HEALTH, &C. 35 



flesh, which is of a loose flabby texture and ordinary 

 flavour. 



The HEALTH of fowls is observable in the fresh and 

 florid colour of the comb, and the brightness and dry- 

 ness of the eyes, the nostrils being free from any 

 discharge, and the plumage of a healthy gloss. The 

 most useful cock is generally a bold, active, and savage 

 bird, cruel and destructive to his hens, in his fits of 

 passion, if not well watched, and even to his own 

 offspring. Hens above the common size of their 

 respective varieties, are by no means preferable either 

 as layers or sitters. The indications of OLD AGE are 

 paleness of the comb and gills, dullness of colour, a 

 sort of stiffness in the down and feathers, length and 

 size of talons, and the scales upon the legs becoming 

 large and prominent. 



The NUMBER, of hens to one cock, four to six, the 

 latter being the extreme number, with a view of mak- 

 ing the utmost advantage. Ten and even twelve hens 

 have been formerly allowed to one cock, but the pro- 

 duce of eggs and chickens under such an arrangement 

 will seldom equal that to be obtained from the smaller 

 number of hens. Every one is aware that the spring 

 is the best season to commence breeding with poultry, 

 and, in truth, it scarcely matters how early, presup- 

 posing the best food, accommodation, and attendance, 

 under which, hens may be permitted to sit in January ; 

 but the attempt to rear winter chickens in this climate, 

 even in a carpeted room and with a constant fire, 

 would, in all probability, be found abortive. I have 

 repeatedly made the experiment with some scores, 

 without being able to preserve an individual through 

 c 6 



