172 THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF 



the birds are at liberty on the farm and 

 are provided with a quantity of waste 

 food — the actual cost of feeding will 

 amount, in round numbers, to lis., whereas 

 the value of the eggs, averaged at Id. each 

 — purposely placed below the market price 

 — would in the two seasons reach 23s. 4d., 

 assuming that the average of the two years 

 reached 140. This figure might be exceeded, 

 or it might not be reached. Be that as it 

 may, bearing in mind the fact that eggs 

 in autumn and winter realise higher prices 

 than Id., we hold the opinion that the 

 poultry-keeper should at least obtain a 

 return per hen of lis. per year. The 

 most prolific hens, assuming them to be 

 large, healthy, and vigorous, should be 

 retained for stock and mated with a cock 

 which is the produce of a good laying hen. 

 The cockerels should be kept in separate runs 

 in groups and fed off for market, just 

 before they have reached crowing age. The 

 best pullets should be retained year by year 

 for laying, and those of second-rate quality 

 fattened for sale. Where birds are of first- 

 rate table quality they should find a ready 

 market among private consumers. Such cus- 

 tomers are worth attention, and if well 



