RAISING DUCKS. 228 
the ground, except the down-hill side, which is partly 
exposed, and provided with a short spout placed within 
half an inch of the t-p, to carry off superfluous water. 
A peg is inserted at the bottom for drawing off the 
water when desired. Water may be conducted to the 
box by a pipe from a spring, underdrain, small brook, 
or from the well, by sinking a half-barrel between the 
pump and pond, and filling it with water every day or 
two, and so graduating the flow that it will merely drop 
from the barrel through the pipe into the wooden box. 
TT 
i 
a ALN 
il 
AN ARTIFICIAL DUCK POND. 
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THE CARE OF DUCKS. 
Ducks are a very pleasant feature of farm-yard sur. 
roundings. In the last of winter and early spring they 
are suciable and busy enough, especially on warm days, 
and begin to lay very early. The duck almost always 
lays her egg between six and nine o’clock. So the flock 
must be kept shut ap until all have laid. We have 
found ducks to do better if they can be confined at night, 
‘in winter, in a shed where the horse manure is thrown 
out, than anywhere else. The heaps of manure heat 
somewhat, and the ducks enjoy the warmth. It makes 
them lay early, and the eggs ure not likely to freeze if 
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