CHAP. III.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 69 



not SO high flavoured as that of the game 

 kind, but is succulent, white, and very deli- 

 cate. The breed is, indeed, in such general 

 esteem, that we think no one who is possessed 

 of it will feel inclined to change it for any 

 other. 



In contradiction to the advice already given 

 "of choosing cocks and hens of the most 

 variegated and brilliant plumage," those of 

 the Dorking sort are generally preferred to 

 be white, both as producing better meat, and 

 as being no less distinctive of the purity of the 

 breed than is the supernumerary hind claw. 

 We know, indeed, some breeders who keep 

 cocks of the darkest brown and red, while 

 they yet wish their hens to be of the purest 

 white. It is perhaps matter of no great mo- 

 ment, when the fowls are to be fattened for 

 the table, whether they are grown of one or 

 more colours ; but if it be the intention of 

 an amateur to preserve any distinct species, he 

 should endeavour to retain those marks which 

 betoken its character; and it is evident that 

 if the cock is brown and the hen white, the 

 chickens will be of mottled plumage. 



In consequence of their size and aptitude 



