FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 275- 



(luiet teriiperainent, too, is a recommendation of no mean I'ank in favor of 

 these fowls. The chief objection, and the only one, so far as I know, unless 

 we might desire a little more white meat, is the proclivity of this breed to sit. 

 AVith suitable preparation to break this determination, it is no serious objec- 

 tion, especially if we kill all our hens the second winter, never keeping them 

 till thcv are two years old. I have noticed that there is a great difference in 

 individuals in tiiis respect. 80 without doubt by careful selection in our breed- 

 ing we could modify this trait to our satisfaction. 



The brown Leghorns I have found to be perfect non-sitters. They are ad- 

 mirable layers, except in cold weather — perhaps my house is not warm enougli 

 for them — when I have found them much inferior to the light Brahnias. The 

 eggs are white, large, and fine. The Leghorns mature quickly, when they 

 weigh three or four pounds, and are, I think, almost useless for table use. 

 They are wild and intractable. A fence five feet high is Brahma j)roof. As- 

 much cannot be said of one three times as high if the word Brahma be replaced 

 by Leghorn. I cannot recommend the brown Leghorn, tbough I have a flock 

 for sale. From my reading, and a slight experience, I think I might almost 

 say as much of the Spanish, the Hamburgs, and the white Leghorns. Though 

 I am satisfied with the light Brahmas I have a desire to test the Games, be- 

 cause of their incomparable excellence for table use, and the Plymouth Rocks, 

 which are so highly recommended by those who have them. Yet I feel assured 

 that this test, which I am to make in the coming years, will only serve to make- 

 me more a friend of the light Brahmas. The grace and symmetry of the 

 mature light Brahma is fully comparable to that of our best bred Shorthorns, 

 while their color forms a beautiful contrast to the green of the summer land- 

 scape. 



Manarjement of Foivls. 



I wish now to name some. of the more important points connected with the 

 care of poultry, — points that can never be profitably disregarded, as atten- 

 tion to them will secure healthy birds, abundant eggs at all seasons, and best 

 of all, greenbacks, if you are a greenbacker, and gold if you are a hard-money 

 man. 



Care in Winter. 



At this season your flock will consist of hens and such cocks as you desire to 

 breed from the next spring, — never more than one for every ten hens. When- 

 ever the weather is cold, keep the chickens close in the house. To be sure 

 they may be allowed to run out, as the cattle too often are, but never except 

 at a great expense of eggs and flesh. Kept in a warm house, they will lay. 

 Exposed to the severe cold, all the vital force goes to supply heat. They will 

 eat much more and return much less. Li the morning feed warm slops, made 

 thick with the refuse from the table and meal, and liberally supplied once or 

 twice a week with finely cut meat and vegetables, such as apples, potatoes, 

 cabbage, and celery tops. This may well be as hot as will answer for feed. 

 The writer of the Kerby Homestead papers, F. D. Curtis, remarked in a recent 

 number of the Rural New Yorker: "I have a very eccentric neighbor. He 

 feeds his hens in the morning, but he has eggs." Could he have said hot feed 

 he might have added and to sell. Only feed what they eat clean. At noon 

 give them warm drink and as much mixed grain as they will ,eat during the 

 afternoon. At night carry in all the eggs. You need leave no nest eggs, for 



