INCREASE IN SIZE. 125 



formed towards autumn, and upon the chick- 

 ens of that year, as soon as they begin to 

 crow. It is well known that the testicles 

 are largest in summer, and more injected 

 with bloodvessels ; this seems to indicate 

 that the winter would be the best season, 

 taking care to guard the fowls from the cold 

 weather for a few weeks after the operation. 

 In France it is always thought necessary to 

 cut off the comb of the cock after the oper- 

 ation. 



The capon, after the operation, exhibits 

 changes similar to those observed among 

 ' others of the brute creation. He becomes 

 quiet and gentle, an enormous feeder, and 

 accumulates fat rapidly. He has been taught 

 to take care of chickens, and even to sit 

 upon eggs, but these appear to be idle and 

 useless experiments. They bring a large 

 price, and are usually double the ordinary 

 size. Mr. Keeler, whose account has been 

 followed above, states that an acquaintance 

 of his sold in one season twelve pairs, at the 

 rate of five dollars per pair. They weighed 

 from nine to ten and a half pounds each. 



