144 PROFITS IN POULTRY. 



GAME FOWLS A SENSIBLE GROWL. 



It is a noticeable fact that the department of Games 

 in our poultry exhibitions is the great center of attrac- 

 tion. Game fowls command higher prices than any of 

 the old varieties, the eggs sell higher, and they are more 

 extensively advertised in the poultry journals. The 

 secret of this popularity lies mainly in the use to which 

 these birds are put. The Game is unquestionably a good 

 bird for eating, but is no better than some of the less 

 quarrelsome varieties. They are prolific, but are sur- 

 passed by other varieties. They are quite handsome, 

 but this is not what they are bred for. The only thing 

 in which they excel all other domestic fowls is their 

 capacity to fight until the last gasp. No doubt many 

 breed them for their flesh and eggs. They are frequently 

 crossed with other fowls, but their quarrelsome disposi- 

 tion does not make them favorites with the poultry- men, 

 ho only want flesh and eggs. They are mostly bred 

 jr the pit, and there is unques ion ably an increasing 

 love of this cruel sport, principally among a certain class 

 in our cities and villages. Cock fights are common, 

 held iii some places on the sly, in other places quite 

 openly, and attended by the same rabble that run after 

 prize fights in the ring, and for the same reason. They 

 show courage, and draw blood, and offer opportunities 

 for betting and gambling. Frequently a main is fought, 

 and several cocks are pitted against a similar number 

 upon the other side. It is expected in these contests 

 that all the cocks upon one side will be killed. The 

 worst passions are stirred by these brute contests, and 

 there is the same objection to them that there is to other 

 forms of gambling. The bull fights of Spain are no 

 more bloody and cruel. They tend to harden the sensi- 

 bilities, and so corrupt the morals. All the associations 



