142 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 



young will be needed. In fact, there is no likelihood 

 that this work of warring on lice will be overdone 

 at any time. 



After lice, the cause of the greatest loss to poul- 

 try keepers is tainted ground. It is not necessary 

 to enumerate the troubles which come from this 

 source. Indeed, it is not worth while to suggest 

 remedies to use after they come. The one impor- 

 tant point to make is that new ground must be 

 sought at frequent intervals or the old ground kept 

 sweet by plowing, spading, the use of lime or ashes 

 and the growing of green crops. Air-slacked lime 

 is valuable both outside the house and in. 



There are a number of common troubles which 

 may come up to puzzle the amateur. One of them 

 is frosted combs. There is no remedy after the 

 comb becomes black, but while the comb is still white 

 with frost it may be held in cold water until the 

 frost has been taken out and then rubbed with car- 

 bolated vaseline, drawing the fingers rapidly from 

 the head to the tips of the comb to promote the cir- 

 culation of blood. 



Shelless eggs are the result of too hard forcing for 

 eggs and the use of condiments, among other things. 

 The absence of shell forming material like oyster 



