SPECKLED DORKINGS. 21 



The following was communicated for the Northern Farmer, 

 and not having space for its immediate publication, I insert it 

 here, though the writer thought it a too off-handed production 

 for a book, but I consider it just the thing. When we make a 

 book, we should speak to our readers in a plain, familiar style, 

 and not attempt to please by fine, flowery sentiments altogether. 

 Furthermore I shall not follow the formal rules of a nice divi- 

 sion and sub-division of all subjects pertaining to my work, 

 but shall write as " the spirit moves me," taking no fore- 

 thought of what I shall say, till the time shall arrive to trans- 

 fer my sentiments to paper ; and matter that would be appro- 

 priate in my Preface, may be found "interspersed, in a few cases, 

 through this work. 



Mr. Editor, The early history of the Dorking seems to be involved 

 in uncertainty. From the best information that can be obtained, it 

 appears that County Surrey, England, has for the last century been, 

 celebrated for a valuable breed of fowls. The town of Dorking, in this 

 county, lays claim to the honor of having originated these beautiful 

 birds with how much right, it is difficult to say, as the only advan- 

 tage in evidence this town has over the rest of the county, is, that it 

 has given its name to the breed. 



The point has been mooted in this country, that all Dorkings of pure 

 blood, are white. I am able to find no authority for this opinion, and 

 am inclined to think, that it is an assertion of those who have white 

 fowls only. Of all the Dorkings [so called] that I have seen, the 

 brown and speckled are vastly superior to any white breed. 



A correspondent of the Northern Farmer, (Jan. 1st, 1852,) eays: 

 "The fawn-colored Dorking is doubtless a cross between the white 

 Dorking and the Malay. I have raised the speckled and fawn-colored 

 Dorkings this season, from the above crosses. The speckled Dorking 

 is also a cross between the golden Poland and the white Dorking. 

 My chickens have the fifth toe, and other usual marks of the Dorking 

 fowl." "Why could he not, with equal propriety, call his chickens five- 

 toed Malays ? 



" Fawn-colored Dorkings " do you call them ! ! Would a breeder 

 be justified in selling such mongrels for " fawn-colored Dorkings ? " 

 I think not I quote from eminent English authority, the following : 



" A man may take one cross without much permanent mischief; but 

 if he attempts to produce a cross breed, it usually happens that the 

 progeny possess the faults of both parents, instead of their merits. 

 Besides this, he cannot look forward with anything like certainty to 

 what any young may be." 



One of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen, was a half-bred 

 Dorking, with his ten toes on his two feet, but would any breeder 

 purchase or sell such as a pure blood f If such crosses are " fawn- 

 colored Dorkings" no wonder you say, " that not half the fowls that 

 go by that name are worthy of that name." If the true variety is 

 valuable, let it be preserved with its merits pure, and not kill the breed 

 by breeding a fifth toe upon a dunghill, and dubbing them Dorkings ! 



