DOMESTIC TURKEY. 53 



be time to begin to think of fattening some of the earliest broods, 

 in order to supply the markets. A hen 'will be four or five weeks 

 in &tting; a large cock two months or longer, in reaching his 

 full weight. The best diet is barley or Indian meal, mixed with 

 water, given in troughs that have a fiat board over ^hem, to keep 

 dirt from failing in. A turnip with the leaves p,ttached, or a 

 hearted cabbage, may now and then be thrown down to amuse 

 them. When they have arrived at the desired degree of fatness, 

 thosQ which are not wanted for immediate use- must have no 

 more food given them than is just sufScient to keep them in 

 that state; otherwise the flesh will become red and inflamed, 

 and of course less palatable and wholesome. But with the very 

 best management, after having attained their acme of fattening, 

 th^ will frequently descend again, and that so quickly, and 

 without apparent cause, as to become quite thin. Turkeys fatten 

 faster, and with less expense, by caponizing them, which, alM, 

 produces better and sweeter flesh. 



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