The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-06
LIVE GEESE FEATHERS.
Process or PluckIng the B~Irds-Fewer Feathers
Used Vow 1han Formerly.

Used Now Than Formerly.
"The feathers aren't alive, but the geese
they were plucked from were,' said q dealer in
live geese feathers. And the geese they were
plucked from never once squawked nor squeaked
during the operation. Not because 1t didn't hurt
the geese, though. It hurts a goose like the
mischief to pull its feathers out, but the reason
a goose doesn't holler and make a fuss over 1t is
that 1t doesn't seem to know enough. A goose
will squawk and clatter and cacklc as II 1t were
suffering more agony than q horse with the
collie just at the sight of q person, but If you
cover 1t up and pelt it with stones 1t seems to
forget that 1t has n voice. and will take all the
punishment you give It without uttering a bit
Of protest. There is much to study about n
goose. Just observe a flock of geese some day
when you are out visiting on a farm. They'll
give you amusement by the hour.
"a goose hasn't the slightest idea Of breadth
or depth. The assertion that every goose that
passes through an open barn door ducks its
head. no matter il the opening be twenty feet
high. is as true as can be. And, while.a goose
can't be made to believe that there is no danger
to its head as It passes over tho sill of q barn
door. it Is equally positive that 1t can creep
through n two-inch auger hole or a knot hole in
n fence just Us easily as 1t can go through q
twenty.foot door. and with more safety TO its
person. have laughed myself sore moro times
than n few at the persistence of some old goose
in trying to cnter an inclosure, through a hole
through, while a gate big enough for a team Of
horses to pass through was wide open.withiE
Never saw a goose plucking. ehl Well. it
isn't a sight that would give you much pleasure.
On the day set for stripping geese of their feath-
house. The pickcrs. who are always women
or girls. 60 among tho geese with their heads
and faces entirely covered with hoods fastened
round the neck with a shirr string. There arc
holes for the eyes. and also little holes at the
From tho neck down tho picker is covered
with n glazed muslin garment. TO which no
feathers or down will adhere. The pickers sit
tub. There is generally a man or boy in the
neighborhood. who is an expert at getting tho
geese ready for picking: everybody cant do
together by Il peculiar, arrangement of them
near the shoulders. and while the wings are
IS such that no goose can open it; The fowls
feet arc tied toRether with broad bands of soft
R %qslis or il fG I. 1sEon W vhsn En-, & sG 1iska is thus Inn made SSG
she plucks the feathers out rapidly. but with
such skin that she seldom breaks the skin or
during the process of plucking,. but all settle
gradually down into the tub at last. Before
feaihers the ON wrong e R9G %sy .n EXPOSING s5sksF t Rfu skin' t Hs
expert can tell at a glance by the color OF the
skin whether che must exercise, more than or.
binary care in ~plucking 1t. or whether IL Is not
better to let the goose go without, plucking at
that time. In every case the picker must be
careful and not pluck the feathers too close
erly picked in that respect the wings will droop
and drag on the ground, All through this
body not a sound of complaint or cry Of pain is
heard from the goose. 1t submits to the tor
ture with a silent solemnity, that wonld be
tude Of tho fowl that goes with it.
ut is necessary that the feathers should be
and pleasure of people who must have feather
beds and pillows are to be studied. Dead feathers
are no better than husks. and. ara unwholesome.
day where fifty pounds were some years ago.
Asthma and hay fever have done a great deal
TO lessen the demand for feather beds and pill
lows. for IL was discovered a few years ago
that feather beds and asthma loved to consort.
to wheeling so quickly and positively as a couch
OF geese feathers would. The discovery spread,
and the patient and accomplishing goose owes
asthma