CHAPTER I. 



The Business Breeds. 



To succeed with poultry, a man must be "half hen." That 

 means that he must love the business and understand the hen. Such 

 a man naturally likes the breed best adapted to his business. There 

 are different kinds of men and thus there are different breeds of 

 poultry, each one 

 best fitted for some spe- 

 cial purpose. The key- 

 note of this book is the 

 fact that no man can sup- 

 ply another with that 

 element known as good 

 judgment. We try to 

 give here facts about 

 poultry. The reader is 

 urged to apply them, 

 and learn for himself 

 what will suit him best. 

 Business hens may be 

 roughly classed under 

 three heads, — Mediter- 

 ranean, or non-sitters ; 

 American, or general- 

 purpose breeds which 

 have been obtained by 

 crossing; arid Asiatics, 

 or meat-p r o d u c i n 

 breeds. Briefly stated, 

 their business qualities 

 may be described about 

 as follows : 



MEDITERRANEAN OR NON-SITTERS.— The Leghorn is the 

 best example of this class ; a small, nervous hen with a very large 

 comb. The Leghorn, without doubt, is the best breed for those who 

 want an abundance of large, white eggs, or those who want a small flock 

 for a small enclosure. With us the Black Minorca lays a larger white 

 egg, but is more tender, not as hardy as the Leghorn, and requires more 

 feed, though standing confinement better. The Brown Leghorn is smaller 



Fig. 1. PUREBRED WHITE LEGHORNS. 



Library 

 N. C, State Coile^re 



