No. 4.] POULTRY KEEPING ON THE FARM. 339 



means of tiles, and thus avoid the surplus moisture which 

 seems to favor the development of influenza and roup in 

 poultry. 



The atmospheric drainage is something equally important, 

 though not often taken into account. Every one has noticed, 

 in travelling over the roads, up hill and down dale, in the 

 old Bay State, that the cool and often chilly, moist, heavy 

 air settles to the lower places, and tends to remain there. 

 Fowls should live where the air surrounding them is at least 

 fairly dry, even during the wet, stormy weather of the cooler 

 seasons. The inclemencies of the weather, especially the 

 extreme and sudden changes in temperature during the win- 

 ter and spring, even in the best locations, test severely the 

 strength of constitution of both feathered and unfeathered 

 bipeds here in New England. Violent winds add greatly to 

 the discomfort of fowls, if they are exposed to them. Where 

 the houses and yards are frequently swept by searching 

 winds, the fowls abandon the runs, neglect healthful, out- 

 door exercise and huddle stupidly in their houses. It is also 

 undesirable to confine the poultry where in the hot weather 

 the air stagnates, and the sun beats down into the unpro- 

 tected yards or close houses. Both the cold of winter and 

 the heat of summer must be tempered for the comfort of the 

 birds, if they are to thrive and do well for their owner. 

 Shade must therefore not be forgotten in locating the yards 

 or the ranges and the houses. Oftentimes the hen house 

 can be placed where the apple orchard or some group of 

 trees will furnish both shade and shelter. Fowls delight in 

 the conditions found beneath low-growing pines and other 

 evergreens. 



Fenced Runs and Free Range. 

 One thing had best be definitely settled before attempting 

 to keep poultry on the farm. The fowls should not be 

 allowed to run at will within the garden or in and about the 

 farm buildings. Nothing is more aggravating or disgusting 

 than to have the nice vegetables or beautitiil flowers scratched 

 up, and the doorsteps, the porch, the paths and the farm 

 machines and vehicles fouled with poultry droppings. Sepa- 

 rate the poultry also from the other live stock of the farm. 



