Maples farm of Midlothian; specialty breeders of white Plymouth Rocks of quality and usefulness

Historic, archived document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Class 41

Book tL-b'yl

•J3

IT*

Maple Farm of Midlothian

SPECIALTY BREEDERS OF

WMHTE
IFLYM©0¥IEI

,®e:

OF QUALITY AND USEFULNESS

MAPLE FARM STRAIN

STANDS FOR THE HIGHEST TYPE OF BIRDS
THAT CAN POSSIBLY BE BRED

CHARLES D. ETTINGEK

PROPRIETOK

POST OFFICE • ■ TINLEY PARK. ILLINOIS. U. S. A.
RAILROAD STATION • MIDLOTHIAN, ILLINOIS, U. S. A.

TELEPHONE, BLUE ISLAND 362
TELEGRAPH OFFICE. BLUE ISLAND. ILLINOIS. U. S. A.

cMAPLF, FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN^

INTRODUCTION

APLE FARM of Midlothian is situated eighteen
miles south of Chicago, Illinois, on the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Midlothian is our
railroad, express and shipping station, and the farm
lies two and one half miles west of the station.
From May until November, during which time the
Midlothian Country Club is open, the farm is
reached by taking the Club car at Midlothian, which carries you
up to the Club. From there the farm is almost due west and a
ten-minute walk along the pavement brings you to Maple Farm
of Midlothian.

From November until May, we will gladly meet anyone that
wishes to come to the farm, with a conveyance at Midlothian,
but we must insist that we be advised in advance, either by phone
(our telephone number is Blue Island 362) or letter, of intended
visits. This you must do to avoid an annoying wait at the
station while the conveyance is getting there.

Tinley Park, Illinois, is our Post Office address, and Blue
Island. Illinois, our telegraph office. This catalog is published in
order to present to you as clearly as it is possible for us to do,
our methods of doing business and to give in detail our plan of
rearing top notch birds.

When you buy a bird, eggs for hatching or Baby Chicks yon
want all that you pay for. We intend to give every purchaser of
poultry from this farm a square deal and we guarantee to live
up to the rules of our catalog at all times.

Don't ask us to break our rules; you should know before you
entrust us with your confidence and money what you will get
for it. We guarantee to satisfy you on any purchase made here,
but you should not expect a $15.00 bird for $5.00, and don't lay
the blame on us if the lamp goes out in the brooder or incubator,
or the hen leaves the nest.

We desire to use this medium to express to our friends our
appreciation of their liberal patronage, and respectfully solicit
a continuance of same.

We trust that all who read this book will find it interesting,
and we cordially invite you to come and look our flock over and
see for yourself that they substantiate our claims.

; ^L— .

Page Three

cMAPLE, FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN,

MAPLE FARM A SPECIALTY FARM

N EVERY sense you will find here ;i highly specialized
farm. In the Poultry Department we breed While Plymouth
Rocks exclusively. The White Plymouth Hocks of today can
truly be said to be the best of the Hock family. And Maple Farm
White Hocks are as high in quality as it is possible to produce
anywhere. Picture the snow white plumage, the rich bay eye,
the radiant face, intelligent head, grand yellow legs, superb
shape and proud carriage, all combined in a bird of uniformity,
and you have the Maple Farm White Rock.

Now when you consider that such a pleasing picture can produce eggs in
quantities and have the vitality to produce chicks that will thrive and grow
to be broilers with a rich yellow skin and plum]) breast at 8 and !) weeks, and
fancy soft roasters at from 16 to 20 weeks, and matured pullets ready to lay
and reproduce the breed at from six to seven months, you have the fowl that
will prove a profitable investment to you.

Every one of these qualifications is embodied in our White Rocks and we
know that they will bear us out in our claims. If you try them you will be
convinced.

THE POULTRY BUSINESS AS WE FIND IT

The poultry business is one where each and every operation is dependent
upon the other. From the gathering of the large brown eggs to the finishing
of the matured bird, it is necessary at all times to use judgment and care.

FARM OF M IDLOTHI ATSb

Eggs should be gathered often. If left too long in the nest they may freeze,
become cracked or broken by the hens, or the tender germ started by the heat
of summer or the broody hen. All of these things are taken into consideration
here at Maple Farm, and we gather them often enough to avoid all these con-
tingencies. We keep all eggs in a room that very seldom rises above 60°, or
drops below 45° in temperature.

We are trap-nesting our breeders from November until May, and in those
seven months, the months when eggs are of the most value, we determine
which birds to use in our breeding pens the following year. All birds that go
into our trap-nest houses must first have the standard qualities of the type
and breed. Then the pullets that show the best results for these seven months
are kept over to use as yearling breeders the next season and their sons and
daughters are recorded as chicks and go on to help raise the high standard of
efficiency of our birds as layers. By this method we weed out the non-pro-
ductive birds, so you can see that when buying Maple Farm birds you are buy-
ing birds that are tested, and proved by performance.

