POULTRY KEEPING 211 



the surface, neither grass nor gravel being 

 used. The splendid fruit trees, many of 

 which were enclosed in the runs, afforded 

 shelter and enjoyment to the birds. The 

 finest specimens of almost every variety were 

 to be seen, the familiar Langshan, Wyandotte, 

 Leghorn, Dorking, Rocks, Houdan, besides 

 La Fleche, La Bresse, Campine, Mantes, c la 

 poule de ferme par excellence,' and the very 

 handsome fancy breed, the Padoue, gold, 

 silver, white, and other varieties. Some two 

 or three hundred birds were housed in these 

 beautiful surroundings, and formed the most 

 delightful and artistic poultry farm it would 

 be possible to imagine. 



" In the afternoon M. de Perpigna drove us 

 out to see his dogs, and then on to the farm, 

 which was very extensive. The herd of 

 Breton cows was just being milked, some 

 fine goats browsed in another field, and 

 hundreds of rabbits filled cages round the 

 farm yard. Geese, ducks and chickens 

 (chiefly the Mantes) roamed about in large 



