Capons and Broilers 223 



prices which capons bring are to be compared 

 with those of the choicest broilers, one would be 

 led to believe that broiler raising would be the 

 more profitable. 



It should be borne in mind, however, that it is 

 quite possible to make good capons of fowls that 

 at no time in their existence would have sold for 

 the highest prices as broilers. Broiler raising, like 

 the rearing of early or "hothouse" lambs, requires 

 great skill. Those who do not understand how 

 to secure these choice products, may make good 

 capons from fowls that would not answer the re- 

 quirements of the higher priced broilers. 



In rearing broilers, it is impossible to bring all 

 the birds to the desired condition that is, all will 

 not be as good as the best. The poorer birds may 

 be retained on the farm and prepared for the 

 capon market. When the profits which choice 

 capons bring are compared with the profits of 

 rearing mature fowls that are sold for meat, a 

 most excellent showing will be made. The ques- 

 tion, then, whether capons will pay, depends 

 largely on the point of view. Sometimes capons 

 undoubtedly can be made to pay well, and the 

 rearing of them should be encouraged under cer- 

 tain conditions. 



To those who have had no experience in the 

 rearing of capons, and to whom, perhaps, the 

 word is almost a new one, it may be stated that 



