1116 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



times. If the head is to be left on it must not be scalded, for 

 that would injure the bright appearance of the comb, give the 

 eyes a shrunken look which would convey the impression that 

 the fowl was diseased when killed. Remove the feathers and 

 pin-feathers without breaking the skin, and avoid bruising the 

 flesh ; bruised places and abrasions of the skin soon turn black 

 and greatly injure the appearance of the fowl. Singe the fowl 

 without smoking it, then dip for about two seconds into water 

 that is almost boiling hot, and at once into cold water for the 

 same length of time. This process is called ' plumping,' and 

 will give a tolerably lean old hen an appearance of respectable 

 fatness. The intestines and crop must not be drawn. If the 

 feet and shanks are dirty wash them clean, also the comb and 

 the feathers about the head. 



" The poultry should be entirely cold, but not frozen, before 

 it is packed ; if packed before it is quite cold it is sure to spoil. 

 Use boxes of medium size, those that will contain from one to 

 two hundred pounds, and dry, clean straw for packing. Put a 

 layer of straw in the bottom of the box, then a layer of poultry, 

 backs upward, legs drawn backward under the body, wings 

 folded snugly at the sides, and heads of the first row tucked 

 under the body. In the next row pass the heads up between 

 the rumps of the first row. The last row, turn the heads 

 towards the end of the box as in the first row and pass the legs 

 back under the others. Never double up the legs, and in plac- 

 ing the heads of the first and last rows be careful not to crowd 

 so close to the bodies as to leave a discolored mark. Fill all 

 spaces with straw, cover this layer with straw enough to keep 

 from contact with the next one, and fill the whole box in the 

 same way. Cover the top layer with straw enough to make the 

 cover fit down pretty snug, for if the fowls shift about in the 

 box it will injure the appearance, and consequently affect the 

 sale. When the weather is very cold, use more straw around 

 the top, bottom, and sides of the box, and wrap each fowl in 

 clean, white paper. It is a good idea to wrap each fowl in the 

 white paper, any way, whether necessary to keep from freezing 

 or not; the fowls look neater, it will prevent discoloration where 



