200 PROPER FOOD FOR FOWLS. 



they found the lime had harden-ed, ami was so incorporated with the 

 shells, that they were obliged to break the lime with a hatchet, which 

 demolished the wall and eggs at the same time ! 



For many years the following compound has been recom- 

 mended, with slight variations, until every man, woman and 

 child in the land has probably read, or heard of it : 



" To a bushel of quick lime, add two or three pounds of 

 salt, and half a pound of cream of tartar." Water is added, 

 of course, to make a thick pickle, into which the eggs are 

 placed. The provision dealers of New York, formerly laid 

 down large quantities of eggs in this way, but many were lost. 

 I have seen hogsheads filled with eggs, and covered with this 

 compound, and sometimes not one in five can be used, when 

 kept nine or ten mouths. 



I have had better success with common fine salt alone. I 

 take a clean tub or barrel, and put in a layer of salt, so that 

 the eggs may be set up on their small ends, and after covering 

 the surface with a compact tier, thus set, I put in more salt, 

 and proceed as before, ad cover the last tier with a solid coat 

 of salt an inch thick, well packed down, then I tie two or 

 three large newspapers over the top, then put on the lid, and 

 the eggs keep six months in very good condition. 



PROPER FOOD FOR FOWLS. 



The principle food for fowls should be Indian corn,, in some 

 shape, sometimes whole, sometimes cracked, sometimes ground 

 to meal, and occasionally ground with the cob. Then you 

 want oats, buckwheat, and any other grain you please, but tho 

 three kinds here named constitute a good supply for the exten- 

 sive breeder. Besides the above grains, you should be prepared 

 to furnish a mess of boiled potatoes, or other vegetables, several 

 times a week, and mixed with meal of some kind ; and be 

 careful to change the diet of your fowls often. In the laying 

 season, a solid feed of shelled corn, fed profusely, is too heating, 

 and boiled potatoes, when fed to excess, are too laxative. The 

 careful breeder will always guard against these results, by 

 watching the condition of his fowls. If laxative, a change of 

 food is to be given at once, of a more solid nature. A little 

 rye or wheat is an excellent change in such cases. If costive, 

 a boiled mash of potatoes will generally be a remedy. 



