608 



THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA, 



with a large variety of food. It is comparatively easy to fatten a fowl in 

 a few weeks ; but to preserve one in constant high condition, so as to en- 

 able it to lay regularly, good meals, from the owner's hands, are requisite ; 

 with tit-bits picked up for itself upon the yard or road-side hedges. It 

 is a mistake to suppose that the hens do best which have a neat garden or 

 trim compartment to run on. Fowls and untidiness go well together. An 

 open common or highway where cattle have been which, with their 

 droppings, attract flies is better range for fowls than is the neatest flower 

 bed ; whilst rough shrubs to give shade, or shelter insects, are very des- 

 irable. Given these i. e., a rough place to run about in then the task 

 of the poultry keeper will be comparatively easy ; for his main duties will 

 be discharged by the birds themselves. 



Jfoob mtb Jfattming of 



f { HE rearing and fattening of stock are the highest develop- 

 ments of agriculture. The conversion of the mineral 

 matter of the soil and the treasures of the air into sale- 

 able crops is the first step. The conversion of vegetable 

 matter into flesh is the final process, after which flesh is 

 returned again to the domain of earth and air. 



The average percentage composition of the foods com- 

 monly given to farm animals is shown in the following 

 table. The figures given are in every case the mean of a 

 large number of analyses. 



