304 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



slightly warm. Lime water has been frequently recommended 

 to make hens lay ; but so far as my experience goes they will 

 not drink it if they can get pure water. 



Wasli the roosts and nests in whale oil soap and an infusion 

 of tobacco, or in spirits of turpentine, to destroy vermin. 



Set hens in March and April. After the 10th of May they 

 will not do so well where you keep many hens cooped up. On 

 a farm it is not of so much consequence. But the earliest 

 chickens are the most valuable for market and for winter layers. 

 The specimens presented for exhibition are those most esteemed 

 by the subscriber ; two old hens, partly Poland, as indicated by 

 the tuft, partly native, with some Shanghai. Also a spring 

 crower of the same breed and a similar pullet with no tuft. 



Fraaiixghaji, September 20, 1858. 



Statement of F. C. Browne. 



I offer for your inspection a coop of my Bolton Grey fowls, of 

 this year's hatching. I have kept this variety for several years, 

 and find them excellent layers. The eggs of the pure Bolton 

 Greys are however rather small for market, and I prefer to have 

 them crossed to some extent. The Black Spanish Dorking, or 

 any of the large China fowls make a good cross. Perhaps the 

 best of all is that with the medium sized short-legged Cochin 

 Chinas. Also, if you wish to raise chickens, you must cross, or 

 else keep a few hens of other breeds, for the Greys rarely 

 incline to set. For myself I like that peculiarity, for I am 

 satisfied that at the prices of the last few years it pays better to 

 raise eggs than chickens. 



I cannot present a very regular balance sheet with regard to 

 these fowls, but the following is a tolerably correct estimate 

 for six months of the past season. 



Stock averaged 20 hens and pullets ; about two-thirds Boltons, 

 more or less pure ; balance of various breeds. They were kept 

 principally on corn and oats, with an occasional feed of boiled 

 potatoes, a little meat or fish once a week or so, and old mortar 

 and oyster shells constantly by them. The supply of animal 

 food I consider indispensable, if the fowls are restrained of their 

 liberty to any extent. It will increase the yield of eggs 50 per 

 cent. 



