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We would never leave fowls dependent on 



the hon-luniao alono tor slu'ltiT. In addition 

 to tliat, tlifv slioiiUl have u alied, undi-r which 

 tbev niav find protection from rain and hot 

 sun, ami a dry spot for a dust-balii, which 

 must be always supplied with plenty of dry 

 dust, in the use of which the fowls will require 

 no teaching. If a good potting-shed, or any 

 shed of the kind, bo included within the 

 precincts of the hen-run, nothing can be better 

 for the fowls; and they can do no harm by 

 having a corner for a scratching-bit. If there 

 be no such shed ready to hand, a slight ono can 

 be constructed at small expense. A few lengths 

 of carpenter's quartering, made into an oblong 

 frame, fixed upon a sullicient number of legs 

 (according to its length), and covered with 

 rough board or patent felt, will answer the 

 purpose very well. 



There are numerous kinds of fencing for 

 forming the boundary-line to the run. Gal- 

 vanised iron wire, stretched on a framework, 

 is neat and durable. Galvanised iron netting 

 may be set up, with the support of upright iron 

 rods only. A firm rod along the top of a low 

 fence bad better be avoided, for it will be used 

 by the fowls to lodge on in getting over. 

 As they are less likely to rest on an edge 

 which is shaky or uneven with spikes, some 

 manufacturers make their wire- work for poultry 

 witliout the finish of a wire at the edge which 

 is intended for the top of the fence. The cost 

 of a wire fencing is from one penny to three- 

 pence per square foot. 



In Suffolk, an excellent warm fence is made 

 by bracing fagots of fern, gorse, &c., close to- 

 gether upon iron hurdles. 



Common sheep hurdles, in the usual position, 

 will make a good fence for poultry ; but placed 

 on end, fixed together, and made firm with 

 stakes, they afi'ord a fair high fence, where 

 appearance is not an object of consideration. 

 If thatched, they will make a very tolerable 

 hen-house. Simply fixed with the spikes in 

 the ground, they are not high enough to keep 

 in any poultry, nor firm enough after two years' 

 wear and tear ; but these defects may be reme- 

 died, and a good lasting fence made of them, 

 at the expense of a little labour. If the poplar 

 or the willow grows in the neighbourhood, it 



is not a bad plan to cut largo sprays of either, 

 about six feet high, and stick them into tho 

 ground so close together, along ono side of tho 

 hurdles, that tho twigs moot and cross above 

 them, so as to form a tolerably clo.so screen. 

 They will take root, becointj firm Hup])orterrt to 

 tho hurdles, and f'oriii u la.-sting, and not an 

 unsightly fence. 



A lattice of laths is quite as dear as wiro 

 netting, and not so pretty; neither, wo tliink, 

 will it bo found so durable. 



With tho addition of drinking-pans — of 

 which tho best are those which can bo kept 

 clean most easily — tho home of the fowls may 

 now be reckoned ready for their reception. 



All pans for food, and divers contrivances for 

 inducing the fowls to stuff themselves immode- 

 rately, we repudiate. 



As a suitable conclusion to this part of our 

 subject, we subjoin a description of the cottier's 

 poultry-house, as given by Mr. llichardaon. 



" One of the best modes of rearing fowls, is 

 the old custom of suffering them to roost on 

 the rafters of the room in which the cottier 

 keeps his fire. It is, perhaps, owing to 

 the warmth thus afforded to the birds, that 

 during winter, when eggs are scarce, and con- 

 sequently at a high price, they will bo procur- 

 able from the humble cabin, when they have 

 long vanished from the elaborately constructed, 

 but less warm poultry-house of the more 

 affluent breeder. 



" Should circumstances, however, render the 

 keeping of poultry in the cabin objectionable 

 or unadvisable, a very suitable place may be 

 erected for them against tho outside of tho 

 cabin wall. If possible, the part of tho wall 

 against which the little hut is erected, should 

 be that opposite to tho fire-place within ; thus 

 securing the necessary warmth. If shelbe.'* bo 

 required, it can be obtained by means of a 

 few bushes, or a wall of sods. Tlie neighbour- 

 ing roads will serve as an ample walk ; and 

 the nearest stream will slake their thirst. A 

 few laying-nests may bo placed in a warm 

 corner of the cabin. By these means, tho 

 poultry of the poor cottier will thrive as well, 

 and yield as great a profit, as those kept in 

 the best-appointed establishments in the 

 kingdom." 



867 



