LESSOI\^ XI 



Yaedimg AiNTD Fencing 



Every farm sliould have its poultry yard, which the 

 pouhry should recognize as " home.'' It is not necessary, 

 however, to keep the fowls penned in that yard. On most 

 farms, it is more profitable to fence in lawns and gardens 

 to keejJ the poidtry out, than to pen the fowls in an en- 

 closure ; for if the flock is allowed free range, it will pick 

 U2> most of its food about the farm, eating scattered grain 

 and weed seeds, and catching insects that might otherwise 

 prove harmful to the crops. 



It is always wise, however, to have a breeding yard. 



In this yard should be put the good winter layers ; for they 



are the most protitaljle hens, since one winter egg is worth 



two or three summer eggs. Often a flock is allowed to run 



down through failure on the jDart of an owner to insure good 



hatchings. The winter layers are the first to go to sitting 



in the spring. About the time these hens become broody, 



tlae '' loafing" hens start to lav; and the good hens are set 



on the poor hens' eggs. This is a sure method of weakening 



a flock. If, on the contrary, the winter layers are kept in 



the breeding yard, and their eggs used for hatching, the 



flock will be certain to show improvement. Towards the 

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