30 BOXES. 



then more out of the reach of vermin, should any 

 accidentally break in : and there should be only one 

 long and level range of perches, because when these 

 are placed one above another, the fowls dung upon 

 each other: convenient steps driven into the walls, 

 will render easy the ascent of the poultry to their 

 perches ; but care must be taken that the mistake be 

 not made of placing these steps immediately one over 

 the other, but in such wise, that they can jump from 

 one to the other. 



Boxes, of which every carpenter knows the form, 

 are to be arranged round the walls, and it is proper 

 to have a sufficient number, the hens being apt to 

 dispute possession, and sit one upon another ; the 

 steps will lead equally to these as to the perches. 

 The board, or step at the entrance, to be of suffi- 

 cient height to prevent the eggs from rolling out. 

 Provision of a few railed doors may be made, for 

 occasional use, to be hung before the entrance, in 

 order to prevent other hens from intruding to lay 

 their eggs upon those which sit, a habit to which 

 some are much addicted, and by which a brood is 

 often injured. The common deep square boxes, un- 

 covered at top, are extremely improper, because that 

 form obliges the hen to jump down upon her eggs ; 

 whereas for safety she should descend upon them 

 from a very small height, or in a manner walk in 

 upon them. The same objection lies against hampers, 

 with the additional one of the wicker-work admit- 

 ting the cold, in variable weather, in winter or early 

 spring sittings. Some breeders prefer to have all 

 their nests upon the ground, on account of the danger 



