50 



to procure the most perfect specimens of pure blood stock, we ought, per- 

 haps, to state that the cross-breeds, if not bred in and in, lay as large 

 eggs, and as abundantly, as the pure breeds, and often produce as large 

 stock ; so that, for the use of the table, or for layers, they are nearly or 

 quite as good as the best imported stock. An individual owning six good 

 hens, weighing from three and one-half to four pounds, by procuring a 

 cock weighing ten pounds, with ordinary care, might raise in one sea- 

 son one hundred chickens, which at eight months old, would average 

 from six to seven pounds each. This fact has led some men, more artful 

 than honest, to exhibit at Fairs a class of fowls to which they give a new 

 name, and enter as a new variety ; while, in reality, they are only a 

 cross of two known classes of fowls, and their progeny may be as ring- 

 streaked as Jacob's cattle. No variety of fowls can be called pure, 

 unless the progeny resemble in color and shape the parent bird. Care 

 should therefore be taken, that the public are not imposed on in this 

 respect. Cross-breeds should be called cross-breeds, and nothing else. 

 On the other hand, some persons having taken pains to procure pure 

 blood fowls, are unwilling to admit that any one else has any pure bloods 

 but themselves, and unhesitatingly pronounce everything they see im- 

 pure, but their own, although no other eye, however practised, can de- 

 tect it. 



" The season of the year when the State Fair fs held, is most unpro- 

 pitious for exhibiting old poultry, it being their moulting season, when 

 fowls are generally poor, and from loss of feathers are ragged and ugly 

 in appearance. Some of the specimens exhibited, however, were remark- 

 ably fine, and would have done credit to any State. 



" The following is a list of the varieties of fowls, and the names of 

 the exhibitors : 



" White Dorking. — There was but one contributor of this variety of 

 fowls. These fowls were young, but promised well. Exhibited by Leon- 

 ard Kennedy, of Milwaukee. This variety is very popular, and much 

 souofht after at the East. 



" Speckled Dorking. — There were but a few of this specimen of fowls, 

 but those offered were good. One hen was very fine. The owner was 

 offered five dollars for her, but promptly refused to take ten dollars. 

 Exhibitor, Robert Gillet, Milwaukee. 



"Poland. — There was but one specimen of this variety exhibited, which 

 was very fine ; but we are assured that better fowls might have been ex- 



