BACON AND EGGS 331 



her satisfaction to the whole yard. It is some- 

 thing to be proud of, and the cackling hen knows 

 it better than you or I. It can be no hardship 

 to push this egg machine to the limit of its 

 capacity. It adds new zest to the life of the hen, 

 and multiplies her opportunities for well-earned 

 self-congratulation. 



Our hens are fed for eggs, and we get what we 

 feed for. I said of my hens that I would not 

 ask them to lay more than eight dozen eggs each 

 year, and I will stick to what I said. But I do 

 not reject voluntary contributions beyond this 

 number. Indeed, I accept them with thanks, and 

 give Biddy a word of commendation for her 

 gratuity. Eight dozen eggs a year will pay a good 

 profit, but if each of my hens wishes to present 

 me with two dozen more, I slip 62 cents into my 

 pocket and say, " I am very much obliged to you, 

 miss," or madam, as the case may be. Most of 

 my hens do remember me in this substantial way, 

 and the White Wyandottes are in great favor 

 with the Headman. 



The houses in which my hens live are almost 

 as clean as the one I inhabit (and Polly is tidy 

 to a degree) ; their food is as carefully prepared 

 as mine, and more punctually served ; their ene- 

 mies are fended off, and they are never 1 fright- 

 ened by dogs or other animals, for the five-acre 

 lot on which their houses and runs are built is 

 enclosed by a substantial fence that prevents any 

 interloping ; book agents never disturb their 



