and the fresh air from the eyes. Blinds that fit too closely over the eyes will heat them in warm weather and produce disease and even blindness. An easy bit should be used in the bridle. For horses with tender mouths, a bit covered with rubber is recommended by many, winter use. If a raw iron bit is used in cold weather, it should always be warmed before it is put into the horse's mouth. A cold bit is very painful to the mouth and will produce ulcers.

especially for

In hitching a team of horses to a vehicle, the following order should be observed:

First, properly snap or fasten all the line checks to the bridle bits. The lines once arranged, the neck yoke should be put on, and the tongue of the vehicle raised and fastened. Lastly, the tugs or traces are to be hooked or fastened. This order is reversed in unhitching. In hitching a team, it is best to examine all fastenings, to make sure that everything is in readiness, before the team is started.

3.

1. In unhitching, why should the tugs be loosened before the checks of the lines are unsnapped? 2. Why unhook the tugs before letting down the tongue?

3. Why should all parts of the harness be firm and well fastened?

4. Why should the lines never be tied to a wheel of the vehicle to which the team is hitched? 5. Why should very heavy vehicles be provided with a lock or break? (Give three reasons.) 6. Why not keep the harness in the stall near the horse?

7. Should harness ever be oiled?

8. Give some precautions to be observed in the use of a team.

LESSON IV.

AMONG THE POULTRY.

I.

Joe Bell and his sister Kate are industrious children. They take pleasure in raising poultry. poultry. Mr. and Mrs. Bell encourage them in this work, and provide them with books and papers which teach them how to care for fowls of every kind.

It is said that the poultry and eggs of our country bring more money than do all the horses, mules, and sheep together.

The proceeds from the sale of poultry, which Joe and Kate raise, add much to the income of Mr. and Mrs. Bell, and the children are glad to know that they are helpful to their parents.

They began with a few chickens. Now they have as many as they can care for. At first they knew little about the care of poultry, but they have learned much, and find that there is yet much for them to learn.

They have learned that there are many varieties of chickens: that some varieties are large, and others are small; that some have flesh that is fine in texture and of sweet and delicate flavor; that the flesh of others is coarse, and may not have an agree

able flavor; that some varieties are wild and refractory; that others are tamer, and more easily managed; and that some varieties produce more eggs than others.

Kate says that she thinks the best variety is the one that combines the good qualities of all.

Kate and Joe agree that the henhouse should be well kept. They frequently dash the walls with hot water, and sometimes with coal oil and dilute carbolic acid; and occasionally Mr. Bell fumigates the building for them.

To do this he puts a handful of sulphur in an iron vessel kept for that purpose, and placing this in the henhouse, after all the fowls have been driven out and the windows have been closed, he sets fire to the sulphur, and then very quickly

goes out and closes the door behind him. The smoke and fumes from the burning sulphur fill all parts of the building and kill any insects that may be in it.

After a few hours he opens the doors and windows and allows the fresh air to pass through before the fowls enter. He is very careful not to breathe any of the smoke or fumes, and to leave the henhouse the moment he sets fire to the sulphur. Joe thinks that he will be old enough in a few years to do this work himself.

Kate frequently sprinkles well-slaked lime about the henhouse and yard; this is good for the health of the fowls.

Mr. Bell has given Joe some tools, and with these he has made screens for the windows, so that he can safely ventilate the henhouse at night in warm weather. He has also made coops of such boxes, boards, and slats as he could get.

With a little help and advice from his father, Joe has built a long row of nests with tight board

covers.

Mrs. Bell assists Kate in taking care of the hens while they are sitting, and of the little chicks while they are young.

Kate likes to feed, water, and care for the fowls. She gives them soft food in the morning, and grain