The Southern Gardener and Receipt-Book (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860. Excerpt: ... MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS. METHOD OF REARING TURKEYS. The following curious method of rearing turkeys to advantage, is taken from a Swedish author: --"Many of our housewives," he says, "have long despaired of success in rearing turkeys, and complain that the profit rarely indemnifies them for their trouble and loss of time, whereas little more is to be done than to plunge the chick into a vessel of cold wTater the very hour, if possible, but at least the very day that it is hatched, forcing it to swallow at least one whole peppercorn; after which let it be returned to its mother. From that time it will become hardy, and fear the cold no more than a hen's chicken. But it must be remembered that this useful species of fowls are also subject to one particular disorder when they are young, which often carries them off in a few days. When they begin to droop, examine carefully the feathers on the rump, and you will find two or three whose quill parts are filled with blood; upon drawing them the chick recovers, and after that requires no other care than wThat is commonly bestowed upon poultry that range the court-yard." The truthfulness of these assertions is well known in Sweden, where the plan has been highly successful for many years. ANOTHER METHOD. The principal remedy necessary, in the first instance, appears to be a stimulant, to counteract the extreme feebleness which attends young turkeys, more than other fowls, in the earliest stages of their existence; hence a grain of pepper, &c, is usually administered as soon as hatched. But instinct, their infallible guide, it appears, has more successfully directed them to the wild onion, which is proved to be a powerful restorative to their natures, and, in fact, a grand panacea to the race; when they are permitted...