CHAP. I.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 23 



to be reached by the hens from a ladder, and 

 with ledges for them to stand on, which pre- 

 vented them from suddenly springing into their 

 nests, and perhaps breaking the eggs that 

 might have lain there from the day before. 

 The basket-nest you can easily take dowTi and 

 wash ; and this will be a great comfort to the 

 hens, by preventing vermin from collecting. 

 For the same reason, the beds should be fre- 

 quently changed ; but the boarded nests are 

 to be preferred for hatching, as they are close 

 and warm. 



" The length of the back-wall of the kitchen 

 and office- wall was so great that there were 

 other lodging-houses too, with coops, one for 

 fattening fowls, which should be always kept 

 apart from the others, and another for sick 

 ones, and a very high one for turkeys, not 

 closely enclosed, but with lattice-work in front, 

 to give them plenty of air, which they delight 

 in. There were also three little covered yards, 

 a few feet square, latticed in front, and with 

 partitions of lath (lattice-wise also) for the 

 newly-hatched chickens, with sleeping-rooms 

 inside them. As to the very few geese which 

 were kept, they were either lodged on the floor 



