ESSEX SOCIETY. 99 



them. Fowl of all kinds require sa7id, or gravel, as an aid to 

 digestion; being, in fact, necessary to promote a medium of 

 trituration in the gizzard, as well as to supply calcareous matter 

 for their egg-shells." 



We copy from the Albany Cultivator, of August last, the fol- 

 lowing article on '* Keeping Hens." 



"Mr. J. M. Mason, of Orwel, Vermont, usually winters two 

 hundred hens. His practice is, to buy pullets, in the month of 

 November. He buys those which were hatched early, as such 

 are the best to lay in winter. They cost about twelve and a 

 half cents each. They are fed, in a great degree, on mutton. 

 Mr. M. buys sheep, in the fall, at low prices, — about what their 

 pelts and tallow are worth. The carcasses are boiled, the tal- 

 low saved, and the flesh and bones, after being allowed to 

 freeze, are kept till spring, — a suitable portion being fed to the 

 hens daily. They are allowed, in addition to the meat, a little 

 corn, oats, or buckwheat. They lay well through the winter, — 

 comfortable quarters being provided for them, — and continue 

 to produce eggs in abundance, till June. It is found most 

 profitable to sell the whole stock at this period, as they are 

 generally fat, and will bring from twenty to twenty-five cents 

 apiece. If kept through the summer, they lay but little in the 

 warm months, the eggs will keep but a short time, the fowls 

 grow poor in moulting, and if kept another year, will not lay 

 as well as young ones. Mr. M. keeps hens only, (no cocks,) 

 and is inclined to think he obtains as many eggs, and that they 

 keep better, when not impregnated. As to varieties, he has 

 tried several, and thinks the top-knots will generally lay rather 

 more eggs, the first season ; but their carcasses are of less value 

 than most other kinds." 



Hen-House. The hen-house should be dry, airy, and light, 

 and, if possible, have a southern exposure, with glass windows, 

 to admit the sun in cold weather ; it should be frequently and 

 thoroughly cleaned out. It should be lathed and plastered, for 

 hens must be kept warm in winter, in order to ensure their lay- 

 ing well. Some persons, in the coldest weather, keep a little 

 fire in the coop, which is a good plan. 



There should be two distinct apartments, — one for laying, 



