PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 199 



The objection raised to the admission of all these fowls was 

 that they had been shown as three separate breeds White 

 Plymouth Rocks, White Javas and Dirigos whereas they were 

 in reality three separate strains only. About the only difference 

 between them was that the White Plymouth Rocks and Dirigos 

 had yellow shanks; some of the Javas had shanks of willow 

 color like those of the Game Fowls ; still others had yellow 

 shanks. By agreement, both the White Plymouth Rocks and 

 the White Javas were admitted, the White Javas to be disquali- 

 fied for shanks of any color but yellow. The White Plymouth 

 Rocks were required to have yellow shanks. These disquali- 

 fications supplied a method for and influenced a speedy separa- 

 tion between the two. The White Plymouth Rocks have im- 

 proved continually since their admission to the Standard, while 

 the White Javas have become obsolete. 



The Result of Recognition. The admission of so many 

 white varieties to the Standard of Perfection was the signal for 

 unusual activity among those who bred white-plumaged fowls. 

 This influence extended even to turkeys, ducks and geese. So 

 much was written about them that many who had kept or were 

 keeping other fowls forsook them, and turned to the breeding 

 of white-plumaged fowls. The advocates of the White Plymouth 

 Rock were so ardent and so apt in presenting the merits of that 

 variety to the public that there was a general reaction in favor 

 of them During the years that followed, many efforts were 

 made in behalf of other varieties, but in the melting pot of public 

 opinion, the White Plymouth Rock has continued to gain until 

 its true value is recognized in every land. 



It is certainly true that there is no one best breed or variety 

 of fowls ; the best for all is the kind best suited to the needs and 

 pleasure of the one who selects them. The real quality of any 

 breed or variety has been, and will continue to be, built up by 

 the energy and skill of those who breed it. Those who have 

 chosen the White Plymouth Rock have chosen well. They have 

 succeeded in satisfying their ambition as well as in gaining the 

 favor of the general public. However, no one breed or variety 

 ever gains unchallenged supremacy, although the White Plym- 

 outh Rock has become a favorite as a fowl for exhibition, for 

 table purposes, and for profitable egg production. (T. T. McG.) 



