272 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[ J UNE, 
barrel are to be exposed to the weather in a similar 
manner. When spring opens, the seeds will be in 
proper condition for cleaning and planting. 
The Egg-Laying Breeds of Poultry. 
BT D. Z. EVANS, JR. 
There has been a wonderful improvement made, 
in the last few years, in thorough-bred poultry, 
bred for special purposes. It is impossible to com¬ 
bine all the excellencies in any one breed. It is 
possible to combine them in a moderate degree, so 
as to get good layers and a fair average weight of 
body. The Plymouth Rocks are an illustration of 
the best that can be accomplished in this way. 
Those who breed for heavy weights must not ex¬ 
pect to secure great laying qualities in the same 
breed, any more than they can expect speed from 
a heavy draught animal. Poultry-men who are 
near large city markets, and take advantage of high 
prices for fresh eggs, must be satisfied with medi¬ 
um-sized fowls. All the best laying breeds are be¬ 
low the average weight. The Asiatics (Brahmas 
and Cochins) lay very large eggs, but not so many 
dozens during the year. We do not condemn any 
breed, but in the selection of poultry, as in that of 
other live stock, it is desirable to choose animals 
bred for the especial purpose needed. During 
many years’ experience with poultry of all kinds, 
we have found the 
White Iieglioi'iis 
to stand at the head of the list of layers, and not 
only do they produce an immense number of eggs, 
each year, when well fed, housed properly, and 
cared for as all fine stock should be, but they are 
hardy, and produce lively and vigorous chicks. As 
these chicks feather up so quickly, and, when 
hatched early, lay the same fall they are hatched, 
they are doubly worth breeding. Their clear, 
white bodies, and large, bright combs make them 
very attractive. The young birds, aud especially 
the pullets, make fine eating, when four to five 
months old, but we prefer the cockerels to be 
about a year old, and well fattened, before being 
used for the table. We still favor the Single-comb 
Leghorn, despite the fact that the new-fashioned 
Rose-comb Leghorns claim much attention just 
now. We have had very few eases of frozen combs, 
and there need be no danger from this, where com¬ 
fortable houses, rain and wind-proof, are made, 
and careful attention is paid to housing the birds 
during severe weather. Where the poultry-house 
is very large, a small stove and low fire—just 
enough to keep the temperature a little above the 
freezing-point—can be used during the winter, and 
more eggs, better health, and, consequently, great¬ 
er profit will result. The White Leghorns lay good- 
sized eggs, seldom sit, or, when they do, are not to 
be depended on to hatch out a brood. It is best to 
use good common hens for sitting, or else some 
good incubator. The surplus stock of pullets and 
cockerels can each season be disposed of readily, 
at a fair price, to the dealers and breeders. The 
lowest price we know of, for good ones, and in 
large lots, was $1 per head, and even that pays well. 
There are many breeders, for eggs principally, who 
have a decided preference—perhaps on account of 
the more varied and handsomer plumage,' for the 
Ilrovru Ijegliorns. 
They are rather more difficult to breed to feather 
than the White. When bred well up to the “ stand¬ 
ard,” they are very handsome, and it is not difficult 
to realize fair prices for them when sold as breed¬ 
ing stock. There is very little difference in either 
the laying or the table qualities of the two breeds, 
some even claiming the Brown being superior to 
the White Leghorns in these qualities. Either 
will return satisfactory profits under good cave 
and proper management. The white fowls be¬ 
come soiled easily. When eggs for market are the 
main point, such matters are not objectionable. 
Houdiins 
are excellent layers and fine table fowls. Where 
foxes, hawks, etc., abound, and are troublesome, 
the crested birds are placed at a disadvantage, and 
many of them fall an easy prey to the thieves. 
This can, however, be remedied by having a pair 
or trio of Guineas running with the other poultry. 
They detect the first approach of danger, and give 
such shrill, quick-repeated, and incessant screeches 
as to both frighten away the marauders and give 
the farmer or poultry-breeder timely notice of 
the disturbance. The 
While-Crested ISIaek Polish 
are very highly commended for their laying quali¬ 
ties, hardiness, and vigor, though they have the 
same objections, and in perhaps a greater degree, 
that are urged against the Houdans. They are hand¬ 
some, and easy to rear, and by care in the selection 
of stock, it is not difficult to breed extra fine speci¬ 
mens. They are good winter layers, but must 
have warm quarters. There is no danger from 
frozen combs, as they have scarcely any combs, 
and their heavy crests afford ample protection. 
These crests also prevent them from flying over 
fences of ordinary bight. The 
Hamburg's 
are very handsome birds, especially the Silver-pen¬ 
cilled variety, and are highly esteemed as layers. 
