COCKS. 37 



more than three years. In choosing b tween 

 two cocks, Parmentier proposes a pi' a which 

 he says was first suggested to him ] y a lady. 

 Make them fight, and select the victor. Some 

 cocks are peevish and quarrelsome, beating 

 and annoying the hens on all occasions. If 

 they are favourites, pass one of their feet 

 through a hole in a piece of leather : this 

 has the effect of rendering them quiet and 

 tractable ; but a far better method is to ex- 

 change them away, or otherwise dispose of 

 them, as soon as possible. 



The due proportion of cocks to hens is not 

 yet settled, and, indeed, must vary with the 

 climate. The old rule was one to ten or 

 twelve, but it has recently been maintained 

 that there should be one cock to four or six 

 hens. Where the chief intention is to raise 

 chickens, and the quantity of eggs is a mat- 

 ter of less importance, this proportion may 

 be, in these latitudes, near the truth. When, 

 however, it is recollected that cocks con- 

 sume an enormous quantity of food, it would 

 seem desirable to reduce them within the 

 mallest possible limits. The peace and 



