POULTRY AND THE GARDEN

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2995, 20 September 1878, Page 3

POULTRY AND THE GARDEN

Fowls are, prorerbially, enemies toamatuer gardening, but a " cute Yankee. Us hit upon an idea whereby their scratching propensities can be economically turned to account in weeding among garden crops. Peas, beans, potatoes, and fgreatvariW of garden crops are caltirated in rows a foot and a half to two feet apart. Between the rows, wire or wicker cages, without bottoms, of conJenient length and width-long narrow caees-are placed so as to be at sufficient diftance from the plants that the fowls cannot hurt them. Hens chickens or other scratching fowls are then placed in the cages, which are moved along between iul rows as the ground is sufficiently ttJZI and weeid. The fowls can bekepfcallday, and every day,an these «Leß- and not only all the weeds be t Chu decoyed, but .also large numbers of various insects with their, eggs and larv», which otherwise would levy heavy contributions on the crop. Another beS which should not be left out o the calculation, is the na.r?-.f^ manure is a powerful one-which they

will deposit just where it will be of most service. Water woul I hav<- .to. he placed where the fowls could roacli it. ami of course their rations of-grain or other food must not be withheld. The. latter, perhaps, should be given in somewhat reduced quantity in the mornings, that the feathered gardeners may not by lazily inclined ; and the deficiency could be made up for the evening meal, just before "roosting time." The plan seems a very feasible one; perhaps some of our country friends, will give it a fair trial. It will certainly be a great improvement on the very common plan^of going to the trouble and expense of-dig'-ging, manuring, and buying costly seeds, and when all the-work is done, and the money spent, allowing fowls to spoil all before either flower or vegetable rewards the gardener. The housekeeper—farmer's helpmate—values the garden^ and: values the poultry, too. She can rarely have both without incurring greater outlay, for expensive fowl proof fencing, than the husband is willing to incur; yet she must have eggs to make cakes for the children, and, in spite of heaps of experience to the contrary, she still believes that poultry and gardenscan thrive toge-j ther. . ' :