: ADVANTAGES OF DOUBLE YARDING 159 
be followed, under which practice twenty-five square feet per bird 
will be ample. 
The Shape of the Yard Influences the Cost.—It is much cheaper 
to fence a square yard than a rectangular one, as it requires less 
fencing material and less labor. Long yards insure a more per- 
manent growth, but square yards are more easily worked and 
seeded. Triangular yards with acute angles in the corners should 
be avoided, as they form a catch-all for leaves and rubbish and 
do not readily allow of plowing nor cultivation. Long and narrow 
yards provide a larger amount of green feed than the same area 
Fia 106.—A good method of double yarding and crop rotation. The corn provides shade 
while the fruit trees are growing. (Photo from Purdue University.) \ 
in the form of a square, as the birds stay near the house and do 
not feed at a distance until that near at hand is consumed. 
Advantages of Double Yarding. —A system of double yarding 
is often provided when it is impossible to give birds free range. 
When decuble yards are used, a more nearly constant supply of 
green feed can be grown (Fig. 106). The double yards allow a 
change in rotation of the birds from one yard to another. They 
are thus kept clean and free from filth, which is important on heavy 
soil. Even with small runs it will be found profitable to divide 
them in half and rotate, the birds feeding on one part and then on 
the other. Single yarding may require the feeding of green feed 
from outside sources, which entails extra labor in harvesting and 
feeding it to them. This feature is eliminated by double yarding. 
