42 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. ii. 



of temperature, good diet, change of food, 

 pure air and water, warmth and cleanliness, 

 will generally be found effectual restoratives. 



It should likewise be understood, that not , 

 only does the hen cease laying at this time, 

 but the cock also loses so much of his vigour 

 as to become inattentive to his mates and use- 

 less to the purposes of the poultry-yard. In 

 which case, Moubray states it as his practice, 

 " to withdraw the cock to a separate walk and 

 substitute another, which is known and fami- 

 liar to the hens :" which would, no doubt, be 

 a good plan, were it not for the difficulty, in 

 small establishments, of finding room for thus 

 separating the birds ; but especially from the 

 circumstance, that the hens are themselves 

 usually moulting at the same season. 



The Cock — when in his prime — should be 

 firm on his legs, which ought to be strong and 

 well furnished with substantial claws to rake 

 the ground, and sharp spurs for his defence. 

 His thighs should be large and sinewy ; his 

 breast broad, and his body round, compact, 

 and robust. His head should be small, with a 

 sparkling eye, and the crown decorated with 

 a crest, or scalloped " comb," of the brightest 



