THE COMMON 1•0^^'L. 61 



leaves of plants, of which they are very fond, 

 is a great advantage. From these excursions, 

 so productive of health, they may be accus- 

 tomed to return at a call. Poultry require a 

 liberal supply of grain, and the best and 

 heaviest corn is cheaper in the end than that 

 of inferior quality : on this depend their size, 

 the goodness and sapidity of their flesh, and the 

 richness of the eggs. In Surrey, barley is the 

 usual grain given, excepting during the time of 

 incubation, when the sitting hens have oats, as 

 being less heating to the system than the former. 

 With respect to the fowl-house, it should 

 be dry and airy, but at the same time warm 

 and well secured from weasels or rats, or from 

 the incursions of the cat or fox. The perches 

 should be conveniently arranged, quite hori- 

 zontal, and of a thickness sufiicient for the 

 birds to clasp firmly. For laying-chambers, 

 wooden boxes, with an entrance sufficient to 

 admit the hen easily, and a ledge before it, are 

 very convenient ; these should be ranged round 

 the wall, at about three feet from the ground. 

 Some use wicker baskets fastened to the wall 

 at a convenient height. Wheaten, or rye, 

 or oaten straw should form the nest, never 

 hay, which is too hot, and favourable besides 



