RAISING DUCKS. 225 



the ground, except the down-hill side, which is partly 

 exposed, arid provided with a short spout placed within 

 half an inch of the top, to carry off superfluous water. 

 A peg is inserted at the bottom for drawing off the 

 water when desired. Water may be conducted to the 

 box by a pipe from a spring, underdrain, small brook, 

 or from the well, by sinking a half-barrel between the 

 pump and pond, and filling it with water every day or 

 two, and so graduating the flow that it will merely drop 

 from the barrel through the pipe into the wooden box. 



AN ARTIFICIAL DUCK POND. 

 THE CARE OF DUCKS. 



Ducks are a very pleasant feature of farm-yard sur 

 roundings. In the last of winter and early spring they 

 are sociable and busy enough, especially on warm days, 

 and begin to lay very early. The duck almost always 

 lays her egg between six and nine o'clock. So the flock 

 must be kept shut up until all have laid. We have 

 found ducks to do better if they can be confined atnight, 

 in winter, in a shed where the horse manure is thrown 

 out, than anywhere else. The heaps of manure heal 

 somewhat, and the ducks enjoy the warmth. It makes 

 them lay early, and the eggs are not likely to freeze if 

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