108 BREEDING AND EXHIBITION OF PRIZE POULTRY. 



hens were set in single detached coops, roofed on top, and 

 closed at back and sides, placed in any secluded spots amongst 

 the trees. Under this management the chickens were reared 

 with the greatest ease, the gloss on the plumage was exquisite, 

 its closeness approaching that of the Game fowl, whilst the 

 birds, never too fat for the highest health, were always sur- 

 prisingly heavy in the scales. 



A similar plan may be pursued on a farm ; a number of 

 wooden portable houses being provided, and placed in separate 

 fields, in which families may be kept. Such a system will be 

 an actual benefit to the soil, as already pointed out in a 

 previous chapter; and the only drawback is the facility it 

 affords to the felonious abstraction of valuable esres and 



OO 



stock. Still, even with this objection, we must pronounce 

 such a natural method of rearing far the best where it can be 

 adopted, which is, however, in few instances ; for farmers are 

 only seldom poultry-fanciers, and usually look upon even 

 ordinary fowls as an unprofitable drain upon their purses. 



The intending prize-winner must, of course, adapt the 

 plan of his yard to his own circumstances and situation. We 

 have given ample materials to furnish a design of any possible 

 character. The one necessity in this class of poultry-keeping 

 is some facility for what may be called separation or selection, 

 combined, of course, with a healthy run for the chickens whilst 

 young, and the essentials mentioned in the first chapter. If 

 these can be secured, any plan, with care and attention, and 

 good breeding stock, will ensure a fair measure of success. 



CHAPTER XI. 



ON THE SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



To obtain any marked success in poultry exhibition, it is very 

 necessary that the scientific theoiy of breeding for any specific 

 object should be thoroughly understood at least, if anything 

 like eminence be expected ; and still more so if the fancier 



