PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. 5 



" everlasting layers," of which, perhaps, the Leghorn, 

 sometimes called the White Spanish, or Andalusian, is 

 as desirable as any. To meet with eminent success on 

 a large scale, it would be necessary to resort to artificial 

 hatching and rearing, both of which are perfectly feasi- 

 ble ; for no one could afford to rely upon hens for this 

 purpose where the primary object was to obtain the 

 largest number of eggs. Suppose, then, the chickens 

 were hatched from the first of April to the middle of 

 May. At five weeks old they could be turned out and 

 treated according to one of the following systems : — 



ist. Enclose grass land in quarter-acre lots, with a 

 small poultry house in each, or a quadruple house in 

 the centre of four lots, with accommodations for fifty 

 hens — never more. Young chickens might do well in 

 somewhat larger numbers through the summer, but it 

 would be safer, as a general rule, to limit the number 

 to fifty. 



2d. Build coops of lath or thin boards, about ten feet 

 long, four feet wide, and two feet high, — four feet in 

 length at one end to be a tight house, or coop of boards, 

 with floor and feeding conveniences, water, &c., — the 

 latticed portion to be bottomless. Arrange handles at 

 each end, so that two men could lift and move the whole. 

 Set these coops upon grass ground, and move them their 

 length or width daily, thus affording a fresh grass run. 

 Twelve chickens should do well in each. As soon as 

 they can be distinguished, separate the cocks from the 

 pullets, and never allow them together except for breed- 

 ing purposes afterwards. As soon as the cocks are 

 marketable, sell them, reserving only the best individuals 



