30 GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY. 



those who do, and getting a fair price. There has been much 

 dispute about this, and we have known the stored or half-dry 

 manure sold as high as eight shillings per cwt., and as low as 

 one shilling and sixpence ; but all such uncertainty should be 

 set at rest by the analysis of the late Dr. Voelcker, which will 

 be found at p. 61. At four shillings per cwt. we consider the 

 night-manure equal to more than one-fourth of the profit from 

 the fowls. 



Where a considerable number of fowls are killed annually, 

 the feathers also become of value, and may be preserved. 

 They are very easily dressed at home. Strip the plumage from 

 the quills of the larger feathers, and mix with the small ones, 

 putting the whole loosely in paper bags, which should be hung 

 up in the kitchen, or some other warm place, for a few days to 

 dry. Then let the bags be baked three or four times, for half 

 an hour each time, in a cool oven, drying for two days between 

 each baking, and the process will be completed. Less trouble 

 than this will do, and is often made to suffice ; but the feathers 

 are inferior in crispness to those so treated, and may occa- 

 sionally become offensive. 



Eggs should be collected regularly, if possible twice every 

 day ; and if any chickens are to be reared from the home 

 stock, the owner or attendant should learn to recognise the 

 egg of each particular hen. There is no difficulty in this, even 

 with a considerable number nearly every egg, to the accus- 

 tomed eye, has a well-marked individual character ; and if 

 there be any hens of value, it may save much disappointment 

 in the character of the brood to know the parentage of those 

 selected for hatching. 



Before concluding, it may be expected that something 

 definite should be said respecting the actual profit of what may 

 be called domestic poultry-keeping. It is extremely difficult to 

 make any such statement, so much depends upon the price of 

 food, upon the management, selection of stock, and value of 



