Juihe 2, 190S.~\ Agrncultural Gazette of N.S.W. 



463 



some prominent Orpington breeders liave decided to take the matter up. A 

 strong effort will be made to have only the old or Cook type recognised. 

 Advices from England go to show that the Black Oi-pington is on the down 

 grade, simply because nothing but the new type, which has an infusion of 

 Cochin blood in it, can now win in the Old Country. These tests have amply 

 demonstrated that Cochin blood means a large consumption of food for a 

 small production of eggs. The true type of Black Orpington is a splendid 

 utility foAl, and is a handsome fowl in the show-pen — why depart from it?" 

 A utility breeder writes as follows to the Daily Telegraph : — " I was pleased 

 to read in your notes on the Black Orpingtons at the Poultry Society's 8how 

 that the size, symmetry, and utility characteristic of the birds claimed atten- 

 tion. To my mind — and I am sure that everyone who weighs their merits 

 with an open mind will concur with me — the Black Orpington is not only a 

 most symmetrical and attractive bird, but it is absolutely incomparable as a 



No. 11. White Leghorns. R. Boardman. 



general purjyose bird. In what other breed to-day can you get such size and 

 laying qualities combined ? The recent laying competition demonstrated that 

 the Black Orpington can hold its own with any other breed as an egg 

 producer. As table birds they rival the Dorking, with their long, deep, 

 plump breasts, weight of meat, whiteness of skin, and fineness of bone. T 

 have never shown a BUck Orpington — -probably never will ; but I have 

 never kept a breed — and I have tried all of them during the lasf, twenty 

 yeais — that gave me such fine results. If the Black Orpington is given a fair 

 chance, I am con\ inced it will be flourishing when the other varieties of the 

 breed, and naost of the other present-day l)reeds, are relegated to comparative 

 oblivion. But it can only maintain its supremacy as long as its utility 

 value is not impaired. AN e kudw tliat magnificent show specimens, such as 

 we have s-een this year, are (piite compatible with a high standard of pro- 

 ductiveness. It behove> all win. have the interests of this grand breed at 

 heart lo see that it is not ruined l.y breeding purely for show. If the judges 



