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strains are good winter layers, fair summer layers, and make first-class roasters 

 and fair to good broilers. It is one of the hardiest breeds. The standard weights 

 are: Cock birds, 9y2 pounds; cockerels, 8 pounds; hens, 7I/2 pounds; and pullets, 

 61/^ pounds. 



Wyandottes. There are several varieties in this breed, among which might 

 be mentioned White, Buff, Silver Laced, Golden Laced, Black, Columbian, Par- 

 tridge, and Silver Pencilled. The most popular variety from a commercial stand- 

 point is the White. This breed has practically the same characteristics as the 

 Plymouth Pock, but is more blocky in type and usually longer in the feather. 

 They have rose combs, which to some is supposed to be an advantage in cold 

 climates. Wyandottes make good broilers and roasters. They are also good mothers 

 and good layers. The standard weights of these birds are one pound less than those 

 of the Plymouth Eocks. 



Rhode Island Reds. Tliere are two varieties of this breed. Single Comb and 

 Rose Comb. As compared with the Plymouth Eocks and Wyandottes they are 

 longer in appearance and not so massive. They were originated by the farmers of 

 the State of Ehode Island and are very popular in that State. They have also grown 

 in popularity in this country to such an extent that they now rival the Plymouth 

 Eocks and the Wyandottes. They are hardy, good winter layers, and fair summer 

 layers. In color they are a rich, bright red, with black tails, and more or less 

 black in the wings. During warm weather our experience has been that they are 

 more given to incubating than the two breeds mentioned above. The standard 

 weights of this breed are: Cock birds, 8i/^ pounds; cockerels, 71/2 pounds; hens, 

 6y2 pounds, and pullets, 5 pounds. 



Orpingtons. This general purpose breed differs from those previously men- 

 tioned in that they have white legs and skin, the others breeds having yellow 

 legs and yellow skin. The common varieties of this breed are: Buff, White, Black, 

 and Jubilee. At the present time there are probably more Buff Orpingtons bred 

 than any other variety, but the White may outrival the Buff. The blacks are being 

 bred more by the fanciers than by the farmers, for the reason that their black 

 plumage and dark colored legs are somewhat against them for market purposes. 

 This breed is among the best winter layers; makes good roasters and broilers, but 

 is probably more given to incubating during warm weather than either the Eocks 

 or the Wyandottes. The standard weights are about one pound per bird above 

 the Plymouth Eocks. For general farm use they might -be more profitably bred 

 with less weight, for the reason that the largest birds are usually somewhat leggy 

 and rough in appearance when weighing 4 to 5 pounds. When one wants very 

 large roasters, weighing from 7 to 8 pounds each or better, the larger birds, of 

 course, would be better, 



Dorlings. This is one of the oldest English breeds and is popular in some 

 districts. They are a large breed, long in the body and short in the legs. By many 

 they are considered to be weak in constitution, although our experience would not 

 bear this out entirely. They lay large white eggs and are good sitters and mothers. 

 They are white fleshed and white legged. Their peculiarity is that they have 

 five toes. This is, at times, a disadvantage, especially when the fowls have to 

 scratch in straw where there is more or less binder twine, which is apt to get 

 around the extra toe, and thereby occasionally fastening both feet together. This 



