POULTRY KEEPING 523 



The characteristics of this breed are noticeable in the other va- 

 rieties of Plymouth Rocks, excepting that of color. The sizes, shape, 

 general outlines, and qualities are the same in the other varieties as 

 in the Barred. The White Plymouth Rock is pure white in plumage 

 throughout, and the Buff variety is a clear golden buff, uniform in 

 shade. The buff should extend to the undercolor as much as pos- 

 sible the deeper the better. The standard weight of cocks is 9^ 

 pounds; hens 7^> pounds; cockerels, 8 pounds; pullets, 6% pounds. 



Wyandottes. This is another of the general-purpose fowls 

 and is rated next to the Plymouth Rock. From the first it sprang 

 into popular favor and has continued so to the present time. It came 

 originally from the Dark Brahma, Silver-spangled Hamburg, and 

 the Breda (a French fowl). Not a few authorities say that Wyan- 

 dottes have Cochin blood in them, from the fact that their ancestors 

 produced single combs and feathered shanks. 



For general purposes the Wyandottes have proved a success, be- 

 ing of medium size, weighing on an average a pound less than the 

 Plymouth Rocks, being hardy of constitution, and prolific layers. 

 They are easily cared for and bear confinement well. For table 

 purposes they are of superior worth ; their flesh is sweet, juicy, and 

 tender, and they make excellent broilers and roasters. As layers 

 they are among the best, averaging about fourteen dozen eggs a 

 year, and as winter layers they do well under ordinary circumstances. 



There are eight varieties of the Wyandotte breed, and it is only a 

 matter of opinion as to which is the best. The general characteristics 

 are the same in all, the difference in color of plumage being the only 

 distinguishing mark. 



The Silver Wyandotte is of a silvery-white plumage, with regu- 

 larly marked black lacing on the breast and a generous distribution 

 of white and black throughout the entire body. The cock has a 

 silver-white head, rose comb, silver hackle, with a black stripe down 

 the center of each feather ; silvery-white back ; saddle same as hackle ; 

 breast feathers black, with large white centers ; tail black ; wings half 

 black and half white, or, rather, black edged with white; when the 

 wing is folded there should be a well-defined bar across it; shanks 

 and toes rich yellow, free from feathering. The hen of the silver 

 variety is marked similarly to the male ; excepting the back and 

 wing, which are whiter in the male than in the female. The breast 

 of the female is of much importance in breeding good birds; the 

 lacing should be distinct, and the white centers of each feather free 

 from black or brown penciling. The standard weight of cocks is 

 &1/2 pounds; hens, 6^ pounds; cockerels, 7V& pounds; pullets, 5^ 

 pounds. 



Javas. This breed is one of the oldest of the American class, 

 and at one time was considered the most profitable of all breeds. At 

 present Javas are not raised extensively ; the more modern or newer 

 breeds have seemingly supplanted them in popularity. There is no 

 reason why this should be so, as they are useful and good general- 

 purpose fowls. In size they are about like the Plymouth Rocks, but 

 differ in general symmetry and appearance. They are good layers 



