132 Privation of Light. 



considerable growth, will have many of them 

 become already crooked breasted from 

 perching whilst at large, although much 

 depends upon form in this case, since we 

 find aged cocks and hens of the best shape, 

 which have perched all their hves, with 

 the breastbone perfectly straight. 



It has always been a favourite maxim 

 among feeders, that the privation of 

 LIGHT, by inclining fowls to a constant 

 state of repose, excepting when moved by 

 the appetite for food, promotes and ac- 

 celerates obesity. It may probably be so, 

 although not promotive of health ; but as 

 it is no question that a state of obesity 

 obtained in this way cannot be a sta.f>e of 

 health, a real question arises — whether the 

 flesh of animals so fed, can equal in fla- 

 vour, nutriment, and salubrity, that of the 

 same species fed in a more natural way ? 

 Pecuniary and market interest may per- 

 haps be best answered by the plan of dark- 

 ness and close confinement, but a feeder 

 for his own table, of dehcate taste, and 



mbitious of furnishing his board with the 



a 



