190 POULTRY REARING AND FATTENING IN SUSSEX. [Dec. 1894. 



expressed the opinion that three acres and a cow, plus poultry, or 

 better, six acres and two cows, with poultry, will provide a 

 decent living. 



Discussing the question whether the system of rearing and 

 fattening poultry carried on so successfully in the Heathfield 

 district might be equally' well adopted in other parts of the 

 country, Mr. Rew points out that the latter branch of the 

 industry is a distinct business, and that chickens fattened in the 

 district visited by him have a long-standing reputation in the 

 market. Singularly enough, however, enterprise in rearing does 

 not keep pace with the demand of the fatteners, and as Mr. Rew 

 observes, it is difficult on the face of it to understand, for 

 instance, why Irish farmers and cottagers should be able to 

 supply a market to which English farmers are so much nearer. 

 English chickens are said to be much preferred to Irish ; but 

 chickens are required which will come in early in the spring, 

 and it is in this requirement that the difficulty would seem to 

 lie. 



In the appendix to Mr. Rew's report, there is a paper by 

 Mr. W. A. Haviland, Secretary of the Hurstmonceux Farmers' 

 Club, who has devoted much attention to the subject of poultry 

 rearing. According to the observations of this authority, the 

 greatest difficulty, and one of the most expensive items connected 

 with poultry rearing on farms, is the question of housing. 

 Wooden houses are said to be as good as any, and it is easier to 

 make these portable : portability being an essential feature, since 

 poultry will not do well in some places, or they will do well 

 enough for a time until the ground gets foul, when the houses 

 must be moved. A very good flooring for poultry houses can, 

 it appears, be made of clay and cinders rammed down hard. 



The different breeds of ordinary fowls are divided by Mr. 

 Haviland into two classes, first, those which will sit and hatch 

 their own eggs ; and, second, those which do not do so or rather 

 which cannot be trusted to do so. The former class comprises 

 the Brahiua, the Cochin, Dorkings, Leghorns, Spanish ; Tvhilst 

 in the second class Minorcas, Hamburgs, and Houdans are 

 mentioned. So far as the production of eggs is concerned, 

 the latter varieties are alleged to give the best satisfaction, 

 the Minorca and the Leghorn being especially recommended. 

 Dorkings are reputed to be the best table birds, but the delicacy 

 of the chickens when young is said to render a cross with some 

 of the nardier breeds advisable. Game fowls and Houdans are 

 also very good table birds, the latter being excellent layers. 



Although fowls do not require very much attention if allowed 

 their liberty, it is insisted that what attention is necessary must 

 be given regularly and well. The houses must be kept clean, 

 and the birds must have free access to good water. Regularity 

 in feeding is also a point to which care must be directed. 

 Laying hens apparently require two meals a day. The morning 

 meal should be of soft food, preferably ground oats mixed with 



