432 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



" 20, Plymouth Rocks, 4 " 



" 21, Fawn-colored Dorkings, 4 *' 



" 22, Chittaprats, 3 " 



" 23, Royal Cochin-China. 6 



" 24, Manilla Bantams, 3 " 



" 25, Sebright, " 3 



" 26, Cuba, " 3 



" 27, White ducks, 2 



" 28, Spanish, do. 5 " 



This list only embraces a part of the varieties of one 

 exhibitor. The yards and hen house, (which is an old 

 conservatory,) of these gentlemen, covers about three 

 acres of ground, upon which they keep an average stock 

 of 1,000 head, and some thirty different kinds. During 

 the breeding season, each variety is kept in separate 

 apartments; the cocks being introduced to hens for the 

 purpose of "judicious crossing," with as much care as 

 would be shown to a Durham bull, or an English race 

 horse. The feed is principally corn, costing 75 cts. a 

 bushel, and is kept constantly before them in feeding 

 hoppers, which are filled once a-fortnight. Oats, barley, 

 potatoes, dough, and meat are fed occasionally; water 

 every day. Cost of food consumed will average about 

 two cents a week per head; and it requires the labor of 

 one hand most of the time to look after the establish- 

 ment. During the moulting season, all except the game 

 cocks, are turned out to grass together. By keeping the 

 house warm through the winter, with plenty of food, 

 they get a supply eggs, which then sell for high prices in 

 the city. In the spring, they bring much higher rates 

 for the purpose of raising stock; not however to be 

 eaten, as will readily be seen by the enormous sums they 

 sell for, to others affected with the same fever. For be 

 it distinctly understood, the above are not "fancy prices," 

 nor such as an individual would generally have to pay 

 for a single pair; nor such as have been realUed during 

 the day. I saw one cock change hands at thirty dollars, 

 and a hen of the same Shang-high sort, at fifteen — the 



