1 74 [ Assembly 



to change his store stock for breeding purposes every two or three 

 years, must be left to his discretion and experience ; one male at 

 least should be kept for every dozen hens. 



Laying Season. This commences usually about the middle of 

 March ; the hen shows this by a peculiar uneasiness, and occiisi- 

 onal cry, and strutting with an air <if self-satislaction, and prying 

 into bye and out of the way places, evidently in search of a fit 

 place to deposit her egg. At this time, the hen requires a little 

 care and watching, to keep her about the shelter or barns and 

 stables of the homestead, in preparing in. corners and out of the 

 way places, under cover, with a little dry straw and leaves, to in- 

 duce her to occupy one of these for laying. Leaves have their 

 influence, although the idea may be laughed at. It is one of the 

 hundred habits descended to her from her wild ancestors ; these 

 had only leaves, perhaps a little dry grass, to make their nest of. 

 Some extra feed at this time, might be good, given near the pla- 

 ces of the prepared nests ; all will help to keep her at home, and 

 prevent her from going out to find a suitable place herself for 

 her nest. It is generally in the morning she lays ; some every 

 day, others every other day. When she is off the nest, it is per- 

 haps best to remove them, except one, and keep them in some 

 cool, dry place in the house ; this will secure them from vermin 

 of the neighborhood, until the number is complete, which is gen- 

 erally from twelve to eighteen, then restore them to her. The 

 best feed for them at this time, and it is thought all times, is any 

 of the grains, ground or not. Indian meal is very fine, mixed 

 with a little water. The wild animal is very fond of Indian corn, 

 no stimulating feed ; oats and hemp seed are rather of this sort. 

 During the whole time of laying, the male must be carefully kept 

 from the hen, at least when she is on her nest laying, otherwise 

 if he finds her there, he will ill treat her, drive her away, and 

 break her eggs ; also, a habit of the wild breed, but a bad one. 



Tmitntion, or Setting and Hatching. The turkey is an intense 

 setter, and shows great care and anxiety about her coming pro- 

 geny ; none of the feathered race more, and some not as much so. 

 The egg is a delicate substance, easily injured or broken, and de 



