each grirl clainiis her partner when she rec- ognizes his stunt as the one called for, on her slip. When all have securedi partners, 'pencils and papers are pas3-> ed and the players told to write down: as many terms of endearment as they can think of. Later these lists arol 'read aloud and each couple mus^ scratch off every term thought of by any one else. Ten points are awarded for every word no one else thought of, and the couple having the most pointsi is given a box of candy. If a humoi^ ous prize is desired, fix up a dainty^ box with a cake of mush insiide. Serve fruit cup, s'andwichea flll«d| with finely chopped ham, eelery salad in red apples, strawberry ice cream,' date cookies, cocoa with whipped cream and peppermints. gtove catalogue and pasted on card- 1 imagine until you have tried it, and board. Explain to the boys that som« the Valentine decorations of cupids girl has each one of them 9n a string , make it appropriate!. Give numbered apd that the heartless one will shortly | slips to the guests as they arrive, even walk downstairs and hand him the , numbers to the men and odd numbers mitten. He must immediately attempt j to tho girls. No. 1 and No. 2 will be to propose to her and continue these the first to play the game, which attempts throughout the evening ' whenever an opportunity occurs. Warn him that the heartless one will do all in her power to prevent him from completing any proposal. A prize will be g^iven to the boy who first suc- ceeds in popping the question to his should start before all have arrived. Both players are blindfolded. They are placed at opposite ends of a long table and told to keep one hand upon the table while "BlinJ Cupid" tries to catch his victim and she tries to escape. Each one must keep one hand partner, another to the ono who man- on the table, but can move in either ages to projioso tho most times di(ring the party. Now explain the game to the heart- less ones. Assure them that a lovely prize awaits the girl who succeeds in averting the threatened proposal. On the signal each heartless one walks downstairs following her string till she finds her "beau" to hand his* the mitt&n. LiOV« stories is a game to start directioni. The fun lies in the fact that neither knows which way the other is moving unless ono has excellent hear- ing, and after dodging back and forth successfully for a time, they are very likely to turn and have a head-on col- lision. When "Cupid" catches his vic- tim, he becomes the pursued and the girl who has been given slip N* 3 is "Blind Cupid." No 8 then pursues No. 4, and so on indefinitely. Be Fknn Wrth Yourself. What is the useless thing you saveTi j Nearly everybody has somethingiâ€" I string, or bottles, or left-over pieces j of material, or crooked old nt^ils, ors something like that. IVIay we offer a piece of advlo©?; Thank you. Throw 'em out. Sell th« I stuff if you can, but; get rid of it. You I think maybe you will need it some-, j time, but you won't. I Or put It this way: if you are no* I sure whether to keep it or scrap it,; \ scrap it. You vnll be right twentJ^ j times for every once you are wrong. I ' « A Shovd Beats a Knife. When cutting rutabagas, tumip» oi\ carrots for the stock or horsM I al-^ way^ use a sharp squ-are shovel I made a good strong hox frot^ lumber about three feet Ior^ by two, j feet wide, where I put the vegetabtM^ : while cutting thm, I This is a much quicker vray tiMta to cut by band. â€" A. Q,