36 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY 



grinding up the food. We have seen fowls ailing from 

 apparently this simple neglect alone. Flint grit is easiest to 

 obtain, but some of that sold is too large and too sharp, and 

 has been proved sometimes to lacerate the viscera. The 

 best way is to make a few flints red-hot, and throw them into 

 cold water ; they will then pound up more easily, and in 

 better condition. 



Cleanliness in the house and run has already been 

 insisted upon, and is only again alluded to on account of 

 the value of the manure. This, collected daily, should be 

 put in any convenient receptacle where it can be kept dry, 

 and either used in the garden or if possible sold. It pays 

 best to use it where possible. It should always be mixed 

 with dry earth, soot, or fine dry ashes, before using, being 

 very strong, and is especially valuable for all plants of the 

 cabbage kind ; it is also excellent for growing strawberries, 

 or indeed almost anything if sufficiently diluted. If there 

 be no possibility of so using it, it is valued by such nursery- 

 men and gardeners as know its value ; but there is often 

 difficulty in finding those who do, and getting a fair price. 

 There has been much dispute about this, and we have 

 known the stored or half-dry manqre 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 page 97. 

 Sometimes it will be taken by a nurseryman or gardener in 

 part payment for things bought or work done. It should 

 be used to profit in some way if possible. 



Where a considerable number of fowls are killed 

 annually, the feathers also become of value, and may be 

 preserved. They are very easily dressed. 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 



