230 MY POULTRY DAY BY DAY 
not matter how small a flock may be, or how big the area of land, 
there is no escaping from the fact that in time the land will become 
fouled and poisonous. In the immediate vicinity of the house it 
will be fouled more thoroughly, but gradually all land on which 
fowls habitually run will become unhealthy, and perhaps there is 
no cause of disease more frequent than the poisons generated by 
the action of the weather on the droppings of the birds. 
It is strongly advisable, therefore, to make alternate runs which 
are used and cultivated in turn to grow crops. Exactly the same 
arguments and illustrations apply to poultry runs in urban and 
suburban districts, excepting that it may not be possible to plant 
crops on very small areas. 
For urban runs it may be stated that the ground should always 
be thoroughly trenched, and where the soil is stiff cinders should be 
plentifully used. The great thing to aim at is proper drainage, 
and where stiff soils resist water they should be dug up a foot or 
more and a layer of broken bricks or gravel be placed underneath. 
Sand also is a fine substance to sprinkle on the ground as thickly 
as possible. The birds like the sand, and it keeps them off the cold, 
sodden soil. In gardens a run of 15 feet by 12 feet is ample for 
twelve fowls, and th’s should be divided into two parts. Green 
stuffs should be planted whenever one of the runs is vacant. 
Poultry-keepers large or small are particularly requested to pay 
great attention to the runs and see that they are always kept 
sweet and clean. 
LITTER 
The question of litter for the fowl-house is important, as it has 
a great deal to do with the cleanliness and health of the fowls. 
Of the various kinds of litter one may mention wood shavings, 
autumn leaves, bracken, hay straw and peat moss. 
All of these things are good in their way, and it is largely a 
question of economy as to which one should use. If fallen leaves 
are to be used it must be seen to that they are perfectly dry, else 
they will defeat the object we have in view. Damp leaves are 
