44 Farm Poultry 



either the members of his own household or his 

 neighbors. There are probably no breeds of fowls 

 so well suited to have the liberties of a small farm 

 or lot as these slow-moving Asiatics. 



Laying qualities. The laying qualities of these 

 fowls are considerably below the average, and, as 

 a rule, are not to be compared with those of the 

 more active fowls which originated in the countries 

 bordering on the Mediterranean. 



The useful qualities of animals reach the highest 

 state of development when one quality is developed 

 at the expense of others. Experience has shown 

 that it has not been possible to develop in the same 

 individual or breed two or more useful qualities to 

 the highest stage of perfection. The two most 

 highly prized useful qualities in our domesticated 

 fowls are meat and egg production. When one is 

 unusually well developed the other is lessened in 

 value or importance, so that both are never developed 

 to the greatest extent in one individual. Admirable 

 illustrations are seen in the development of animals 

 that are highly prized for the production of meat 

 or of milk. In no instance has the best milker been 

 most highly prized for meat production. A similar 

 condition exists in the poultry world. While the 

 breeding of fowls solely for egg production, or for 

 meat production, has reached a high state of per- 

 fection, yet these two qualities are not brought to 

 the highest stage of perfection in one individual. 