The incubators here are kept scrupulously clean and are thoroughly washed
and disinfected after each hatch. The hens that are used for setting are set in
clean, dry boxes in a quiet place, and at all times are kept free from lice. We
practice the plan of taking each hen off of her nest every day up until the
nineteenth day. In this way we are assured that they feed, drink and exercise
sufficiently to keep them contented. And if the nest has been soiled or an egg
broken we change the nesting and wash the eggs in warm water before putting
the hen back on. These details all take time, but we realize the truth of the
statement that the poultry business means doing a thousand and one little
things well every day. And we have found by experience that we must do them
to insure our success, which means your success when you handle Maple Farm
White Rocks.

i~i ■■■ n l

-

A SUMMER SCENE IN THE RUNS SOUTH OF BROODER HOUSE

Paije Six

cMAPLE, FARM OF

MIDLOTHIATSL*

THE BABY CHICK

ROM the time the chick is hatched we endeavor to make its
life happy and its quarters comfortable. After the chicks come
from the incubator they are moved into the brooder house,
putting never over sixty to a brooder and generally only fifty.
We use a hot water, fresh air system of brooding and the ease
with which we raise them and the contentedness of their song tell
US that our system is practical and dependable. The chicks
are fed very sparingly the first few days. After they are seven
or eight days old, they are given access to the runs, which are a
few inches deep with good clover or alfalfa chaff or cut straw as litter. Fresh
water is supplied them three times a day while they stay in the brooder house,
and sufficient feed to keep them satisfied, but still hungry and active, always
scratching and exercising their bodies, which condition promotes health and
produces vitality.

THE MOTHER HEN

We'let Nature have its way with the hen and her brood here, and only
watch and see that they are contented and protected at all times.

After the chicks are dry in the nest, usually about the middle of the twenty-
second day, we remove them to a clean individual coop, and after providing
fresh water, we give the mother hen absolute quiet for twenty-four hours and
allow her to tell her babies in her own way about the joys and disappointments
of their life to come.

CHICKS ENJOYING THE UNLIMITED CLOVER RANGE

I'aye Seven

cMAPLF FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN^

The floors of these coops are covered one inch deep with clean, coarse sand.

Alter that we feed them much the same as we do the brooder chicks and
allow them to stay with the hen until they are thoroughly leathered and able to
look out for themselves. They are allowed plenty of range and at all times we
are watching and waiting to protect them from the chill winds and storms and
evil hawks.

A NEW WORLD FOK THE CHICKS

After the brooder chicks are five or six weeks old we move them out into
Open Air Colony Houses that are provided with Colony Brooders. For the
sake of those of you who have not seen these brooders, we will say just a
word about their style and advantages. The houses are (> x 10 feet in size and
built on runners so they can be drawn about the farm with a team. The
brooders consist of a small, slow-burning coal stove with an adjustable gal-
vanized hover hung on pulleys from the ceiling with a balance weight. We
have found that these brooders are entirely practical and after the chicks have
been placed under them for a night or two they learn where the heat is, and
readily go to it when cool.

Before allowing the youngsters to come out of the house we place a portable
wire frame around the south side of the house. The chicks soon learn where the
opening is, and after a week's time we can remove the frames entirely, allowing
them unlimited range. Range affords liberty of action, and to grow chickens
within the confines of a yard is to grow them with their active nature under
restraint. On range the grass, insect life, worms and gravel satisfy the chicks'
insatiable nature, and chicken growth and vitality are based on the law of satis-
faction and contentment. After they are thoroughly feathered out, which is
at about 10 weeks of aye, we remove the brooders from the house. Here they

Page Nine

cMAPLE, FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN^

remain to go on and grow out to their maturity. Dry mash is kept before
them at all times, as are grit, oyster shell and charcoal. Fresh water is so very
essential to the chicks' normal, healthy growth, that we are always watchful that
there is plenty of it and that it is clean. Time is precious, especially when the
hatching season is on in full swing, so we employ the plan of watering all of the
birds on the farm at noon during the open months. By having large fountains,
ones that will hold more water than a given flock will drink in a day, we find
that the water stays cooler and cleaner for a longer period by watering at noon;
particularly cooler, because after the fountain is filled the volume of water
helps to keep it cool, and then it cools off at night and is fresh for the chicks
as soon as they get out in the morning. These are simple little plans that keep
the chicks satisfied, and growing right, and at the same time save much labor.

WEANING THE CHICKS FROM THE HEN

Mother hen is a very wise bird, she will teach her chicks, to eat and drink
and scratch for worms, run to her when she calls either to give them a worm
or to protect them from the showers; but she does not tell them what to do when
they have left her for all time. So be careful; after we have weaned the chicks
from the hen we put them in houses, 3x6 feet in size, on clover range. We
place a portable wire frame in front of the house, so they may learn where the
house is. After they have found this out, so that they get in out of a shower or
at night by themselves, we remove the frame and allow them to range to their
hearts' content. The care from then on is similar to the care which the incubator
clucks receive. We have found, however, that it takes longer to train chicks
weaned from hens to find their houses than it does incubator chicks. Bear
that in mind; it will save lots of the little fellows.

