Capons 243 



profit, capons should be large and fat and not more 

 than ten or eleven months of age. If they are kept 

 until a later age, the meat becomes somewhat 

 coarse and is not so desirable. While early chickens 



FIG. 82. A caponizing set. 



are most highly prized for broilers, the later ones may 

 be turned to a good account for the capon market. 

 The question is sometimes asked, with all serious- 

 ness, whether the operation is not sufficiently pain- 

 ful to condemn the practice. Without doubt con- 

 siderable pain is involved, but no more than in 

 a similar operation which is performed so gener- 



