304 THE COMPLETE FARMER 



them. The Canton breed is thought highly of: and it is 

 certainly desirable to have a fine large kind, but people differ 

 in thei'* opinion which is best. It is as important to cross 

 the breeds of fowls as of other animals ; hence it is improper 

 to save males and females from the same sittings of eggs, if 

 they are to be kept for propagation. The black is very 

 juicy; but do not answer so well for boiling, as their legs 

 partake of their color. They should be fed as nearly as pos- 

 sible at the same hour and place. Potatoes boiled, unskin- 

 ned, in a little water, and then cut, and either wet with 

 skimmed milk or not, form one of the best foods. Turkeys 

 and fowls thrive amazingly on them. The milk must not be 

 sour. 



The best age for setting a hen is from two to five years ; 

 and you should remark which hens make the best brooders, 

 and keep those to laying who are giddy and careless of their 

 young. In justice to the animal creation, however, it must 

 be observed, there are but few instances of bad parents for 

 the time their nursing is necessary. 



Hens sit twenty days. Convenient places should be pro- 

 vided for their laying, as these will be proper for sitting like- 

 wise. If the hen-house is not secured from vermin, the eggs 

 will be sucked and the fowls destroyed. 



Those hens are usually preferred which have tufts of 

 feathers on their heads ; those that crow are not looked upon 

 as profitable. Some fine young fowls should be reared every 

 year, to keep up a stock of good breeders; and by this at- 

 tention, and removing bad layers and careless nurses, you 

 will have a chance of a good stock. 



Let the hens lay some time before you set them, which 

 should be done from the end of February to the beginning 

 of May. While hens are laying, feed them well, and some- 

 times with oats. 



Broods of chickens are hatched all through the summer, 

 but those that come out very late require much care till they 

 have gained some strength. 



If the eggs of any sort are put under a hen with some of 

 her own, observe to add her own as manj^ days after the 

 others as there is difference in the length of their sitting. 

 A turkey and duck sit thirty days. Choose large clear eggs 

 to put her upon, and such a number as she can properly 

 cover. If very large eggs, there are sometimes two yolks, 

 and of course neither will be productive. Ten or twelve are 

 quite enough. 



