CHAP. I.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 17 



than generally imagined ; and if you have an 

 opportunity of viewing them in a field, or 

 upon a common, you may perceive that they 

 not only employ themselves in searching for 

 earth-worms and all sorts of insects, but also 

 consume considerable quantities of grass. 

 Now, no animal is governed in its choice of 

 food by any other motive than that natural 

 instinct which teaches what is good for them, 

 and nature, it must be supposed, points out 

 grass as a food which is beneficial to their 

 health ; indeed, if only occasionally let out, 

 they may be seen running to feed upon it, 

 even when they have grain before them. It 

 is therefore our decided opinion, that store- 

 foivls — that is to say, fowls which are not 

 intended to be immediately fattened — should 

 never be debarred from the free use of it 

 before their being shut up for fatting. 



Many people object to their being allowed 

 the use of a field, as the grass, if wet, is in- 

 jurious ; but the old birds will remain upon 

 it no longer when hurtful, and chickens may 

 be prevented from going upon it when in 

 that state. Others, on the contrary, recom- 

 mend considerable plots of wild clover, with 



c 



