44- BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



less manoeuvres, and study their various characters. Now, a 

 * green' person surveying a regiment of dame pai'tletts and con- 

 sequential gallants, would perceive no difference, save in shape 

 and tints. As well go into a gathering and conclude all these 

 were mentally alike, simply because formed after the universal 

 model. I do not believe there are many leading instincts in the 

 human mind, which do not find their counter^Darts in these bipeds. 

 In our own collection, we have fowls of every shade of character — 

 the weak minded hen, the well balanced biddy, and the regular 

 virago. Hens there are who one positively respects for all those 

 qualities which demand the same sentiment in humanity. Others 

 we equally despise as 'shiftless' hens, hens who have not the moral 

 courage to set the allotted three weeks, and if otherwise, to bring 

 up a family with any success." 



For general use a hen should be a good layer, sitter, and mother ; 

 she should be a good feeder too ; beside she should be of good 

 size, and selecting, choose those with breasts plump and full 

 forward, and legs not too long. Having selected the best pullets 

 to start with, give them the warmest place possible for their habi- 

 tation, a plenty of light, and a low place to roost. They should, 

 like all other farm stock, receive the kindest treatment, so that 

 when one goes to feed and care for them, they will know that it is 

 a friend, and not an enemy ready to harm them. Give them plenty 

 to eat, and clear water to drink ; they should be fed frequently, or 

 what is better, should have access to food at all times. Their 

 main food should be sound grain, but they should not be confined 

 to one kind of grain, but should have a variety, such as wheat, 

 corn and buckwheat, also cooked or raw vegetables. They should 

 be furnished with some kind of animal food, in winter, — meat in 

 some form ; milk or milk curds make a very good substitute. It is 

 necessary that they should have access to dirt or gravel, and a box 

 of ashes to roll in, so that they may bo enabled to destroy the 

 insects on them. They need lime in some form, old plastering and 

 egg shells will answer, without which they cannot make the egg 

 shell. In short, giving them milk or meat for animal food, with 

 some soft vegetables, lime to make shells of, plenty of water to 

 drink and supply the liquid portion of the egg, as much mixed 

 grain as they like to eat, and gravel to grind the grain, clean, 

 warm quarters, and nests in some out of the way place, where 

 they can lay their eggs without being seen or disturbed, good 

 lodging places, with air, light and sunshine to keep them healthy. 