FEEDING THE CHICKS

We use good, clean chick feed mixed with an equal part of rolled oats for all
chicks until they are ten days old. Commencing at this age we give a morning
feed of patented prepared chick food. This feed is semi-cooked and then dried
and is moistened in water and then squeezed out before feeding. At four
weeks we abandon the patented prepared food and start using a moistened,
crumbly mash in the morning, containing bran, middlings, corn meal and rolled
oats. The noon and night feeds are of mixed grain.

These feeds we continue using right along, increasing the amount as the
chicks demand it.

At four weeks we commence feeding sprouted oats at noon. Grit, oyster
shell and charcoal are kept before them constantly.

cMAPLE, FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN^

SUMMEFk DAYS

DURING the warm nights and hot days of summer every
thought must be for the comfort and health of the young
birds. An abundance of shade is absolutely necessary for their
best growth and development, and too much stress cannot be
laid on the value of pure, fresh water, clean houses, uncrowded
floor space, and later uncrowded roosting space. Here at Maple
Farm we have built almost every house off the ground, allow-
ing enough room for the birds to get under during the hot
days. Shrubs, trees and wooden shelters serve our purposes
well in the open clover pastures, and allow the birds fine protection from
the hot sun, at the same time allow the air to pass through at all times. We
have found that the whitest birds will become tinged with brassiness if they
haven't protection from the hot summer sun. Many a fine chick has been
spoiled for showing in its first year by being subjected to the direct rays of
the sun in summer.

THE WATER QUESTION

Water, pure, fresh and clean, is a most important item and one that we have
found has a great deal to do with the general health of all stock. Our water
conies from a driven well four hundred feet deep. It is pure, and has a very
satisfactory effect on the birds — keeping them in excellent condition. The
vessels which we use are kept free of scum and dirt, and every other day before
refilling we use a brush in cleaning them to be sure to keep them free of any par-
ticles of dirt that may lodge on the side.

THIANj.

A great many Aery promising chicks are ruined for life by being crowded
in the houses at night. If they are moved away from the heat too soon, or their
quarters are cold and drafty, they will pipe and squeeze against each other in a
corner to keep warm, and generally where this condition exists you will find a
number of dead chicks in the morning. We realize the utmost importance of
plenty of fresh air andfloor space here at Maple Farm, and our houses are so
constructed that they are free from drafts but still allow more than enough fresh
air to enter to keep an absolutely fresh supply for the chicks to breath, at all
times. Up until the birds are old enough to roost we use clean torpedo sand
on the floors of all colony houses, but after they commence to roost we use
straw. We have found that by using sand it is very easy to go along with
a fine rake and rake the droppings off every other day. This insures the health
of the youngsters.

WHEN ROOSTING TIME COMES

After the youngsters are old enough to roost, we provide roosting poles made
of two-by-fours, with the edges rounded off. These are laid flatwise, that is,
the four-inch side up. This gives the youngsters whose bones are still very
tender and impressionable, a wide space to rest their breasts on, and consequently
it is the rarest thing for us to find a bird with a crooked breast bone. We
always allow six inches of roosting pole space for every bird while they are
young, and as they grow we increase it until we are allowing each bird twelve
inches of space on the roosting perch. This gives the young birds plenty of
room and prevents crowding and squeezing, which if allowed to happen will
result in many narrow birds that are pinched in back.

PROPER FEEDING

Feed for the birds as they develop must, of course, be increased. Here at
Maple Farm we always endeavor to keep the birds hungry, but at the same time
we give them enough to keep them growing steadily.

Our birds on range receive a dry mash which is always before them. Mois-
tened mash is fed in the morning, sprouted oats at noon and mixed grain at
night.

These regular things watched and studied, season in and season out, have
done as much as any other one thing to help us grow better birds — birds full of
vitality, quality and usefulness.

WHITE
PLYMOUTH ROCK
MATING LIST

SEASON OF 1913

A MATED I'l'.N. I'KOIH'CKKS OK MANY lllflll CLASS UIKDS

MAPLE FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN

BREEDERS OF

GUERNSEY CATTLE, CHESTER WHITE
SWINE. BELGIAN DRAFT HORSES AND
WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCK POULTRY

CHARLKS D. ETTIXGER. Proprietor WALTER A. COOK, Manageh

Mating List of 1913

At this season of the year is an opportune time to draw the attention
of the poultry world to the question of eggs and baby chicks from which
will come the layers and show birds of next fall and winter. Maple
Farm of Midlothian, therefore, takes pleasure in announcing that during
the hatching season of 1913 they will be in a better position than ever to
supply their customers with the very cream of the White Plymouth Rock
breed.

All hough in a position to make up a large number of pens from which
to sell exhibition eggs we have decided to make an extra effort to send out
a higher quality of eggs than has ever before been attempted. Instead of
mating up a dozen pens for high class exhibition stock, as has been our
practice in the past, we have cut this down to four pens, two of hens and
two of pullets. The A^ery cream of our exhibition stock will go into these
four pens and the remainder, including many birds ordinarily good enough
for such matings, will go to make up our utility flocks.

