520 The Bearing and Management of 



]iart of the experimental plots, the potatoes were very much 

 diseased. 



On the whole, the preceding experiments furnish practical 

 evidence that the application of crude potash-salts in conjunc- 

 tion with superphosphate materially benefits root-crops grown on 

 light and poor soils, which we may suppose to be naturally 

 deficient both in potash and available phosphoric acid. 



Laboratoi~y, 11, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, 

 July 1st, 1867. 



XIII. — On the Hearing and Management of Poultry on an ordinary 

 Farm. By Mrs. F. Somerville. 



Peize Essay. 



Introduction. 



It is the writer's aim to make this Essay as plain and as brief as 

 is possible when details are given, that it may be suitable to 

 the requirements of a servant, or any one desirous to obtain a 

 practical knowledge on the management of poultry ; since it is 

 the fruit of long and careful experience, gained by daily prac- 

 tice, it is not too much to hope that the same happy results 

 that attended the labours of the writer may also requite those 

 who may feel disposed to follow the advice herein laid down. 



It is intended to point out the best system with regard to the 

 breeding, rearing, and general management of poultry, more than 

 to dwell upon and describe minutely the different breeds of 

 which so many works now treat. 



There are few creatures that conduce more to man's comfort 

 than domestic poultry, whether he be in health or sickness ; and, 

 considering how interesting and profitable is the occupation, it is 

 astonishing how few young people there are who make poultry 

 their study, or even bestow upon it the attention it would so well 

 repay. What a lesson of industry, vigilance, patience, perse- 

 verance, care, and affection, may be learned from the parent hen, 

 that " gathereth her chickens under her wings " ! 



Geneeal Eemaeks. 



There is no doubt that poultry may be kept and managed so 

 as to produce a profit on all farms where corn and potatoes, or 

 even swede turnips are grown, as the light or inferior grain can- 

 not be sent to market in a more profitable shape than as well-fed 

 poultry ; but, like all other farming stock, it requires constant 



