FEEDING OF POULTRY. 71 



they can be fatted, probably, quicker and more economically 

 upon corn or corn-meal, heated, than upon any other sub- 

 stance ; but as far as my experience has gone, it is not 

 advisable to feed corn if you wish to get the largest number 

 of eggs ; it induces too great fat, especially if the hens are 

 kept in some confinement. Hens that are allowed the whole 

 range of the farm may be fed upon almost anything. They 

 run off what little extra fat they get, perhaps, by eating too 

 much corn ; but poultry that are confined, or partially con- 

 fined, ought not to be fed too much upon corn. Oats, or any 

 of the smaller grains, and vegetables, potatoes, fish, and that 

 class of food, it seems to me, are very much better. 



As far as the feeding of fresh or cured rowen or young 

 clover is concerned, I have no doubt that what Mr. Felch has 

 said is correct. 



Question. Is there any danger of making White Leghorns 

 so fat by feeding them on corn that they cannot fly ? 



Mr. Felch. I don't think you can give them anything 

 that will fat them so that they cannot run or fly. But as egg 

 producers, there is no question that the White Leghorn family 

 is the best. They will forage for themselves, and pretty 

 thoroughly, and they are stronger in their feet than the 

 Asiatic breeds, if we are to judge by the damage they will 

 do in the garden. 



Question. Do you have bottoms to your coops? 



Mr. Felch. I do not. I have simply platforms for early 

 spring, on which to place the coops, in the summer allowing 

 them to set on the ground. 



Question. How do you feed the clover rowen? 



Mr. Felch. After curing it becomes brittle ; simply feed 

 in a rick, as to stock. If it is cut up too fine, and fed care- 

 lessly, they will waste it. 



Mr. . I had two hens that destroyed themselves by 



eating rowen this last season. 



Mr. Felch. Clover rowen is very brittle. It is not like 

 the second crop of herdsgrass. 



Question. Which is best, the Brown or White Leghorn? 



Mr. Felch. I do not think any one would say one was 

 better than the other. 



