New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-17
THE SEASON FOR TURKEYS.
HOW THE CHOICEST BIRDS ARE BRED
NORTH sTox1NGTox AND ITS TURKEY FARAS-

NORTH sToy1vGTov AND ITS TURKEY FAkAS-
PREPARING THE NEAT FOR MARKET
Norwich, Conn, Nov. 10 (speciaD.-Thc annu o.
Thanksgiving crop Of turkeys IS being gatheroa NJ
North stOnington 1t Is a desOlate region au :,
rarely visited by stranger except at this seHso %
the year, when the turkey collectors. score OF nv.
come from Boston, New York and Providence " O"'
birds for the city markets. North stonlhs""
noted for delicate and tender birds. Their ianc - =.
tends throughout tho East, and turkey nau'o
that section always commands high price. In. ,H
is partly due TO the fact that the binds are Directly
descended from the Wild fowls and partly on account
OF superiority of the North stonington faFhor "
preparing the meat for market -
The birds are allowed TO roam at their own H'o
WILL to subsst on grasshoppers crckets SNAKES o'
until a fortnight before Thanksgiving Then u'o
farmers begin to fatten the fowls arthcalT' |n1.o
are several different ways by which great reu's
are attained. One Of the popular forms Is '''ns'
Each turkey Is taken between the farmers Ms' a''1
hot cornmca Is stuffed down its throat with Spool
After the first dose the turkeys take naturally 10 0
means employed 10 feed them, and they are AVA
ready at mealtmes thereafter to have the operalon
repeated THIS IS the commonest method Aho'"'i
popular one, however, consists OF feeding the tuFA'
on walnuts for week or two previous to slaugherhs
day. A walnut creased in fat, IS given me pliNS
and It slips down their threats with ease Care now
ever is exercised that the nuts not cracked OF
rough, a. these would injue the turkeys throaI
One nut IS given each bid the first day, two tie
second three the third four the fourth, five the fifth
and so on increasing daily for week. II ulc
bird does not pick up, the diet Is reversed. eeVch
are given the first day, six the second and 50 on
during the remainder of the week BY that time the
binds are plump and fat, the wanuts being possessed
of certain nutdment which Is of worth to
turkeys. Never was this method known TO fail
These North StoningtOn birds for the most Of The
year wander asmlessly about during the entire day
and night roOst in the swayng boughs Of the trees
Each tree is capable Of furnishing lodgings for 100 or
80 turkeys, and every tee IS fun. The branches
grow low, and those unsophlstical fowls which take
lower berths never live to tell the story or to eat
a morning meal. They are dincd off by the foxes
instead. No other place in the State Is 50 Overun
with these sly animals, and their presence il directly
traceable to the cackling birds. But old turkeys
are almost a. thoughtful old foxes Consequently
they roost high.
Another danger which threatens them IS the noe
tIrnal poacher. This class Of marauders Is now out
in force Its members versed in the science OF
decapnation, and they climb trees and twist
nechs 20 dcxterousy that not single sound Is heard
in the still night air. There + a regularly trmeu
company Of farmers and their who take turns,
during the last f,w weeks of the season parollng
the lonely country roads and protecting their hoeAs
with old army muskets loaded TO Kill.
The work Of preparing the birds for the market Is
already well under way. Greater activity prevails than
at any other season of the year. The country
sounds with the loud cackle Of frightened birds,
the men rush into the midst of the imprisoned victims
grab them and carry them to the big kettle, hung
over a log fire In the back yard, immense them in
the boiling water string them up and then slip
knife through their throats with the skill Of Jackthe-
Ripper. Long lines Of the binds bangle In the air
and the pickers then f9 10. and feathers fly about
promis cuOusly. The birds are allowed remain hang
ing until every particle Of blood has oOZed out when
they hung up Ia the big, airy kitchen pantry,
through whose open windows the cool ONcmDer
breezes blow. But the turkeys are not all killed.
large number of the most promising ones are psplted
for breeding purposes.
on" Of the most Interesting features of the turkey
business IS the way the turkeys put on the market
The farmer Is blessed with article which he does
hawk around from door 10 door. All that he has
do is stand al his front gate and wait until col
ecOr comes bus Ting along the highway IN big wagon
These collectors city dealers brokers. They come
to this section year after year and buy thousands OF
pounds OF turkeys every They pay the farmer
from : % - cents per pound while Vermont bird
can be bought for the former price at retail. TIL"
do the collectors, and they are willing
10 pay we'll FOR the Connecticutpsrcd
birds The collectors canvass the town
thoroughly making their headquarters AT some cen
fra point from which prompt transportation to the
New-YOrk Providence and Boston markets can be
had From now untn New-Year's Day the boats and
trains carry large consmments OF turkeys. and SOW
era days prior Thanksgiving there viii DO carried
almost entire cargoes Of turkeys