32 AGRICULTURE. 



For egg production the Leghorns are typical fowls, and 

 where white-shelled eggs are wanted the Leghorn varieties 

 are more widely kept than any others. 



The Minorcas, other members of the Mediterranean class, 

 excel the Leghorns in size of eggs, but do not equal them 

 in number. 



Some strains and varieties of Pit Games are not far from 

 the Leghorn in prolificacy. 



Of the French breeds the Houdan is most widely bred 

 in this country, and for such an excellent table fowl, is an 

 exceptional layer of large white eggs. 



The Polish, often wonderful layers, have sometimes 

 suffered in vigor because of their beauty, which admirers 

 hesitate to risk marring by introduction of distant blood. 



Of the Asiatics, which lay brown-shelled eggs, the Lang- 

 shan is high in favor with practical poultrymen. The 

 Brahma, the largest of the thoroughbreds, also ranks high 

 and lays large eggs. Those strains, however, bred for 

 early laying are usually much inferior in size to the stand- 

 ard birds. The Cochin varieties are more particularly the 

 pride of the fancier than of the farmer. 



Of the American breeds the Plymouth Rock is un- 

 doubtedly the most popular. Its type of plumage pos- 

 sesses an unusual strength, even in blood much diluted, 

 and faint reflections of the blue barring are seen in very 

 distant relatives of the thoroughbred. The perfect mark- 

 ings of the showroom bird are, however, quickly lost. The 

 American breeds lay brown-shelled eggs. Different flocks 

 vary as much as the breeds or varieties in productiveness. 



Many other breeds and varieties recognized by the 

 American Poultry Association are of considerable economic 

 value, but are less commonly kept. 



In feeding most farm animals the usual purpose is only 

 to secure meat, wool, milk, or work, and not always is con- 

 sideration necessarily given to the breeding condition and 

 the breeding season. When poultry is kept for other than 

 fancy purposes, the life of the individual fowl is so short 

 that there is not only an annual necessity of growing 

 young birds with several more or less complete sets of 



