48 



to prevent their flying away. We do not know that any one 

 thinks that they are any better than the old domestic goose. 



Byron Goodell, of South Danvers, sent one pair of wild 

 geese. 



There were two lots of ducks shown. We have the im- 

 pression that ducks are such great consumers that they cannot 

 be profitably kept unless a person is favorably located for the 

 purpose. Their rapid growth and early maturity enables some 

 to raise them with profit. 



We found a good show of hens. The most numerous were 

 the Brahma Pootra. Of the comparative merits of the differ- 

 ent breeds, we speak only as far as our own observation has 

 gone. 



The black Spanish are great layers. We have found one 

 objection to them — the young hens will not sit long enough to 

 hatch the eggs, but are sure to sit so as to spoil them, and 

 then desert. 



The Brahma Pootra are quiet in their habits ; not so much 

 disposed to ramble as some other breeds. ^ 



In selecting hens, we prefer the yellow-legged and medium- 

 sized, if we wish to raise chickens for early market. 



The profit or loss of keeping hens, depends not so much 

 upon the breed, or the cost of food given, as the care bestowed 

 upon them ; and this remark will apply to all the animals 

 upon the farm. 



When hens are kept confined, they need a variety of food 

 to make them lay, — grain, vegetables, and animal food of some 

 kind, must be furnished, or they will cease laying, — and they 

 need something to enable them to form the shell ; bones, 

 oysters shells, or lime in some form, must be given them. 

 Some think that the soil and the grain contain sufiicient quan- 

 tity of lime for this purpose ; but our experience has led us to 

 the conclusion that they need lime in some form. We know 

 that Nature has made provision for this want, by enabling the 

 hen to draw from her system for the supply — and when left to 

 follow her natural instincts, she will not suffer for the want of 



