THE FARMER'S FI^OCK. 



FIG. 4. 



the hall or passageway in 

 the rear, nine feet for the 

 main house and six feet for 

 the scratching-room or shed. 



Figure 5 shows how this 

 house may be divided for 

 two flocks. The nests are accessible from the hall. 

 It is always convenient to have a yard of generous 

 dimensions, securely enclosed, in which it is possible 

 to confine the flock while crops are young, or when- 

 ever desirable to do so. This yard should 

 be large enough to plow with a horse and 

 be planted with plum or peach trees, and 

 grape vines to afford shade in hot weather, 

 and for growing fruit. 



The matter of fencing the poultry yard may be 

 left in the hands of the owner, with the suggestion 

 that it is cheapest in the end to build a substantial 

 fence at the start. The cheapest temporary and mov- 

 able fence that can be erected is one of wire netting. 

 This should have posts every eight feet, a board at the 

 bottom, but no rail or board at the top. The posts 

 need not be heavy. 



The farmer's flock should have as careful feeding 

 and attention as any other stock on the farm. To in- 

 sure such attention some one member of the family 

 should take the matter in hand and make it his or her 

 business. Regularity in feeding is essential to the 

 best results. Economical feeding means that all the 

 wastes of the family table, the dairy, the garden and 

 the field should be turned into eggs and poultry meat. 



