The PoiiUrij of France. 85 



The land was flat and impermeable, destitute of lime, covered 

 with stajT^nant pools of water, and the roads were proverbially 

 l)ad. To o^et rid of the water, the arable fields have with 

 incalculable toil and perseverance, been raised at the middle so 

 as to slope to the four borders, and intersected by a network 

 of open drains at right angles one to the other. Leases some 

 centuries old contain covenants that the farmer shall cart 2000 to 

 3000 cartloads of earth yearly. The work seems to have been 

 completed in the early part of the eighteenth century. Alter 

 this beds of marl were found and applied generally to the land ; 

 since 1836 the roads haA'e been set to rights. 



Alternate husbandry with crops of roots and clover followed, 

 stolen green crops were procured ; and this peculiarity caught the 

 special attention of M. de Lavergne, that here alone is the growth 

 of maize combined with that of buckwheat. 



La Bresse is much given to I'attening animals on corn, whether 

 they be oxen, pigs, or poultry; all of which find a good market 

 at Lyons. 



These introductory remarks have more to do with our subject 

 than may at first sight appear. The conduct of the Bi'essian 

 peasant in rearing his poultry is quite of a piece with his inde- 

 fatigable and enlightened perseverance in other respects, and it 

 we would share his success we must imitate his virtues. 



There is distinct evidence in ancient leases that from about 

 the year 1700 the fatting of poultry was an established and 

 growing practice. By a lease dated 1694 the proprietor is to be 

 furnished with fat capons : in another lease are reserved two 

 chapons pailles — straw-coloured, i. e. fatted. 



By the end of the eighteenth century, the districts had estab- 

 lished its reputation for capons and " poulardes ; " about the same 

 time, in spite of restrictive covenants, the growth of maize became 

 general, for consumption by oxen and pigs as well as poultry. 



The fowls of La Bresse have certain features which clearly 

 distinguish them from other breeds of the neighbourhood. They 

 are above the average size, short legged, small boned, the 

 plumage white, with some few spots of grey. The comb is 

 single, straight, and indented. They have four toes on the leg, 

 Avhich is brown and smooth ; the skin is fine and the flesh 

 delicate and savoury. 



The hen begins to lay in February, and for a month or six weeks 

 lays daily, then three or four times a Aveek, till she has laid 

 about 160 e":2"s, besides rearins; two or three broods. 



Cocks are changed continually ; local experience confirms the 

 general opinion that the produce of joung males fatten the most 

 readily. 



The first broods come off in March, the earliest chickens 



