FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 433 



THE SLATE TURKEY. 



The Slate turkey might be called a Blue turkey. These turkeys about 

 average in size with the Bufifs and Blacks as we generally find them. They 

 range from ten to twenty-five pounds, according to age and sex. The 

 standard weights range from twelve pounds for a pullet or young hen to 

 twenty-seven pounds for an old tom, and in color they are slaty or ashy 

 blue throughout, usually spotted with black. The black color ranges from 

 small spots to larger markings, but the less of this the better for exhibition 

 purposes. The female is usually of a lighter shade than the male. It 

 might be surmised that the Slate turkey originated from a cross of White 

 and Black turkeys. These, like the Buff turkeys, are not largely bred, 

 though some value them highly; in fact, scarcely enough of them are grown 

 to fairly determine their merit as market turkeys. It might be of advantage 

 to all if more attention were given to the cultivation of these two neglected 

 varieties. 



THE WHITE TURKEY. 



Origin.— In America the White variety is called the White Holland 

 turkey. The reason for this is not apparent, though some think it is so called 

 because it originally came from Holland. While white turkeys may have 

 been brought to this country by Hollanders, they are not natural to Hol- 

 land. In English works they are referred to as ' 'Austrian Whites." They 

 have been known in England for over a hundred years, and are considered 

 sports from other turkeys, which is more than likely the correct view. 

 White turkeys were formerly quite delicate and rather small, but now are 

 more generally developed. This change is attributed to an infusion of 

 the blood of White sports from either the Bronze or Narragansett varieties, 

 which has improved both size and vigor, but detracted from the color of 

 shanks and plumage. In some instances the shanks are not quite so true a 

 pinkish white as is demanded, and the plumage is clouded; but this in no 

 way detracts from their value for market purposes. 



Size and color. — The standard of weight is less for the Whites than for other 

 varieties. They range from ten pounds for young hens to twenty-six pounds 

 for old toms. Recently some toms have been seen that weighed thirty-five 

 pounds in siiow condition, but this weight is quite unusual. In color of 

 plumage they should be white throughout (except that each has a black 

 beard on the breast), with shanks and toes pinkish white. Those that have 

 the dark or slate-colored shanks show undoubtedly that they have resulted 

 from a cross with some other variety. 



Comparative value. — In some localities White turkeys are largely grown. 

 They show a vitality equal to that of other varieties, and are no more difl&- 

 cult to rear. In one section visited the writer found by careful investiga- 

 tion that as large a percentage of Whites was grown during the very bad 

 season of 1903 as of the other kinds. With some the Whites did the best. 

 When the vigor is perfect and the mating birds nonrelated, the young of 

 White turkeys are quite as easy to grow as any young turkeys. 



One can not select a better variety for all uses than the White Holland, 

 They grow to the most profitable sizes, dress beautifully for juarket, their 



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