162 PROFITS IN POULTRY. 



may be improved by careful breeding as well as a pig or 

 a cow. An infusion of new blood should be procured 

 every year or two, and a bird of undoubted excellence 

 should be bought. 



THE FRENCH BREEDS HOUDANS AND CREVECCEURS. 



If profit is the chief end of poultry-keeping, and this 

 is certainly the purpose for which farmers and those who 

 raise poultry for the market, us well as those who com- 

 pete for prizes at the poultry shows, are all in pursuit of, 

 then the French breeds of fowls are worthy of high con- 

 sideration. There is no other country in the world 

 where poultry is so popular a product in the market, or 

 so frequent a dish upon the tables, as in France, and i 

 breed that is in favor there must possess positive merit. 

 In addition to the vast number of eggs which are con 

 sumed in every possible shape in cookery, and in various 

 arts, millions of dollars' worth are exported from France 

 every year; and the poulef, variously presented, is not 

 only a very conspicuous item on the bills of fare, but it 

 delicacy and succulence entitle it to the prominence it 

 enjoys. That it is acceptable in France should be to a 

 breed a passport to popular favor everywhere. Yet the 

 French fowls are not nearly so popular in America as 

 they deserve to be. The Houdans and the Crevecoaurs 

 are both prolific egg-producers, grow rapidly, and pos- 

 sess white and juicy flesh. Yet we have admired these 

 fowls in the yards of other people, and have listened 

 favorably to frequent praise of their profit and their 

 beauty. The Houdan is doubtless a very handsome and 

 attractive bird, and a flock of them, well bred and well 

 cared for, is very showy in the yard or the field They 

 are square and massive about the body, with short legs, 

 a spirited or even a fierce carriage, on account of their 



