16 



ing is then laid over the roof boards, and a double course of 

 shingles laid along the lower edge of the roof. The object of this 

 course of shingles is to throw the water from the roof away from 

 the house. The roof is then covered with Paroid, carefully put 

 on and allowed to project a few inches at the ends. This flap 

 will eventually be turned in and held in place by the finish. 



The house is supposed to face south. There are two win- 

 dows, one on the south side and one on the east end. There is 

 a door in front, and a panel in the rear which can be raised or 

 lowered at will to let the hens out into the yard. After the house 

 is finished all the outside woodwork receives a coat of dark green 

 paint, which forms an effective contrast with the brick-red of the 

 Neponset paper. Indeed, all who see the house remark how neat 

 and pretty it is. 



INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION. 



The interior of the house is of the very simplest. I have 

 learned from hard experience to have as little furniture in a hen 

 house as possible, and that many of the things advertised as 

 helps for the poultrymen are really hindrances. The house, as I 

 have said, faces the south. The roosts, instead of being in the 

 rear, as is commonly the case, are in the west end, away from all 

 possibility of draughts. The roost platform is two feet and a 

 half above the floor, and is constructed of dry matched pine 

 boards, which I get from old dry goods boxes. The platform, as 

 soon as built, is covered with a coat of hot tar. There are two 

 roosts, or perches, parallel and on the same level. I forgot to say 

 that the roost platform is three feet wide, which enables me to 

 place my perches one foot apart, and one foot from the back wall 

 and one foot from the edge of the platform. The perches are of 

 spruce, 2x3, with the upper end slightly rounded, and set in sock- 

 ets cut out of boards. They are removable. The perches are 

 also covered with hot tar, as are the sockets in which they are set. 

 Red mites let my houses severely alone. 



The materials used in the house are as follows : Hemlock 

 boards, 500 feet ; matched pine for doors, trimmings, etc., 60 feet ; 

 frame (board measure), 100 feet; windows; Neponset black 

 sheathing, 250 feet; Neponset red rope, 250 f eet: Paroid, 100 feet; 

 hardware, etc. The cost of such a house, exclusive of labor, in 

 New Hampshire to-day would be not far from $20. Two men, 

 working together, can complete the house in two days. Such a 



