530 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



Italy and other parts of the continent of Europe for a long period. 

 That this race has been widely disseminated admits also of littlo 

 doubt, inasmuch as at the present day it is known in Denmark and 

 other countries as the Italian. There seems to be good ground for the 

 statement that Leghorns were first introduced into America from 

 Italy. The story goes that as early as 1834 a vessel from Leghorn 

 brought to this country as a part of its cargo a small shipment of 

 fowls, which were at once named "Leghorns." They immediately 

 became popular, their prolific laying and nonsitting qualities being 

 recognized at this early date. 



White and Brown Leghorns were the first varieties known. 

 Modern breeders are responsible for some of the subvarieties of the 

 breed ; and, in point of color at least, exhibition birds of to-day, even 

 of the older varieties, vary considerably from those seen at the 

 present time in Italy. 



The question of profit in poultry has been decided in favor of 

 the egg-producing breeds. Leghorns are lively, active, and of a rest- 

 less disposition, the best of foragers, and will pick up a good part of 

 their living during the year. They are light eaters, and the cost of 

 raising them to maturity is about one-half that of the Asiatic varie- 

 ties. They mature early and feather quickly ; the pullets often begin 

 laying when 4% months old, and cockerels crow at a much younger 

 age. They are the best of layers, averaging between 150 and 200 

 eggs a year. Their eggs are pure white in color and weigh about 10 

 to the pound. As table fowls they are fairly good ; by many they are 

 considered excellent ; the only thing that can be said against them is 

 that they are small in size. Altogether, they are one of the most 

 profitable breeds of poultry that can be kept on the farm, and the 

 cheapness of their keeping will allow the raising of two Leghorns for 

 the cost of one Asiatic. They must be dryly housed in winter to lay 

 well and to protect their pendulous wattles from frostbite. 



In shape a Leghorn cock should be graceful, with body of 

 medium length, broad at the shoulders, and tapering toward the 

 tail. The body should be well balanced on a fair length of shank and 

 thigh, the length of leg giving the bird its sprightly and proud car- 

 riage. Closeness of feathering adds to the general shape. The breast 

 should be full, beautifully curved, rather prominent, and carried well 

 forward; neck, long and well arched; back, of medium length, with 

 saddle rising in a sharp, concave sweep to the tail ; tail, large, full, 

 carried at an angle of 45 from the horizontal; the full, flowing tail, 

 and long, well-curved sickles are characteristics of the bird that are 

 much desired. Ear lobes should be white or creamy white. 



The Leghorn hen in many respects resembles the cock, except- 

 ing carriage of comb and sexual differences. In shape and carriage 

 the hen is even more graceful and sprightly than the cock, very close 

 in feather, and rather small in body. Her breast is full, very round, 

 and carried high; legs fairly long, and shanks thin; tail carried at 

 an angle _of 40 from the horizontal. Her comb is the marvel of her 

 beauty; in the single-comb varieties it falls gracefully to one side, 

 but not in a limp manner nor so as to obscure the sight. Legs, comb, 



