ON BREEDING FOWLS. 203 



of the flesh, in this quadruple mixture, is a very decided improve- 

 ment on the Cochin China fowl. The variety here described 

 is called the " PRIDE OF INDIA," and is undoubtedly the best 

 cross known. 



The following may be taken as brief practical directions to 

 be followed in the business of breeding : 



When the object in view is to perpetuate distinct varieties 

 of uncontaminated blood, the first requisite is to procure fowls 

 known to be of pure blood, and possessing all the necessary 

 characteristics of their kind. Labor is lost unless the fowl 

 selected is a perfect specimen of his variety, for whatever 

 imperfection exists is likely to be perpetuated in the progeny. 

 Regard should be had to plumage, to size and form, in making 

 a selection either of a cock or a pullet, and those are preferable 

 which are hatched earliest in the year. The age of the fowls 

 is a matter of considerable importance, and though it is true 

 that a pullet will lay the greatest number of eggs in her first 

 year, yet it is believed that the chickens which are hatched 

 from the second year's eggs are more vigorous and hardy. 

 Old h'jnsare preferred to pullets generally as sitters, on account 

 of their more sedate and matronly character. A young cock, 

 though more active in his earliest days, and likely to bestow 

 his attentions on the hens with less reserve, is not, however, 

 best for use in keeping up a breed. The eggs impregnated by 

 him after his first season are likely to produce the strongest 

 chickens. It is an error to suppose that his procreative power 

 is decayed or vitiated, as is often represented, after three or 

 four years. On the contrary, a healthy, vigorous cock, if not 

 allowed to walk with too many hens, may be valuable and 

 useful in the poultry-yard for a longer time. 



An error is often committed by giving too many hens to one 

 cock, and the result is a weakly and otherwise deteriorated 

 progeny. Not more than five hens should ever be allowed to 



