CARE AND MANAGEMENT 81 



heat of the sun. In order to ensure a reputation for reliabil- 

 ity, alwaj's test with a candle any doubtful eggs before tak- 

 ing them to market. It is a good plan, oftentimes, to sell to 

 dealers who buy " loss off " — that is, who test the eggs them- 

 selves, and pay only for the good ones. If you wish to mar- 

 ket " strictly fresh " eggs, they should be disposed of twice 

 a week if possible. 



With poultry, as with everything else, care and prompt- 

 ness are two of the chief secrets of success. Especial care 

 should be exercised in seeing that the fowls get food con- 

 taining the proper elements for fattening or for egg produc- 

 tion ; and that the baby chicks are given proper rations. On 

 many farms, the supply of sharp grit is all used up. ^Hien 

 this is the case, grit must be fuiiiished to the chickens. 

 Crushed rock answers this purpose admirably. Care should 

 be taken also to ensure to the chickens a constant supply of 

 clean, fresh water. Unless the water is in very large vessels, 

 it must be renewed oftener than once or twice a day. 



Promptness in discovering and arresting disease has 

 helped many a poultrjanan to prosperity. It is a good prac- 

 tice to look over the ilock each day, in order to discover any 

 disease before it gains a foothold. The fowl which seems 

 sick or drooping should be immediately separated from the 

 rest of the flock in order to prevent the spread of contagion ; 

 and the poultryman should sj^ray the houses and coops regu- 

 larly, without waiting for disease to appear. 

 6 



