210 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



The Legliorn requires pretty warm quarters in winter to save 

 its comb and wattles from freezing, and causes trouble by its 

 nervous restlessness. Apart from these peculiarities, we know 

 of no better fowl to keep. 



Of the new French fowls now so much sought after by ama- 

 teurs, without regard to cost, we have had no experience. It 

 is said that La Fleche, Le Crevecceur, and the Houdan, are 

 wonderful layers, besides being in all other respects excellent. 

 How they may develop their qualities in this country will soon 

 be determined by experiment. Meanwhile we have only noticed 

 the leading varieties of established reputation in this vicinity. 



THE COOP OR HENERY. 



The thing of first importance to be attended to in the keeping 

 of fowls is to have a suitable house for their accommodation. 

 However much care may be taken in the rearing and feeding 

 of fowls, the results may be wholly unsatisfactory unless the 

 coop is convenient and comfortable. And the general condi- 

 tions of convenience and comfort can be complied with in a 

 common, cheap coop, nearly as well as in an expensive henery. 



In the first place, the hen-house should be dry. It should be 

 warm and dry in winter, and cool and dry in summer. There 

 should be no standing water or wet places in the coop, or any- 

 thing to occasion much moisture, like sink-drains or emptyings. 

 It is very injurious to fowls to get a wet chill. Even the cold 

 of winter, when dry, is less prejudicial to their health than 

 dampness in warmer weather. They should not be exposed 

 to long summer rains, but should have a ready shelter from 

 such exposures. 



It is well to have an enclosure where the fowls can scratch 

 in the gravel, and a hen-house (with a floor) connected with it 

 which they can enter at night or in stormy weather. This 

 house should contain large windows or glass sides to admit 

 the sun in winter, and it will be better if it can face the south 

 and be protected on the cold side by some other building or 

 warm structure. 



But if this henery should be warm in winter, it also should 

 not be too warm in summer. It is therefore necessary to have 

 some simple means of ventilation, and this should be at the 



