133 



Pheasants. 



of the stock, whether young or old. Against some of the 

 specifics and materials of stimulating nature supplied by 

 manufacturers of such articles there is little to be said, if 

 preservers would employ them only according to directions, 

 and cease their use immediately the state of affairs prompt- 

 ing resort to them had passed away. This, however, is 

 not by any means usually the case, and stimulating addi- 

 tions to the diet are continued until serious injury 

 results to the general health of the stock. 



There are one or two materials to which but little 

 objection can be raised, and in periods such as have been 

 named, when long-prevailing wet and cold, singly or 

 combined, or sudden spells of the same occur, recourse may 

 be had to them temporarily with advantage. Ordinary 

 mustard condiment of best quality, such as that manu- 

 factured by J. and J. Colman, is a useful material for this 

 purpose, employed in the proportion of Jib. of the 

 mustard to each bushel of the ordinary soft food given. 



Other spices which possess a value and do not leave 

 bad after-effects are powdered fenugreek and powdered 

 cummin-seed. Peppercorns and pimento may also be used 

 without hurt in not greater proportion than 2oz. of either 

 of the others together, the same quantity of fenugreek 

 4oz. of all to each bushel of food. When given to young 

 chicks it is better that the spice be reduced to powder and 

 incorporated with the meal in the proportions named. 



It occurs occasionally that hand-reared birds which have 

 come along all right and under favourable conditions, 

 reach a stage when they seem no longer to progress, and 

 11 go off their food." At this time a little of some or all 

 of these condiments may be given in the event of an entire 

 change of diet failing to secure the needful result. 



