Breed Useful Fowls 169 



be noted for usefulness. The most noted flocks for 

 egg production, those that have gained a national 

 reputation, have been selected and improved for 

 this one particular quality to the exclusion of fancy 

 points, on which so much importance is placed at 

 the great poultry exhibitions. In the early history 

 of these flocks, the surplus birds were not largely 

 sold for breeding purposes. The reputation of 

 these flocks had not been established, and because 

 the birds did not possess the prize-winning fancy 

 points, the demand for them was not equal to the 

 supply. In later years, when the reputation of these 

 flocks became well known, the surplus stock found 

 ready sale at remunerative prices, solely because 

 of their usefulness. While farm stock should receive 

 recognition at agricultural fairs, yet it will be shown 

 at a disadvantage when placed in competition with 

 the fanciers' fowls, which are bred largely for exhi- 

 bition. The farmer's stock should be selected and 

 maintained for the profit of eggs and meat, rather 

 than for the profit which the fowls may bring when 

 sold for breeding stock. 



It is quite possible that many farmers may sell 

 breeding stock at remunerative prices, although 

 the main object should not be to produce birds for 

 this purpose. Whenever one depends on the sale 

 of fowls for breeding purposes for profit, it becomes 

 necessary to enter into competition with other 

 breeders at the great poultry shows. This necessi- 



