142 AGRICULTURE. 



call "strong meat." For their good health they need also 

 some green food. The shells of their eggs are largely com- 

 posed of lime, therefore we must give them mineral matter, 

 especially when more or less shut in and when the ground is 

 covered with snow. They are fitted by nature for picking out 

 the richest food, such as insects and small seeds. 



The health of the fowls depends greatly upon having a 

 variety of clean food to eat, clean water to drink, clean places 

 in which to roost and nest. The fowls keep their coats and 

 skins clean of insects by dusting, as do many other animals. 



Because of the rich food, such as grains and insects, 

 which fowls feed upon, we may expect the droppings to be 

 rich in fertilizing material. The richest manure made upon 

 the farm is that from fowls. It should be carefully saved and 

 used where it will do most good. The use of gypsum or sifted 

 coal ashes about the hennery, especially under the perches, 

 (not common lime or wood ashes) will keep the buildings 

 clean and sweet. In washing the buildings with lime or other 

 disinfectant, the orchard spray pump may be used. 



EGGS. A good flock of laying hens should lay on the 

 average ten dozen eggs each. The egg consists of the shell, 

 which is porous, the lining or membrane, the " white " or 

 albumen, and the yolk. 



Can you give any reason for some birds' eggs being nearly spherical in 

 shape, and others oval like hens' eggs ? 



In which end is the air chamber of an eg% ? 



Why is a stale egg lighter than a fresh egg ? 



What is meant by " candling " eggs ? 



Why is the shell porous ? 



Why does the setting hen turn the eggs under her ? 



What is an incubator ? 



How long does it take to hatch a chick from an egg ? 



Why does a " moulting " hen not lay eggs ? 



What are the principal methods of preserving eggs ? 



Which is the better test of a laying hen ? The number of eggs laid, or 

 the total weight of eggs laid ? 



