TABLE POULTRY. 85 



yellow skin and flesh is preferred, which in England is 

 disliked. These facts, and the fact that the fine fowls sent 

 up from Sussex and Surrey, as seen alive in the fattening 

 pens, are of a very decided " all sorts " or miscellaneous 

 description, should cause more catholicity on this subject 

 than some supposed authorities display. 



The cross most often recommended is that of Indian 

 Game on Dorking hens. It is a good one, and was a better 

 one when first recommended than it is now. Recent 

 fashion for the extreme height of the Malay has much 

 impaired both this cross and that of the exhibition Game 

 fowl, both alike tending now too much to long but narrow 

 breasts, and the Indian cross somewhat to yellow skin. We 

 consider a well-modelled Old English Game cock with white 

 legs a better cross, and recent shows of dead poultry have 

 borne this out. Rocks and Wyandottes, if well selected, 

 make good fowls, and so do crosses between them and 

 Dorkings or Houdans. Nearly any Dorking cross is good if 

 the other element be selected as above described ; also 

 Houdan crosses, which have the two merits of ensuring (if 

 the cock be used) fertile eggs, and generally a quick early 

 growth. Brahmas should be crossed with Houdan or 

 Dorking. Some cross, as a rule, grows faster and is hardier 

 than a pure breed. Upon the kind of supply intended will 

 depend to some extent the character of the cross. 



Let us first consider what are called sometimes petit 

 poussins, and sometimes " milk chickens," which are killed 

 from four weeks old up to six weeks, good specimens 

 realising from is. 6d. to 2s. each during the early months of 

 the year. They weigh about half a pound each, and much 

 resemble in general appearance plump pigeons. Chickens 

 have been marketed for many years in France at this size, 

 Houdans being at first chiefly used, but lately nearly all 

 have been Faverolles. The trade in England is quite 



