9 POULTRY BREEDING IN 



of earth, and of the disposal of the tainted without caus- 

 ing a nuisance by its accumulation. In this, also, Nature 

 comes to our assistance : we know that by growing vege- 

 tables in manure-tainted land they absorb and feed on the 

 noxious gases, and give out in return oxygen gas, so es- 

 sential to the health of animal life. Thousands of tons 

 of manure, decaying vegetable and animal matters, are 

 annually buried in the earth ; and yet how sweet the air 

 of the fields ! Therefore, if by growing vegetables we can 

 convert an expensive and objectionable material into a 

 beneficial and profitable one, should we not be to blame 

 were we not to take advantage of what we are offered by 

 Nature ? Next comes the land necessary for the poultry 

 homes. In a sanitary point of view, these buildings ought 

 to stand at least fifty feet apart, to allow for an efficient 

 supply of fresh air, light, and sun ; ought we to lose the 

 advantage of rendering profitable land so conveniently 

 situated, when three fourths of the poultry food should 

 consist of green vegetables? The poultry homes must 

 also be heated by hot-water pipes in winter ; and why 

 should we not render them serviceable in summer for 

 irrigating or watering the land between the buildings? 

 Lastly, why should the laborers of the poultry estab- 

 lishment not be profitably employed in their leisure time 

 in attending on the adjacent land ? 



VEGETABLE GROWING OR MARKET GARDENING, 



I believe, is generally admitted to be highly profitable, 

 and that a quick succession of crops can only be obtained 

 from a plentiful supply of rich manure. 



