192 POULTRY BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



but failure of poultry crops. For a permanent system 

 under average conditions of soil and climate the following 

 points are suggested for consideration. 



1. Maximum number of fowls per acre : 100 laying hens. 



2. Disposing of the night droppings on other land. 



3. Dividing the ground into at least two divisions or 

 yards, and growing a crop on each yard at least every 

 other year. In sections where crops may be grown every 

 year the maximum number of fowls may be increased. 



4. Growing crops that will use up the maximum amount 

 of manure. 



5. Keeping the ground vacant at least six months in the 

 year. 



6. Thorough underdrainage, where necessary, to carry 

 off surplus water. 



The above points are suggested as worthy of careful at- 

 tention where more or less intensive poultry-keeping is to 

 be followed and where the location is expected to be a per- 

 manent one. It cannot be assumed that they will be appli- 

 cable or practicable under all conditions of soil and climate. 

 But under average conditions of soil and climate they af- 

 ford a safe basis of estimating the capacity of an acre in a 

 permanent system of poultry culture. It is not assumed 

 that as many as 500 hens may not be profitably kept on an 

 acre for a few years under favorable conditions. It has 

 been done, but it is a different matter when it is planned to 

 make a permanent business of it. 



Crops to Grow. Different kinds of crops or vegetables 

 may be grown on the vacant yards. Green food may be 

 grown for the fowls, or vegetables may be grown for the 

 family. The droppings of the fowls will keep the soil in a 

 very productive condition. If it is not desired to use the 

 yards for garden purposes, such crops as vetch, clover, kale, 



