CAPONIZING FOWL. 345 



out, the skin of the Fowl drawn over the wound, which may 

 be covered with the feathers that were plucked off" at the com- 

 mencement, and the Chicken may be released. As soon as it 

 is liberated, it will eagerly partake of grain or other food, and 

 in a few days be restored to health. 



In some Fowls, the fore part of the thigh covers the two 

 hindmost ribs, in which case, care must be observed to draw 

 the fleshy part of the thigh well back, to prevent it from be- 

 ing cut; as otherwise, the operation to be performed might 

 be liable to lame the Fowl, or even cause its death. 



For loops, nothing answers better than the fibre of a cocoa- 

 nut husk, which is rough, and readily separates the testicles 

 by sawing. The next best substance for the purpose, is the 

 hair of a horse's mane or tail. 



The usual method of making Poulardes, in France, is, to ex- 

 tirpate the egg cluster, or ovaria, in a similar manner as the 

 testicles are extracted from the young Cocks ; but it has been 

 shown by Mr. Yarrell, in the " Transactions of the Royal So- 

 ciety," that it is quite sufficient merely to cut across the Egg, 

 tube, or oviduct, with a sharp knife. Poulardes may otherwise 

 be treated in the same manner as the Capons. 



Capons are fattened precisely in the same manner as other 

 Fowls, by keeping them cooped up in a quiet, dark place, and 

 cramming, or otherwise feeding them abundantly. 



