HEALTH AND SANITATION ' 225 



be buried so deeply that dogs and other animals 

 will not dig them up. The danger of infection in- 

 creases with the length of time that fowls are kept,, 

 especially in confinement, on the premises. For 

 this reason, measures which make for cleanliness, 

 cannot be emphasized too strongly. Among the ; 

 best disinfectants are hot whitewash made of quick- ' 

 lime. This wash should be used at least twice a 

 year; once each quarter is better. To increase its 

 disinfecting power two to four ounces of crude 

 carbolic acid may be added to each gallon of the 

 mixture. Kerosene oil and crude petraleum are 

 often applied to the roosts, but these are not in as 

 great favor as the lime wash. 



Wherever possible, the yards should be dug or 

 plowed in order to bury the droppings. If it is 

 possible they should be planted to quick-growing 

 crops so as to sweeten the land and also supply 

 some green feed. Wherever possible, also, the flocks 

 should be moved to new quarters every two or 

 three years, so as to get the benefit of fresh ground. 

 Preferably none but young birds should be moved 

 to the new quarters. This will prevent contamina- 

 tion by old birds which may have been affected in 

 the old yards. 



REMEDIES VS. PREVENTIVES 



The adoption of remedies rather than the 

 elimination of bad practices may be considered the 

 entering wedge of failure for any poultryman, be- 

 cause it means the constantly increasing reliance 

 upon a futile agent. The poultryman who adopts 

 such practice is sure to neglect the conditions 

 which make for health, because he is deluded with 



