446 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



except in cold weather perhaps my house is not warm enough for them when I have found 

 them much inferior to the Light Brahmas. The eggs are white, large, and fine. The 

 Leghorns mature quickly, when they weigh three or four pounds, and are, I think, almost 

 useless for table use. They are wild and intractable. A fence five feet high is Brahma 

 proof. As much cannot i&amp;gt;e said of one three times as high if the word Brahma be replaced 

 by Leghorn. I cannot recommend the Brown Leghorn, though I have a flock for sale. 

 From my reading, and a slight experience, I think I might almost say as much of the 

 Spanish, the Hamburgs, and the White Leghorns. 



Though I am satisfied with the Light Brahmas I have a desire to test the Games, because 

 of their incomparable excellence for* table use, and the Plymouth Rocks, which are so highly 

 recommended by those who have them. Yet I feel assured that this test, which I am to 

 make in coming years, will only serve to make me more a friend of the Light Brahmas. 

 The grace and symmetry of the mature Light Brahma is fully comparable to that of our 

 best-bred Short-horns, while their color forms a beautiful contrast to the green of the summer 

 landscape.&quot; 



Another writer of experience speaks in equally complimentary terms of the Houdans, 

 and after mentioning the popularity of the Light Brahmas, Plymouth Rocks, Leghorns, and 

 Hamburgs, says, that for hardihood, laying qualities, and as poultry for the table, they (the 

 Houdans) have no superiors, and expresses regret that more of our breeders do not turn 

 their attention to them especially. The writer bred them for years side by side with Games 

 and Dorkings, losing no chicken by disease, when he lost one out of four of the Dorkings, 

 and one out of ten of the Games. 



Another breeder of large experience expresses his preference thus: &quot;How much easier 

 to give the poultry the little attention required, than is the trouble of raising, and the care of 

 cattle, which no thrifty farmer ever complains of ! When we pass a neat-looking farm, the 

 buildings in good repair, the cattle and sheep fat and contented, and the home of a nice flock 

 of Plymouth Rocks, Brahmas, Leghorns, or some other varieties, is not there, something is 

 wanting to make that farm complete; for where is the individual that was brought up on 

 a farm where poultry was kept, that does not remember the happy hours feeding the chickens, 

 and hunting eggs in the hay-loft in his boyhood ? No farm is complete without a well-regu 

 lated poultry-yard of thorough-bred poultry. How surely they pay for every kernel of corn 

 they eat ! In consideration of the importance of poultry to us, the question presents itself, 

 What breed should we keep ? 



In raising poultry for market, we recommend Light Brahmas, Dark Brahmas, Plymouth 

 Rocks, Houdans, and White Cochins. These are quick to grow, take on fat at an early age, 

 and are of excellent color when prepared for market. If eggs only are wanted, then some of 

 the small varieties are recommended, White and Black Leghorns, Brown Leghorns, Games, 

 and Hamburgs. We have about twenty White Leghorns, and know they are excellent hens 

 to lay. Whatever breed you keep, they require proper care and food: the better care and 

 keeping the larger the returns will be.&quot; 



Mr. W. H. Todd, of Vermillion, Ohio, says: &quot; We should classify the best breeds for 

 fowls and eggs in their order as follows: Dark and Light Brahmas, Partridge, Buff, White, and 

 Black Cochins; for size, eggs, and all purposes, with early maturity, Plymouth Rocks, Black 

 Cochins, and Dorkings; the latter we don t recommend for this climate, as they are too 

 liable to disease. For eggs, we should place non-sitters at the head of the list: should 

 say Leghorns, Houdans, Hamburgs, and Spanish; of course where non-sitters are kept, it is 

 necessary to keep a few Cochin or Brahma hens to perform maternal duties. For whatever 

 purpose we keep fowls, it is best to so keep them that they will be a source of profit rather 

 than a bill of expense. 



When breeding for fancy, a handsome profit can be realized in the production of 



