MANUAL ON POULTRY. 35 



dry, and the birds are fed in a hard, gravelly yard, the food is just 

 as well, or better, thrown on the ground/' 



If, however, such ground is not accessible, or if fed in a shed, a 

 vessel protected by wire or slats driven around it to prevent them 

 from walking over the food or scratching it out will be better. 



As before remarked, pure water is as important as good food. 

 The water vessel should be so constructed that the fowls cannot 

 scratch dirt into it. There are several forms of poultry fountains 

 which answer well for this purpose. 



Tonics and disinfectants can be administered in the drinking 

 water. On this subject Mr. Wright says : "It is well in winter to 

 add to the water a few drops of a solution of sulphate of iron (green 

 vitrol), jnst enough to give a slight mineral taste. This will in 

 a great measure guard against roup, and act as a bracing tonic gen- 

 erally. The rusty appearance the water will assume is quite imma- 

 terial. The best plan, perhaps, is to keep a large bottle of the 

 .celebrated "Douglas Mixture," respecting which we can speak with 

 unqualified approval, as a most valuable addition to the drink in 

 <jold weather of both fowls and chickens. It consists of half a 

 pound of sulphate of iron and one ounce of sulphuric acid dis- 

 solved in two gallons of water ; and is to be added in the propor- 

 tion of a tea-spoonful to each pint of water in the fountain. Whilst 

 the fowls are moulting, the above mixture, or a little sulphate of 

 iron, should always be used ; it will assist them greatly through 

 this, the most critical period of the whole year. 



"A little hemp-seed^should also be given every day at this season, 

 at least to all fowls of value ; and with these aids, and a little pep- 

 per on their food, with perhaps a little extra meat, or even a little 

 ale during the few weeks the process lasts, there will rarely le any 

 lost. With hardy kinds and good shelter such precautions are scarcely 

 necessary, but they cost little, and have their effect also on the early 

 recommencement of laying. 



" In addition to their regular food it will be needful that the fowls 

 have a supply of lime, in some shape or other, to form the shells of 

 their eggs. Old mortar pounded is excellent ; so are oyster-shells 

 well burned in the fire and pulverized ; of the latter they are very 

 fond, and it is an excellent plan to keep a saucer full of it in their 

 yard. If this matter has been neglected, and soft shell-less eggs 



