158 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



often none of the best, that his hands are hardened with toil, and his frame bent 

 and stiffened with premature old age. All this and morels being done away with, 

 through the influence of some of our noble-minded, progressive citizens by 

 thus bringing us together and discussing other interests with us, and I see in 

 the near future a new era for the farmer, when he shall labor less but with 

 more profit, when the tasks of his family shall be easy and pleasant, when 

 they live on and wear the best of his raising, while with vigorous step and 

 form erect he labors with increasing knowledge for his social, moral, and 

 intellectual improvement. 



POULTRY. 



BY H. A. DANIELS. 



[Bead at Caro Institute.! 



The subject of this paper is generally considered by the farmer as one of the 

 most insignificant adjuncts of his wealth, but there are thousands of dollars 

 spent every year for eggs and dressed fowls in the United States. France 

 exports thousands of dozens of eggs to this country yearly, and a little more 

 attention paid to our own fowls would at least produce enough for home con- 

 sumption. There are sixty varieties of fowls. In all poultry shows, the most 

 conspicuous are the Asiatics ; this includes only very large, densely feathered 

 fowls, without power of flight, small tails, and feathered legs. The Cochins form 

 the most prominent sub-group, and are distinguished by their large, low-set 

 bodies, short necks, and single combs. The black, white, buff, and partridge 

 are recognized as distinct varieties. Of the Brahmas there are two, the light 

 and dark. They are marked by more style j though not heavier, they appear 

 larger than the Cochins. There are also the new mamoth breed of Langs- 

 hans, which resemble black Cochins. These are valued as winter layers, grow 

 rapidly, have inferior flesh, yet are valuable in crossing with other breeds to 

 get size and weight for market. The Spanish consists of black Spanish, 

 Minorica, Andalusian, white and brown Leghorn. They are distinguished by 

 their large single combs and proud carriage. They are persistent layers of 

 large white eggs, and are chiefly valued for this quality. The Leghorns are 

 my especial favorites as a fowl for the farmer. The Ham burgs are small 

 fowls, with full, rose combs, and slate-colored legs. There are five varieties, 

 distinguished by the markings of their plumage. They are good layers of 

 small eggs. The Polands have large top-knots. There are four varieties. 

 They lay a medium sized egg and rarely sit. The French breeds consist of 

 LaFleche, Creveceur, and Houdans. They are large sized, excellent flesh, and 

 good layers of medium sized white eggs. The Dorkings are two kinds, the 

 gray and white. They are bred as table fowls, the flesh being excellent, the 

 breast full, and they are of large size and quick growth. The Games are 

 composed of twelve varieties, and are highly prized on account of their hard- 

 iness and pugnacious qualities; they are fair layers and not bad to sit. The 

 Bantams are composed of seven varieties, and are mostly kept to please the 

 children. There are six varieties of turkeys, with which I have had all the 

 experience I ever wish, though many farmers consider them profitable. 