Pen No. 1

This pen is headed by the cockerel that took 2nd prize at the Illinois
State Fair held at Springfield, 111., in October, 1912. He is a large, big-
boned, typical White Plymouth Rock with a wonderfully well developed
breast, broad back and deep body. His comb is ide;d in shape and he has a
fine wide head with a brilliant bay eye. Mated with this bird are ten hens
that have been prominent winners at shows during the past two years.
In this pen are two birds from the 1st pen at St. Louis, 1911, 2nd hen at
Springfield, January, 1912, and two hens that were in the 2nd pen at
Chicago, December, 1911, and the 1st pen at Springfield. January, 1912.
The other birds are beautiful specimens that have never been shown.

Pen No. 2

At the head of this pen stands a cockerel (hat was 1st prize at the
Illinois State Fair held at Springfield, 111., October, 1912. At the time
these birds were judged they were almost exact duplicates of each other,
there being but very little difference in quality between these two birds.
Mated with this cockerel are hens that have won the following prizes:
one from the 1st pen at St. Louis, 191 1 ; one from the 1st pen at Springfield,
January, 1911; one from the 3rd pen at Chicago, December, 1911, as well
as a bird that was 1st pullet at Springfield, January, 1912. and 2nd hen,
Chicago, December, 1912. The other birds have been picked out with the
idea of making them a well-balanced pen and we are looking forward to
some wonderfully good chicks from this mating.

Pen No. 3

lVn No. 3 is made up of ten pullets mated with a cock bird. This cock
bird is a sterling individual thai beaded '■2nd pen at Chicago, December,
1911. He stood at the head of our pen No. 2 for our 1912 matings and we
secured some very fine individuals from this bird. Mated with him are
pullets that have been awarded the following prizes; two 5th pen pullets at
Chicago, a 3rd prize bird a1 Springfield, October, 1912, and 5th prize

bird at Chicago December, 1912, together with other females which
are very excellent. This pen will undoubtedly raise some sterling
individuals.

Pen No. 4

Pen No. 4 has been mated up carefully and contains birds that were in
the 3rd pen at Springfield, October, 1912, and 5th pen at Chicago, Decem-
ber, 1913. Other pullets have been picked out from our large flock and
mated with these prize birds until we have a pen here that is absolutely
matched. This pen is headed by the bird that was 3rd prize cock bird
at Chicago, December, 1911. He is certainly a fine individual of the White
Plymouth Rock breed with plenty of breadth and length; his plumage is
absolutely white. He has fine bay eyes, beautiful yellow shanks and an
excellent comb. This mating should be ideal in every way.

Utility Pens

We have decided to use only a few birds for our exhibition matings,
and we have, therefore, put the remainder of the show birds into cur utility
pens. Down along Colony Row, which is where our breeding houses are
located, may be found birds that came from the 5th pen at Chicago, 1912,
3rd pen at Springfield, January, 1912, 3rd pen at Springfield, October, 1912,
and one bird that was first prize at the large Illinois State Fair in the fall
of 1912. Our utility matings are selected with the same care that is given
our exhibition matings hut necessarily do not contain as high type
birds.

Eggs for Hatching

Eggs may be ordered from one pen or from several pens as t he purchaser
sees fit. Any setting that proves unsatisfactory may be returned to us
and the infertile eggs will be replaced. All orders are tilled in rotation so
that if eggs are desired on any particular date the order should be booked
early. We recommend that as soon as a customer receives a set lint; of
eggs that he put them in a cool place where the temperature is as near 50
degrees Fahrenheit as possible and allow them to settle for at least -,'4
hours before putting them under the hen or the incubator.

Prices of Eggs

Our eggs from exhibition matings, that is, from pens 1 to 4 inclusive,
are $10.00 per setting and $60.00 per hundred. The eggs from the utility
pens are $.'5.00 per setting and $1.5.00 per hundred.

Baby Chicks

We have received a large number of inquiries for baby chicks during
the past season and have promised a number of our customers that we will
offer young chicks during the season of 1913. All orders shipped out will
have the same close attention that has characterized our shipments in the
past. Only large vigorous chicks will be sent and they will be packed in
such a manner as to insure safe arrival. The prices on these will be $1.00
each or $75.00 per hundred from our exhibition matings, and 25c each or
$20.00 per hundred from our utility matings.

"Maple Farm of Midlothian stands for the highest type of poultry
that can be produced."

Our guarantee holds good in every department and we are willing that
if a purchaser is not satisfied the stock may be shipped back, express
prepaid, and we will gladly refund the money.

Such a guarantee is proof conclusive that we have the stock to deliver
and are willing to let ourcustomers be the judges. For any further particulars
regarding our White Plymouth Rocks, write, or better still, pay a visit to

MAPLE FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN

Charles D. Ettinger, Proprietor
Walter A. Cook, Manager
Post Office: Tinley Park, Illinois. R. R. Station: Midlothian, Illinois.
Telephone: Blue Island Sfri.

