4 
Colorado Experiment Station. 
sorts and large cities are entirely dependent upon outside sources for 
their supply. About four millions of dollars’ worth of poultry products 
are shipped into Colorado annually, and every dollars’ worth should be 
produced at homo. This means that practically all the output of 
our silver mines goes to neighboring states for poultry products. 
Character of the Soil .—While it is true that poultry will do well 
on any of our soils, it is also true that soils best adapted to general 
farm crops give best results to the poultryman. The soil should be 
porous enough to dry off quickly after a rain, but heavy enough to 
produce good crops of vegetables, alfalfa, grain, berries or any crop de¬ 
sired, these crops to be used for the poultry, or as added sources of 
income. This character of soil can be kept cultivated with less 
labor than heavy clay soil, thus insuring clean, sweet range for the 
fowls. While it may be true that grain can be bought as cheaply 
as it can be raised, we believe that it would be advisable to grow some 
of the grain used if possible, if only for the added value of the straw 
thus produced. We find that our poultrymen are inclined to be 
rather chary in the matter of litter for their fowls, as one will natural¬ 
ly be where straw is as expensive as it is in some portions of our 
State. Especially if the land is level should it be somewhat sandy, 
as heavy clay soil, when frequently wet, soon becomes filthy by reason 
of becoming packed. 
A south slope is ideal on account of drainage and sunny exposure. 
A north slope is undesirable and wet land should never be considered. 
Water Supply .—No other water system can equal a living stream 
or spring, and if the fowls can help themselves at will, so much the 
better for them and for their keeper also. Every device or conven¬ 
ience that lessens labor, especially if it costs little or nothing, means so 
much more profit, and carrying water to a large number of fowls is 
certainly very expensive by reason of the time and labor consumed. 
Where water is furnished, cleanliness should be carefully observed. 
Galvanized iron or stoneware drinking vessels are preferable. 
Wooden troughs are objectionable because they furnish lodgment for 
disease germs. The water dishes should be kept clean, and be fre¬ 
quently replenished with fresh water. During warm weather the 
water should be kept in a shady place to keep it as cool as possible. 
Convenient Arrangement .—In all the work of selecting' a Ioca- 
tion, building, fencing, etc., the matter of convenience should nevei 
be lost sight of. The relation of each building to all the others, to 
the roads and highways, and to the residence, should be very care¬ 
fully considered. Convenience means a saving of time and labor, 
which means added profits. The usual way of building each new 
poultry house in the most convenient place left vacant, without refer- 
