1 82 The Hen at Work 



bottom, and hold the bird upside down in this until 

 thoroughly bled. 



Meanwhile a pail of water should be heating on 

 the stove. When it boils, take it from the stove 

 and pliinge in the fowl. Push it down with a stick 

 tin it is well beneath the water. Count two. 

 Pull it out, turn it over, plunge it, and count two 

 slowly ; then hold it up and drain off the hot water. 



The feathers should now rub off in handfuls 

 without damage to the skin. Any little creeping 

 friends that might be present are dead, and there 

 is no down to float about and make broom business 

 for two or three days. Do not suppose the feath- 

 ers are spoiled by this for sofa pillows. If you 

 want to use them, place the soft feathers in a large 

 paper bag, dry them in a warm closet, and they 

 will fluff up very well when put in use. 



After the bird is picked, fill the pan with cold 

 water, ice cold if possible, and leave it soaking 

 there for three or four hours. The quicker you can 

 get the animal heat out of the bird the more deli- 

 cate the flavor will be. 



Do not kiU a rooster Saturday night for a roaster 

 Sunday noon. To be in fit condition it should be 

 dressed as early as Thursday, and kept in a cool 



