300 Transactions of the American Institute. 



great milk and poultry farm in Westchester county, midway between 

 Portcliester and White Plains. A day at the Metropolitan will sat- 

 isf}' liim that the proprietor knows how to keep a hotel ; a day at this 

 farm would convince liim that its owner knows as much about the 

 poultry business as he does of tlie art of public entertainment. In 

 short, Mr. Leland has settled the question as to poultry. He has 

 proved by years of complete and unbroken success that one can be a 

 great chicken raiser just as easily as he can be a great "wheat grower ; 

 in fact, much easier ; for the poultry business requires only a trifling 

 outlay to begin with. Mr. L. has never troubled himself to keep a 

 nice account current with his hens. Their layings are not set down 

 in a book, nor does he know^ just how much corn they all eat in the 

 course of a year. Hence we look rather at the gross results than at 

 precise figures. He devotes about twenty acres of rough land to his 

 poultry. For tillage this range would not be worth much, but for 

 chickens and ducks it is just the place. He lets the bushes grow and 

 leaves a pond for the ducks. The turkeys have woods to range in 

 and trees to roost on. In summer, the only rule is to give freedom, 

 ample freedom, to all the tribes, a suitable lot or pond for ducks, a 

 natural range for turkeys, hill sides, bushes, nooks, shelters, hiding 

 places of all sorts for hens with broods. He discards coops altogether 

 this year, finding no advantage from them, has no high fences, no 

 bars and bolts no fetters or jails for his domestic birds. The wings 

 of the geese are not clipped ; the toes of the hens are not muti- 

 lated ; if the turkeys want to fly they may ; the more natural 

 freedom he gives, the more healthful and profitable he finds them. 

 The principal features in his system may be condensed into four short 

 rules : First, in summer give freedom and grasshoppers ; second, secure 

 cleanliness ; third, feed well ; fourth, change cocks every spring. For 

 tlie winter comfort of this feathered stock he has two houses; one of 

 stone, the other of wood. The wood house is tlie oldest and the 

 cheapest. He has had better luck with it than in the more expensive 

 structure of stone. Lime and plaster are freely used in all parts of 

 them to absorb smells and compost droppings. They roost on poles 

 near the roof, and three or four feet below is a Avide sloping shelf 

 covered with plaster. This is swept oflF once a week, and the contents 

 put in barrels, mixed with all refuse, feathers, fihh aiul bones from 

 the yard. It makes corn grow, and colors it a dark green. Another 

 rule of great importance : No old nests are allowed. AV^hen biddy 

 becomes a mother, the box where she incubated is taken out, the straw 



