142 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 
young will be needed. In fact, there is no likelihood 
that this work of warring on lice will be overdone 
at any time. 
After lice, the cause of the greatest loss to poul- 
try keepers is tainted ground. It is not necessary 
to enumerate the troubles which come from this 
source. Indeed, it is not worth while to suggest 
remedies to use after they come. The one impor- 
tant point to make is that new ground must be 
sought at frequent intervals or the old ground kept 
sweet by plowing, spading, the use of lime or ashes 
and the growing of green crops. Air-slacked lime 
is valuable both outside the house and in. 
There are a number of common troubles which 
may come up to puzzle the amateur. One of them 
is frosted combs. There is no remedy after the 
comb becomes black, but while the comb is still white 
with frost it may be held in cold water until the 
frost has been taken out and then rubbed with car- 
bolated vaseline, drawing the fingers rapidly from 
the head to the tips of the comb to promote the cir- 
culation of blood. 
Shelless eggs are the result of too hard forcing for | 
eggs and the use of condiments, among other things. 
The absence of shell forming material like oyster 
