400 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



but one. There is a type of comb most conspicuous in Leg- 

 horns and other larg-e-combed fowls, but found in all classes 

 of fowls but those having very small combs, that I believe is 

 a sure index of lack of vitality. This is the undeveloped 

 comb that goes with a peaked-looking head on a poorly de- 

 veloped bird. It is small to medium in size, and shrivelled 

 in appearance. The small comb that still appears to be fully 

 developed is the ideal comb for the fowls of the practical 

 poultr3'man ; and if he breeds for such combs on his fowls 

 and for general hardiness, he will soon have stock of which 

 both males and females are adapted to the cold house in 

 practice. 



I have orone thus at length into this matter of size of 

 comb, because the fact that in a cold house in this climate 

 the temperature will go lower than is safe for most large- 

 combed males is the one serious objection to cold houses. 

 The other objections cannot be maintained against a test, but 

 the cold house is not a house for a male with an easily frosted 

 comb. 



The characteristic feature of the cold, thoroughly venti- 

 lated })oultry house is not so much in the method of con- 

 struction as in operation. By opening doors and windows, 

 any house can be made a cold })oultry house. A good many 

 houses built for warmth are now being used as cold houses. 

 If the owners had to build over again, they would build less 

 expensively; for there is no need of making special efforts 

 to have a building very warm, when the windows are to be 

 always open. 



The cold poultry house may be of almost any design or 

 style desired, except that ventilation should be from the 

 front of the house and the roosts at the rear ; for the pliilos- 

 oph}^ of cold housing is not to expose the fowls, as much as 

 possible, but to strike the degree of protection which is 

 sufficient for the fowls and least trouble to the keeper. 



With this article I give the plans of the houses 1 have 

 described. These are houses that suit me for flocks of the 

 numbers kept in each, and houses well adapted to farm poul- 

 try keeping. The small house, if made with closc-litting 

 joints on the back and half way forward on the sides, is warm 

 enough for (he breed 1 keep, or for hens of the American 



