22 PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 



ment of city dwellers towards suburban homes is found 

 in the possibility of having a nice flock of fowls. 



An attractive hen house with neatly fenced yards, 

 enclosing a small flock of select fowls is no mean addi- 

 tion to any home place. 



2. The Farm Flock: The object of keeping hens 

 and raising chickens on the farm is usually to secure 

 fresh eggs and dressed fowls for home use and for 

 market. 



Someone on every farm is, or ought to be, inter- 

 ested in the farm fowls. By the usual plan, or lack 

 of plan, the hens have to take care of themselves and 

 consequently they yield only small returns. Too often 

 they are housed in some unsuitable shed or out-build- 

 ing or harn when darkness or storms keep them from 

 roaming at will over the premises. 



The birds are, perhaps, only mongrels or scrubs 

 which the farmer rightly regards as a nuisance on the 

 place. Once in a while he may seek to improve them 

 by bringing in fresh blood in the form of a new cockerel. 

 About the only visible effect of this spasmodic scheme 

 is to add yet greater variety to the rain-bow hues of 

 the wonderfully variegated flock. 



When the farmer's wife or boy becomes interested 

 in the chickens there is cause to hope for their future. 

 Sometimes the flock, in careful hands, proves to be the 

 most profitable part of the farm live stock. The farm- 

 er, awakened by this object lesson, becomes interested 

 himself and supplies the desired support for bettering 

 the conditions and extending the poultry industry on 

 his farm. Instead of allowing the birds to wander 

 everywhere and foul everything with their droppings, 

 a place is provided for them and they are kept within 

 proper bounds. 



If a woman has to care for the farm fowls, it is well 

 to have the hen house within easy reach of the dwelling 

 house and large yards enclosed by good fences should 

 be provided for them. 



If a man or lusty lad manages the flocks, an excel- 



