432 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE NARRAGANSETT TURKEY. 



Co/c'r/w^.— The turkeys of this variety are next in size to the Bronze. 

 They are of black ground color, each feather ending with a band of steel 

 gray, edged with black. This imparts a grayish cast to the entire surface 

 plumage. Mixed with this is the finish of metallic black and bronze luster. 

 They are beautiful in form and feather and breed true to shape and color. 

 The. female has a lighter shade of gray in her markings than the male. Her 

 entire color throughout is of lighter shading. 



Size. — The standard weights of this variety are, for males, from twenty 

 to thirty pounds, according to age; for females, from twelve to eighteen 

 pounds. Some old males of both this and the Bronze variety weigh over 

 forty pounds. These weights are excessive and of but little advantage in 

 breeding; medium sized males and females are more valuable for producing 

 stock. None of the several varieties of turkeys is more desirable than this 

 for all purposes, and it should be more generally cultivated throughout the 

 country for market. Turkeys of this variety are fine in form of breast and 

 body, not so long in the leg as the Bronze, and of a rather more contented 

 nature. They do not average so large in size as the Bronze, but where 

 grown they are highly valued. Some declare that the Narragansetts will 

 reach market size and condition in less time than the Bronze turkeys, but the 

 writer has not been able to ascertain the truth of this statement. 



THE BUFF TURKEY. 



This variety is not generally grown throughout the country. In many 

 localities it is almost unknown. The standard calls for a pure buff color 

 throughout, but this shade of coloring is seldom seen. As bred for market, 

 these turkeys are of a reddish buff or light chestnut color mixed with white 

 and some dark shadings. They are highly valued in some localities for 

 their quick growth and for their attractiveness when dressed. There average 

 weight is several pounds less than that of the Narragansett. They show 

 evidence of having been crossed with other varities, perhaps to increase 

 size. Some who raise this variety have paid special attention to its individ- 

 uality and have maintained the true type and color, adding greatly to its 

 beauty of appearance. Some of the Rhode Island growers are paying 

 attention to this variety of late, in order to determine its value as compared 

 with others. 



The Burbon Red Turkey . — A kin to the Buff, in color at least, is the 

 Bourbon Red. This variety has been known by the names Bourbon Red, 

 Bourbon Butternut and Kentucky Red. It is claimed by some that it was 

 originally a wild form found in southern Iowa, Missouri and northern 

 Arkansas. It is not yet recognized by breeders as a standard variety. In 

 color it is dark or brownish red, with white in wings and tail, tips of feather 

 bluish bronze, undercolor almost white, in some cases buff; in average 

 weight almost equal to the Bronze variety. It is claimed that it excels others 

 in richness of color of flesh and skin, also in fullness of breast. This is not 

 true to any marked degree. It is a strong, vigorous variety, worthy of con- 

 sideration with others, but does not have any unusual features of excellence. 



