One of the most important requisites in a fowl house is absolute dryness, nothing being more fatal to poultry than damp; on clayey soil, or in moist situations, dryness must be secured, either by drainage or by raising the floor several inches above the surface of the ground; in cold situations especially, the aspect of the house is also of some importance; if practicable, the windows and other openings should face the south, as this secures a greater degree of warmth during the winter, an advantage which is also obtained by having the roof ceiled. The perches on which the fowls roost should be low, especially for the larger varieties, as otherwise the violence with which they descend causes lameness, and not unfrequently fracture of the breast bone; in order to prevent the breast bones becoming crooked (a circumstance which greatly injures their appearance, and consequently their value as table birds), the perches should be much larger than ordinary; a split fir pole, three inches across on the flat side, which should be turned downwards, will be found advantageous, and a height of not more than three or four feet is desirable, as it enables the fowls to be readily caught after they have gone to roost, and prevents lameness; for Cochins it is even necessary that the perches should be much lower; their height should certainly not exceed one foot from the ground, otherwise, from the imperfect powers of flight possessed by these birds, the evils alluded to are very apt to occur. Heavy birds of this variety are sometimes subject to inflammatory tenderness of the feet; to prevent as much as possible the tendency to this disease, it is advantageous in these cases to lay some straight straw lengthway along the top of the perches, binding it in its place with string. The ground below the perches should be strewed with sand, gravel, or ashes, to a considerable depth, so that the dung may be removed without soiling the floor. This should be done every morning early, and the house thrown open during the day, so as to be thoroughly purified. It seldom happens that fowl houses are so built, as to require any distinct contrivance for ventilation; in cases, however, where the door and window are air-tight, means should be afforded for a proper supply of fresh air; there should be an opening at or near the bottom, and another at the top, these should be covered with pieces of perforated zinc, to prevent any direct draught of cold air, which is very injurious. Cleanliness is also a consideration of the highest importance in a fowl house; if ashes or sand are used, as recommended, and the dung removed daily, this is readily secured; and in order to prevent as far as possible the annoyance of vermin, the house should be lime-washed once or twice a year, and the birds also be provided with a box full of dry dust or ashes to _bathe_ in.