CHAP. Ti.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 137 



these worms by lamp-light, and storing them 

 up for future use ; but we have never heard 

 of this silly project having been carried into 

 effect, and we., think it best to let the hen 

 search for the worms herself. 



The dunghill, however, furnishes a more 

 plentiful and a richer repast ; for myriads of 

 worms of all kinds are there generated, and 

 it is well known that maggots found in putrid 

 flesh are more fattening to poultry than any 

 other sort of food : the fowls even preferring 

 them to grain. Hogsheads full of them are 

 constantly sent from the large Abattoir, or 

 knackery for the slaughter of horses, at Paris, 

 to the different poultry-dealers in the suburbs, 

 who use them largely in the fattening of their 

 fowls, the flesh of which is remarkable for its 

 delicacy. Indeed, if any one in the summer 

 hangs a piece of raw flesh, or entrails of any 

 kind, upon the branch of a tree standing in 

 the poultry-yard, it is amusing to see how 

 continually the chickens will be on the watch 

 to catch any maggot that may fall. Nor is 

 there anything in this mode of using them 

 that should disgust persons of the most fas- 

 tidious nicety ; for, although generated from 



