The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-04-26

washing cocks, as their sickle feathers
are not so apt to get broken. Fill one
bath with nice warm water; it should
be as warm as one can comfortably
bear ones hands in. Have the other
filled with tepid water colored with
blue; this latter is for rinsing. Previ-
ously to putting the warm water in
the bath, make some soapsuds. The
best method of doing this is to scraps
piece of soap white curd is the best)
into a small basin of boiling water.
After stirring it for few minutes
stiff lather will be obtained; empty this
into the bath, and pour in the warm
water, also adding sufficient blue to
slightly color the water. Take the
fowl in the left hand, placing one of
the legs of the bird between the first
and second fingers, and the other leg
between the third aud fourth fingers.
The breast will then rest on the palm
of the hand, with the birds head to-
ward the left shoulder of the operator.
With a sponge we'll soak the back,
wing and tail, leaving the head to be
done last of all, then well rub the feath-
ers with soap, rub pretty hard, till the
body is all of lather; don't be afraid of
breaking the feathers because as they
are thoroughly wet, they will not snap
off. When all the dirt has been re-
moved, take the bird by it's pinions
that is, spreading the wings out, and
holding those portions which are next
the body.) The breats and under parts
can we'll be well washed. After which
replace the bird in the left hand, and
we'll wash the head and face. When
this last operation is completed, the
bird ought to be clean. Then thor
oughly rinse in tepid water, the best
way being to plunge the bird three or
four times always keeping the beak
just above the water); this will remove
the soap, and also close the pores of the
skin, thus preventing the bird from
catching cold. Then rub in the same
direction as the feathers with sponge
to take Off the surplus water, and wipe
with soft cloth till nearly dry, after
which place the bird in a hali-lined
basket, with the open side to the fire;
care must be taken not to put the bird
too close, or the plumage will scorch.
In short time the feathers will begin
to web together. The bird should be
left an hour, when it should be taken
out Of the basket and again dried with
a cloth, of course always rubbing the
same way, that is, from the head down
ward. Replace the bird in the basket
and repeat the rubbing every hour or
so, till it is thoroughly dry and has re-
sumed it's usual appearance. Then the
final operation will be to polish with
an old silk handkerchief, which will
bring gloss on the plumage, when the
bird will be ready for the show pen. l
have gone somewhat fully into this sub
iect because | we'll know the difficulty
many, especially beginners, experience
III Uno mdUL0r. AU IcC0ut SuVW u
gentleman told me that he intended
giving up keeping White Leghorns,
because he could never get them to
look nice in the pen, though he sat up
nearly all night drying them. The
simple fact is, that many are too care
full and fussy over washing and drying,
and are afraid of breaking the feath-
ers. But if it be borne in mind that
the feathers will not snap when wet,
and that they will web together best if
left alone in front of the fire, anyone
can send bird to show in a condition
that will never disgrace the operator.
Tt is always best to wash the fowls
two days before sending off, and in the
meantime they must have straw or
sawdust put in their pens, in order to
keep them clean"
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