600 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



young hen to 27 pounds for an old torn, and in color they are slaty 

 or ashy blue throughout, usually spotted with black. The black 

 color ranges from small spots to larger markings, but the less of this 

 the better for exhibition purposes. The female is usually of a lighter 

 shade than the male. It might be surmised that the Slate turkey 

 originated from a cross of White and Black turkeys. These, like the 

 Buff turkeys, are not largely bred, though some value them highly ; 

 in fact, scarcely enough of them are grown to fairly determine their 

 merit as market turkeys. It might be of advantage to all if more 

 attention were given to the cultivation of these two neglected varieties. 



White Turkey. In America the white variety is called the 

 White Holland turkey, because they were thought to have originated 

 in Holland, but this is doubtful although they were probably brought 

 to this country from Holland. White turkeys were formerly quite 

 delicate and rather small, but now are more generally developed. 

 This change is attributed to an infusion of the blood of White sports 

 from either the Bronze or Narragansett varieties, which has improved 

 both size and vigor, but detracted from the color of shanks and 

 plumage. In some instances the shanks are not quite so true a 

 pinkish white as is demanded, and the plumage is clouded; but this 

 in no way detracts from their value for market purposes. 



Size and Color. The standard of weight is less for the Whites 

 than for other varieties. They range from 10 pounds for young hens 

 to 26 pounds for old toms. Recently some toms have been seen that 

 weighed 35 pounds in show condition, but this weight is quite un- 

 usual. In color of plumage they should be white throughout (ex- 

 cept that each has a black beard on the breast), with shanks and 

 toes pinkish white. Those that have the dark or slate-colored shanks 

 show undoubtedly that they have resulted from a cross with some 

 other variety. 



Comparative Value. In some localities White turkeys are 

 largely grown. They show a vitality equal to that of other varieties, 

 and are no more difficult to rear. In one section visited the writer 

 found by careful investigation that as large a percentage of Whites 

 was grown during the very bad season of 1903 as of the other kinds. 

 With some the Whites did the best. When the vigor is perfect and 

 the mating birds nonrelated, the young of White turkeys are quite 

 as easy to grow as any young turkeys. 



One can not select a better variety for all uses than the White 

 Holland. They grow to the most profitable sizes, dress beautifully 

 for market, their light, pinkish white shanks add to their appear- 

 ance, and with them, as with all white poultry, the pin feathers 

 show less than in darker varieties. The very largest turkeys are not 

 the most profitable either to grow or to sell. The medium sizes 

 from 9 to 18 pounds dressed are most desirable for family use. It 

 is said that they are particularly adapted to restricted ranges and 

 do as well as any breed when confined. 



The Black Turkey. This variety was for a time almost forgot- 

 ten and quite neglected, but of late more attention has been given it, 

 greatly to its advantage and improvement along the lines of valu- 