THE FINISHING STAGES

S THE birds develop and are nearing maturity, it is very
necessary to separate the cockerels from the pullets. The
cockerels will consume more food than the pullets will at this
stage in their lives, and unless separated the pullets will have
trouble in getting all the food they need. At this time of sepa-
ration we commence to go over the flock looking for weak speci-
mens. Birds that don't show that alert, vigorous type and
active sparkling eyes are discarded from the flock and fattened
for table use. We have never shipped a bird from Maple Farm
that didn't have an abundance of vitality, and never shall, but there are
always a few that are, in the strict sense of the word, culls and our efforts
are tireless to weed these birds out of the flock, as they most generally are
unprofitable and never fit to go on and reproduce first-class birds.

About September 1st we start this separation and culling. From then on
the pullets are put on an increased feed, in order to bring them to maturity,
which mean's into laying marketable eggs as soon as possible.

We select the best of all the pullets to go into the laying houses first. Each
and every one must possess vitality in abundance, above everything else. A
proud, active carriage, an alert, sparkling eye, denote vitality, if anything does.

Alter we are sure that a specimen has this vitality, which is absolutely
essential, we examine them for types and shape. The birds must have both of
these characteristics or else they can't gain a position in our laying houses.
Then we examine them for disqualifications, and of course, any disqualified bird
is immediately discarded. Then the points of eye and shank and plumage
color are considered.

Page Thirteen

:M OF MIDLOTHIAN^

So, you see we are straining every effort to produce birds that will go
on and reproduce birds that grow out better and better each year and strictly
in accordance with the Standard of Perfection.

EXAMINING THE COCKERELS

Our examination of cockerels is much the same as with the pullets, and we
are very sure that after we have culled our flock over the specimens to be
found remaining in our finishing houses are going to develop into birds that
will be worthy in every way, shape and form to go on and help build up the use-
fulness of Maple Farm White Rocks.

Right here, though, we wish to state that every bird that is grown out to matu-
rity here is not a first prize winner. If they were, we would have to ask you
much more for these high quality birds than we do.

As the cockerels develop they are watched and examined continually and
extra fine specimens are removed to the conditioning rooms.

This insures protection from almost all accidents and puts us in a position
to furnish specimens for almost any show on very short notice.

A recent visitor remarked, after spending several hours examining our flock
and equipment, that he had never seen so many birds of such high class, even
quality, and almost without exception in such perfect condition.

We spend a very large amount of time keeping our birds in a highly healthy
condition. It isn't a hit or miss system that insures this, but a regular daily and
weekly routine that is kept up at all times, winter or summer, so you can readily
understand why our birds have made such an enviable reputation in the show
room, not only for ourselves but for our customers as well. And with such
care and attention you may rest assured that these same birds have the vitality
and strength to prove profitable breeders and layers in any climate.

IN THE LAYING QUARTERS

AFTER the pullets have passed the rigorous test and examina-
tion which we submit them to, when we select the ones that are
to occupy the winter laying houses, and they have been placed
in their respective pens and leg banded, we are very Yareful
to give these birds every attention that we can to insure their
health and happiness, and at the same time get a large and
satisfactory egg yield. Our houses are large and roomy, well
ventilated and very light. We always allow five square feet of
floor space for every bird, and have found by experience that the egg yield is
larger when the birds have this much space than when they were allotted
only three or four square feet of floor space.

A WORD ABOUT THE L1TTEK

During the winter we keep the floors covered with about fifteen inches of
straw. This litter is very satisfactory in promoting exercise and consequently
health when the birds have to scratch for their grain feeds.

THE WATEK SUPPLY

A constant supply of fresh, clean water is kept before the fowls at all times,
and in the winter we supply them with warmed water often enough so that it
never freezes. The number of times a day that it is necessary to do this depends
entirely on the temperature of the weather. This is a most important item,
and one that takes considerable time, but when you stop to consider that an
egg is composed of more than two thirds water, you will readily understand
that the birds must have it if you wish a large egg yield, and it's the winter egg
thai brings the gold.

Cold, icy water is so ungrateful to the birds, that not only will they drink
very little, but what they do drink takes up a very large amount of bodily heat
to warm it, which means that a larger portion of the food that the bird con-
sumo must go to keep up this heat instead of producing eggs. And again,
it's eggs that you are after.

FEEDS AND FEEDING

The question of what to feed to get the golden winter eggs is oneof unending
interest; >o many people, in widely separated localities, get results from almost
entirely different rations, it is very hard to lay down any rules or formulas thai
will be infallible or practical in every locality.

However, there are a few simple basic rides that will help you to determine
what to feed. The fowls must have food in combination that will supply the

)F MIDLOTHIAN

fell

constituents of which the egg is composed. Then it must contain muscle and
vitality producing elements, as well as fat to keep the body warm and in good
flesh, and the same time these three functions are being considered it is neces-
sary to remember that the combination must be palatable, and it will be further
necessary to change the proportions every six or eight weeks in order to keep the
appetite sharp. Just what the ration should consist of will depend upon the
availableness of the different ingredients and the cost of same.

Our basic mash ration consists of two parts bran and one part each of corn
meal, wheat middlings, rolled oats, alfalfa meal and beef scrap, and one half
part each of gluten meal and cotton seed meal, with 3 per cent fine charcoal
and 2 per cent fine salt added to the total weight of the other feeds.

