To ensure healthy and large-sized chicken it is absolutely necessary that there should not be any relationship between the parents; breeding “in and in,” as it is termed, is well known by all rearers of stock to produce diseased and weakly offspring, hence it is indispensable that there should be an introduction of fresh male birds every two or three years. In farm-yards where there are large numbers of poultry, it will be found by far the most desirable plan to keep separately a cock with from four to six of the best hens, and to hatch their eggs alone. By this means the chicken are all certain of coming from the best birds, and a much smaller number of cocks may be kept with the main stock of hens than would otherwise be desirable. The practice of allowing the hens to run with several cocks is calculated to deteriorate the breed materially, should therefore a larger number of eggs be required for hatching, than furnished by a cock and four or six hens, another set should be separated. In all cases, over crowding must be carefully guarded against, especially where poultry are kept in a confined situation, for if the ground becomes tainted, the inevitable result is that disease breaks out, and that the chicken, being less able to withstand its influence than older birds, die off rapidly, in spite of good food, warm housing, and every attention that can possibly be paid to them. Many persons are in the habit of lifting off the sitting hens in order to feed them, I believe that all such interference is uncalled for and injurious; the less a hen is disturbed whilst hatching the better--when hungry and thirsty she will leave the nest, and should be then fed most liberally. Whole corn I think the best for hatching hens, as it remains longer in the crop and so satisfies hunger for a greater length of time. In addition to food and water the hens should always be provided with a heap of dry ashes, to roll in, to enable them to free themselves from vermin.