IN THE POULTRY YARD. 39 
years ago a friend had a game cock which he did not wish to part 
with, and yet could not very well keep, so he Jet me have the bird 
for a time. He was a very handsome, vigorous fellow, but small— 
less than 5 lbs. I mated him with some hens that were’ part 
Brahma, part Dominique, and looked a good deal like the Plyin- 
outh Rocks of to-day. They were fine large hens, and the progeny 
of these fowls and the game cock were very handsome and very 
large. Most of them had pencilled necks, and iooked like what 
are sometimes called “ Pheasants.” Others were of various colors, 
but all were well-shaped, vigorous fowls, and the pullets proved to 
be good layers. The cockerels were heavy and of delicious flavor. 
The finest became the pet of our servant girl, and as she had taken 
great care of the poultry I allowed her to keep him, although 
against my better judgment. At two years old he-weighed 12% 
pounds, and was universally admired for his fine looks, but his 
progeny (although breeding in-and-in was carefully avoided) were 
very inferior to the chickens of the previous season when the game 
cock was at the head of the yard. 
Now, the Brown Leghorn is as nearly a thoroughbred as can be 
had, and as. this breed is noted for laying qualities I felt certain 
that my choice had been a judicious one. But, like many other 
men, I had secured the bird without having a place to put it. To 
have let him loose amongst the large flock of hens would have 
ruined him and done the hens very little good. Where could I put 
him ? 
In one corner of the barn was a small room which had been used 
for a storeroom, but was now empty. It was about ro feet by 12, 
with a good-sized window. So I sent to a saw-mill for a barrel of 
sawdust, with which to keep the floor clean, provided troughs for 
food and water, nests for the egg layers, and placed a stout pole, 
about 3-inches in diameter, across one corner asa perch. With 
my present experience I would not have used sawdust, but would 
have taken dry sand, which is far better and much cheaper, as it 
can be had for the cartage. Dry earth is better still on brick, 
stone or earthern floors, but on wooden floors it is apt to produce 
decay, since, no matter how dry it may be when it is put in, the 
