The Semi Weekly Leader

Kiwanians Push Move for Better Poultry-Boy Scouts to Improve Playground.

Wednesday the Kiwanis Club met at the Inez Hotel for luncheon with C. B. Perkins, president, presiding. J. H. McCarty, representing S. Moskowitz and Company of Tupelo, Miss, was introduced by Mr. Perkins, and made a talk on the raising and marketing of poultry. Mr. McCarty said that Plymouth Rock and gray and light Brahmas were the most desirable for marketing because they will weigh 5 or 6 pounds when grown and there is a better market for this weight. He stated that the Chicago Board of Trade will discriminate against Leghorns because of light weight and will pay 4 or 5 cents per pound for them. Farmers can sell spring chickens when they weigh from 1 to 1¼ pounds. Broilers bring 35 cents to 40 cents per pound. When chickens pass the pound and a quarter weight it is more profitable to hold them until they weigh from 2 to 2½ pounds. Roosters should be sold May first to insure infertile eggs through summer, as their keeping qualities are superior to those of fertile eggs. Eggs should be carefully selected and put in clean cottonwood boxes. Small and irregular shaped eggs should be used for home consumption.

Last week the Tupelo firm represented by Mr. McCarty shipped chickens to the value of $14,000 and eggs worth $7,000. New York City and Havana, Cuba were their best markets.

The best way to educate people in poultry raising is through the county papers, the speaker stated.

Henry H. Legett, County Demonstration Agent, stated that chicken raising and dairying can be pursued together to advantage. It was his opinion that if the merchants and Kiwanis Club would take an interest in this phase of farming and help the farmers "put it over" the movement to develop the industry would be successful. He suggested a meeting of representative farmers from the different districts with the Kiwanis Club and the forming of poultry association.

Mr. Legett said that he had literature on poultry raising for free distribution.

Mr. I. Abrams, who successfully deals in poultry and eggs as a side line, embodied Mr. Legett's suggestions in a motion which was passed by the club.

F. F. Becker of the Brookhaven Creamery, said that his concern had become interested in poultry as a department because the low price paid for hogs made the feeding to them of skimmed milk less profitable than formerly. Poultry gives the best returns for skimmed milk fed them.

He expressed the opinion that the poultry industry would be a success if the farmers employ improved methods.

Mr. Becker told of the praises of Brookhaven he heard from business men of Natchez while he was a guest there for the purpose of describing the dairy industry. He was proud to tell Natchez citizens of the $3000 given the Municipal Band and $1000 for the Boy Scouts, both gifts being promoted by the Kiwanians.

J. C. Burns, farmer of District 4, told the Kiwanians he had found cotton and public work unsatisfactory, had gone into poultry raising in conjunction with other farm activities and was now making from $500 to $600 per year from a flock of 200 hens. He said his profit on eggs was about 25 cents per month per hen. He has sold broilers to the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans for as much as 55 cents per pound, while others were receiving only 25 cents per dozen for eggs. A New Orleans firm paid him 40 cents per dozen for eggs known to be of high quality and fit for hospital patients.

R. B. Wall made a report on Boy Scout activities stating that $917 of the subscribed $1000 was in hand. Mr. Wall, Scout Leader, is preparing to put the scouts to work at improving the Municipal Playgrounds, as an out-door sport. He is planning volley ball, physical culture and swimming for "older boys" up to the age of 18, he told the Kiwanians.