1 64 HOW TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY 



About one hen out of every flock of thirty will 

 display some sort of unusual intelligence, if you give 

 her a chance. One of these wise ones, of Plymouth 

 Rock lineage, adopted me in my strolls about the 

 orchard and garden, walking by my side everywhere 

 and continually prattling in a language of mixed de- 

 sire and affection. She knew right well that my 

 pockets frequently held corn, and if I sat down on 

 a stone she ate from my hands, eloquently expressing 

 her gratitude. 



As egg producer the hen has come to be one of 

 the greatest factors in American economics. As cat- 

 tle ranges disappear, our food is essentially narrowed 

 and the hencoop will be the only relief for the great 

 mass of country home-makers. Perhaps we may add 

 to the coop a rabbit warren, and so while increasing 

 our meat supply, get rid of a troublesome pest. Any- 

 one can have a supply of eggs at small cost, but the 

 present price is revolutionary. 



As for a pig, why not, if one gives him a chance 

 to keep himself clean ? A hog with half a chance is 

 cleaner than a cow with equal chances. Professor 

 Shaler was a specially good student of Nature, and 

 he insisted that our pigs are among the most intelli- 

 gent of our domestic animals. I have lived for a few 

 years among the razorbacks of Florida, and I assure 

 you that for keeping posted on all horticultural mat- 

 ters he is the beat. He knows every sweet-potato 

 patch within five miles of his home, and he can live 

 well with his family where human folk will starve. 



