48 CHOOSING A POULTRY FARM 
of the community, if they are kept locally, should be inspected, 
and a personal trip by the prospective purchaser over the land 
being inspected is essential. 
Water Drainage.—The surface soil on the poultry plant should 
be dry. This means that rain water should be carried off quickly, 
preferably by absorption, rather than by erosion. The location 
of ample and natural water-courses on sloping land is a big advan- 
tage. Slight indentations or hollows should be avoided, as in 
the spring, when the ground is thawing, small ponds of water 
are apt to form in them. On steep, hilly sites erosions can be 
prevented by terracing the yards, and by the providing of winter 
cover crops, or by keeping the area in permanent sod. The houses 
should be so located that all of the surface water from the back of the 
house can be carried around and off to a point a considerable dis- 
tance in front, without coming in contact with the house (Fig. 36). 
The soil should be well underdrained, preferably by natural 
open subsoil, in the absence of which it should be artificially 
drained. In the spring of the year the presence of wet, soft, 
springy soil is an indication of poor underdrainage. Such soils, 
although they may be fairly dry on the surface, are cold, wet, 
and late in spring, which is a material disadvantage. Poorly- 
drained soils are, at the best, unhealthy, keeping out air, and hence 
aiding in the development of injurious bacteria, which aid in 
increasing the presence of disease among the flocks. Muddy, wet 
soil in the spring makes muddy feet, which, when the birds enter 
the houses, soil the litter and nesting material and give the eggs 
a dirty appearance. 
Air Drainage.—The circulation of air in the atmosphere fol- 
lows the same principle of warm and cold air which takes place 
in the ventilation of the poultry house. Warm air rises and cold 
air falls; hence in hilly or rolling country the cold, heavy, moisture- 
laden air is constantly falling to low levels, and the warm air 
rises and seeks the higher places. It is desirable to avoid shallow 
places, as they are apt to be damp and cold. A location part 
way up the slope is ideal, being above the frost line and in a sec- 
tion of considerable atmospheric circulation. The slope of the 
hill protects the plant from prevailing northwest winds. It is 
for this same reason that peach orchards and the like thrive best 
on sloping land rather than in valleys. 
Natural Vegetation.—The location which shows the presence 
of a considerable natural vegetation is better than one showing 
