54 OYSTER-SHELLS. 



We have now the needful apparatus for 

 keeping them constantly supplied with food 

 and water. There are, however, other sub- 

 stances which are almost as essential for 

 their comfort and vigorous health. The 

 first of these is lime. This may be either 

 pounded oyster or clam shells, of which 

 they are very fond ; or, if these cannot be 

 obtained, refuse slacked lime, or old mor- 

 tar. Of all the substitutes for lime, oyster- 

 shells are the best and most preferred by 

 poultry, as they contain, in addition, the 

 most animal matter. In a poultry-yard of 

 a hundred fowls, it will be found that they 

 will consume daily, if properly broken, the 

 shells of ten or twelve moderately-sized 

 oysters. Coarse gravel is also much re- 

 quired, and fine sand, and when this latter 

 cannot be procured, finely-sifted ashes. It 

 has a neat and tidy appearance to keep all 

 these articles in separate boxes about two 

 feet square, and I have found it advanta- 

 geous to place them together with the feed- 

 ing-hopper and the water-tank, and a few 

 secret nests, to be hereafter described, in the 



