56 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



Mr. TiLLiNGHAST. Last winter, I fed no meat, but I fed 

 plentifully of these mangolds, and I found that my hens laid 

 as well as I could expect them to do in the summer, even, 

 when everything was favorable. I keep cracked bones and 

 oyster-shells where they can have access to them at any time. 

 I would like to inquire in what condition the hay is given to 

 the hens — whether dry or wet ? 



Miss Reed. It is dry, just as taken from the mow. Clover 

 hay is preferable. 



Mr. . Without cutting ? 



Miss Reed. Without cutting ; yes, sir. They cut it for 

 themselves. I often go to the barn with a corn-basket and 

 scrape up a whole basketfull of leaves and seed, that is not 

 good for feeding cattle, and throw it in one corner of the 

 hen-house, and they are very eager to scratch it over. That, 

 too, gives them employment. 



Mr. Holland of Willimantic. A gentleman asked, a few 

 moments ago, how green forage could be kept in winter. 

 I have dug a pit nine feet and a half deep in a side hill, laid 

 some small stones in the bottom and covered them with 

 cement, and cemented the upper side in the same way. In 

 the summer time I cut some of my grass wdien it is about six 

 inches high and put it in there, press it down solid, roll large 

 stones on top of it, and in that way 1 manage to keep it for 

 winter so that it is as nice and green as if just cut. 



In reference to hen manure, I will say that it is of the 

 greatest importance in poultry-raising to save the manure. 

 I know one gentleman, who is a large poultry -raiser, who 

 gets six hundred dollars a year for the manure. I only keep 

 a few hens — anywhere from seventy-five to two hundred — but 

 last year I sold twenty dollars' worth. The farmers are all 

 ready to buy it at $1.50 a barrel. 



Miss Reed. I did not mean to leave the impression that 

 the manure had no value. It is so valuable that none of it is 

 sold ; it is all used on the farm. It is very carefully preserved 

 and used on corn, or any poor field of grass, that requires 

 something extra. My father values it very highly ; but it 

 would not do to put it on the book exactly. 



