POULTKY. 135 



with water, before feeding it to them. Vegetables, such as 

 potatoes, carrots, parsneps, beets, etc., boiled and mashed, are 

 acceptable and wholesome. Lettuce, cabbage, Scotch kale, etc., 

 chopped up fine, are excellent for all kinds of poultry in the 

 winter. A few chopped onions may occasionally be added ; 

 and also a little flesh-meat, either raw or cooked, cut into small 

 pieces. 



The editor of the Country Gentleman thinks that it is better 

 to feed poultry in winter from three to four times daily, than 

 twice, which is the ordinary custom. By frequent feeding, the 

 birds eat but a little at a time, and never injure themselves ; 

 but when fed but once or twice daily, there is danger of their 

 overeating, which frequently produces fatal results. Our rule 

 is, to so regulate the quantity given at each time, that each 

 fowl shall have all it wishes, and have nothing left. Our ex- 

 perience confirms what many have said, that regular and fre- 

 quent feeding is better for the health of the fowl, at any season 

 of the year, than it is to fill a vessel with grain and allow them 

 access to it at all times. We also think that poultry will eat 

 less with frequent feeding than by twice feeding daily. 



Lime is necessary for the formation of egg-shells, and should 

 always be accessible. The best form is that of calcined oyster 

 shells, pounded in small fragments. A box of sand and gravel, 

 and another of ashes, should be added. 



Pure water is another essential that can not be too strenuously 

 insisted upon, impure water being a grand source of the dis- 

 eases of poultry. 



Cleanliness must be strictly attended to in all your arrange- 

 ments for fowls ; and the inside of the poultry -house should be 

 whitewashed twice, at least, during the year, as a preventive 

 against vermin. 



15. Incubation, and Rearing Chickens. For sitting, choose 

 good-sized hens. Those with short legs, broad body, and large 

 wings are best adapted to the duty. It is also generally re- 

 marked that the worst layers are the best sitters. All the 

 eggs for a brood, which should not exceed thirteen, should be 



