To promote laying. 139 



of larger size and nearly double the weight. 

 The largest eggs will weigh two ounces 

 and a half, those of the Chittagong hen, 

 perhaps three ounces. To promote fecun- 

 dity and great laying in tlie hen, nothing 

 more is necessary than the best corn and 

 fair water ; but malted or sprouted barley, 

 has occasionally a good eitect, whilst iho 

 hens are kept on solid corn ; but if con- 

 tinued too long, they are apt to scour. 

 Cordial horse-ball is good to promote lay- 

 ing in the cold season, and toast and ale, 

 as every housewife well knows. It must 

 be noted, that nothing is more necessary 

 towards success in the particular of obtain- 

 ing plenty of eggs, than a good attendance 

 of cocks, especially in the cold season ; and 

 it is also especially to be observed, that a 

 cock whilst moulting is generally useless. 

 My practice is, to withdraw^ a cock under 

 that circumstance to a separate walk, and 

 substitute another, which is known and fa- 

 miliar with the hens, since a stranger will 

 not always be received, and such a circum- 

 stance will sometimes totally interrupt the 

 business of the poultry yard : these parti- 



