No. 4.] POULTRY KEEPING ON THE FARM. 343 



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 slanting board cover, A box for holding a con- 

 stant supply of oyster shells and grit may be hung at the 

 side of the room. I hope that this rough sketch of a plan 

 has made plain the desirabilit}' 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 sun- 

 shine in some part of the house throughout 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 mentioned, be neatly and eco- 

 nomically enclosed by special poultry fencing, w'hich, for 

 most satisfactory results, should be G 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 

 purpose, 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 i)Osts. 



