OF POULTRY. 
293^ 
In the first place, let us calculate tlie cost and profit of one 
lien ; then we can multiply by any number we please. 
In the second place, we will set down a hen to cost no 
more keeping than a rat ; that is, supposing a rat to eat and 
waste no more than a wine-glassful, or two ounces of corn per 
day, and valuing the corn at sixty shillings per quarter. 
Then that cost would allow the hen to have a glassful and a 
half, or three ounces of barley per day, at forty shillings per 
quarter. But this of course is quite independent of what 
she might forage out and pick up for herself. 
In the third place, we cannot pretend to calculate to a 
fraction ; still a wine-glassful and a half per day for twelve 
months would amount to one bushel, four pints, and three 
glassfuls. But considering the amount and cheapness of the 
soft food necessary during the moult and winter months, it 
would bring the cost considerably under the bushel. How- 
ever, let us set it down at a bushel of barley per year ; and 
then, barley being at the rate of forty shillings per quarter, 
it would leave five shillings for the bushel. 
In the fourth place, let us say nothing about the chickens 
the hen would have ; but set her down to lay at the rate of 
four eggs per week for seven calendar months, or thirty 
weeks out of the fifty-two ; and they would amount to 120. 
That would be exactly one halfpenny each ; or, averaging 
them at seven to the pound, they would weigh seventeen 
pounds, and one egg over; thus costing you threepence 
halfpenny per pound, or a shilling for four-and-twenty 
eggs. 
Thus I have been calculating that you buy their food a# 
the market, and pay at the rate of forty shillings per quar- 
ter for it. But you, gentlemen, growing your own barley, 
of course have it at prime cost. Now does barley cost you 
forty shillings per quarter, growing ? Or rather, when rent^ 
tithes, taxes, tillage, seed, and wages are paid, does it cost 
you twenty shillings ? I think not j but let us set it down 
at twenty shillings per quarter ! and then, gentlemen, pray 
what becomes of the tail-ends after winnowing the corn ? 
that, I believe, always falls to the fowls' share. However, 
to make the matter plain, let us take barley, tail-ends, meal, 
potatoes, sharps, and butcher's ofial, and lump them all toge- 
ther at twenty shillings per quarter, and then your eggs will' 
