242 THE POULTRY-BOOK. 



should be kept sanded, and in fine weather the doors should be 

 thrown open to give access to fresh air. 



In the erection of poultry-houses, of course, considerations 

 of fancy or economy will furnish the rule, in fixing upon a 

 plan. A sufficiently good, and in every respect suitable poul- 

 try-house, may be built very readily, and at an insignificant 

 cost ; but others are in existence which exceed in expense 

 many dwellings considered comfortable, and even elegant, 

 inhabited by mankind. We proceed, therefore, to describe 

 several sorts of poultry-houses, from those on the most mag- 

 nificent scale, down to that which will merely answer the pur- 

 pose for which it is erected. 



Her Majesty, the Queen of England, stands first on the list 

 of poultry-fanciers, and her establishment may here be briefly 

 described. 



THE ROYAL POULTRY-HOUSE. 



The royal poultry-house is situated on the farm attached to 

 Windsor Castle, called the " Home Farm," in her Majesty's 

 private desmesne of Home Park. The farm is situated in a 

 secluded part of the Home Park, and is well sheltered. This 

 establishment originated with George III., in 1793; but the 

 buildings, which were then thought sufficient for all purposes, 

 were, in 1843, found by her present Majesty to be wholly inad- 

 equate to the proper carrying out of more modern discoveries 

 and improvements. 



The present establishment was erected under the immediate 

 superintendence of her Majesty and the Prince, aided by Colonel 

 Wemyss, Lord Lincoln, and Mr. Engall. It is universally 

 admitted, that the royal farm and dairy of Home Farm are 

 among the chief embellishments of the domain of Windsor, and 

 the royal poultry-house is, perhaps, the fairest ornament of 

 Home Farm. 