They are small bodied, and do hot furnish much 
meat. They are very energetic, and always on the 
“go,” hunting up stray bits of provender. They 
can readily fly over an ordi¬ 
nary fence, and to confine 
them the yards must be cover¬ 
ed with netting, or else the 
wings of the birds need to be 
clipped close. They are class¬ 
ed among the non-setters, are 
comparatively hardy, and es¬ 
pecially so when they have 
their free liberty. The 
Plymouth Rocks 
are more a general-purpose 
fowl than a laying breed, 
though vve have always found 
them good layers, and the 
eggs of fine size. For the or¬ 
dinary purposes of the farm, 
we do not know of any breed 
which will give more general 
satisfaction than a flock of 
well-bred and pure Plymouth 
Rocks, and especially so the improved style. They 
are hardy, mature early, feather up quickly, and 
make very good weights when under proper care. 
be found, and usually several different kinds wilE 
reward a search in pools and ponds. In ponds and. 
still streams they may be found upon the plants 
that grow in the water ; the under-sides of the 
floating leaves of water lilies is a good place to 
look for them. If not convenient to get water 
plants of some kind, then the water in the jar- 
should be changed every day or two. 
In some places, especially in damp woods, sev¬ 
eral land snails can be found. If you place a 
number of these in a box with some of the woods- 
earth, rotten sticks, and dead leaves, such as the 
snails are found among, you can raise a lot of 
young ones. The leaves, etc., must be kept damp, 
and for this reason a tin box is good. 
A Country Residence Costing $4,000. 
BY S. B. REED, ARCHITECT. 
These designs were prepared for a dwelling built 
on elevated grounds, overlooking a large body of 
water. The exterior has a picturesque and cheer¬ 
ful appearance. Pleasant verandas are arranged on 
three sides. The main hall and principal rooms 
are unusually large, and all parts are provided with 
windows, affording outlooks in all directions. 
The dimensions and arrangements are given on. 
A Snail Hatchery. 
Our little nephew, some days ago, went to a shal¬ 
low ditch in the meadow and captured a number of 
fresh-water snails. These he placed in a cup, and 
in great glee brought his prize to show it. Find¬ 
ing that he took so much pleasure in watching the 
movements of the snails, we hunted up a glass jar, 
holding about a quart, and, nearly tilling it with 
water, placed the snails in it. Here he could watch 
them as they crawled upon the glass, and see how 
they moved their curious “ foot.” The next step 
was to improve the “ snailerv.” Getting a few 
small water plants from the margin of the river, 
two or three were washed, a small stone tied to 
each to sink it, and placed in the jar- finally a 
handful of clean pebbles were added. Thus the 
“snailery ” was converted into an aquarium. One 
day something new appeared on the sides of the 
glass, small yellowish spots, looking like jelly. 
Great was the youngster’s delight at being told 
that these were the eggs of the snail, and greater 
still was it when he could use a magnifying glass 
and see the little snails actually growing within the 
eggs. He takes so much pleasure in watching the 
eggs, that we think he will be disappointed when 
the snails hatch out and travel off. Young people 
are greatly interested in the beginning of things, 
and the increase of the little snails from day to 
day is closely observed. The youngsters, girls as 
well as boys, can act upon this hint, and find much 
amusement in raising a crop of snails. In all parts 
of the country fresh-water snails of some kind can 
Fig. 1.— WEST SIDE ELEVATION OF HOUSE. 
the plans. The foundations rise 18 inches above- 
the ground at the highest point. The clear hight 
of the cellar ceilings are 7 feet; first story in the 
main house, 10 feet; the wing, 9 feet 4 inches; sec¬ 
ond story, main house, 9 feet; wing, 4 to 8 feet. 
The whole hight of the main frame from the bot¬ 
tom of the sill to the top of the plate is 21 feet;, 
kitchen, rear wing frame, 14 feet and 8 inches. The 
cellar is excavated to a depth of 51 feet, and the 
loose earth is used in grading. The walls are of 
broken stone, laid 18 inches thick and 7 feet high, 
and neatly pointed where exposed to sight. The 
sills for all cellar windows and hearth for the 
kitchen fire-place are of dressed blue-stone. The 
chimneys are of hard brick and best mortar. All 
| flues are separate and continuous from the fire¬ 
places to the top. The interior side walls and ceil¬ 
ings of the two principal stories are hard finished 
on two coats of best brown mortar and seasoned 
lath. The main hall and the three principal rooms 
of the first story have stucco cornices, panels, and 
centers. The bay-window has “ rule joint ” corner 
finish, with soffit and corbels in the upper angles. 
The timber is of sawed, seasoned spruce, and of 
the following sizes : Sills, 4 by 8; girders, 4 by 8; 
posts, 4 by 7; ties and plates, 4 by 6; ridges, 3 by 8; 
beams, 3 by 8; braces, 3 by 5; valleys, 3 by 8; rafters,. 
M., 3 by 5; rafters, W., 3 by 4; verandas, 3 by 8. 
All parts are thoroughly framed together, and se¬ 
cured with hard-wood pins. The beams in the two 
principal floors of the main house, and all studding 
are placed 16 inches apart from centers; other 
beams and all rafters are 2 feet from centers. The 
tie crossing the opening to bay-window is 4 by 10. 
All trimmer beams are double, each tier of beams 
having a double row of cross bridging through the 
center of their spans. The girders beneath the 
main partitions are supported at their ends by the 
