26 THE BEGINNER IN POULTRY 



the Beginner to let it alone. The commercial growers 

 of poultry meat in America have, in the great majority, 

 found the American breeds to meet their needs, and this 

 is especially true if they desire to combine meat and egg 

 production. In any case, it is safe for you not to let 

 your first questionings cover any beyond the American 



Cornell Feed Hopper in Active Use. White Leghorns, representing the 

 Mediterranean Class 



varieties, the Orpingtons and the Mediterraneans. The 

 first two are sufficiently good general-purpose groups, 

 in nearly all their varieties, for any poultryman who 

 chances to like them ; the last is in some quarters ac- 

 credited to be the champion egg producer of the world, 

 among domesticated hens. All the Mediterranean breeds 

 are very superior layers. There are five breeds, in 

 thirteen varieties, under this class. Two of the Minorca 

 varieties, and one of the Leghorn varieties are black; 

 which fact shuts them out of the consideration of the 



