70 POULTEY rEBDIKG AKU TATXENING 



crammer if fed for about a week longer, but in our 

 trials they lack the uniformity and evenness of con- 

 dition which is characteristic of most crammed 

 chickens." 



How to Dress Capons — First be sure and not kill 

 them until crops are empty, and that they are fat. A 

 thin capon is not as good as an ordinary chicken, 

 because if not large or a proper capon they are not 

 wanted as capons or chickens either. Leave feathers 

 on neck from head down two-thirds way to the shoul- 

 ders. Leave feathers on two first joints of wings. 

 Leave feathers on tail and half way up the back. 

 Leave feathers on legs from knee Joint two-thirds up 

 the hips. All the rest of the feathers come off. 

 Feathers that are removed should be saved and will 

 sell if kept dry and clean. Be careful and keep the 

 capon clean. Wrap paper around head. Appearances 

 add to the sale and of course price. 



DRESSING AND SELLING CAPONS 

 By F. H. Valentine, New Jersey 



The demand, consequently the market for capons, 

 is a peculiar one. While there is a very limited demand 

 during the entire year, the bulk of them are sold 

 between the holidays and spring. The turkey holds the 

 place of honor at Thanksgiving, di-\ddes it with ducks 

 and geese at Christmas and New Year's, and when these 

 are past, there is more inquiry for capons, which con- 

 tinues till April or May. So little call is there for 

 them outside of this season, that many, if not all 

 dealers, cease quoting prices at other times. 



The profit in capons is a mooted question. It will 

 not pay to perform the operation on any but the larger 

 breeds, and there are many individuals and many 

 localities wliore it will not pay at all. While good 

 capons usually sell for somewhat higher prices than 



