414 THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN'S COMPANION.— September 16, 1856. 
MODE OF PREVENTING FOWLS FLYING 
OYER FENCES. 
Recently I described a ready mode of preventing pigeons 
! flying for a few days by soaping one wing. I now wish to 
call attention to an equally efficacious plan that is adapted 
to fowls. Recently, being on a visit to my friend Mr. Higgs, 
of Southampton, I noticed a hen with the appearance of 
having a wooden yoke across her shoulders. On inquiry, 
Mr. Higgs informed me that it was a New Forest plan of 
preventing the flying of such of the lighter and more active 
varieties as it was wished to keep within bounds. It con¬ 
sisted merely of a piece of light, thin lath, about two inches 
longer than the width of the body. Two pairs of opposite 
notches were cut in it, the distance between the pairs being 
the exact width of the body of the bird. In these notches a 
piece of tape was securely tied, leaving tire ends free; the 
lath was then placed over the back, and secured by tying the 
loose, free ends of the tapes under the wings close up to the 
body, taking care that they were not tied so tightly as to cut 
into the flesh. This contrivance offers no impediment to 
the movements of the fowl until it attempts to raise the wings 
for flight, when they are checked in their upward movement 
by the projecting ends of the lath, and flight is consequently 
impracticable. This plan is superior, in some cases, to that 
which I have hitherto generally followed, of running the 
scissors down each side of the primary quill feathers of one 
wing, inasmuch as the fowl is not disfigured, and it is be¬ 
yond all comparison better than the unpleasant practice of 
cutting across several of the quills, which destroys the ap¬ 
pearance of the fowl, and leaves an ugly set of stumps, 
which moult out with difficulty.—W. B. Teqetmeier, 
Tottenham. 
REARING YOUNG PARTRIDGES. 
“ Do you think that you, or any of your poultry-keeping 
friends, can prescribe a course of diet for young Partridges 
from the time of hatching until they are able to find food for 
themselves ? I had a brood this year hatched under a Game 
hen; but instead of their running, as 1 had expected, “ with 
their shells on their backs,” I found them extremely weak 
and delicate. Though they were allowed to remain under 
the hen for twelve hours after they were hatched, they 
seemed unable to stand when taken out of the nest, and 
turned upon their backs like ducks with the splawders. 
Seven out of thirteen died at once. The remaining six, 
appearing weak and delicate, I kept in a stable for five 
weeks, and being now as large as quails, I thought it high 
time that they should breathe the open air. I therefore 
had them put out into a grass field; but, to my dismay, I 
I found that as soon as they were exposed to the air they 
again turned upon their backs, and staggered about like 
drunken men. Four soon died, and the remaining two. 
though still alive, look very rickety. Their thigh bones seem 
to he affected, and seem to stand out almost, at right angles 
from the body. I suppose all this arises from some im¬ 
proper treatment. I shall, therefore, be obliged if you, or 
any of your correspondents, can throw a light upon the 
subject. I ought, perhaps, to mention that the birds were 
fed upon ants’ eggs, with an occasional meal of maggots 
and oatmeal grits. —Perdix in rebus adyersis.” 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Flooring of Poultry-House (A‘. D.).— A concrete, or asphalt 
floor, formed by mixing dry bricklayer’s rubbish, gravel, and gas tar, 
would be the cheapest for you, and would not be burrowed in by rats. 
Pullets Laying (A". D.).—Cochin-China pullets usually lay when 
five or six months old ; and other pullets when two or three months 
older. Warm food has no influence over a hen’s laying. 
Aylesbury Ducks’ Bills (J. C. B.). —“ Are the pale-coloured bills 
and feet essential in Aylesbury Ducks ? I have some with orange bills 
and feet: would such exclude them from taking a prize ? ” 
[Pale cream-coloured hills are essential to Aylesbury Ducks if they 
are intended for exhibition, but there is no objection to orange feet; 
indeed, that is the usual colour.] 
LONDON MARKETS.— September 15th. 
COVENT GARDEN. 
The continued fine weather enables us to report a fair supply of Fruit 
and Vegetables, Apples being the only article in which there is a marked 
deficiency, and which, we find, applies to the Continent as well as here. 
The importations thence, chiefly of Pears, Plums, and Melons, out-door 
Peaches, Nectarines, and Figs, are more plentifully supplied, as may be 
said of all the varieties of Plums now in season. 
FRUIT. 
Apples, kitchen, per 
bushel. 8 s. to 12 s. 
,, dessert .... 
12s. ,, 
20s. 
Pears, per dozen .... 
Is. ,, 
3s. 
Peaches, per doz. 
3s.,; 
6s. 
Nectarines, do. 
2 s. 
6s. 
Pine-apples, perlb... 
4s, ,, 
6s. 
HothouscGrapes, per lb. 3s. ,, 
6s. 
Strawberries, per lb. 
Od. ,, 
0s. 
Foreign Melons, each 
Is. ,, 
3s. 
English Melons. 
Js. „ 
4s. 
Morello Cherries, per lb. Is. ,, 
2s. 
Cherries, per lb. 
Od. ,, 
0s. 
Oranges, per 100 .... 
Seville Oranges, do... 
10s. ,, 
20s. 
Os. ,, 
0s. 
Lemons. 
108. ,, 
1 5s. 
Almonds, per lb. 
9d. ,, 
Is. 
Nuts, Filberts,perlb. 
9d. „ 
Is. 
,, Cobs, ditto .. 
0s. ,, 
0s. 
