20 MAINE STATE SOCIETr. 



very large double comb, and hence the name of Ead Caps given 

 them. 



I consider this a valuable and profitable breed as they are great 

 layers — seldom setting. One of these when a year old laid 285 

 eggs during a year, which were worth one cent apiece — $2,85. A 

 gill of corn per day, for that time was enough to satisfy her hunger. 

 This would be one bushel and three quarts; worth, say, ^1., which 

 will leave $1,85 profit in favor of Biddy. 



2. Buff Shanghai. These are a variety of the Asiatic Breeds. 

 They are tall, heavy clumsy fellows — very good layers, and if kept 

 from mischief are profitable as layers. They are strong for scratch- 

 ing and will throw up a whole hill of corn at one dash of the foot. 

 They are also great foragers in a garden, and will pick your tallest 

 peas and pole beans without flying up from the ground. They are 

 principally valuable and profitable as setters and mothers. I have 

 known one to set contentedly six weeks on a brick-bat. 



3. Brahma Pootra. These are also a variety of the Asiatics, 

 differing little from the Shangais except as to color, which is a yel- 

 lowish white, intermixed on the neck and wings with stripes of 

 black. The statement, in regard to their profit as layers and setters, 

 of the Buff Shangais will apply to them. 



4. Creoles, or Bolton Greys. These are a small compact variety, 

 prettily marked with black spots on a white ground. They are 

 hardy, come to maturity early, and are profitable, principally, as 

 layers — good setters and faithful mothers, but not so profitable in the 

 market when fatted as some larger varieties. 



5. Sebright Banta^ns. These are the dolls and the Tom 

 Thumbs of the poultry yard. They are very small in size, but 

 large in feeling, and never knock under to any of their larger breth- 

 ren until compelled to by superior force. They are, in fact. Young 

 America in feathers. Their principal profit is in raising them to 

 sell as pets. 



6. Grey Dorkings. These were received as such from John 

 Giles, Esq., of South Woodstock, Conn., well known as an experi- 

 enced breeder and connoissieur. The Dorkings stand A, No. 1 as 

 layers and motherS; and for excellent flesh when fattened for the 

 market. 



