POULTRY. 1059 



their wings. Fig. 17 illustrates a lath fence that will come 

 handy for division fence for the inside of poultry-yards and 

 houses. It can be made in continuous panels of any desired 

 length, and may be fastened to posts by means of wire or 

 stout cord. 



Best Breeds for Special Purposes. Farmers who have 

 had no experience with the different varieties of pure-bred fowls 

 are very apt to choose a breed because they "like the looks" 

 of the fowls, or because somebody says that particular breed is 

 "the best;" but it frequently happens that their poultry fails 

 to pay, because the breed selected is not the one best adapted 

 to the special purpose for which they keep fowls, and disap- 

 pointment results. 



Our illustrations of the different breeds are true to life, and 

 will give a good idea of the appearance of the fowls. If the 

 profit is to be derived from eggs alone, some of the non-sitters 

 will be most satisfactory. If broilers for the early market, a 

 breed that feathers young, like the Plymouth Rock, will be 

 found profitable; while for capons crosses are often found to 

 give the best results. As a rule, it will be more profitable to 

 keep some one pure breed rather than a mixture of all sorts, as 

 is often found on the farm. 



Before making a choice from among the many different 

 breeds, each of which somebody will declare is " the very best," 

 the fanner should decide what particular branch of poultry 

 raising will probably pay best in his locality; whether he will 

 make a specialty of eggs, spring chickens, capons, dressed poul- 

 try for the fall and winter market, or whether he will go into 

 the "general utility" branch of the poultry business, and make 

 all the profit possible from eggs, chickens, and fowls. In mak- 

 ing this decision he will, of course, be governed by the market 

 facilities in his locality, and by the time and help at his com- 

 mand. These points settled, and a little knowledge of the dif- 

 ferent breeds acquired, the selection of a profitable breed will 

 be an easy matter. From her own experience with the different 

 breeds, and from the best practical authorities on the subject, 

 the writer submits the following : 



