124 PROFITS IK POULTRY. 



common stock, are nearly as good as the pure breed. 

 To introduce one young cock for every twenty- five com- 

 mon hens would be to easily double the value of the 

 farmer's yearly product. 



From the time of its first introduction to American 

 poultry-breeders, the breed has been held in the highest 

 esteem. Other varieties have come up, the Plymouth 

 Rock and Wyandottes, as market birds, and Leghorns in 

 variety as egg-producers; still the Light Brahma has held 

 its own as a family fowl among the lovers of choice poultry. 

 Although quiet and unassuming in style, it has great 

 dignity of carriage, and is really a majestic fowl. In 

 excellent qualities for family use, it is hardly approached 

 by any other. Its flesh is juicy and tender ; and as it 

 puts on flesh very fast, it remains a "chicken" until 

 fully grown. The excellence of the hens as layers de- 

 pends greatly on how they were bred, for some families 

 are extraordinary egg-producers taken in comparison 

 with other large-bodied fowls. They are layers of large, 

 buff-colored eggs, which are very rich, and great favorites 

 in the market. In disposition they are very kind and 

 quiet. An ordinary picket-fence, three feet high, will 

 restrain them ; and if handled gently, they can be picked 

 up at any time. The plumage is white with black points. 

 The tail is black, as are also the flight feathers of the 

 wings, which are not discernible when the wings are 

 folded. There is also a fine penciling of black in the 

 neck. It has a " pea/' or triple comb, which, being 

 small and set close to the head, is proof against all or- 

 dinary frost. They are easy to rear, very hardy, quick 

 growers, and make very heavy fowls. On a well-kept 

 lawn, there is nothing handsomer than a flock of Light 

 Brahmas. 



It is an interesting fact in connection with this breed 

 that it is the only one of the Asiatic breeds not received 

 through England. The original birds were brought 



