LIVE STOCK. 413 



" they should produce one hundred and fifty eggs each, and, if 

 " properly cared for, they might do more. As soon as the hens 

 " stop laying and begin to moult, kill and sell them. The white 

 " Leghorns are always ready for the table. 



" I do not know that this movable coop has been tried on a 

 " large scale ; but there seems to be no reason why it should not 

 " prove successful. Grass will grow wonderfully under it ; and 

 "this could be used ■ either for soiling or for hay. Some other 

 " conveniences would, of course, be necessary in winter. 



" A coop of the above-mentioned size would accommodate twelve 

 " laying hens ; and four of them with forty-eight hens, would 

 " probably do better than the same number in the inclosure plan, 

 " and avoid the necessary investment for fences and repairs. 

 " Some say poultry in such confinement, when all their wants are 

 " supplied, will pay better than when running at liberty, either in 

 " growth, fat, or eggs ; and it is probably true. 



" Now, if one coop will succeed, or if one inclosure like that 

 " described will succeed, what conceivable reason is there why 

 " any number should not ? We all know that success in any 

 " thing depends as much upon details as upon plan ; without 

 " attention to either, failure is certain ; with only one, success 

 "can be but partial." 



As with every thing else on the farm, the profit of poultry- 

 raising must be sought largely in some extra production, — either 

 extra size, extra early maturity, early laying, fine varieties, or 

 extra preparation for market, — in short, whatever may enable 

 one to get " fancy prices." Very early in the spring, or late in 

 the winter, before our neighbors' fowls have commenced to lay, 

 if we can stimulate ours to the plentiful production of eggs, we 

 can sell them for twice or three times the later price, while the 

 cost of the stimulant is inconsiderable. For early laying two 

 things are necessary : first^ very early pullets of the spring before ; 

 second^ warm and sunny quarters. If to these we add stimulating 

 food, — a little pepper, a little chopped roots or cabbage, — and 

 especially if we cook the grain, we may hope to get in February 

 eggs for which we should otherwise be obliged to wait until April 



