The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-11

, peroxide of hydrogen and one part of am-
 monia. A clean muslin cloth is dipped
 in the solution and the bird is wrapped i in it. The muslin is next covered with
 oiled silk or some waterproof cloth to 1 contine the fumes of the bleaching gas ! The peroxide ammonia solution can be l sponged on the plummage or sprayed with an atomzer. The only advantage 1 in wrapping the bird is to make the i bleach more effective.
 | The shanks and feet ofsexhibition fowls
 must be absolutely clean and well pol ] ished. To overcome rough scales rub i the legs twice daily with. a cloth dipped
 in kerosene and short time before the show wash them thoroughly. Use a i good securing soap woolen cloth and
 warm rain water. Remove any old or 1 rough scales. and also the dirt between
 the scales The latter can be taken out i with toothpicks. Dry the shanks and 1 apply a solution of equal parts of sweet
 oil and alcohol. Then warm woolen I cloth and scrape a little beeswax on it.
 The warmth will melt the wax and the
 shanks should then be polished with the waxed cloth.
 l Before shipping the birds to the ex- 1 hbiton apply the sweet oil and alcohol 1 solution to the face and comb. If you 1 are showing white birds, fill their plum i age after washing and when thoroughly | dry with equal parts of bran and rice flour. Some exhibitors use cornstarch
 which is equally satisfactory. This pre- 1 vents the plumage becoming soied, and when the starch is shaken out at the 1 show and the fowls are groomed, they apparently take a higher polish. How
 eYer your coop must have wooden or
 muslin tops and sides to prevent rain | from coming in contact with the starched 1 plumage. The final grooming is accom- 1 plshed with a silk handkerchief, rub ping and polishing the feathers until ] the plumage has high luster.
 | All white fowls must be washed, and most fowls of other colors can be inn
 proved in appearance by washingS fluff 1 ing and grooming before the show. For white birds have three tubs, one 1 filled with warm, soft rain water an other with warm, soft or rain water and the third with warm, soft or rain water colored the proper shade to rinse
 and blue white goods. Use a bar of good white or castle soap, a large sponge and ] a nail brush. Have the temperature of ! the room 80 or S5 degrees, and bring ! the birds in clean exhibition GOODS, the
 floors of which should be covered with i fresh, dry shavings
 i Wash the males first Clean the I shanks and feet with the nail brush, soap ] ana water. lUSSTl lfe DlIu III tHe III ol l tub and push it down under the water l several times until the plumage is wet
 through; make a heavy father with the ] sponge and soap and thoroughly wash {, the plumage with the sponge open the wings and sponge them in the direction | of the feathers. Always wash ,.4e lecgth of the feather, from the qu T to the tip
 and not across it.
 l Keep the birds head out of the soapy
 water if possible; sponge the soap off
 the bird and remove to the second tub Press it under the water several times
 allow it to stand and drip for a few
 seconds, and then dip it twice in the
 tub containing the bluing water. Re-
 move the bird from the water, hold its | legs firmly and raise it up and down quickly so that it will flap and expand | it's wings and tail and shake out the water
 ] Do not use towel to dry white bird
 Move the exhibition coop near the fire l or some heat so that the bird will dry | Lifting up the plumage of the breast
 and opening the feathers of the fluff l while drying has a tendency to increase i the apparent size of these sections. It is | necessary to examine the white birds ! frequently if. the coops near stove | to guard against overheating them or
 scorching or curling their feathers