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lowing is a very convenient plan for adjusting the nests. For 

 entrances, between the tAvo apartments have two small doors, suffi- 

 ciently large tor the passage of the fowls ; one at each end of the 

 lath partition. The nests should be placed in rows, above each 

 other, and accessible by hen ladders ; they should be boarded up 

 on the side next the main passage-way of the building, and sepa- 

 rated from each other by board partitions. Small baskets are 

 most suitable for nests, being easily removed and cleaned, in case 

 lice or other vermin have talcen up their cpiarters in them, to the 

 annoyance of the fowls. These baskets should have a liberal 

 allowance of clean, ahort straw, or moss, and in each a " nest 

 egg" of wood, turned into the shape of an egg, and painted white. 

 1 he boards, behind each row of nests, should be hung on hinges, 

 for greater.convenience in changing or preparing the nests, and 

 for the removal of the eggs, which should always be soon after the 

 foiols have gone to roost, in the evening. The poultry house and 

 the fence (which should be about twelve feet high, made of laths,) 

 around the yard being built, the next step is the choice of fowls. 

 The female should be not less than one year, nor more than three 

 years old. She should be nervous and noisy ; and, if intended 

 for a breeder, of large body and wide wings. The male should be 

 about two years old, of perfect health, full bodied, broad chested, 

 nervous and courageous, yet kind and attentive to the females; 

 he is too old if more than three years of age. If the flock is in- 

 tended for breeding purposes, at least one male should be pro- 

 vided for every ten females ; but, if eggs are desired more than 

 chickens, perhaps two cocks for fifty hens will be enough ; indeed, 

 some poulterers affirm that they get more eggs from hens where 

 no cock is kept, than otherwise. Be this as it may, few cocks 

 should be kept with laying hens, as their presence rather induces 

 or stimulates their sitting propensities. 



The poultry house prepared and the flock selected, the farmer 

 should see that they have proper care and food ; that unhealthy 

 fowls are restored or removed ; that those hens which incline to 

 sit are provided with eggs ; and that the chickens when hatched 

 are taken proper care of. Fowls in confinement require an 

 abundance of pure water ; — ashes, to dust themseb'es in, and 

 nourishing food. Of .grain, equal parts, each, of Indian corn and 

 oats is very acceptable ; at least three times a week, scraps of 

 meat should be thrown in to them, and a supply of crushed oyster 

 shells or clam shells should be accessible at all times. Green 

 sods also thrown frequently into the fowl yard will be of great ad- 

 vantage. These few attentions are all that are necessarv with 

 laying hens. 



With sitting fowls, care should be taken that they are really in 

 sitting heat. They ofcen manifest a desire to sit, remain on the 



