PRACTICAL PAPERS—POLUTRY RAISING. 
235 
a questionable source of profit, probably a nuisance. It is 
under such treatment, that the question “ does is pay to keep 
fowls” is generally answered in the negative, and for the rea¬ 
son, that those wdio keep them in this way are entirely unac¬ 
quainted with the proper care and management of them and 
only look upon them as a necessary evil to be endured, because 
the “ women folks want them.” How my experience satisfies 
me that there is nothing in the shape of live stock reared on the 
farm, considering the outlay, that compares with them for profit. 
In order to reap the greatest profit, they must be provided 
with the necessary accommodations for their health and com¬ 
fort. The first requisite is a warm, dry, well lighted and 
thoroughly ventilated, 
Poultry IIouse. —It need not necessarily be expensive, 
but should be arranged with special reference^to convenience 
in caring for the comfort and health of the fowls. In select¬ 
ing a site for your poultry house and yard, choose a dry loca¬ 
tion with a southern or eastern exposure if possible, higher 
than the surrounding ground, that the water may run off rap¬ 
idly. A damp location will never do. The soil should be of 
a porous nature, either sand or gravel predominating. If the 
right location can be had at the south side of some building 
that will give it protection from cold winds, so much'the bet¬ 
ter. Be the site where it may, be sure that the floor of your 
house is higher than the ground outside. Do not make the 
mistake frequently seen of digging down a foot or so in 
order to make it warmer. Better by far bank it up when 
the weather requires it. The floor of your house may be dry 
earth or gravel, or, if economy is not to be studied, concrete 
is still better. Of whatever material it may be made, the 
floor should be kept covered with dry earth, renewed weekly, 
or oftener, as strict cleanliness is absolutely necessary for profit 
and the well being of the fowls. 
A house to accommodate, say fifty fowls—which is about 
the average usually kept by farmers—should contain at least 
150 square feet, or three square feet to each fowl. It has 
