GARDEN MANUAL FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 



187 



CAPONS. 



A capon is a castrated male fowl. The 

 act of caponizing consists in the removal 

 of the testicles of a cockerel, in order that 

 he may grow larger, and become more 

 gentle, and fatten more readily than he 

 otherwise would. The castrated cockerel, 

 or capon, grows somewhat plumper and 

 fatter, even if not much heavier, than the 

 unaltered male, and retains much of the 

 tenderness and juiciness of flesh and the 

 higher meat value of the spring chicken. 

 In addition to its high meat value, the 

 capon makes a splendid mother or nurse 

 for young chicks. We have kno^n them to 

 protect as many as 60 young chicks at one 

 time and they care for them even better 

 than a hen would. Price, $2.25 each. 





IMPERIAL PEKIN DUCES. 

 The Imperial Pekin Duck is the most 

 popular of all ducks, and is the most ex- 

 tensively raised. They are large white 

 ducks, in many instances they are a rich 

 creamy white. They are very hardy, hav- 

 ing seen ducklings at the age of eight 

 weeks weigh over four pounds and in full 

 feather. They are splendid layers, having 

 been known to lay as high as 75 eggs in 

 succession, but they lay best when in small 

 flocks. Sitting of eleven eggs, $2.00; 

 Drake, $3.00; Hen, $2.00; Trio, $6.00. 



WHITE MUSCOVY DUCKS. 



Have been bred from the Colored variety 

 by careful selection of the whitest speci- 

 mens and now bred true to color. The 

 young usually show some black at the top 

 of the head and frequently on the back, un- 

 derneath the wing, but this disappears after 



the first molt. Unlike others, it molts but 

 once a year. The White is the same as the 

 Colored variety except in color. Hens, 

 $3.00; Drakes, $4.00. 



COLORED MUSCOVY DUCES. 



They are of good size, black and white la 

 color, the black predominating. The most 

 peculiar characteristic is that the side of 

 the head and the region around the eye are 

 without feathers and corrugated and scar- 

 let in color. Unlike any other variety, this 

 duck builds her nest and never scatters her 

 eggs. She will hatch and rear her young 

 with diligent care. It requires the Mus- 

 covy five weeks to hatch, while other varie- 

 ties hatch in four weeks. It is the duck 

 that never quacks. Crossed with the 

 Poodle Duck it forms the Muley Duck, 

 which improves the size about one-third. 

 Drake, $3.00; Hen, $2.00: Trio, $6.50. 



INDIAN RUNNEB, DUCKS. 



Their wonderful laying qualities, to- 

 gether with the delicate flavor and richness 

 of their eggs, make them much sought 

 after for the breakfast table. These birds 

 are very quick motioned, and it is possible 

 for them to move very rapidly, being very 

 strong in legs, well set back, with erect 

 carriage. There is no suggestion of the 

 awkward waddle of the common duclc 

 Hence their name Indian Runner. Their 

 peculiar markings and racy appearance 

 make them very attractive, and to see them 

 is to admire them. But v hat is best of all 

 is their egg producing qualities, easily sur- 

 passing anything yet produced. The stan- 

 dard weight for a mature duck is 4 pounds, 

 for a mature drake 4^ pounds. If one de- 

 sires it, by careful selection and breeding 

 they can be very easily made to weigh 6 to 

 7 pounds, but these are the leghorn of the 

 duck family and should be kept very trim 

 and neat and close to the standard 

 weights. While they do best when given 

 free range, they can be quite successfully 

 handled in limited quarters, a two-foot 

 fence being sufficient to enclose them. 

 Sitting of eleven eggs. $2.50; Drakes, $4.00 

 each; Hens, $3.00 each; Trio, $9.00. They 

 are fawn and white in color. 



COMMON GEESE. 



$1.75; Gander, $2.25. 



$4.00 per pair; Goose 



WHITE HOLLAND TURKEY. — This 

 variety is pure white in plumage through- 

 out, and has pinkish white shanks. $10.00 

 per pair; Hens, $4.00; Gobblers, $6.00. 



Lespedeza Can be Sown from December till April, 



