LESSONS IN AGRICULTURE 



requirements are: (1) A well-drained soil. (2) Houses 

 should face the south or southeast, as the coldest winds 

 are thus shut off and the most sunshine is secured. (3) 

 Cleanliness is absolutely necessary. Houses should be 

 constructed so that they can be sprayed or whitewashed 

 easily. The best method is to have every thing remov- 

 able so that scalding water and sunshine can be used 

 as cleansing agents when necessary. Feed hoppers, 

 nest racks and other appliances should hang on the wall 

 or stand on blocks. (4) Ventilation should be secured 

 either by open-front houses or by some ventilator of 

 approved design. (5) There should be no draft on the 

 fowls at night. Perches should be placed in the most 

 protected parts of the house. (6) Since exercise is 

 necessary, both for egg production and for health, a 

 place for scratching should be provided a place where 

 they can get to dry dirt and wallow in it. Dust acts as 

 a sort of insect powder, filling up the insects' breathing 

 pores, and thus keeps the chickens free from lice. The 

 chickens may be forced to exercise by scratching in 

 chaff or straw for their food, or jumping for bites of 

 cabbage or beets hanging over them. 



Breeds of fowls. The varieties of fowls selected for 

 farm use will depend largely on the purposes for which 

 they are grown. Breeds such as the Leghorns and 

 Minorcas are desirable for their laying qualities; the 

 Brahmas and Cochins, for their meat ; and the Plymouth 

 Rock, the Wyandottes, and the Orpingtons, for general 

 purposes, giving good returns both as layers and for 

 meat production. The bulletins named below will be 