We shift these ingredients about, changing the quantities every six or eight
weeks, and in the moulting season we add about 15 per cent linseed oil meal.

FEEDING THE MASH

We keep hoppers filled with dry mash before the birds constantly, and give
them a feed in the morning of hot moistened mash besides. We use pumpkins,
mangelwurzels, sugar beets and small potatoes along with the mash. These
are boiled thoroughly and the whole mixed together with the mash to a crum-
bling consistency, making a fine hot feed for the birds which they eat with great
relish.

READY FOR BUSINESS IN FRONT OF ONE OF THE WINTER LAYING PENS

Page Eighteen

cMAPLF FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN^

At noon we feed either buttermilk, table scraps or sprouted oats, and at night
a feed of mixed grain is scattered into the litter. This keeps the birds busy up
until roosting time, ami gives them something to scratch for and warm up their
bodies on the first thing in the morning.

This ration is composed of two parts each of whole wheat and large, sifted
white cracked corn, and one part each of kaffir corn, rolled oats, barley and
buckwheat. This grain ration is also changed to give variety, and according to
seasons of the year and the consequent economic values of the different grains.

THE CARE OF THE PENS

The droppings are removed from the boards every other day and the straw
is changed often enough to keep it fresh, clean and sweet. Many diseases that
the chicken is heir to are directly attributable to musty, foul-smelling litter. So
be sure to keep your litter clean.

Every three months the houses are thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with
whitewash that has about 5 per cent of crude carbolic acid added to it, and as
a result of these practices we very seldom have any sick fowls, and never have
we had an epidemic of any disease on our plant.

I

INTERIOR OF ONE OF THE LAYING PENS

•it

Page Nineteen

THE BREEDING BIRDS

HERE at Maple Farm females that are in our breeding pens
have earned their places by meritorious work and by their
type and shape, being as near to the Standard of Perfection as
we can breed them, and that we are breeding many high class
birds of wonderful evenness is proved by our show records.
Last year at St. Louis in a very large and fine class of birds
we won First Pen, First and Fourth Hen and Fourth Pullet,
also the White Rock Club Ribbons for Best Pen and Hen.
At Chicago, December, 1911, we controlled Second and Third Pen Birds and
also Third Cock. At the Illinois State Show, Springfield, Illinois, January,
1912, we won every First and Special offered. Our total winnings there
were as follows:

First and Fourth Cock. First, Second and Third Hen. First and Third
Cockerel. First and Second Pullet. First and Third Pen.

First Prize of $100.00 for the best and largest display, besides several cups
and other specials.

This fall at the Illinois State Fair, October, 1912, where, on showing only
young birds, we won. First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Cockerel; First, Third
and Fifth Pullets; and Third Pen.

cMAPLE, FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN^

These winnings stand out most prominently and speak volumes for the
quality of our birds. These grand birds, together with hundreds of oilier birds
of equal merit and evenness, composed our matings for the season of 191*2.

As ;i result, that we have already proven the worth of these matings is
shown by our recent October winning, and right here we w ish to say that we
have several hundred birds maturing here daily that are high class specimens of
sterling worth.

Our trap-nest records tell us which birds are our very best layers and by
breeding only from those that are large producers and most excellent in every
line, section and characteristic of body, we have attained an average that is
very high.

We are constantly discarding birds from our breeding pens that don't toe
the mark, or that develop some disqualification, thereby reducing the chances
of raising" any chicks that will develop into culls, or of sending out any baby
chicks, eggs or grown birds that will not be satisfactory specimens to go on and
help us build still higher our reputation for honest value and square dealing.

These birds are fed and handled much the same as our laying birds, the only
difference being that they are mated into pens of from ten to twelve females and
one male.

Constant attention to details, an ever-vigilant eve to the needs and comforts

A MATED PEN. PRODUCERS OF MANY HIGH CLASS BIRDS

Page Twenty-one

INTERIOR OF ONE OF THE BREEDING HOUSES

of our birds, clean houses, regular feeding and watering have been the back-
bone of our success.

So you may feel satisfied that the birds as quoted herewith are honest
values for the money and have been raised in a clean, sanitary manner, that
produces birds of quality that have vitality, and blue-blooded egg records in
their blood lines.

cMAPLF, FARM OF M IDLOTHI A1L>

PRICES OF MATURED STOCK

EXHIBITION BIRDS

WE ARE in a position to furnish finished trained birds ready for
' the show room at all times. If you will advise us what show
you intend to make, giving us all the information you can
about the show, such as number of birds in previous shows,
etc., and tell us what you are willing to spend, we will write
you explicitly, telling you just what we can furnish for the
money.

If you wish us to guarantee the Blue Ribbon for you, we will make you a
definite price and if by any chance our birds fail to capture the coveted prize,
we make you a sliding scale proposition. This is always a matter of cor-
respondence.

