POULTRY-HOUSES. 183 



pump are in the middle of it. The whole fronts towards a rich 

 little paddock, in which the poultry have the liberty to walk 

 about, between meals. At one o'clock a bell rings, and the 

 beautiful gate in the centre is opened. The poultry being then 

 mostly walking in the paddock, and knowing by the sound of 

 the bell, that their repast is ready for them, they fly and run 

 from all quarters, and rush in at the gate, every one striving 

 which can get the first share in the scrabble. There are about 

 600 poultry, of different kinds, in the place; and although so 

 large a number, the semicircular court is kept so very neat and 

 clean that not a speck of dung is to be seen. This poultry -palace 

 is built of brick, except the pillars and cornices, the lintels and 

 jambs of the doors and windows ; but the bricks are not seen, 

 being all covered with a remarkably fine kind of slate, from his 

 lordship's estate in Wales. These slates are close-jointed, and 

 fastened with screw-nails on small spars fixed in the brick ; they 

 are afterwards painted, and fine white sand thrown on, while the 

 paint is wet, which gives the whole an appearance of the most 

 beautiful freestone. 



Properly constructed 



POULTRY-HOUSES 



Are essential arrangements for the preservation of your feathered 

 stock, which should be placed, if possible, as to have an eastern 

 aspect, so as to be open to the morning sun ; sheltered by a plan- 

 tation, or sufficient shrubs, to screen the birds from the summer 

 mid-day sun, or inclement winter winds, both being equally inju- 

 rious to them. The poultry -house should be constructed to give 

 as much warmth as possible, consistent with sufficient ventilation, 

 the advantage of which is quite evident, from the circumstance 

 of the cottier, who has his poultry roosting over his fire, laying 

 abundantly during the winter months ; while the opulent farmer, 

 who houses his poultry, in his spacious poultry-house, is not 

 supplied with eggs. The more compact they are kept during 

 the winter months the better, as each will contribute a share of 

 heat to the other, and add to their comfort, and induce laying ; 

 the size to be suited to the number kept, and the more compact 

 they are kept in winter the better. The floor should be elevated 

 so as to be perfectly dry, and of such materials as to allow its 

 being swept or raked out daily. The walls close and substantial, 

 so as not to harbour vermin of any kind, and be frequently 

 whitewashed ; with a srnnfl air-tight roof, that will fully resist 



