404 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



correct types would be by study of the best birds ; but in 

 practice the first knowledge of what is right is more surely 

 gained by studying ideals, because by forming one's ideas 

 from a model correct in all sections one avoids the common 

 error of learning to overlook readily the weak points which 

 may be associated with special excellence in the best birds 

 he sees. 



Having learned what a Wliite Plymouth Rock should be, 

 the seeker after good stock is now prepared to inspect some 

 stock for the purpose of buying when he finds what he 

 wants. I advise making a personal inspection of the stock 



from which one buys, and 

 personal selection of the 

 birds bought, if that is at 

 all possible. 



With the ideal White 

 Rock imaged in his mind, 

 the buyer goes into a flock 

 of White Plymouth Rocks 

 and begins to look for 

 specmiens resembling that 

 ideal. He knows that the 

 type he is looldng for is a 

 rather long and deep-bodied 

 bird, full-breasted, neither 

 too low nor too high on the 

 legs to look symmetrical. 

 The picture he has studied has given him an idea of the 

 general appearance and carriage of the bird ; and if he has 

 any eye for outline, he will at once single out of an ordi- 

 nary flock some birds as typical and some as not typical. 

 These typical birds, if on closer inspection they are found 

 free from serious faults, and if they are vigorous and healthy 

 looking, are the kind of birds he wants, and he should take 

 no others. He should pay any price in reason for speci- 

 mens of the right general type, rather than take as a gift 

 specimens not of that type. 



The fowls being satisfactory in appearance, the buyer 

 naturally wants to know something of their laying capacity. 



Ideal Single-comb Rhode Island Red, 

 Male. 



