PRACTICAL PAPERS—POULTRY RAISING. 
287 
at rest, and prevent in a great measure crooked breasts and 
frozen toes. Under all roosting bars place a movable shelf of 
sufficient width, and keep it constantly covered with dry earth, 
muck or plaster. The droppings should be removed every 
week, at least, and stored under cover outside of the hen house. 
Be sure and save them all, as there is money in them. The 
amount of the accumulation during the year, if properly saved, 
will astonish you, and in value is nearly equal to the best im¬ 
ported guano. When composted with muck and ashes, and 
applied to the corn hill at planting time, the increase of the 
crop will go far toward supplying your fowls with the corn 
they will require to carry them through the winter. 
Thorough cleanliness must be insisted upon. The inside of 
the house should be lime-washed spring and fall. I have 
found a wash made from freshly burned lime, with one quart 
fine salt, one pint coal tar to the pailful, applied hot and well 
brushed into the cracks, very effectual as a disinfectant and 
destroyer of vermin. The yards and runs to each apartment 
must, in size and shape conform to the “ lay of the land,” and 
the ideas of the owner; but of course the more ground they 
can be allowed to occupy the better for the fowls. Fifty fowls 
should have not less than half an acre, unless the land is valu¬ 
able and limited in quantity. The land may, however, be 
made to pay a good return by planting to plum frees, as the 
chickens will make short work of the curculio, thereby en¬ 
suring generally a full crop of excellent fruit. 
A seven-foot fence will confine most varieties; the lower 
three feet should be tight boarded, this will prevent cocks 
fighting each other through the fence, and also protect the fowls 
in a great measure from the high winds. 
An open shed adjoining each apartment, under which the 
fowls can run and be protected, and at the same time have 
plenty of fresh air during stormy days, will be found a great 
acquisition, and will add much to their comfort. Under this 
shed may be placed the dust bath, which all fowls delight in ; 
a heap of ashes and road dust, with an occasional sprinkling 
of sulphur, answers the purpose well. 
