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THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



breed of fowls, some say &quot;they were covered with wool, instead of feathers&quot;; others, that 

 they were covered &quot; with hair like cats.&quot; These fowls are supposed to be natives of India, 

 though some claim the origin to be attributed to China. - Mr. Wright describes the plumage 

 of the fowls as follows: &quot; The feather of the Silky fowl differs from that of others in several 

 respects. In the first place, both the stem and the fibres which proceed from it are very thin, 

 weak, and non-elastic, so that the fibres have no tendency to assume a position opposite each 

 other, but hang about in a lax and indetermined manner; and secondly, the fibrils are also 

 very weak and thin, besides being so sparse that they cannot be seen and counted with the 

 naked eye, or a very low magnifier; while in an ordinary feather many hundreds occupy the 

 length of one inch. The fibrils of the Silky also extend from the main fibres at nearly equal 

 angles, being thus destitute of the interlocking power we have just described. The 

 consequence of these variations in structure is a loose and flossy character.&quot; 



WHITE SILKIES. 



Mr. Wragg, of England, a breeder of these fowls, describes them thus: &amp;lt; Silkies may 

 be classed as purely fancy fowls, having little but their unique appearance to recommend 

 them. Instead of feathers, they are covered with an abundance of white silky hair; the 

 wing and tail-quills also being hung with long silky fringe. The skin and legs are blue, the 

 face and comb a deep purple color, ear-lobes being slightly tinged with white. The best 

 specimens have five toes, and are feathered on the legs. The plumage should be pure white. 

 The cock should have a full, prominent breast; neck medium size; hackle very full, flowing 

 well round the shoulders and on the back; saddle square, and rising upwards to the tail, which 

 should gradually rise a few inches and then droop over. The comb is double, but is wider 

 than long, having a lumpy appearance, with scarcely any points on the top. It should be well 

 &amp;lt;on the front of the head, and behind it, should be a spur or crest of feathers projecting 

 straight out, about two inches in length. The weight of the cock averages about four 

 pounds. The hen is rather small in proportion, weighing only about two and a half pounds. 

 She is square and compactly built, breast being full and round, neck rather short, saddle 

 .square and well cushioned, tail almost buried in fluff, which is very abundant, and a fine 



