THE PREPARATION, ETC., OF FOOD. 95 



tites, or treat them with too much consideration ; and 

 as soon as they get old enough to swallow, first 

 crushed and then whole maize (the small round sort), 

 and barley, that they get. They have to rough it upon 

 that diet as best they can ; and the result is suffi- 

 ciently satisfactory to justify me in recommending 

 such a plain, straightforward course to other people. 



I have not hitherto laid sufficient stress upon the 

 desirability of the admixture of a due proportion of 

 powdered sulphur in the food, more especially during 

 the prevalence of hot weather. This should be admi- 

 nistered every other day, or at all events twice a 

 week. Care should be taken to see that the sulphur 

 is very finely powdered, as the swallowing of a little 

 lump of the same by a very young chick might be pro- 

 ductive of very disastrous results. The quantity 

 given to very young birds should be minute, ranging 

 upwards as they grow, until for a quart pot mixture of 

 food you should add as much of the sulphur as will lie 

 upon a penny piece. It is better to intermingle the 

 dry powdered sulphur with some meal, thoroughly mix 

 it up, and then incorporate the whole with the rice. 



