386 Experiments in Fattening Turkeys. [oct., 



deducted from the prices quoted. From these particulars 

 it may be seen that whilst the price of a young fat turkey 

 cockerel weighing 21 lb. figured out at 22s. gd. to 24s. 6d., 

 the small birds, which weighed only 10 lb., were sold at 6s. 8d. 

 apiece. Moreover, the demand for heavy turkeys was very keen, 

 and London and other merchants readily made contracts at net 

 fixed prices for as many birds weighing 17 lb. and upwards as 

 any firm or society would undertake to supply, whereas the 



smaller turkeys were sold in many instances with the greatest 

 difficulty, and sometimes it was found necessary to consign 

 them for sale " on commission." 



All this goes to show that the farmer's best chance of making 

 turkey-raising a profitable industry is to raise the largest birds 

 possible, and to increase their weight by fattening to the last 

 ounce which the frames can support. Very much depends upon 

 the breeding, for it is impossible to raise a mongrel bird of 

 poor quality and small size to a fair weight by any system of 



