140 FOOD OF FOWLS. 



length of time in large quantities. Muoh of 

 this might be obviated by drying them pre- 

 viously in the sun, and keeping them, in di- 

 vided parcels, in dry and cool situations. 

 They are excellent in fattening fowls, and, 

 in spite of the common belief that fat fowls 

 do not lay well, we assert that the better 

 they are fed, the more numerous, larger, and 

 better flavoured are the eggs. We believe 

 it, however, to be true, that fat hens do not 

 make very steady sitters, but this is compen- 

 sated by the increased number of eggs. 



The seeds of broom-corn, Sorghum sac- 

 charatum, are particularly relished by fowls, 

 and a bushel of them, it is said, will go as far 

 as a bushel of wheat. I am not aware that 

 they are ever offered for sale, but when the 

 plant is cultivated for brooms, it would be 

 well to preserve the seeds for feed. 



From various experiments, it would ap- 

 pear that, when as much grain is placed be- 

 fore fowls as they can eat, ten fowls will con- 

 sume a quart of grain daily. This, however, 

 only occurs when they can obtain no other 

 food. When they have the range of a large 



