1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 245 



said in relation to the origin of breeds, we must get back of 

 the bird, and learn the controlling spirit of the breeder, 

 before we can measure accurately. A Brahma may be such 

 in all purity, and still be almost a cipher in all points of 

 excellence ; and a Leghorn may have all the outward marks 

 of the variety, and be wanting entirely in the power to pro- 

 duce the luscious fruit of the hen-house. If these premises 

 are correct, it follows that the fancy, the ideal of excellence 

 in the individual breeder, has more to do with success, than 

 the breed, and that any variety may be transformed to meet 

 the requirements of the breeder. Here is the explanation 

 why one family of Brahmas excels as egg-producers, while 

 another towers far above as poultry. 



It was this spirit of unrest, this desire to realize more than 

 had been secured, this belief in the possibility of reaching 

 somethino; better, combining in a still more marked degree 

 the essentials of all breeds, that first led to the crosses 

 resulting in the Plymouth Rocks, — a breed that to-day,' 

 throughout the country, ranks second to none. The same 

 spirit has since developed the Wyandottes, like the Plym- 

 outh Rocks in general characteristics, save color. These 

 two varieties are proof positive of the fact that our poultry 

 is in our hands to be molded, changed, corrected, enlarged, 

 and built upon according to our desires. 



By the application of the same principle, weeding out 

 the inferior ones, breeding only from the best, and feeding 

 for a specific purpose, I believe it possible in the near future 

 to reach an average of thirteen dozen eggs yearly, with small 

 flocks. The fact that individuals do this, or more, justifies 

 the claim that others will, when bred, fed and cared for in 

 the same manner. This can never come through indiscrim- 

 inate breeding from any flock, no matter how high the aver- 

 age. There is always a choice, and eggs for hatching should 

 come from the hen, or those hens, who excel in form and size, 

 or as layers. To-day there is wanted a broad body, deep 

 and compact, not long in the legs or neck, with legs well 

 apart, in color bright yellow. Such a bird would give the 

 greatest weight with least waste. For such, a higher price 

 will be paid by the purchaser. 



In some sections there is a demand for colored e2:irs ; but 



