90 Farm Poultry 



ticularly during the growing season. During the 

 summer months a yard or run of loose sand or 

 gravelly soil will require comparatively little labor 

 to keep it clean, while a similar one on a heavy 

 and impervious clay will demand continual atten- 

 tion, and even this will not always suffice to keep 

 the yards in a satisfactory condition. A heavy soil 

 not only retains nearly all of the droppings on the 

 surface, but by retarding the percolation in times 

 of frequent rains soon gives a coating of filth. This 

 is particularly true of those parts of the yard most 

 frequented by the fowls. 



A slightly raised elevation is to be preferred, 

 particularly if the ground slopes gently on all sides 

 from the building. This will insure good surface 

 drainage -in times of heavy showers and whenever 

 the ground is frozen. While a somewhat light or 

 porous soil that is naturally well underdrained 

 is to be preferred, it should not be inferred that 

 success may not be attained on somewhat heavier 

 soils if they are thoroughly underdrained. Any 

 good potato soil that is naturally well drained will 

 not be objectionable on account of excessive moisture. 



Another important consideration is the admis- 

 sion to the houses and yards of abundant sunshine. 

 Fowls, like other classes of live stock, do not thrive 

 so well when deprived of sunshine. This is particu- 

 larly true of laying fowls during the cold winter 

 months. The houses, yards or runs should be so 



