212 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. ix. 



critical period of their life ; but, that once 

 passed, they become as hardy as any other 

 fowl, roosting along with the hens, and then 

 acquire the name of " Poults." 



On the approach of winter, there appears 

 on the breast of the young cocks a sort of 

 tumour which produces the tuft of hair al- 

 ready described, which in the second year 

 grows to the length of near four inches, and 

 still longer in the third, at which time the 

 bird arrives at his full growth, and becomes 

 " a Stag," the hens not being in their prime 

 until the age of four. 



The poults are thought great delicacies 

 when fattened for the table ; but it is not easy 

 to bring them into that state unless they are 

 crammed, as well as cooped. No one should 

 think of fattening them as groicn turkeys 

 until they are full six months old ; but when 

 large enough to be brought into condition by 

 Christmas, either when poults or at any later 

 age, they must be shut up during a full 

 month or six weeks before the time, if in- 

 tended to be crammed ; and, if not, a couple 

 of months earlier will be necessary, during 

 the whole of which they must be abundantly 



