As one enters The Corning Egg Farm, on the left of the drive, there is about an acre of Timothy and Clover. This acre has been very heavily fertilized and brought up to a high state of cultivation. The Timothy and Clover grow so rapidly, and the growth comes in such abundance almost before the snow is off the ground, that cutting it as we do, so many rows each morning, it is impossible to cross the entire plot before that which was first cut has almost grown beyond the succulent point. To make a change for the hens we cut this in the early Spring, and pass it through the Clover Cutter, reducing it to quarter inch lengths, but we find that after the first few days of feeding the hens show a decided preference for Sprouted Oats, and now we make it a rule to feed the Timothy and Clover one day and the Sprouted Oats the next. This works very well, and the “Biddies” seem to enjoy the different rations on alternate days. [Illustration: TWO WEEKS OLD CHICKS IN BROODER HOUSE RUNS] The Colony Range is so cared for and fertilized that the growing pullet, for the Spring and Summer months, finds an unlimited supply of succulent green food at her door. CHAPTER XI Anthracite Coal Ashes--A Substitute for Many More Expensive Necessities The feather of a bird is composed almost entirely of phosphorous, and phosphorous is a great aid to the bird in digesting food. In fact, there are manufactured “grits” offered on the market, which base their efficiency on the amount of phosphorous they carry. Anthracite, or hard, coal ashes, carry a considerable quantity of phosphorous, and this is the reason chickens in all stages of their existence are so fond of them. Our attention was first called to this fact by observing the large number of pullets on the Colony Range, where some loads of ashes had been used the previous season in mixing with the fertilizer for the growing of potatoes. It was noticed that these small heaps of ashes were very soon consumed, and when they were replenished the pullets were never absent from the piles. The experiment was then made of placing a small heap at the extreme end of the chick runs from the Brooder House, and to our surprise we found one was unable to see the ashes because of the moving mass of yellow which covered them. It was necessary to replenish these heaps almost daily. As ashes are perfectly sanitary we decided to cover the entire chick run with them, which we did, and every few days, through the brooding season, a fresh coating is necessary, as the youngsters consume so much of the surface constantly. Better Than Charcoal