222 AGRICULTURE 



either by gas or by fuel, and the cooker is 

 simple and easy to work ; one to hold 4 

 gallons costs 4, los. 



Foods The six staple foods are : oats, sharps, 

 wheat, barley, maize and peas ; of these wheat 

 and oats are the best for everyday feeding, 

 with an addition of barley in wet, and peas in 

 very dry weather. 



Egg A beginner will do well to confine his 

 poultry keeping at first to Egg Production, 

 as this is looked upon as one of the most 

 profitable branches. It is estimated, as 

 before stated, that a hen should cost to keep 

 55. per annum and a good layer should 

 average from 160 to 170 eggs in the year, 

 which will bring in 135. 4d. to 145. 2d. per 

 bird, reckoning the eggs at id. each, which is 

 a low average, as between November and 

 March it is easy to get ijd. each. There- 

 fore each laying hen should give a profit of 

 from 8s. to 95. a year. Some of the eggs 

 can be used for setting as the hens get 

 broody, and a new stock brought up to take 



