196 PROFITS IN POULTRY. 
inches in diameter, are the best material, and these are 
the most convenient sizes for the scaffolding upon which 
the birds are to roost. The odor of these woods is a 
protection against the vermin which sometimes infest 
the young birds. The size of the poles for the roosts is 
a matter of importance. It is much easier for these 
heavy birds to keep their balance upon a large pole than 
upon a small one. Then, in the freezing weather of 
winter, the feet of the birds are more completely pro- 
tected by the feathers. Another advantage of having 
the turkeys roost together is the saving of manure. ‘If 
the ground under the roost is kept covered with muck, 
or loam, and occasionally stirred, several loads of a valu- 
able fertilizer may be made every season. A roost made 
of durable wood, like cedar, will last for a lifetime. It 
is but a little trouble to train the young broods to go to 
their roost every night. And after the habit has once 
been formed they will go to the same roosting-place regu- 
larly every night. One of the secrets of success in tur- 
key-raising is in having a secure roosting-place. 
FATTENING TURKEYS, 
It is a goodly sight, as the summer days wane, to 
see the flocks of turkeys coming home from the 
woods and pastures at nightfall with full crops. If the 
farm has not been overstocked with these birds, they 
have very largely made their living upon grasshoppers, 
crickets, worms, and other small fry. The regular food 
they have had has been rather to keep them wonted 
than to supply any lack of forage. As the cool nights 
come on, and the supply of insects declines, the business 
of fattening properly commences. It should be remem- 
bered that plump, well-dressed turkeys not only bring a 
