048 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Part III. 



mestic state, chiefly on account of the difficulty of providing them with proper food, which, 

 in their wild state, he describes to be heath-berries and large earth-worms. Probably the 

 haw or white-thorn berry might succeed equally well. To those who aim at variety 

 and novelty in this line, the bustard appears peculiarly an object for propagation and 

 increase, since the flesh is of unrivalled excellence ; and it is probable this fowl will 

 render great weight of flesh for the food consumed. 



Sect. IV. Diseases of Vovllry. 



6757. The diseases of poultry are generally the result of improper nourishment and 

 lodging, and the best mode of cure is by the immediate adoption of such as is proper. 

 When that will not succeed, very little help can be derived from medical assistance ; at 

 least as that art stands at present with respect to poultry. In fact, as Mowbray observes, 

 the far greater part of that grave and plausible account of diseases to be found in our 

 common cattle and poultry books is a farrago of absurdity, the chief ground of which 

 is random and ignorant guess-work. 



6758. Common fowls are attacked by the pip, roup or catarrh, the flux, constipation, and vermin. The 

 pip is an outside skin or scale, growing on the tip of the tongue, and is cured by tearing off the skin with 

 the nail and rubbing the tongue with salt. Imposthume on the rump is called the roup, which term is 

 also applied to catarrh, to which gallinaceous fowls are very subject. The imposthume is to be opened, 

 the core thrust out, and the part washed with salt and water. Generous food and warmth is the only 

 cure in the catarrh. The flux is to be cured with good solid food, and its opposite, constipation with 



scalded bran mixed with skim-milk or pot liquor, adding a small quantity of sulphur. Vermin appear in 

 consequence of low keep, and want of cleanliness; the simplest remedy is to allow plenty of sand and ashes 

 for the birds to rcM in, and to keep their houses and roosts sweet and clean, white-washing them two or 

 three times a year. 



6759. But the catarrh is the chief disease to which chickens and fowls are liable ; and when the malady 

 becomes confirmed with running at the nostrils, swollen eyes, &c. they are termed roupy, and the disease 

 is infectious. They should now be separated and kept in a warm apartment and well fed. Roupy hens 

 seldom lay, and their eggs are unwholesome. In chickens this disease is called the chip j they are seen 

 shivering, pining, and dying in corners, apparently from cold, though they are in fact in a fever. Abun- 

 dant warmth and rich food, are the only remedies. 



6760. Broken legs, wings, or toes, may be set and spliced, and will recover ; the head being raw and the 

 eyes blinded from fighting, wash the eyes with milk and water, and the head alternately with brandy in 

 w'hich is a few drops of laudanum, and with fresh butter. A cock's spurs being too long, impeding his 

 walk and wounding his legs, they should be cut carefully with a sharp pen-knife, but not too near the 

 quick, every three months. 



6761. Geese are subject to the gargle, or stoppage in the head, the consequence of cold. House the 

 patient, and give garlick beat up with fresh butter ; or toast and ale with a little confinement will succeed 

 equally well. 



6762. All poultry, when young, are apt to be carried off by rats, and other vermin, which must either 

 be vigilantly guarded against, or destroyed. 



Sect. V, Of Birds of Luxury, which are, or may be, cultivated by Farmers. 



6763. Birds of luxury include the pigeon, pheasant, partridge, quail, singing birds, 

 and birds kept as curious objects. 



6764. Of the pigeon, {Columba, L.) there are three species, and many varieties in 

 cultivation. The species are, the common, ring, and turtle-doves, all natives of 

 Britain. The varieties of the common pigeon, enumerated by Linnceus, amount to 

 twenty-one ; but those of the pigeon fanciers to more than double that number. Th 

 ring-dove [C.palumbus, L.), and the turtle-dove (C. turtur), with the greater number of 

 the varieties, are cultivated only by a few persons known as pigeon fanciers : but the 

 common pigeon of different colors is cultivated for the table. The flesh of the young 

 pigeon is very savory and stimulating, and highly valued for pies ; that of the full aged 

 pigeon is more substantial, harder of digestion, and in a considerable degree heating. 

 Black or dark feathered pigeons are dark fleshed, and of high flavor, inclining to the 

 game bitter of the wild pigeon. Light colored feathers denote light and delicate flesh. 

 The dung of pigeons is used for tanning upper leathers for shoes ; it is also an excel- 

 lent manure. Pigeons are now much less cultivated than formerly, being found in- 

 jurious to corn fields, and especially to fields of peas. They are, however, very orna- 

 mental ; a few may be kept by most farmers, and fed with the common poultry, and 

 some who breed domestic fowls on a large scale, may, perhaps, find it worth while to 

 add the pigeon to their number. 



6765. The variety of pigeon most suitable for the common 

 pigeon-house, is the grey pigeon (^fig. 727.), inclining to ash- 

 color and black; which generally shews fruitfulness by the 

 redness of the eyes and feet, and by the ring of gold color 

 which is about the neck. 



6766. The varieties of the fancy breeders are numerous, and 

 distinguished by a variety of different names, as carriers {Jig. 

 728 a) ; croppers, powters, horsemen, runts, jacobines, turbifs, 



helmets, nuns, tumblers [h) ; barbs, petits, owls, spots, trumpeters, shakers, turners, 

 ^nikins, &c. From these, when diflTercntly paired, are bred bastard pigeons ; thus 



