CHAP, v.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 121 



according to circumstances as to the state of 

 the brood and weather. Indeed the hen is 

 not unfrequently kept thus confined for a fort- 

 night or more ; but when the chickens become 

 strong enough to move about, she ought 

 to be allowed the liberty of the garden, in 

 which she will industriously scratch up weeds 

 and worms for her chicks, and do more good 

 than harm to its cultivation: or, if thought 

 hurtful by the gardener, she should have the 

 range of a field, until they have acquired 

 strength enough to be taken into the common 

 poultry-yard, where they are fed along with 

 the other fowls. While thus rearing them, it 

 should however be observed, that pure water 

 should always be left with them, and fre- 

 quently changed, for if left until it becomes 

 foul it will be likely to occasion disease ; but 

 it should be given in a way to prevent them 

 from dabbling their feathers. 



In poijit of feeding, curds — which may be 

 made by putting a bit of alum in a little 

 boiling milk — chopped small, are an excel- 

 lent addition to their food, but the milk 

 should be thoroughly squeezed out, or it 

 may make them scour ; in which case some 



