359 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



THE TURKEY. 



THIS is one of those Fowls, that, as yet, are found in the 

 wild, as well as in the domestic state. How long this may be, 

 is hard to say ; probably, not long ; for as civilization and im- 

 provements advance in North America, the country to which 

 they belong, they will, doubtless, share the fate of the Dodo 

 and Bustard, and be known only in history, or by the speci- 

 mens to be seen in the barn-yard. 



As I know comparatively little of this Fowl from experience 

 in rearing it, I have sought information of those who " know 

 all about it" practically; and none more so than my friend, 

 D. Taggart, Esq., to whom I feel much indebted, for his valua- 

 ble correspondence on " Ornamental and Domestic Poultry/' 



In answer to some inquiries, in relation to Fowls generally, 

 he says, " You have not asked my views on Turkeys, but what 

 little I know, I may as well impart. I raised two broods, last 

 summer, (1850,) byway of experiment. The first lot, to the 

 number of fifteen, were hatched in June, under Hens. With 

 these, I was very successful, having lost but one. The Gobblers 

 now weigh, (November 29th, 1850,) eleven or twelve pounds, 

 the Hens seven or eight pounds : I was very careful of them, 

 feeding them on the curds of milk, and waste bread, soaked in 

 milk, until they were four or five weeks old. After that, I was 

 not so particular. I kept them in the garden, and by the time 