,, Barcelona,per 
bushel. 
20s. ,, 
22s. 
Nuts, Brazil, ditto.. 
12s. ,, 
14s. 
Walnuts, per 1000 .. 
9«. ,, 
12s. 
Chestnuts, per bushel 
0s. ,, 
0s. 
VEGETABLES. 
Cabbages, per doz. Is. to Is. fid. 
,, Red,perdoz. 2 s. to 4 s. 
Cauliflowers, each.... 2 d. ,, 4d. 
Brocoli, pel bdle. Od. ,, Od. 
Savoys. Os. ,, Os. 
Greens, per doz. bnch. 2 s. ,, 4s. 
Spinach, per sieve .. — ,, 4s. 
French Peas, perbshl. Os. ,, Os. 
French Beans, per blf. sv. Is. 6 d. 
Carrots, per bunch .. 4d. to fid. 
Parsnips, per doz. 6 d. to 9d. 
Beet, per doz. Is. to Is fid. 
Potatoes, per cwt. .. 3s. to 6 s. 
,, Frame, per lb. 
Od. 
„ Od. j 
,, New, per lb .. 
0 d. 
„ Od. 
Onions, Y’ng,per b’nch 
4d. 
„ 6 d. 
,, Old, per bushel 
0 s. 
„ Os. 
Turnips, per bunch.. 
3d. 
„ 6 d. 
Leeks, per bunch .... 
2 d. 
„ 3d. i 
Garlic, per lb. 
Horseradish, per 
6 d. 
„ 8 d. | 
bundle. Is. fid. to 2 s. 6 d. 
Shallots, per lb. 
6 d. 
to Is. 
Lettuce, Cos, per score Is. ,, 2 s. 
,, Cabbageperdoz. Od. ,, 3d. 
Endive, per score .. Os. Od. ,, Os. 
Celery, per bunch.... 9d.to ls. 6 d 
Radishes,Turnip, per 
dozen bunches .... — to 6 d. 
Water presses, ditto.. 
Small Salad, per 
6d. 
,, 9d. 
punnet. 
2d. 
,, 3d. 
Artichokes, per lb. 
— 
,, 2d. 
Asparagus, per bdl. 
Os. 
„ 0s. 
Sea-kale,per punnei.. 
— 
Rhubarb, per bundle 
3d. 
,, 6d. 
Cucumbers, each. 
4d. 
,, 6(1. 
Mushrooms,perpot Is. 6d. 
,, 2a, 
HERBS. 
Basil, per bunch .... 
Marjoram, per bunch 
4d.to 6d. 
4d. 
,, 6d. 
Fennel, per bunch .. 
2d. 
„ 3d. 
Savory, per bunch .. 
2d. 
„ 3d. 
Thyme, per bunch .. 
Parsley, per bunch .. 
2d. 
„ 3d. 
2d. 
,, 3d. 
Mint, per hunch .... 
2d. 
„ 4d. 
Green Mint . 
fid. 
„ 8d. 
POULTRY. 
We have little variation to note. The supply is rather larger thsn the 
demand. Many Partridges are very small, and make merely a nominal 
price. 
LargeFowls 4s. Od. to 4s.6d.eadi 
Smaller do 3s. 6 d. to 4 s. Od. ,, 
Chickens.. 2s. Od. to 2s. 9d« >» 
Grouse .... 3s. 6 d, to 4s. Od. ,, 
Partridges., is. 9d. to 2s. Od. ,, 
Wild ditto. 
Hares - 2 s. 6 d. to 3s. Od. each 
Ducks- 2s. 6 d. to 3s. 3d. ,, 
Geese.fis. Od. to 6 s. 6 d. ,, 
Pigeons .Sd. to 9d. ,, 
Rabbits.... Is, 4d. to Is. 5d. ,, 
lOd. to Is. each* 
[We cannot understand the ailment of tliese Partridges, 
as we have never met with anything similar. The best 
plan we can adopt is to state the course we pursue with 
almost undeviating success in rearing them. The eggs are 
j always set on the ground. When it is possible we choose a 
grass field. The birds run as soon as they are hatched. 
; They are kept constantly supplied with water, and fed with 
1 chopped egg, meal slaked with milk, a little bruised liemp- 
| seed, ants’ eggs when we can get them, and crumbs of 
i bread. They are always strong, and soon go long distances 
from the lien. The place we choose, it' we can, is a clover 
field, and we mow out a piece about three yards square, 
in the midst of which the hen is put under a rip. If we 
were to guess at the cause of the ailments of the birds, we 
should say they had suffered in the shell almost to the 
extinction of life, probably from a prolonged absence of the 
hen.] 
London: Printed bv Hugh Barclay. Winchester Hiph-street, in ' 
the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar ; and Published for the Proprietors 
at The Cottage (Iardenrr Office. No. 20, Paternoster Row, in 
the Parish of Christ Church, City of London. — September 16 , 1856. 
SUrbrrtts'cmcntd. 
Just Published, price 6 d., by post 7 d. t 
The Prize Essay" on Rearing and i 
Fattening Market and Table Poultry. By W. B. 1 
TEGE TMEIER. 
This Essay, which has been thought worthy of an entire reprint in 
the Gardeners ’ Chronicle, the Mark Lane Express , &c., is now re¬ 
published from the Agricultural Society’s Journal, wRh additions. 
“ Contains useful hints which will amply repay the purchasers.”— 
The Field. 
London: Cottage Gardener Office, 20, Paternoster Bow. 
