514 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



One could hardly believe that persons who appear intelligent in mo.^": 

 matters pertaining to the farm and farming, would have such erroneous 

 and oftentimes absurd impressions and ideas of pure-blooded poultry 

 and their usefulness, or rather worthlessness, on the farm, unless con- 

 vinced of it by personal conversation. 



I have had parties argue with me that scrub or "common" hens were 

 very much better layers than thoroughbred hens. Then I have been told 

 that the pure-blooded birds were not so vigorous, more subject to disease, 

 and a greater per cent of them died during the year than the' poultry 

 that boasted no "blue blood" or aristocratic breeding. I have heard it 

 asserted that thoroughbred fowls required more care and attention than 

 common stock and were much more difficult to raise to maturity. 



Such statements as those cited are made through lack of experience 

 with a pure-blooded breed and therefore through absolute ignorance cf 

 their qualities and characteristics. I have had experience with the 

 scrub stock and also with the much-to-be-preferred thoroughbred, and 

 the latter are so much more profitable and desirable than the former 

 that they should not be spoken of as belonging to the same family witi- 

 them. 



The greater profit realized from the more prolific thoroughbreds, the 

 eggs so much larger in size and the large, pliynp carcass when dresseii 

 ready for market, should, all combined, I think persuade any breeder to 

 choose them in preference to a flock of mongrels. As to the vigor and 

 healthfulness of pure-bloods I have never had any cause to complain, 

 having found them less subject to disease than common fowls. 



As to requiring more care and attention than mongrels, this is an- 

 other mistaken idea. I will admit, though, that if as sadly neglected 

 and left to "scratch for a living" and allowed to remain homeless and 

 houseless through sun and storm alike, as so many farm flocks are, very 

 little profit would be realized from a flock of thoroughbreds, even if of 

 the most noted egg-producir.g strain. Neither would pure-bloods under 

 such conditions remain in health and vigor. Scrub or mongrel stock, if 

 cared for aright, will be found to be far more profitable than is the 

 average farm flock. 



Then, how much more to be admired is a flock every specimen of 

 which is of the same form and color— as much alike as "peas in the pod ' 

 — than one where the birds are of every color and more like quails than 

 chickens in size. If a flock of such pure-blooded fowls is to be coveted, 

 why not. my farmer friend, have them? It is possible for every farm 

 breeder to have a flock that will in their beauty and profitableness be the 

 admiration and envy of all beholders. So why be satisfied with inferior, 

 unprofitable poultry when the best is easily attainable? 



Belmont, "Wisconsin. 



