112 
The Poultry of the Farm. 
not made bloody ; advantages not gained by running the throat 
through, dislocating the neck, or severing the head from thp 
body. 
Plucking or Picking is generally done best when the bird is 
warm. The way in which it is done considerably affects the 
appearance of the fowl in the market. 
Of Drawing and Trussing, I cannot now say more than 
mention that here again is an endeavour to learn of the French, 
who prepare so well, that our old system is likely to undergo a 
change, and I pass on to speak briefly of 
Diseases. — 1. How to prevent ? Cleanliness, regular and 
consistent feeding, shelter, change of blood and of position. 
2. How to cure? — specially the two great enemies, roupy 
affections and gapes. 
For Roup keep warm, wash head and mouth with vinegar and 
water, or Condy's Fluid ; feed on bread-and-milk. 
Gapes are a great scourge, weakening, if not killing. The 
fumes of tobacco or carbolic have given us the greatest help. A 
common pipe, stable bucket, a cloth and a smoker, are all that 
are necessary with tobacco. Place the chicken in the bucket, 
cover them up, pass in the stem of the pipe, blow in the fumes 
until the sufferers are heard falling about, then turn them out at 
once. Repeat in two days. We use boxes and bellows, so that 
women may operate. We are now trying a bent wire, which, 
when dipped in alum and camphor, dislodges the worms. 
When a yard is once tainted, it is more than difficult to eradicate 
the disease. 
Feather-eating and comb-eating are habits which call for death. 
Bumble feet, gravel in the foot, are affections to which 
Dorkings and heavy birds are peculiarly liable. Fomenting and 
removal of the stone are necessary for relief. 
For general use, castor-oil and tonics, such as quinine and 
iron, should be available. The comb is an index ; if it loses 
brightness and turns either black or white, something is amiss, 
and then the droppings should be observed. The spiced and 
prepared foods, e.g. Spratt's Food, and " Parrish's Chemical," 
often prove beneficial. 
Space will not allow, or before concluding my remarks I 
would say something about " incubators " and artificial rearers. 
I cannot, however, do less than draw attention to the interesting 
experiments going on and the great improvements already made. 
It is said that chicken hatched and reared by an " Artificial 
Mother " are supposed to be more hardy, though I am old- 
fashioned enough to believe that nothing equals the natural 
mother for the farmyard or the cottage. 
Ducks are so easily reared, and so harmless, or even useful in 
