NEW SYSTEMS IN POULTRY FARMING. 163 



sary to furnish heat or to keep them in a warm room 

 during the winter. They may be sprouted out of doors 

 during the rest of the year. It takes from six to ten 

 days to sprout the grain, depending on the tempera- 



8PROUTFD OR "PROCESSED" OATS, A CHEAP 



SOURCE OF WINTER GREEN FOOD. 



ture. The oats are fed (sprouts and all) at the rate of 

 about one square inch, as they grow in the tray, to 

 each fowl. It is recommended that a teaspoonful of 

 formalin be added to each pail of grain being soaked, 

 to prevent mold. 



A few years ago, owners of large flocks were ad- 

 vised to keep their fowls indoors the year round. I saw 

 one place where 1,500 Leghorn pullets were kept in a 

 house covering 2,500 square feet of ground. They 

 were not allowed out of doors the entire year. I never 

 had much faith in this large flock idea, and I am glad 

 to know that the popularity of the scheme is growing 

 less each year. But worse than the big flocks, is the 

 idea of not allowing them outdoors on the earth. I do 

 not see the necessity for extra large runs so long as the 

 hens are kept busy scratching during the day; but as 



