f2o THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



40 sheep is also kept to keep the grass down, being changed 

 from pen to pen as required. The land is part gravel, but 

 mostly strong clay. It is well drained, and clumps of ever- 

 greens are planted in many runs, while others are shaded 

 by hedges. The fences vary from 5 feet to 6 feet high, and 

 are of wire netting, 2-inch mesh and No. 18 gauge, on posts 

 12 feet apart, with barbed wire at the top to keep it taut. 

 There are six miles of this fencing, and about a hundred 

 hen houses, besides small ones and sheds. Water is laid on 

 every pen in iron pipes from a spring ; the cost of this, of 

 wells, and drainage, was heavy, but it is considered well 

 spent, as once laid on the water requires no attention and is 

 always fresh. 



The houses cost about ^3 each. The roofs are all 

 double-boarded with a space of three inches between, which 

 in winter is stuffed with hay : this keeps cold out, and is 

 considered a very successful method. Wire and wood for 

 fencing costs about $ more per pen of a quarter acre. 

 The total cost of fitting up, draining, and stocking, is 

 reckoned at about ,3,000. Without going into precise 

 details, it may be stated that the Northallerton farm was 

 purchased out of the proceeds of the former one in Wensley- 

 dale ; has been fitted up and improved out of its own 

 proceeds (again the u pay as they go" principle) ; and is now 

 clear, with a good balance in the bank, "all out of poultry 

 farming" as Mr. Hunter himself writes us. There are now 

 four regular assistants, with other occasional help, chiefly in 

 the hay season. The fowls are fed on soft food in morning 

 and grain at night, chiefly wheat, short oats, and Indian 

 corn for the light breeds only. In winter a horse is used 

 about every week, boiled down and mixed with the soft 

 food. The average cost of food per bird on, this farm, 

 including flint and shell grit, which is purchased for them, 

 is reckoned at about 55. per annum. 



