SECTION II. 

 CHAPTER I. 



PLYMOUTH ROCKS AS PROLIFIC EGG 

 PRODUCERS 



PLYMOUTH ROCK EGGS. 



ALL VARIETIES of Plymouth Rocks should lay mod- 

 erately large, tannish brown eggs. Eggs which weigh 

 twenty-four ounces to the dozen are recognized as 

 standard in weight, but the average Plymouth Rock pullet 

 lays eggs which exceed this weight. As hens, they usually lay 

 a slightly heavier egg, some averaging as much as twenty- 

 eight ounces or more to the dozen. In shape, the egg is spher- 

 ically oblong, tapering slightly to one end. 



The Plymouth Rock egg has a quality of contents, and a 

 thickness and texture to the skell by which it is assured of 

 carrying well while being shipped to market and also assures 

 the minimum amount of evaporation while being held for 

 hatching, for market or in storage. 



Uniformity of shape and color, arid freeness from wrinkles, 

 rough places and thin shells should be sought for by all breed- 

 ers. Uniformity largely controls the appearance, and appear- 

 ance seriously affects the selling price. 



Some families or flocks of so-called Plymouth Rocks lay 

 eggs which are very much under-sized, misshaped, thin shelled 

 and of many colors. The country abounds in flocks of this kind 

 which, though they bear a certain resemblance to standard- 

 bred Plymouth Rocks, usually the Barred variety, are far from 

 having the qualities of the latter and are, in fact, very inferior 

 in size, productiveness and appearance, and they are not stand- 

 ard-bred Barred Plymouth Rocks though often mistaken for 

 the latter. 



The qualities of the eggs can be controlled to a large ex- 

 tent by the breeder. By selecting and hatching from eggs of 

 the desired shape and color, and by using only males and fe- 

 males for breeding purposes which have been hatched from 

 such eggs, one can soon establish a flock that will produce 



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