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THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



trees for shade. To his surprise, the following season the plum trees were heavily loaded 

 with full, matured ripe fruit. The poultry had completely exterminated the curculio, which 

 had previously ruined the crops of plums. We recommend this experiment to those who 

 have failed in raising plums on account of this pest. 



There are many breeds of fowls that bear confinement well, and are hence adapted to a 

 limited enclosure, having perhaps the run of a small yard; but in such cases, they should be 

 supplied with green food in summer, together with a certain amount of meat, to make up for 

 the lack of insect food to be obtained in having a free range. Other conditions being equal, 

 that poultry will thrive best, that has considerable range. The surroundings for poultry 

 should always be kept clean, and the poultry house free from vermin of all kinds. Pure air 

 should be supplied by proper ventilation, while the water should be fresh and clean, and the 

 food at all times of suitable quality. Never throw grain, or any food for them, in a dirty 

 place, where, in order to obtain it, they must also take up sand or dirt. Put the food in a 

 clean place, whether in troughs prepared for feeding or not, and so arrange their watering 

 tank that the water cannot become foul by their get 

 ting their feet into it, or by other means. A very 

 cheap and convenient drinking fountain can be made 

 by filling a three-gallon jug with water and turning it 

 mouth down in a suitable shallow dish, provision 

 being made for properly supporting the jug. The 

 accompanying cut represents the idea very accurately. 



&quot;When confined with a limited yard for exercise, 

 it will be always well, if practicable, to permit them 

 a run for an hour or so just at night, when they will 

 not wander far from their quarters. They will greatly 

 enjoy this freedom, and it will do them much good, 

 giving them the opportunity to catch a few insects, 

 eat green food, and obtain considerable exercise. 



Care of Poultry in Summer. Although 

 when having a free range in summer, poultry will not 

 require as much. care as when kept confined, still they 

 should be fed with regularity, and have constant 

 access to clean, fresh water. &quot;When kept in limited 

 quarters in towns and villages, fowls will need fully as 



much attention in summer, if not more, than they will in winter. In summer, vermin are apt 

 to be more troublesome than in cold weather; and these must be avoided. The pens and 

 yards will require considerable care to be kept clean; the poultry building should be well 

 ventilated; clean, fresh water must be supplied, and wholesome food in variety furnished in 

 such quantities that it will not become stale and unfit to be eaten. 



In feeding, whether in summer or winter, the amount of food given should always be 

 such that it will all be eaten up clean, and nothing left over. Poultry will not furnish a good 

 supply of eggs unless they are kept healthy; and they will not remain healthy unless the 

 proper sanitary conditions are observed. To attend to all the essentials requisite in maintain 

 ing these conditions, will require some time and labor, but there is no business whatever that 

 will result in profit or success, without this. 



Eggs are apt to fall off in very hot weather in summer in consequence of the unfavora 

 ble conditions of the season, unless these unfavorable conditions are met and overcome by 

 proper care. The best economy, then, demands that the poultry yard and house have daily 

 care throughout the hot weather. The droppings under the roosts and in the pens should be 

 daily removed, and the perches occasionally washed with kerosene oil, or smeared with lard 



DRINKING TAXK FOR FOWLS. 



