170 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



vate the tails of their offspring, as well as to expand the tail 

 feathers. If such is the case, it will also stamp into the blood the 

 tendency to squirrel tails. I have seen wry tails so worked into 

 the blood of ;i strain that three-fourths of their whole product 

 would he so affected. There are too many good specimens in the 

 world of the White Leghorn breed to waste time in the use of a 

 disqualified bird. 



"N". B. — A true squirrel tail must lean forward so far as to 

 touch the back of the fowl's neck. Some Leghorns bow their 

 neck so much that it will touch a tail so carried; that upon another 

 it would not nearly touch the neck. The Standard tells us that 

 the tail of a Leghorn shall be carried well up, but not upright. 

 Too many lean to a tail carried more than upright. The too-high 

 carried tail is not correct. 



Question. — Is it advisable to breed from a male bird that is 

 solid black (like a Minorca) that has an occasional red feather in 

 his plumage? 



Mr. McGrew. — Red showing in the plumage of black fowl is 

 supposed to indicate an excess of rich color. Such birds are often 

 made use of by expert fanciers to improve or intensify the color 

 of the young stock. The result of such matings is often a few 

 very rich-colored males and females. It is always best, in the 

 long run, to depend entirely upon the true colored males and 

 females of all black fowl. Breed together the truest colored 

 ones you possess, for in this way you will establish true producing 

 qualities that can be depended on; while, if you encourage bad 

 color, it is apt to crop out when least looked for or desired. It 

 is thought that this red color comes from the Malay of years 

 back, like the red wing bow of the Cochin, or red showing in any 

 part of the top color. It is best not to foster these undesirable 

 colors. 



Question. — Do you favor crossing breeds of fowl for layers? 



Mr. Chapman. — No; my experience is that after the first cross 

 thev are good for nothing, for the reason that one never knows 

 where he is going to land. Leghorns and Plymouth Bocks are 

 radically different in habit and other vital points. 



Question. — What ought one to pay for a good thoroughbred 

 rooster? 



Mr. Chapman. — You ought to be able to buy a good one for 

 $1 to $3. Such a bird, if well bred, will be just as serviceable for 

 your purpose as will one costing $10. If you will, when ordering. 



