413 HANDY-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY. 



this is the rose-colored side of the story, and there may have been 

 drawbacks with which I am not acquainted, but my information 

 as above given was received from a perfectly reliable source. 



In a little book recently published,* a very elaborate descrip- 

 tion is given of a system which is now being adopted in England 

 for raising poultry, mainly under glass and in large establish- 

 ments, and on thoroughly well-organized business principles. 

 The detail is curious, and it will be agreeable to know that the 

 results are satisfactory ; but it is yet too uncertain to be adopted 

 here except as an experiment. In Mr. Flint's preface, however, 

 there is given a plan for keeping poultry in confinement, which 

 v/ill probably answer very well, and which is at least worthy of 

 careful trial with some of the large Asiatic breeds which are less 

 inclined to roam, and need, probably, less active exercise than 

 our old-fashioned fowls. 



" Build coops," says Mr. Flint, " of lath or thin boards, about 

 " ten feet long, four feet wide, and two feet high, — four feet in 

 " length at one end to be a tight house, or coop of boards, with 

 " floor and feeding conveniences, water, etc., — the latticed portion 

 " to be bottomless. Arrange handles at each end, so that two men 

 " could lift and move the whole ; set these coops upon grass ground, 

 " and move them their length or width daily, thus affording a fresh 

 "grass run. Twelve chickens should do well in each. As soon 

 " as they can be distinguished, separate the cocks from the pullets, 

 " and w^-y^r allow them together, except for breeding purposes, after- 

 " ward. As soon as the cocks are marketable, sell them, reserving 

 " only the best individuals as breeders, with little, if any, regard to 

 " consanguinity. Keep an unlimited supply of cracked corn before 

 " them until they are large enough to eat it whole, when it may be 

 " given them uncracked. This, with grass, is their main diet. 

 " Give also some variety with a little animal food. The pullets 

 " should begin to lay early in October, when they should have 

 " a plenty of fish-waste, and lime in some form, in addition to 

 " the grain. In twelve months from the time they begin to lay 



* Geyelin's Poultry Breeding, with a preface by Charles L. Flint. Bos:on : 1867. 



