POULTRY HOUSES. 3 



are used, there should be either boarding or ceiling under 

 them ; otherwise all the heat will escape through the numerous 

 interstices, and in winter it will be impossible to keep 

 the house warm ; the same almost exactly may be said of 

 galvanised iron. Planks alone make a good roofing. They 

 may either be laid horizontally, one plank overlapping the 

 other, and the whole well tarred two or three times first of 

 all, and every autumn afterwards ; or perpendicularly, fitting 

 close edge to edge, and tarred, then covered with large sheets 

 of brown paper, which should receive two coats of tar more. 

 This last makes a very smooth, weatherproof, and durable 

 roofing, which throws off the water well. Another good roof 

 is board covered with patent felt, which should be tarred once 

 a year. And still another very good roofing, effective yet 

 light, is the well-known " Willesden paper." 



In the north of England a house built of wood is all the 

 better for some sort of lining. Matting is often used, and 

 answers perfectly for warmth, but unfortunately makes a 

 capital harbour for vermin. If it is employed, it should 

 only be slightly affixed to the walls, and at frequent intervals 

 be removed and well beaten. Patent felt is the best material, 

 the strong smell of tar repelling most insects from taking up their 

 residence therein. Or the house may be built with a double 

 wooden skin, inside and outside of the framework, with an air- 

 space of two inches between. This is cheap, and easy to make, 

 and gives a very warm house in a cold country. 



If a tight brick shed offers, it will, of course, be secured for 

 the poultry habitation. But let all dilapidations be well 

 repaired. 



Ventilation is scarcely ever provided for as it should be, 

 and the want of it is a fruitful source of failure and disease. 

 An ill-ventilated fowl-house must cause sickly inmates; and 

 such will never repay the proprietor. This great desideratum 

 must, however, as already observed, be secured without 



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