BLACK POLAND FOWLS. 145 



The pure breed of Black Polands should be black to a 

 feather, except the tuft, or top-knot, which is a pure white. 

 When the tufts are intermixed with black, or other colored 

 feathers, it is a sure indication that the fowls are not pure. 



The tufts on the hens are of an oval, round shape, and very 

 beautiful, but those of the cocks, in the pure blood fowls, curve 

 over, like the branches of the weeping willow, on either side, 

 leaving the upper part of the tuft more depressed than in hens. 

 Very few pure fowls of this breed are now to be had, being 

 generally tinctured, more or less, with the blood of our native 

 fowls, as their tufts of various hues indicate, and also the stray 

 white, or light-colored feathers so frequently seen on their 

 bodies. 



I have crossed this breed with our native dominique fowls 

 the blue-spotted fowl with good success. I placed a Poland 

 cock with several pullets of the latter breed, and the result of 

 this cross, was a pure black fowl, with a black tufy in all cases, 

 in pullets ; but the cocks were both variegated in the plumage 

 of the body and tuft, which is a little curious in showing cer- 

 tain principles of cross-breeding. The following is from a 

 correspondent of the Northern Farmer : 



A year ago I gave the result of my operations with a small lot of 

 Black Poland hens. Having done better the year past, with the same 

 breed, I have thought it might be beneficial to some of the patrons 

 of the " Farmer " who keep but few fowls, to know how well I have 

 done, and how I did it. I reckon from the first of February, at which 

 time early pullets begin to lay, if they have ordinary care. 



The number of hens was ten, and one male. The whole number 

 of eggs sold and used in the family, up to January first, (eleven 

 months,) was sixty-eight dozens. Those sold brought the following 

 prices, viz: 



10 doz., at 14 cts. per doz. $1 40 



50 " 124 " " 6 25 



8 " used, say 12 cts. per doz. 1 00 



Sold from same hens, 42 chickens, 13 cts. each 5 46 



Total proceeds $14 11 



Deduct for feed, 5 bu. corn, at 56 cts. per bu.. .$2 80 



" " 6 bu. oats, at 38 cts. per bu 2 28 6 08 



Profits $903 



The fowls were not confined at all, but had free access to the dung- 

 hill and a quarter acre of plowed ground ; and no attention was paid 

 them but to feed them regularly twice a day, the corn in the winter 

 and spring, the oats in the summer and fall. Valuing the hens at 

 twenty-five cents each, the above shows a profit of nearly three hun- 

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