The Natural Method. 117 



give his medicines in poisoned water, which will constantly 

 nullify their effect ; on the contrary, he orders an immediate 

 and thorough change in every unfavorable condition. Those 

 who keep poultry may well take a lesson from him ; for hens 

 are very like persons as regards water, shade, diet and medi- 

 cine, even to the size of the dose of the last. They feel the 

 heat worse than do their owners, for they wear "winter 

 clothes" almost throughout the year. They are even more 

 thirsty than thirsty mankind, and are thus sure to be made un- 

 happy through the lack of water, or sick if that to which they 

 have access contains the germs of disease. 



Another fact in connection with hens and chicks which, if 

 noted, will give a key to every difficulty, is that the moment 

 there is anything wrong with the fowls, the bowels are almost 

 sure to be affected. Indeed, the droppings may be called a 

 sure thermometer by which to guage the condition of the flock. 

 A sunken look about the eyes, and a pale face and comb will 

 quickly catch the eye of the close observer, and these outward 

 signs, together with listless instead of bright, quid and eager 

 motions, may show even the novice that something is wrong. 

 The hen in perfect health always takes an interest in life. If 

 cooked food is not regularly used, a change to it is always wise 

 at the first sign of bowel trouble. The one great point is to see 

 that the digestion is kept perfect. This assured, and gapes and 

 lice kept at bay, the chick has little to fear but accidents, which 

 the foresight of the owner must and can largely ward off. 



No raiser of chicks, whether for home use or for market, 

 should be satisfied with raising less than 90 per cent, of all 

 hatched. One out of every ten is all that he ought to afford 

 tolose ; it is surely more than he can afford, if by any means 

 he might have saved that one. 



