POULTRY. 



185 



ear lobes must be pure white. The young of this breed are 

 remarkably precocious. 



The Dorking is a fowl comparatively little known among our 

 farmers. It takes the lead of all other breeds in England, and 

 should be held in much better estimation than it now enjoys 

 with us. Prize birds not unfrequently bring, in England, from 

 two to three guineas each, and successful breeders sell their 

 eggs readily at fifteen dollars per dozen. The cocks have been 

 brought up to twelve pounds in weight. 



There are two principal varieties now in the country — the 

 white and the gray, with several smaller subdivisions. In the 

 Sir John Cathcart variety the males have hackles and saddles of 

 red, with black breast and tail feathers, and the hens have dark 

 buff breasts, more or less splashed with white. The Gray 

 Dorking is a larger and finer bird than the white variety. 



The following table of live weights of some of the most prized 

 fowls, taken from the excellent work of Martin Doyle, will be 

 found interestina; : — 



From this table it will be seen that the Dorking ranks third 

 in point of size and weight. It is an indispensable requisite that 



* The writer has a game cock in his possession, three-quarters Derby and 

 one-quarter Sefton, that weighs seven pounds and one ounce, and the hens 

 average five pounds each, 



t The Malay breed is so inferior in flesh and other respects that we cannot 

 recommend it. 



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