SELECTED BREEDERS

When you study our prices for this class of birds, we wish you to bear in mind
that our selected breeders are all first-class birds, absolutely free from any
disqualifications, and all possessing the characteristics of the breed as called for
in the Standard of Perfection, and in addition, remember that our birds carry
a wealth of vitality and are proved and tested as producers.

You will find that they will prove a most profitable investment. They
will fill your egg basket with lots of fine, large, brown eggs, and they will stamp

1'iii/r Tticn/y-thrte

IDLOTHIA1SL

their quality in every way on their offspring. At the different prices quoted on
this page you naturally will expect a graduating scale of excellence.

At these different prices we will give you more than full value for your
monev and guarantee to satisfy you.

Cocks

$ 7

$10

$12

$15

$ 25

$ 40

$ 50

Hens

4

6

8

10

12

15

Cockerels

4

6

8

10

15

20

25

Pullets

3

5

7

10

12

15

Trios

10

11

12

13

15

20

25

Breeding Pens

Five females and one male

20

25

35

50

75

100

Ten females and one male

30

40

50

75

100

150

200

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THESE BIRDS
AS PRICED ABOVE

COCKS

$7.00. At this price we will furnish a good-sized bird, one with good shape
and type and white. Many good chicks may be expected from him.

$10.00. A strong, vigorous, attractive bird. Good size, comb nice, full
breast and very white. A bird sure to stamp his quality on his chicks.

BREEDERS DISPLAY, CLUB AND ASSOCIATION CUPS WON AT ILLINOIS
STATE SHOW, JANUARY, 1912

Page Twenty-four

cMAPLE, FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN^

$12.00. Similar to the $10.00 bird, l>ut better in the minor points, such as
eye, color, comb, shank, etc.

$15.00. A very fine cock bird you will gel at this price. A bird good in
all sections and fully qualified to go into the show room.

$'-2,3.00. Will buy a cock bird of very fine quality. A bird sure to be
valuable as a breeder and will hold his own in the show room. Deep, broad
hacked, full round chest, neat low comb, fine bay eve. excellent bone, grand
shank and beak color and dead white.

$40.00. Buys one of our tried and proved breeding cocks. Such a bird
will be exceptionally fine in all sections. Quantities of vitality, with all the
standard qualifications and characteristics; a winner in the show room of most
any show.

$50.00. Here we will send you an absolutely top notch bird. Every
section fine and true to type and possessing that grand, alert carriage, full of
vigor with a sparkling, red eye; the kind that have made Maple Farm White
Rocks winners wherever they go. This bird will be a delight for his owner at
all times.

COCKERELS

You will notice our cockerel prices are just about half of what we ask you
for cock birds. This is because we don't have to carry them over for a whole
year. You may expect at the different prices birds just as good in every partic-
ular as the cock birds. We figure that a cockerel worth $25.00 at 8 or 9 months
of age is worth $50.00 at 18 to 20 months. Reason it out for yourself.

HENS AND PULLETS

Our pullet prices you will notice are slightly less than our prices for hens. This
is true as with cockerels and cocks. The only reason there isn't as great a dis-
parity in the prices is because our pullets pay their way all the time they are
becoming hens, and when they reach their maturity, if they have passed our
rigid tests, they are easily worth the difference.

$3.00 Pullets, $4.00 Hens.

At these prices we will furnish you a very choice female, one that is good in
all sections and white. A bird like this carries our blood lines of vitality and
usefulness, which will show in her offspring.

$5.00 Pullets and $6.00 Hens.

We will send you birds at these prices that will be very choice in every sec-
tion. Such a hen would be one that we have used in our breeding pens and the
pullet will be equal in every particular.

$7.00 Pullets, $8.00 Hens.

At these prices we will furnish extra choice birds — birds with an abundance
of vigor, grand in type and shape, very white and very choice in minor points.

i^^s^ — =*— - = — — «

I'mje Twenty-five

cMAPLF FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN^

Such birds will breed many excellent high class specimens and if properly fitted
will stand well up in the show room in reasonable competition.

$10.00 Pullets and Hens.

At this price we value our pullets as highly as hens, because such a bird will
be equally choice in every section. Birds of this price carry our very highest
quality in their breeding and will be most excellent specimens all through.

$12.00 Pullets and Hens.

This extra margin over the $10.00 birds will insure your getting a bird that
is a little smoother in all the fine points. And the extra investment will be
more than returned in the transmission of these points on the offspring. These
finer points consist of better eye, comb and shank color and more perfect
type and shape.

$15.00 Pullets and Hens.

These birds are top notch specimens in every way. The hens will come from
our tried and proved breeding pens. One that is grand in all sections and sure
to give a most excellent account of herself in the show room, as well as pro-
ducing a wealth of high class chicks. The pullets at this price are equal to the
hens. Those large, broad backed, long deep bodied birds, which lay so many
eggs and produce so many excellent chicks.

TRIOS

A $10.00 Trio consists of two $4.00 hens and one $4.00 cockerel.

An $11.00 Trio consists of one $7.00 cock bird and two $3.00 pullets.

A $12.00 Trio consists of one $6.00 cockerel and two $4.00 hens.

