’ 
IN THE POULTRY YARD. 135 
found anything better than a little red pepper. Even this, however, 
we used sparingly with our laying flock, and still more so with our 
breeders; warmth, both in the way of food and housing, together 
with good nourishing food, are the best stimulants, and if the breed 
of fowls is right, they will, under such conditions, satisfy any reason- 
able person. 
The water used on the place was of the very best quality—clear, 
cold, spring water, with just enough mineral matter in it to remove 
the bad effects of rain or snow. It came, of course, from the 
spring which I have already described, and as a general rule the 
fowls got nothing but this water to drink, but when confined in 
very small coops and yards I used the famous Douglas mixture 
with great satisfaction. This consists of 
Sulphate of iron.......2.2..---. 1 lb. 
SUIPhUNG AE sac nea ee: BOR 
Wiatel aig ieis certs somes le ee eee Sue 4 gallons. 
The sulphate of iron was dissolved in the water, the sulphuric acid 
added, and the liquid put up in quart bottles kept tightly corked.* 
A teaspoonful of this mixture to a pint of good water -seemed to 
have a most excellent effect. 
I found, however, that by lessening the sulphuric acid to one 
ounce, and adding two pounds of soluble phosphate of lime, I got 
a mixture that was far superior. The phosphates that I used were 
those sold by the Rumford Chemical Works, of Providence, R. I., 
and being intended for consumptiom by human beings, were no 
doubt more expensive than was necessary. I presume, however, 
that if a demand should arise for this compound, the firm named 
could furnish it at a price which would render its use profitable. 
One of our great difficulties in feeding was the distribution of the 
* Sulphate of iron, when exposed to the air, is apt to absorb oxygen and prob- 
ably ammonia, The iron, which is the really valuable: part, then becomes in- 
soluble, and is not taken up by the fowls, but adheres to:the sides of the vessel. 
Hence, the reason for keeping it in small packages securely corked. The use 
of the sulphuric acid is simply to keep the iron in solution. If the iron rust be 
mixed with scalded bran, meal, potatoes, etc., it will be eaten and will do the 
birds good. Too much of it is injurious, but a teaspoonful of red iron rust in 
the food of six large or ten small fowls once or twice a week is very good. 
