I'i POULTKY FEEDING AND FATTENING 



market is packed in barrels, but neat boxes are much 

 better. A Ijox that holds a dozen large capons is a 

 very good size. Tliej should be packed breasts up, 

 heads tucked under out of sight, in nice, even tows, so 

 that when the cover is removed, they maj^ present an 

 attractive appearance. This goes a long way toward 

 making a sale, and at good prices, too. The cover 

 sliould be marked with the name of the contents, the 

 name of the consignor and consignee, and tlae gTOSs 

 and net weight, though for ol)vious reasons, most con- 

 signees Ti-eigh all poultry received, unless it may be 

 from some well-knoflTi shipper in whom they have 

 learned from experience to place the. utmost confidence. 

 I have said nothing aljout the manner of killing, 

 l)ut suppose every jioulti-yman knows that the onl}' way 

 for the present-day markets is by sticking in the mouth. 

 Fowls nmst be well 1j]ed, as this improves the appear- 

 ance of the flesli. Crops nmst be completel}^ empty 

 when the l)irils arc killed. ISTcarly all markets require 

 l)irds to liave heads and feet on, and to be undrawn. 

 Formerly, Boston i-ecjuired them drawn, but that 

 ordinance is no longer in force. During the capon 

 season, the weather is usually such that no ice is 

 ]'e(|uired to keep in gooil condition, but if shipments 

 lie made during warm weather, icing will )jc necessary. 

 Large, ]i]ump, A^'ell-fattened, neatly-dressed, attract- 

 ively-packed birds fill choicest market rec[uirement3, 

 and bring satisfactory prices. 