A $13.00 Trio will consist of a $7.00 cock bird and two $5.00 pullets.

A $15.00 Trio will consist of an $8.00 cockerel and two $0.00 hens.

A $20.00 Trio will consist of one $10.00 cock bird and two $7.00 pullets.
They will breed many winners too.

A $25.00 Trio will consist of a $15.00 cockerel and two $8.00 hens.

SMALL BREEDING PENS

For $20.00 we will send you five $3.00 pullets and a $7.00 cock bird.

For $25.00 we will supply five of our regular $4.00 hens and an $8.00 cockerel.
A fine flock to start with.

At $35.00 we will send you five of our $5.00 pullets and a $15.00 cock bird.
This pen will surely be a paying investment.

Page Twenty-six

cMAPLE, FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN^

At $50.00 we will furnish five of our regular $8.00 hens and a $15.00 cock-
erel. Such quality as this pen will contain will surely produce excellent show
birds.

At $75.00 we will ship you five $12.00 pullets and a $25.00 cock bird. Here's
a bargain that will more than satisfy you in every way.

At $100.00 we will ship you either five of our $15.00 pullets or hens and a
$50.00 male bird.

We are positive that any of these birds will score in almost any competition
and produce quantities of exhibition specimens. Their splendid type and
shape and superb carriage and even quality will be a delight to you at all times.

LARGE BREEDING PENS

$30.00 invested here will bring you ten $3.00 pullets and a $7.00 cock bird.

A $40.00 pen will consist of ten $4.00 hens and an $8.00 cockerel.

For $50.00 we will send you ten grand $5.00 pullets and a $10.00 cock bird.
Here's a winner.

For $75.00 we will send you a pen that's an excellent value, ten $6.00 hens
and one $25.00 cockerel.

For $100.00 invested here you will receive ten $7.00 pullets and a $40.00
cock bird.

For $150.00 we will send you ten grand show hens, birds that we receive
$12.00 apiece for singly, and a large grand show cockerel, such as we ask $40.00
for and guarantee to win a blue for you.

For $200.00 we will ship you ten excellent pullets, our regular $15.00 quality,
and a first-class cock bird, one almost good enough to win any show in the
country. Such a bird as we ask $100.00 for and guarantee him to win.

These pens are all mated and will produce quantities of chicks overflowing
with sterling points of quality.

Page Twenty-seven

DLOTHIAlsb

BABY CHICKS

We have had so many demands for baby chicks that we have decided to
offer them for sale the coming season.

Our chicks will surely prove very satisfactory and we take the utmost care
in packing and delivering to the express office.

Our hatching is done in clean, sanitary incubators, and the vitality of the
breeding stock insures our delivering chicks that will live and grow to be healthy
specimens of the breed. We offer chicks from both our exhibition and utility
matings and guarantee to give you what you pay for.

Exhibition chicks $1.00 each, $75.00 per 100

Utility chicks 25 each, $20.00 per 100

EGGS FOFn HATCHING

We have often said that we would much rather never sell an egg for hatching.
The uncertainty of the outcome is usually very embarrassing if the hatch is
a poor one, and especially if the purchaser is a beginner, and does not fully
appreciate the fact that although the eggs we send out are identical with the ones
we set and have success with here, his eggs may not hatch very well, due to no
fault of ours.

But to those who want eggs we will gladly supply them and guarantee their
safe arrival and will replace any setting that proves unsatisfactory at hal
price if the purchaser will return us the infertile eggs express prepaid.

PRICES OF EGGS

Our Exhibition Pen Mating Eggs are $10.00 per sitting, $30.00 per 50, and
$60.00 per 100.

Our Utility Pen Eggs are $3.00 per sitting and $1.5.00 per 100. All sittings
consist of fifteen eggs.

Page Twenty-eight

LOOKING DOWN GUERNSEY AVENUE

I'ayc Twenty-nine

OUK REFERENCES AND TERMS

Before entrusting us with your valued patronage, if there is any doubt in
your mind as to the reliability of Maple Farm, we request that you write the
Continental & Commercial National Bank of Chicago, Illinois, or any poultry
journal in which our advertisement appears.

We want you to feel absolutely sure that you will get full value for your
money. We guarantee to satisfy you.

FACILITIES FOR SHIPPING

Being centrally located, as we are, only eighteen miles from Chicago, the
greatest railroad centre of the country, gives us the advantage of shipping
promptly to any part of the world. Four express trains a day pass Midlothian
en route to Chicago, and there connections can be made with almost every rail-
road in the United States, reaching to every corner, and fast express trains to
every port for foreign shipments.

If you favor us with an order, please bear in mind that we have a personal
interest in your success. Our honest endeavor is to make you a satisfied
customer and we will do anything within the bounds of reason to accomplish
this end. Wishing you a most successful and profitable season, we beg to
remain. Respectfully yours,

MAPLE FARM OF MIDLOTHIAN

CHARLES D. ETTINGEK

A SHIPMENT ON THE ROAD TO ITS DESTINATION

Page Thirty

DESIGNED, ENGRAVED AND PRINTED BY
R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS CO., CHICAGO