PREPARING SQUABS FOR MARKET 181 



ning faucet and allow the crop to fill with water. Then take 

 the squab in the right hand, by the back and legs, and by a 

 throwing motion towards the ground throw the water out of the 

 crop, and with it will come the grain and other contents. If 

 it does not all come out the first time, refill with water and re- 

 peat the process. 



It pays to arrange a convenient place to kill and pick squabs, 

 even though you have but a small plant and may only kill a 

 few birds weekly. It will be found best to do this work indoojs 

 and a cool basement or wash room is an excellent place. A 

 comfortable seat should be provided and all such arrangements 

 should be made in advance. 



PICKING SOUABS BY USE OF PARAFFIN 



Much time can be saved and better results obtained by using 

 paraffin when picking squabs, and as the paraffin can be used 

 over and over again, the expense is a small consideration. Of 

 course, all the larger feathers must be pulled out before the 

 squabs are dipped. A little experience will teach you just how- 

 clean to pick before paraffining. 



To prepare the paraffin for this purpose, put it into a kettle 

 or receptacle, large enough to permit the dipping of a squab 

 completely under the liquid. Paraffin should be warmed to a 

 degree that will melt it into an oily substance, but care should 

 be taken not to get it too hot, or it will partly cook and turn 

 the squabs red and spoil them. The paraffin should be warm- 

 not hot. A good test is to hold your finger in the melted liquid 

 and if it is too hot for your comfort let it set and cool a while. 

 It will cool very rapidly. 



To apply the paraffin hold the squab ])y the head and feet, 

 and submerge the balance of the body under the paraffin. Lay 

 it on a table or board to cool a few minutes, and then dip again. 

 Time can be saved by dipping several squabs in succession and 

 then by the time the last is dipped the first is cold enough to dip 

 the second time. 



After the paraffin is cool it will turn to a sperm-like sub- 

 stance, then it can be pulled off the squab, and any feathers left 

 on the s((uab will come with it. Then the squab should be 

 thrown into a bucket or tub of water to plump. When squabs 



