PREPARING FOR MAKKET. ‘81 
wise money will be lost by them. They will barely hold 
their own in December on feed which caused them to 
increase rapidly in weight a month earlier. Those who 
have watched the market know that autumn prices 
usually are highest a little before and a little after 
Thanksgiving, say about the middle of November and 
soon after the first of December. The reason is that 
those who are fattening fowls keep them back for a 
short time before Thanksgiving-day and before Christ- 
mas-time, in order to get them in prime order for sale at 
those times. The result is usually an over-stocked mar- 
ket and plenty of cheap poultry. Soon after the first 
of January prices go up again; and well they may, for 
one or two months’ feed has been consumed and very 
little weight added. 
Capons grow rapidly, and their growth takes up the 
food, so that we have to wait until growth stops before 
they fatten. It is well, therefore, that this delicious 
class of poultry should not make its appearance before 
the first of February, when the game-laws prohibit ven- 
ison, quail, and other choice game from being exposed 
for sale. At this time, consequently, fat capons and 
pullets meet a good market, and even during Lent, 
when a considerable portion of the Christian world ab. 
stain from meats, there is a sharp demand for the high. 
est-prized meats to grace the table of the rich on Sun- 
days. It is therefore well to have fine capons ready to 
supply this demand. 
DRESSING AND SHIPPING. 
The directions sent to their customers by Messrs. E. 
& O. Ward, 279 Washington Street, one of the oldest 
commission houses in New York City, though very 
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