25 



can be set on and fastened to the bottom frame at one corner so that 

 it moves with the coop. Such a coop will accommodate from ten to 

 twelve hens. As a consequence, in part no doubt of the frequent 

 movings to fresh ground, the fowls suffer relatively little from vermin. 



The Breed to Select. 



There are many who in writing for advice in relation to poultry 

 keeping, inquire what is the best breed of fowls. 7'here is no one 

 best breed for any purpose, or at least if there be such a breed, there 

 is no general agreement as to which it is. The breed which will give 

 the most satisfactory results will vary with the conditions of environ- 

 ment and with the person caring for the fowls. In the production 

 of eggs, which is the only phase of the poultry industry especially 

 discussed in this bulletin, the selection of the breed must be deter- 

 mined within certain limits by the type of egg demanded in the 

 market which the producer has in view. In Boston market and in 

 most markets in this state, a dark shelled egg is preferred. In New 

 York City on the other hand, a white shelled egg sells at a some- 

 what higher price than one which has a dark shell. The breeds 

 belonging to the Asiatic and American classes produce eggs with the 

 character of shell in favor in Boston market. Those of the Medi- 

 terranean and Polish classes produce white shelled eggs. The Eng- 

 lish and French breeds are variable in respect to the color of egg 

 produced." No exhaustive statements covering this point will be 

 here attempted as anyone about to engage in poultry industry can 

 very readily learn the color of egg produced by the breeds taken into 

 consideration. 



In almost any of the breeds which have been 



The Strain more long established, there is a very wide difference 



Important than in the capacity for egg production in different 



the Breed. strains or families of the breed. The degree of 



difference between strains or families of some 

 of the breeds specially selected and improved for egg production on 

 the one hand or as table fowls on the other, is likely to be greater 

 than between almost any two breeds of the same class. The selec- 

 tion of a good laying type of fowl is an important prerequisite for 

 success in poultry farming for eggs and it is highly important to- 

 keep in mind the fact of the enormous difference in strains or fami- 



