GENERAL TREATMENT. 61 



such sums are given for any hut early, well- 

 grown, fat chickens. 



Leadenhall prices are said to be exaggerated, 

 but residents in the Metropolis, during the 

 season, know to their cost what they are, and I 

 can verify them by my own books. 



Deem not, however, that all birds sold as 

 spring chickens, are so in reality. Many are the 

 produce of the previous autumn, stunted in 

 growth by the hardships of winter. These the 

 verdant housekeeper buys, and her master's 

 guests eat them, asking no questions. 



The chickens which realise such high prices are 

 hatched early in January, and reared with the 

 greatest care, and attention to feeding. 



Poultry keeping (though essentially a home 

 pleasure) need not be limited to home. Indeed, 

 it becomes a necessity to dispose, in one way or 

 other, of your superfluous stock. If you breed 

 for exhibition, you cannot too strictly limit 

 your numbers. Out of 100 chickens, you may 

 not be able to match more than two pens for 

 Birmingham, and must therefore leave yoursell" 

 ample room for choice. This will give an abun- 



