6 PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. 



as breeders, with little, if any, regard to consanguinity. 

 Keep an unlimited supply of cracked corn before them 

 until they are large enough to eat it whole, when it may 

 be given them uncracked. This, with grass, is their 

 main diet. Give also some variety with a little animal 

 food. The pullets should begin to lay early in October, 

 when they should have a plenty of fish waste, and lime 

 in some form, in addition to the grain. In twelve 

 months from the time they begin to lay they should 

 produce one hundred and fifty eggs each, and if prop- 

 erly cared for they might do more. As soon as the 

 hens stop laying and begin to moult, kill and sell them. 

 The white Leghorns are always ready for the table. 



I do not know that this movable coop has been 

 tried on a large scale ; but there seems to be no reason 

 why it should not prove successful. Grass will grow 

 wonderfully under it ; and this could be used either for 

 soiling or for hay. Some other conveniences would, 

 of course, be necessary in winter. 



A coop of the above-mentioned size would accom- 

 modate twelve laying hens ; and four of them, with forty- 

 eight hens, would probably do better than the same 

 number in the enclosure plan, and avoid the necessary 

 investment for fences and repairs. Some say poultry 

 in such confinement, when all their wants are supplied, 

 will pay better than when running at liberty, . either in 

 growth, fat, or eggs ; and it is probably true. 



Now, if one coop will succeed, or if one enclosure 

 like that described will succeed, what conceivable rea- 

 son is there why any number should not? We all know 

 that success in anything depends as much upon details 



