26 MOULTING. 



to fall. The process of laying ceases, and 

 when killed their meat is meager and with- 

 out flavour. The old feathers appear to be 

 pushed off by the new ones, and in conse- 

 quence of this renewal their covering is ren- 

 dered more perfect, and in colder climates 

 they are better able to bear the rigours of win- 

 ter. Pullets, by which we mean the young 

 of the first year, are not subjected to this 

 process. It commences with the second 

 autumn, and every successive year becomes 

 more difficult and of longer duration. This 

 fact points out to us the propriety of dispo- 

 sing of all fowls after the second or third 

 year. In this latitude, the process of moult- 

 ing usually takes place in the months of No- 

 vember, December, and January, beginning 

 a little earlier in some instances, and ending 

 later in others. It is said in the books to 

 last but one month in some cases, but this 

 has not been confirmed by my experience. 

 Many experiments have been made to induce 

 fowls to lay during this period, but, as it 

 seems to me, it is neither advantageous nor 

 desirable. Moulting is a process of nature, no 



