WASHING FOWLS. 133 



"In their hamper I put, of course, plenty of clean soft 

 straw. I also tie on one side of it, near the top, a fresh-pulled 

 cabbage, and on the other side a good piece of the bottom side 

 of a loaf, of which they will eat away all the soft part. Before 

 starting I give each bird half a table-spoonful of port wine, 

 which makes them sleep a good part of the journey. Of course, 

 if I go with my birds, as I generally do, I see that they, as 

 well as myself, have ' refreshment on the road.' 



" With regard to what you have remarked about showing 

 birds fat, I never do so. As you truly observe, many birds are 

 ruined by it. Good, healthy condition, with a nice gloss on 

 the feathers, is what I aim at in exhibiting, and the treatment 

 1 have described is what I have found best calculated to 

 attain it." 



Little can be added to these directions from so high an 

 authority. For light-coloured fowls, however, or which have 

 much white in their plumage, the cleansing process above 

 described will often be found insufficient. In such cases the 

 birds must be carefully washed with soap and water before 

 sending off, and good or bad washing may make all the 

 difference between winning and losing. 



A large tub or pan must be provided, and half filled with 

 warm water. The very first step is to clean thoroughly the 

 feet and legs, which always are of a colour to need this in 

 light-coloured fowls ; and if they are dirty, the water in which 

 they are washed should be thrown away and clean substituted ; 

 a hardish brush will generally be useful in scrubbing the shanks. 

 The head is washed next, using a soft nail-brush on the comb 

 if needful ; after that the first step is to thoroughly soak the 

 plumage by the use of a sponge. Then it is to be thoroughly 

 washed with a sponge and good yellow soap, the great point 

 being to ensure that it really is quite clean, and rubbing 

 freely almost every way, except up or nearly up the feather, 

 which must be avoided. Being sure the fowl is quite clean. 



