518 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



of medium size, and fine texture. The neck is rather short, or perhaps we should say, 

 medium, and well arched, with a very full hackle, giving great width at the shoulders. 



The wings are of medium size; the tail rather small, but larger than that of the Cochin, 

 and carried nearly upright. The legs are of medium length, and bright yellow, and the 

 carriage of the cock upright and commanding. The hen is marked similarly to the cock, but 

 seems, if anything, more compact and plump in body than the cock. Her manner is quite 

 matronly. There was formerly considerable difficulty experienced in breeding the Plymouth 

 Rock true to color, but time and patience, with judicious care in selection, have corrected this 

 evil, and they now breed very true in this respect. 



Merits and Defects of Plymouth Rocks. They are superior table fowls, large 

 bodied and plump; they also grow rapidly and mature early, making good broilers for the 

 early spring market, while their superior laying qualities are too well known to necessitate 

 comment in that respect. Their extreme hardiness is also a strong argument in their favor. 

 We give the following respecting this breed, from the well known poultry breeder, &quot;W. H. 

 Todd, of Vermillion, Ohio: &quot;The longer we keep them, the better we like them, and, of all 

 breeds, we think Plymouth Rocks the fowl for the farmer, and for general purposes. They 

 combine more in themselves than any variety we know of. Are so hardy and healthy that 

 they seem proof against the diseases that annually carry off so many fine birds. The chicks 

 are lively and strong, and mature very rapidly, becoming large, and early fit for market. 

 Their flesh, in quality, is fine grained, tender, and juicy, and, as dressed poultry, they are 

 plump, full-breasted, and with fine, yellow skin and legs, look well and sell well in market. 

 They can be depended on for eggs nearly all the year round, as well as for sitters and mothers, 

 in season. Are not high flyers, and are excellent foragers, when given their liberty.&quot; The 

 plumage of these birds is not as attractive as that of many breeds, it being really homely 

 and grave in color, but their really economic and valuable qualities as egg-producers, and as 

 a table fowl, place them in the front rank as a fowl for general purposes on the farm. 



ANDALUSIANS. 



THIS breed is a native of the province of Andalusia in Spain, and was formerly 

 classed with the Spanish varieties, but is now considered to be a distinct breed. It 

 is larger and more hardy than the other Spanish varieties, and unlike them also, the 

 young chickens feather rapidly and easily, which adds much to their chances of life against 

 storms and cold, and gives them the advantage in this respect. They are a very useful fowl, 

 producing eggs abundantly, and are very desirable as a table fowl also. The comb is similar 

 to the other Spanish varieties; also general contour of body. The plumage is quite attractive, 

 being a kind of dove color or bluish gray, approaching a black on the back, and quite 

 glossy. The neck-hackle is dark slate, and sometimes nearly black in color; the tail bluish 

 gray; the beak and legs are also of a dark blue tinge, approaching a slate color. Sometimes 

 the plumage is penciled slightly with a darker hue or black, which adds much to the beauty 

 of the bird. They have become more generally known, within a few years past, and 

 also more popular. The plumage of the hen is similar to that of the cock, except of 

 a slightly lighter shade. The cock usually weighs about seven pounds, the hens from five to 

 six pounds each. They are more precocious than the Spanish breeds, and also rather 

 pugnacious, but not sufficiently gamey in disposition to be troublesome. The hens have been 

 known to sit, but this is very rare among them. They are classed with the non-sitters. 



