POULTRY. 523 



In breeding them, care has been exercised in selecting birds of certain shape and a good 

 degree of vigor, hence their vitality and activity are rarely equaled and never surpassed by 

 fowls of equal size. Notwithstanding these facts no high fence is needed to keep Javas 

 within bounds. In my long experience with nearly everything in the line of domestic fowls, 

 I have never found a breed better adapted to close quarters, nor one that could resist the 

 attacks of disease in every form with more fortitude. I have never lost one with any 

 disease. Occasionally I have seen one attacked with roup, consequent upon exposure while 

 attending shows, and in every case, some of which were severe, a few days time and simple 

 remedies effected a permanent cure. &quot;When we consider this, and the fact that they have 

 been bred in for twenty years, we cannot fail to credit them with sterling worth. 



In selecting breeding stock, be sure to select birds with straight combs, brilliant black 

 plumage, black shanks, and dark colored eyes. Willow shanks are tolerated, but are 

 objectionable in young Javas. In old male birds, however, we can seldom avoid them. 

 Never breed from red feathers. Better allow a little white than red. The standard calls for 

 brilliant red comb, which is correct for male birds, but some of the striking characteristics of 

 the breed are Hack comb, face, and wattles among females. Pullets should always have them, 

 and if retained at maturity so much the better. I now have a few hens two years old with 

 comb, face, and wattles nearly black. Kill all birds that show striking defects, and retain 

 only first-class ones for breeding purposes. When first hatched, and until they moult their 

 first feathers, Javas will show very much white, but when matured every white feather 

 should disappear. 



Mottled Javas. This valuable acquisition to our poultry department was originated 

 ten years since by crossing a large white hen with a Black Java cock. The hen was selected 

 from a flock of large white fowls highly prized for their superior laying and table qualities. 

 They had been bred pure for many years, but were unlike anything described in the Standard. 

 The first cross, although not intended for the purpose of forming a new breed, developed 

 qualities worthy of cultivation. In crossing for new breeds it is highly important that both 

 parents are from established strains; otherwise we have so many types to contend with that 

 the results are entirely uncertain. 



Although accidental, the cross that produced this new variety was in harmony with this 

 principle, and now we find them breeding with as much uniformity as many of our old estab 

 lished breeds. In color they are black and white, closely resembling Houdans in this particu 

 lar, but in no other. The color should be broken, black and white throughout, not a large 

 patch of black followed by patches of white, but both evenly distributed. If either predom 

 inates it should be the former; yet we find, as with Houdans, some will be too light and some 

 too dark in color. Although they are called mottled, they are more properly splashed, but 

 the term Splashed Java would not sound quite as euphonious as the name chosen. Their 

 history, after describing Black Javas, must necessarily be short, for the general characteris 

 tics of each are very nearly alike, yet I think the fresh blood introduced by the white hen 

 has a tendency to give the mottles an advantage over the others in laying qualities; at least 

 I have found it so with my stock. As they have descended from parents with yellow shanks 

 on one side and black on the other, I find both colors are common, yet neither disqualifies. 

 The shanks should be yellow, blotched with black; but even when black alone appears the 

 bottoms of the feet are always yellow. 



In selecting stock, utility first, and then beauty, should be the rule. The former in 

 domestic fowls consists in hardiness, early maturity, and large size, with good laying and 

 table qualities. Almost any variety possesses one or more of these qualities, but a combina 

 tion of all, with beauty added, can hardly be expected. No domestic fowl, according to our 

 opinion, approaches nearer to this high standard than a flock of well-selected mottled Javas. 

 They are certainly attractive, and at first sight impress us with their proud and noble appear- 



