33 



wide, with sides 3 or 4 inches high. For holding the drinking 

 water an iron or earthenware dish with flaring sides answers 

 nicely. It may be placed on a little platform raised a few inches 

 above the floor, and may be protected by a hinged frame with 

 slatted sides and a slauting board cover. A box for holding a 

 constant supply of oyster shells and grit may be hung at the side 

 of the room. 1 hope that this rough sketch of a plan has made 

 plain the desirability of so constructing a poultry house that the 

 whole floor space will be available for use by the hens ; that it will 

 catch the first rays of the sun in the morning, and, unless clouds 

 interfere, be blessed by sunshine in some part of the house through- 

 out the day ; that the house may be tightly closed and yet well 

 lighted in stormy or cold weather ; that it may be opened in front 

 on warm days in winter and thrown widely open on three sides in 

 the hot summer weather. 



The Yards. 



If the fowls are not to be allowed free range, then double yards 

 should be provided, — that is, two yards for each house or pen of 

 fowls. This plan allows the poultryman to cultivate the soil and 

 grow a crop of green grain in one yard while the other is in use 

 by the fowls. The ground is thus frequently freshened and green 

 food is supplied to the fowls. The yards may, as already men- 

 tioned, be neatly and economically enclosed by special poultry 

 fencing, which, for most satisfactory results, should be 6 feet in 

 height. For the kind of fencing described, cedar or chestnut 

 posts, 5 or 6 inches in diameter, should be set at least 2 feet 

 deep in the ground, about 15 feet apart. Gates wide enough to 

 admit a horse and cultivator should be made for the yards. 

 Frames of wood covered with wire netting will answer the pur- 

 pose, or very neat iron gates may be purchased to match the 

 fences. They should be placed conveniently near the house, and 

 be connected by good strong hinges and latches to stout, erect, 

 firmly set posts. 



Can the Hens' Home be made Attractive in Appearance? 

 Instead of being a blot on the landscape and a disgrace to the 

 farm, the poultry house and yards should be made attractive to 

 the eye. The shingles may be left to nature, to be weather tinted 

 in simple gray, or may with creosote stain be given any color 

 desired to harmonize with the surroundings. The necessity of 

 shade in summer gives opportunity for pleasing effects in the 

 arrangement of trees and vines in the yards and about the houses. 

 Advantage may be gained by the use of fruit-bearing plants for 



