PLUCKING FOWLS ALIVE WHITE TURKEYS. 61 



The practice of plucking the LIVING FOWL (see 

 page 55), if interest must sanction such a custom, 

 should he performed in the most tender and careful 

 manner, and not at or near the time of moulting. 

 The ripe down only should be taken from each wing 

 of the swan, goose, or duck, and four or five feathers. 

 Lean geese furnish the greatest quantity of down and 

 feathers, and of the best quality : to which also the 

 goodness of their food, and the care bestowed, contri- 

 bute in a considerable degree. Geese are sometimes 

 stripped three times in the season, but in the whole 

 affair I speak with entire ignorance of the practice. 

 Strict PRECAUTION is necessary to HOUSE the stripped 

 fowls, for a time sufficient to enable them to endure 

 the air, and by all means to keep them from the water. 

 The down and feathers of ducks, pigeons, and par- 

 tridges are used in France for mattresses and pillows. 

 M. Parmentier proposed to multiply the breed of WHITE 

 TURKEYS, and to employ for plumes the feathers found 

 on the lateral part of the thighs of those fowls. 



A correspondent, who has made the requisite in- 

 quiries, furnishes the following particulars : 



" The breeding and rearing of geese constitute the 

 chief employment of the inhabitants of the fens in 

 Lincolnshire. The feathers are highly valuable, as are 

 also the quills. For the stuffing of beds, the feathers 

 of geese are considered the best. Whether from in- 

 creasing luxury, diminution in quantity, or both 

 causes co-operating, the demand is obliged to be sup- 

 plied by importation : and the article has consequently 

 advanced in price. This county, however, still fur- 

 nishes the markets with large quantities. During the 



