2G8 HOUSES. 



giving less trouble to the person in charge in 

 the way of sweeping up, and it can be kept clean 

 and fresh very easily by occasional washings of 

 lime-water.. The trestle form I consider the 

 best, and the roosting-board made of rough 

 wood, and broad. If small and smooth, the 

 fowls cannot take a firm hold, and it is apt to 

 cause crooked breast-bones in chickens. A larch 

 tree split, and the bark left on, makes an excel- 

 lent perch. Fowls cannot thrive without plenty 

 of air, but a few holes pierced in the door, at the 

 top, will secure sufficient ventilation, and, if de- 

 sired, a small pane of glass inserted in roof or 

 door will admit light. For a cock and ten hens 

 the house should not be less than twelve feet in 

 height, and about eight feet square ; the floor 

 clay or gravel, beaten down so as to be quite 

 hard. This very simple style of arrangement is 

 all that is necessary in forming a poultry estab- 

 lishment where only one variety of male bird 

 is kept, and where the fowls have complete 

 liberty ; but if required to be shut up at all, 

 they must have a yard, with dust-box, &c., which 

 I shall describe with all due regard to economy 



