228 



Elementary Principles of Agriculture 



duce a liberal quantity of eggs under favorable condi- 

 tions. It has never been found possible to completely 

 combine into a single animal the milk and butter-fat 



Fig. 154. Barred Plymouth Rocks. Favorites of the flock having 

 their pictures " took." 



qualities of the dairy types of cattle with the meat- 

 forming qualities of the beef breeds. The same body 

 cannot be made to do both kinds of work to the same 

 degree of perfection. So in poultry, we may blend, but 

 cannot combine the egg- and meat-producing qualities. 

 In selecting a breed, one should first decide what class 

 of chickens will give the greatest return under the 

 conditions, a special-purpose egg or meat breed, or a 

 blend of qualities. The general -purpose breeds have 

 good egg-producing power, and produce good-sized friers 

 and broilers. They are often used for mothers for the 

 egg breeds. (Fig. 158.) 



318. Other Classes of Poultry. On many farms 

 ducks and geese are raised for meat and feathers. There 

 are great differences in the adaptability of the breeds. 



