290 FARMING FOR LADIES, [chaf. xit. 



burden, by keeping it fast between her knees, 

 holding up the head with one hand, and 

 stroking the throat with the other from the 

 crop upwards; by continuing which process 

 for a considerable time, the greater part of 

 the food will, probably, be discharged ; but, 

 if not, the only effectual remedy is then to 

 make a longitudinal incision in the throat near i 

 to the crop, and pick out from it the objec- 

 tionable matter. This can be done with a 

 sharp penknife at one cut, if the fowl be 

 firmly held and the operator have a steady 

 hand, and if the wound be neatly sown up, and i 

 covered with adhesive plaster, it will soon be 

 healed. The fowl should, however, be kept 

 quiet for a few days, and fed either upon 

 boiled bread and milk, or other soft food. 



Of moulting, we have already said all that 

 is necessary, and the plague of hen-lice can be 

 prevented by proper attention to cleanliness. 

 We shall, therefore, conclude this chapter by 

 alluding to that universal malady, if indeed 

 it can be so called — old age — which admits 

 of no other cure than death ; and is the only 

 remedy to be recommended, in every case of 

 serious accident or troublesome disease. 



