36 
ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE 
Fixtures in the hen house should be portable so that 
cleaning may not be difficult. A dropping board, three 
feet wide, eighteen inches from the floor, should be placed 
at the back of the house. Perches are arranged above 
the dropping board. Small boxes may be used for nests. 
These should be placed under the dropping boards in 
order to provide a clean dark place for the laying hens. 
Portable poultry houses are desirable for large farms. 
Brood Coops.—The hen with a newly hatched family 
of chicks should have a house and a small plot of lawn 
Fig. 23.—Cattle-feeding trough. 
where the other poultry may not disturb them. This will 
give the young brood a chance to grow more rapidly, and 
they will not be injured by the feet of larger animals. 
A box brooder, two and one-half feet square, sloping from 
two feet to one foot as shown in the diagram will serve 
the purpose. A portable bottom protects the young 
chicks from cold and moisture. A small door with wire 
netting should be provided. 
Rope Making.—Boys and girls like to make rope 
from binder twine and other kinds of cords. Usually a 
