112 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 
being added to the cold water. A warm room is 
needed, for poultry shows come in cold weather; in 
practice, the kitchen is commonly made use of. The 
bird is first scrubbed with warm water, using a brush 
and always rubbing downward. Soap should be 
used freely, but thoroughly rinsed off in the second 
tub, the victim being soused in the cooler water. 
Then a dipping or two in the bluing water will give 
the finishing touch to the bath. Next in order is a 
thorough drying with sponge and towel, after which 
the bird is placed in a coop, the bottom of which is 
covered thickly with sawdust, and the coop given a 
location near the fire, but not close enough to cause 
the feathers to crinkle from the heat. 
While fowls with dark plumage are not often 
washed, all need a certain amount of attention and 
the man who sends his birds to the show in the best 
of condition has an advantage over his more slovenly 
competitor. Whatever the breed, the legs, comb, 
wattles and lobes should be carefully cleansed with 
warm water, using soap anda soft sponge. 
It will be realized from what has been written, 
that the breeding of fancy poultry 1s not an under- 
taking to be entered upon lightly if one is really 
ambitious for success in the show room. And yet 
