Water is our last class of feeds for the laying hen. This can be supplied in two ways. The first way is from the water direct, placed in some kind of a pan that is covered so that the birds can not soil the water, by perching on the edge of the pan, etc. Fresh water should be before the birds at all times, as we have just learned a few pages back that about 65 per cent of the egg is composed of water. Besides this, the birds need water for their body requirements. In the winter when the birds spend practically all of their time in the poultry house, and can not have the opportunity of picking up grass, and other green feeds, we can supply water to them in the form of some kind of green feeds, such as sprouted oats, cabbages, mangoes, or any other vegetables to be had. All these feeds are to be recommended highly, as they not only are composed largely of water, but add bulk to the ration, and aid in keeping the bird laxative. Sprouted oats can be raised in shallow pans, and given to the birds in small quantities at a time. It is usually advisable to have several pans of sprouting oats say, for instance, one for every day in the week, so that a fresh supply can be given to the birds every morning. Nearly every supply house has patent oat sprouters to sell at reasonable prices. Cabbages and mangoes are also fed extensively to the laying birds during the winter months, but provision must be made before hand to raise them in the summer, and to properly store them in the fall, so that they will be fresh when taken out of storage for feeding. One very good way to do this is to pile them together in a basement and cover them with sand. Let us next consider a few practical grain rations, that have been tried out by successful poultry men. These rations are always classified as scratch rations and dry mash rations. One very good ration is as follows: Scratch Feed, 3 parts cracked corn, 1 part wheat, 1 part oats, 1 part barley. Dry mash, 1½ part bran, 1½ part middlings, 1 part corn meal, 1 part meat scraps or tankage. Another very good practical ration is composed as follows: Scratch feed, 3 parts corn, 1 part oats, and 1 part barley. Dry mash, one part each of bran, middlings, ground corn, ground oats and meat scraps. These feeds should always be measured by weight, and not by bulk. Now, then, just a few words in regard to the feeding of these grains. Always send the birds to roost with full crops. This is especially important during cold weather. It is much better if they be allowed to fill up on scratch grain rather than dry mash. The scratch ration is more bulky than the mash feed, and helps in keeping the bird warm. In fact, many successful poultry men close the hopper of their dry mash ration during the afternoon, and thus make the birds take the scratch feed in the litter, thereby encouraging the birds to obtain exercise, also.