12 



THE GENESEE FARMER, 



climate is the reason why English poultry has not 

 attained the excellence of the French. Though 

 originating in Asia, fowls have accompanied man 



— — & 



HOUDAN COCK. 



into all quarters of the globe, and they have a 

 plasticity of constitution which soon enables them 

 to adapt themselves to the most varied cir- 

 cumstances. In Holland, 



The water-land of Dutchmen and of ditches — 

 a country which it is difficult to determine 

 whether it belongs to earth or ocean, fowls 

 succeed admirably when properly treated, 

 and yet the atmosphere has been described 

 as consisting of aqueous vapor, tobacco 

 smoke, and an odor of gin. Although it is 

 true that fowls are raised in great perfec- 

 tion in such a climate, it does not follow, 

 however, that a dryer atmosphere like that 

 of France <md America is not more suitable. 

 One of the most popular breeds of fowls 

 in France is the Houdan. It is reared and 

 fattened on the farms around Mantes, and im- 

 mense quantities are sent to Paris. "We an- 

 nex a portrait of a Houdan cock. This breed 

 is somewhat above the ordinary size, with a 

 round body, well developed and set on short 

 legs ; plumage sprinkled with black and white 

 feathers. Like the Dorkings, they have rive 

 toes. Among the recommendations of this 

 breed are the lightness of their bones and the 

 fineness and bulk of their flesh. They are 

 besides admirable layers. In the trials recently 

 made in the Zoological Gardens of the Bois de Bou- 



logne to determine which breed produces the most 

 eggs, the Houdans stood third. (See Genesee Far- 

 mer for November, 1861, p. 331.) The eggs are 

 beautifully white and of considerable size. 

 Like all breeds that lay long and plenti- 

 fully, the hens are not very good sitters. 

 The chickens are more easily reared than 

 any other French breed, and are less in- 

 ch: ed to wander and pilfer than most 

 others. 



The Crevecasur is another popular 

 French breed. For general utility it is 

 one of the very best varieties, and is 

 in most general use for the table. The 

 body of the cock is bulky, somewhat 

 square, short and broad, and low on tlie 

 legs; plumage dense and copious, the col- 

 or black, with bronze, bluish and greenish 

 reflections on the neck and long feathers. 

 M. Jacqde. an experienced poultry breed- 

 er, says that this breed "certainly pro- 

 -f^'sr duces the most excellent fowls which ap- 

 pear in the French markets. Its bones 

 are even lighter than those of the Hou- 

 dan ; its flesh is finer, shorter, whiter, 

 and more readily takes on fat. The pullets are of 

 extraordinary precocity, since they may be put up 



LA FLECIIE COCK. 



to fatten at the age of two and a half or three 

 months, and they are ready for the table fifteen 



