4 BOXES. 



accidentally break in: and there should only be one 

 long and level range of perches, because, when 

 these are placed one above another, the fowls dung 

 upon each other: convenient steps driven into the 

 walls, will render easy the ascent of the poultry to 

 their perches ; but care must be taken that the mis- 

 take be not made of placing these steps immediately 

 one over the other, but in such wise, that they can 

 jump from one to the other. 



Boxes, of which every carpenter knows the form, 

 are to be arranged round the walls, and it is proper 

 to have a sufficient number, the hens being apt to 

 dispute possession, and sit one upon another; the 

 steps will lead equally to these as to the perches. 

 The board, or step at the entrance, to be of suffi- 

 cient height to prevent the eggs from rolling out. 

 Provision of a few railed doors may be made, for 

 occasional use, to be hung before the entrance, in 

 order to prevent other hens from intruding to lay 

 their eggs upon those which sit, a habit to which 

 some are much addicted, and by which a brood is 

 often injured. '1 he common deep square boxes, 

 uncovered at top, are extremely improper, because 

 that form obliges the hen to jump down upon her 

 eggs; whereas for safety, she should descend upon 

 them from a very small height, or in a manner walk 

 in upon them. The same objection lies against 

 hampers, with the additional one of the wicker-work 

 admitting the cold, in variable weather, in winter 

 or early spring sittings. It ought to be noted like- 

 wise, that many breeders prefer to have all their 

 nests upon the ground, on account of the danger 



