Sko. 9.] POULTRY. 135 



The instruments used to perform the operation arc few and simple, and 

 inexpensive, and the art easily learned. 



A set of first-class caponizing instruments is included in the following 

 list : a scalpel, 62^ cents ; silver retractor, $1 50 ; spring forceps, 87| cents ; 

 spoon, with hook, 75 cents ; double silver canula, $1 75 ; total, §5 50. 



A much cheaper set of instruments would answer all practical purposes. 



The proper age for caponizing chickens is from one to three months. The 

 cock is confined upon a table by weights upon the M-ings and legs, with the 

 right side up ; the feathers are then plucked off a spot on the right side near 

 the hip joint, about an inch across, where the incision is to be made, b\' 

 which tlie parts are e.\'posed that are to be removed. The operation takes 

 but a few minutes for a skillful operator. 



ISS. Pea-Fowls. — Of all tlie ornamental poultry ever kept on a place, the 

 pea-fowls take the lead, and M'ell they might, for they are the most useless, 

 and a very expensive luxury. They will not bear confinement ; will not 

 even roost in a house, but occupy the tops of the highest buildings or tall 

 trees. And for mischief, from which they can not be restrained, they excel 

 all the feathered tribe. They are cunning beyond belief. They will watch 

 0])portunities to visit the garden and steal fruit, and be out betbre they are 

 suspected. Driving them out with all possible marks of ill-treatment has 

 no effect upon them, as it does upon other poultry. The pea-fowls will bear 

 a repetition of abuse every day, and every day return to their thieving. So 

 no one who has a garden and lawn in one inclosure should attemj)t to keep 

 pea-fowl ; nor where there is any chance for them to get into mischief. 



A gardenk'ss mansion may, and should liave numbers of pea-fowls. A 

 single pair makes but little show, while a flock makes a most dazzling, 

 splendid appearance. Peahens are two or three years in coming to maturity. 

 They then lay four to seven eggs, which require twenty-seven to twenty-nine 

 days' incubation. Peahens always steal their nests, and their eggs nnist 

 never be touched, if you wish the hen to incubate them. They may be taken 

 and incubated under a common fowl, or, better, under a turkey, and then the 

 peahen may find another sly place and lay again. The peacock has the 

 reputation of being a bad father, and killing his own progeny. Therefore 

 the hen hides from him as well as from men. 



1S!>. Turkeys. — Every farmer can and should keep turkeys, and as there 

 arc several varieties, he should get the best and keep no other. 



Turkevs arc less mischievous than most other poultry, and in some cases 

 they are of great assistance to the farmer in destroying insects. The tobacco 

 lijanters keep turkeys purposely to assist them in ridding tlio i)lant3 of the 

 destructive worms. 



The turkey is a much moro recent introdnction to the poultry -yard than 

 the other varieties. It is said that the black sort was carried from its na- 

 tive wilds of America to England, and that the American stock has been 

 all drawn from the woods, and tiiat the diH'crent sorts have come from u 

 Southern and Northern race. "We think, though, that it has come from 



