MANAGEMENT OP FOWLS. 61 



end of the year may appear to be large.* The greatest gain- 

 ers are the travelling dealers who scour the country, and buy, 

 for the lowest farthing they can get them, small lots of Fowls 

 and eggs here and there, the superabundant produce of various 

 housewives, either disposing of them immediately at advanced 

 prices, or shutting up the birds at once to be fatted for mar- 

 ket. The poulterers and feeders on a large scale in great 

 towns doubtless derive a remunerating trade. It is the middle 

 men who are the principal gainers. And when we shall have 

 succeeded in producing peaches and nectarines for the million 

 for dessert, we may calculate on rearing Poultry for the mil- 

 lion for dinner. 



Those who set about keeping Fowls, as amateurs for the 

 first time, to whom alone we address ourselves, are recommended 

 to begin with a limited number, such as a Cock and four or 

 five Hens, of some distinct and choice breed j or, if it be de- 

 sired to test the value of different sorts of Hens, one or two 

 of them may be admitted, care being taken to separate all the 

 cross-bred progeny for the fatting coop and the dinner-table. It 

 will add to the amusement derived, if, in the first instance, 

 strong three-quarter grown chickens are procured, instead of 

 adult birds, so that an opportunity is given of watching their 

 progress to maturity. 



As to fowl-houses and other accommodations, so much de- 

 pends upon circumstances, that minute directions are almost 

 impertinent. The three grand requisites are cleanliness, dry- 

 ness, and warmth. Those who wish for any thing on a large 

 scale, will find plenty of plans and descriptions in books, so 

 that if they choose they may lay out as much money in a hen- 

 house as would build a comfortable cottage orne'e. But most 



* The gross proceeds of eggs and poultry sold in the U. States 

 amount to twenty millions of dollars. In 1840, it was 12,176,170 

 dollars. ED. 



6 



