138 FARMI]!^G FOR LADIES. [chap. vi. 



putrid matter, they are utterly tasteless, and 

 devoid of any scent whatever. We have, in- 

 deed, heard that the Chinese — who are known 

 to be great epicures — bring them to market for 

 sale, and sell them at a high price ; not for 

 the feeding of fowls, but for the making of 

 ragouts ! 



Where there is no stable, and consequently 

 where a dunghill cannot be had, it has been 

 suggested by Olivier de Serres — the most 

 ancient writer on French husbandry — to form 

 pits, or " verminieres" in a corner of the 

 poultry -yard, into which layers of light earth 

 and a cart-load of fresh horse-litter are to be 

 placed, together with the intestines of any 

 animal, and this, if well covered with the 

 warm litter, will, in the course of a few days, 

 furnish a large supply ; or, if that be incon- 

 venient, it may be done in any old tub : and, 

 treating this subject solely with a view to 

 the nutrition of the fowls, without regard to 

 squeamish prejudice, we would advise its 

 adoption. 



It is thus evident that in pursuing any of 

 the foregoing modes of feeding, a great saving 

 will be made of corn ; and although this may 



