POULTRY KEEPING 251 



fully fed, poultry of larger size will often sell profitably 

 during the fall and early winter. 



During the summer chickens do best if allowed full 

 freedom, and by growing such crops as asparagus, 

 (Fig. 86), fruit trees and the bush fruits only, a full 

 range may be given by keeping them in small colony 

 houses (Figs. 80, 81) at night. They cannot be given 

 range where succulent market-garden crops are grown 

 unless these crops are fenced in. 



FIG. 86 Poultry in the Asparagus Field. 



Among the fruits mentioned fowls will destroy all 

 kinds of insects, will more or less cultivate the ground, 

 and add much to the fertility of the soil. If the colony 

 houses are placed on open land and are frequently 

 moved, as they should be, areas sufficiently large for 

 cultivation would soon be covered, and very large crops 

 of vegetables or fruits could be grown on this in rotation. 

 If the colony houses are large they should be built on 

 shoes or skids, so as to be moved with horses. In loca- 

 tions at some distance from the main building a sharp 



