Thoroughbred Poultry for Farmers. 123 



pen and the natural results are fine plumage and often delicate 

 and unprofitable birds. Such a course has killed a number of 

 fine breeds for profitable purposes. 



The selection of one breed means a uniform flock of birds. 

 Such a flock attracts the attention of neighbors and visitors, 

 especially if well kept. The eggs being from one breed, are, 

 as a rule, uniform in color, which enhances their market value; 

 the broilers and dressed carcasses are uniform in color and, if 

 well fattened, bring the top prices. The thoroughbred trade- 

 mark is there. Eggs can be sold for hatching-purposes to 

 neighbors at an advanced price, and the demand for thorough- 

 bred cockerels in the fall is another source of revenue. 



The farmer will naturally be puzzled to select the best breed 

 for his purpose, for in these days every breed has its strong 

 champions, and there are scarcely any poor ones, if we can 

 believe all we read. A farmer must always bear in mind what 

 his market desires, and whether he can profitably sell eggs only, 

 or both eggs and meat : on this depends the selection of breeds. 

 In New Jersey many farmers and practical poultrymen select 

 fowls that lay white eggs, because the latter bring higher 

 prices in New York city and Newark markets. The Leghorn 

 is the favorite, and it is doubtful if there is anything in the 

 whole poultry kingdom that can exceed the Leghorns in their 

 large and valuable egg-product. It is true that there are 

 other breeds that lay white eggs, such as the Minorcas, An- 

 dalusians, Polish, Houdans, LaFleche and others, but, except- 

 ing the first two, they will not lay nearly so well as the Leg- 

 horns. The Minorcas and Andalusians lay very fine white 

 eggs and plenty of them, but the edible quality of their meat 

 is not prized in our American markets because of the black 

 shanks and white skin that belong to these breeds. 



The great success of one noted firm of poultrymen is due 

 largely to the fact that they keep only one breed, and that the 

 White Leghorns. While they do a large business in selling 

 fowls and eggs for fancy purposes, yet the flock they keep 

 turns out a large revenue in the sale of fresh eggs. Another 



