cocker's manual. 45 



•water, in which a toast has been steeped some time. Having eaten 

 this clean his pen, etc., and let it be uncovered for about an hour 

 ■while he scratches and picks the straw Some think it is highly ad- 

 vantageous to prepare the barley for them by bruising it, and thus take 

 away the sharp points of the barley and the husky shell or covering 

 which is blown away. In the afternoon the same quantity of barley 

 may be repeated, but no water. On the fifth or next day he may have 

 the bread as before, but three portions of it and no water. On the 

 sixth or weighing day very early in the morning give him the bread 

 as before. He is then to be weighed, and afterwards a good feed of 

 barley and water should be given. Some hold it a valuable secret to 

 give them flesh, as sheep's heart, for this and the succeeding day, 

 •chopped small and mixed with the other food. On the seventh day 

 or day before fighting, early in Ae morning let him bave the same 

 feed of barley ; in the afternoon bread and the white of an egg boiled 

 hard and a little water. On the eighth or day of fighting he may have 

 a little barley, as about forty grains." 



We give below Stamper's rjile (a well-known Southern sportsraaH, 

 ■who, many years ago met with great success through the Southern 

 States), which was presented to us by F. E. Grist, of Blakely, Georgia, 

 ■who had a personal acquaintance with him : 



STAMPER'S RULE. 



Ten days before the cock is taken up from his walk to be prepared 

 for battle he should be carefully examined to see that he is a sound 

 fowl, his feathers should be glossy, hard, and lie close ; if you are 

 fully satisfied from this examination of his soundness you can then 

 spar him with a cock of his own weight until he becomes wearied; 

 should he turn black in the face turn him out, as it will be impossible 

 to get him right in time for the contest. If he does not show any sign 

 -of disease, give him a dose of the following physic : Six grains cream 

 tartar and six grains rhubarb made into pills with unsalted butter or 

 lard. After Riving the physic, flirt him a few times, then give him a 

 "warm mash of bread steeped in sweetened water or boiled rice and 

 milk; leave him foE twenty-four hours and this will have acted suffi- 

 •ciently ; he can now be turned out. Give one feed of boiled rice and 

 uanilk. For the balance of the ten days feed on such grain as he may 



