CHAP. I.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 15 



pebbles, and bones, which — as will be here- 

 after explained — are necessary to their health 

 and the formation of their eggs. It should 

 likewise be sloped, to carry off the rain ; 

 and it should contain an open covered shed 

 for occasional shelter to the fowls, which, 

 extraordinary as it may appear, seldom seek 

 their night abode during the day, except 

 for the purpose of laying. The shed is also 

 requisite for the keeping of dry sand, small 

 cinders, lime and ashes, either in little heaps 

 or pits, for the use of the common fowls in 

 scouring their feathers from the lice to which 

 they are subject : a process in which they 

 not only delight by rolling themselves in the 

 heaps — as in a sort of dry bath — but which is 

 essential to their health in freeing them from 

 those noxious vermin. If the shed covers the 

 litter removed from the horse-stable, it will 

 also be desirable, as the warmth which their 

 couching in it imparts to them, is not only 

 agreeable but healthfal ; and they likewise 

 thus pick up many grains of corn which would 

 be otherwise lost. 



In thus alluding to the advantages of a dung- 

 hill, it should, however, be observed, that fowls 



