196 The Hen at Work 



is in early fall, before new stock is put in. All the 

 fowls should be removed. Nests, roosts, dropping 

 boards should be taken out, with all other loose 

 furniture. Then the litter should be taken up 

 and the floor scraped. 



This litter is of great value as a fertilizer for 

 grass land, rhubarb, asparagus, and other plants 

 that require nitrogen. It may be spread in the 

 fall, or saved under shelter till spring. Its chief 

 value will be lost if it is piled out of doors. 



When all loose dust and dirt is removed from the 

 house, it should be washed thoroughly with plenty 

 of water. If a garden hose is possible that will do 

 the work well. If not, a force pump should be 

 used, and water enough to wash out all dust and 

 dirt. 



After the wet is well drained away, the whole 

 interior must be sprayed or washed with a strong 

 disinfectant. Zenoleum and carbolineum have 

 both been tested with satisfactory results. There 

 are also other cold-tar preparations which are 

 probably useful. A good formula with lime is 

 given in the chapter on parasites. 



Wash, scrape, and disinfect the furniture. 

 When dry, replace in the house, give a liberal. dose 



