DOMBSIIC POULTBY. 



whose calculations, by-the-by, the question of money gain doei 

 not enter very considerably — would be well pleased to hav« 

 their endeavours so kindly seconded by Dame Fortune. How- 

 ever, we will lay the lady's " statement of accounts " before 

 the reader, assuring Tiim beforehand that he need not fear the 

 least shadow of exaggeration, and let him judge for himself. 



" In 1857, we paid for food £17 Is. 8d., and for improve- 

 ments in the hen-house £1 15s. — that is, our expenses were 

 £18 16s.8d.; eggs and fowls used and sold were worth £18 4a. 2d., 

 ten chickens and one young cock in stock, £1 5s., maiking 

 £19 9s. 2d. ; which shows our profits to have been 12s. 6d. 

 In 1858, the cost of food was £16 8s. 2d., and improvements 

 in stock lis. 9d., together making £16 9s. lid. ; our profits, 

 therefore, being 10s. 7d. London prices would have enriched 

 us mightily, for we had 3,039 eggs, and killed sixty-three fowls 

 (including a few ducks). Within a dozen miles of the General 

 Post-office, our produce would have been wortii £30. But it 

 must be remembered that, in regard to our domestic consump- 

 tion, we have the benefit of the country prices. As it is, we 

 have a balance on the right side, instead of on the wrong, after 

 all accidents and misfortunes are accounted for." 



'■ Aye, aye," the desponding reader may exclaim, " it's all 

 very well for folks who have luck." We can, however, assure 

 him for his consolation, that Miss Martineau did not have a 

 superabundance of good fortune with her " feathered friends." 

 The cocks ate the ivy leaves, and were found dead and cold ; 

 duckUngs lost themselves in the tall grass and perished miser- 

 ably ; chicks committed suicide by drowning in shallow water- 

 pans ; a hawk haunted the neighbourhood and grew fat on the 

 callow broods ; and as to cats — as many as eight chickens 

 were snatched off in a single day by freebooting grimalkins. 

 Indeed, so formidable became this last-mentioned grievance, 

 that the good lady was driven to invent a means of conquering 

 the marauders. As it may be useful to our readers we publish 

 it, " When a cat is seen to catch a chicken, tie it round her 

 neck and make her wear it for two or three days ; fasten it 

 securely, for she will make incredible efforts to get rid of it. 

 Be firm for that time and the cat is cured." It is probable 

 that the celebrated Mrs. Grlasse's axioms may occur to the 

 reader — " First catch your cat !" With her heart hardened by 

 long persecution, however, Miss Martineau is equal to this 

 difficulty. "WUd, homeless, hungry, ragged, savage cats," 

 says she, " are more difficult to catch ; but they are outlaws. 



