182 THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF 



We have referred to the question of soil 

 owing to the fact that the turkey is pecuharly 

 sensitive to wet land and to bleak situations. 

 If by want of knowledge, by the employment 

 of unsuitable stoek, or by conditions which are 

 insanitary, a number of turkeys are lost 

 after they have reached a considerable size — 

 and it should be observed that they frequently 

 die, w^here the conditions are unsuitable, 

 just before they m.ature, or when, as is 

 sometimes remarked, they 'shoot the red' 

 on their heads— the loss involved is con- 

 siderable, for the cost of food is much 

 greater than that consumed by poultry 

 of other kinds. 



Success in breeding turkeys is chiefly 

 determined by the character of the stock, 

 which should be of the Giant Bronze variety, 

 the hens, which should be in their second or 

 third year, weighing not less than 16 lb. 

 apiece, while the cockerels should exceed 20 lb. 

 Without large hens it is impossible to obtain 

 large birds for Christmas, when sales are 

 usually made, and it should be specially noticed 

 that price depends almost entirely upon size, 

 assummg that the birds have been well 

 fattened. One turkey weighing 20 lb. is worth 

 considera.bly more than two weighing 10 lb. 



