Tlie FouUry of the Farm. 
107 
Having decided on our breed of fowls, we put ourselves in 
the hands of some breeder of good repute, from whom we obtain 
at a moderate price well-bred, but not exhibition birds, likely, 
however, to breed really good chicken. 
N.B. — Treat advertisements with caution. Prize-winners are 
not necessarily the best for stock purposes. Dorkings, espe- 
cially, suffer from frequent exhibition. 
Let us also invest in a few sittings of eggs, for which we can 
afford what may seem to be a large sum ; but change of blood 
is a grand point, and eggs nowaday, packed in moss and paper, 
or in regular egg-boxes, travel safely and far, and hatch out 
so very fairly that the experiment is worth a trial. But let us 
look round to see that everything is ready for the reception of 
our fowls. Those to enjoy the run of the farmyard will roost 
in the stalls over the cattle, or in a shed. Hurdles must be 
placed under them to catch the droppings and prevent annoy- 
ance to any one or anything below. Heavy fowls should not 
roost too high, as they come off the perch with such a rush. If 
a regular and well-arranged poultry-house is available, it has a 
floor which can be and should be swept and kept clean. Perches 
are fixed to be clear of each other, and are broad and flat 
enough for the fowls to roost comfortably upon them. The two 
great evils of farm poultry-houses are filth and badly-contrived 
perches ; and so, having no choice, the fowls become unhealthy 
or " crooked-breasted," and could do better if left to seek 
their own quarters on the beams of a shed or even in a thick 
tree. 
Coddling is to be avoided, but, X.B., ventilation, attention, 
and decent care are necessary. 
Egg-boxes are placed away from the perches, to ensure quiet. 
Their size will depend upon the variety of fowls kept. A long 
continuous line of nests is likely to lead to disturbances or 
breaking of eggs ; and success is often more attainable in old 
bee-pots turned upside down, and hung in the corners of the 
house, than in smart-looking boxes divided into nests, but not 
carefully constructed to ensure privacy for the laying hen. 
Artificial nest-esrgs are desirable. 
The foregoing remarks apply to all places used for poultry. 
Cottagers, as the rule, are careless about the provision of cinders 
and other things easily obtained, in which fowls delight, and 
which tend to cleanliness, comfort, and health. 
The number of hens to each cock will depend upon the breed, 
e.fi. a game cock may run with from eight to ten, whilst a 
Dorking should only be allowed five or six. i\o confidence can 
be placed in old cocks ; they drive off the younger and more 
active birds, and often mope during the cold winds of March — 
