72 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. iit. 



The operation, though more easily done on 

 the hen, is seldom performed upon her, as she 

 is the most useful hird of the two ; though it 

 has been said by some writers, that when hens 

 have been thus operated on, they still con- 

 tinue to lay eggs. This must, we however 

 imagine, be a mistake ; for, if effectually per- 

 formed, it deprives them of that function of 

 their nature, and they can no longer lay. 

 When restored to health, the hens appear un- 

 conscious of any effect arising from the 

 operation ; but not so the cock : he becomes 

 dull and melancholy, loses the strength and 

 shrillness of his crow, 



" foregoes 



His wonted strut," 



and becomes so hateful to the other fowls 

 that they will rarely allow him to roost with 

 them. 



In some instances he is, however, trained 

 to act as a hen in rearing up chickens, 

 and, ridiculous as it may appear, is then 

 described as appearing at their head in the 

 poultry-yard, not as he was before— dull, 

 ashamed, and humbled — but proud, haughty, 

 and triumphant; and such is the influence 



