CHAP. III.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 71 



wives ; but, in this country, there is so pre- 

 valent an idea respecting the surgical skill 

 required in the operation, that the practice 

 is almost confined to the counties of Surrey, 

 Berks, and Sussex. It is however of a very 

 simple nature, and is usually performed for 

 a trifle by some peasant or old woman who 

 is an adept in effecting it ; for it should never 

 be attempted by any person who is not well 

 acquainted with the method. The best time 

 of the year is the months of May or June, 

 when the birds are eight or nine weeks old, 

 and before the weather becomes very hot — in 

 order to prevent the wound from becoming 

 inflamed, and coming to a mortification. It 

 may, however, be done with tolerable safety 

 at any age after the cock has been turned out 

 of the yard, or when the hen has done laying, 

 and, in both cases, renders them fat and ten- 

 der, but the bird should be cooped for a few 

 days in some cool place, and fed upon soft 

 nutritive food, until a cure is completed. It 

 usually takes nearly eight or nine months after 

 the operation to bring them to a proper size ; 

 but if hatched early, and well fed, they may 

 be brought into high condition by Christmas. 



