A COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW. 35 



as vegetable growing, tlie refuse of which is good food 

 for poultry, is almost a necessary adjunct to a large 

 breeding establishment, this manure would be still more 

 valuable to the proprietor on his own land. 



The Feathers of Fowls 



Are another source of profit in large establishments, 

 where they can be sorted and dried, as they will then fetch 

 a much higher price, and may be computed at ten pounds 

 per thousand heads. 



The Moulting of Fowls 



Is classed by many writers on poultry under the head 

 of diseases, w^hich it is not ; but is only a natural process 

 with most animals in changing their summer coat for a 

 winter one : nevertheless, it is a great drain on their con- 

 stitution, and fowls, during moulting time, ought to be 

 kept warm, and liberally dieted with warm and stiniu- 

 lating food, such as boiled oatmeal seasoned with salt and 

 pepper, chopped onions, mashed potatoes, and occasion- 

 ally bread crumbs soaked in strong ale or weak gin. 

 Oxide of iron, lime water, and sulphate of iron can also 

 be given with advantage. This diet will accelerate the 

 moulting, and produce a speedier resumption of laying. 



Diseases in Poultry. 



Most books on poultry contain a more or less lengthy 

 description of the various diseases fowls are subject to, 

 and prescribe certain remedies ; all of which help to swell 



