162 TONQUIN FOWLS. 



these much outdo the Polands in appearance, and are equal, if not 

 superior, in laying qualities. They also appear to be both hardy and 

 healthy. 



I see, by footing up my store book from April last to December first, 

 that from forty hens, in three different locations, yet contiguous, I 

 have sold 2,940 eggs, besides using freely for cooking in my family, 

 <fcc. Two-thirds of the time, the hens were not fed, but unrestrained 

 as to roving, having the use of the barn and range of the farm. I 

 also sold last fall, $7 worth of males for killing, which grieved me to 

 see so many beautiful birds cooped up at once ; for had they been 

 scattered among farmers, they would have done an immense deal of 

 good. 



I ONQUIN FOWLS. 



This breed is among the undescribed fowls in the books on 

 the subject. I know nothing in regard to them, except the 

 following : 



Mr. Miner, I consider Tonquins far superior to the Dorkings. 

 They are larger, and will lay nearly twice as many eggs before sitting. 

 There are two varieties white and speckled. They are muffled, and 

 generally have five toes. The cock, when grown, will weigh ten 

 pounds, the hen, six pounds. This fowl is fine for table purposes ; 

 flesh, very white. Chicks, easily raised* 



GEO. A. SMITH. 



Macon, Geo. 



The following is selected from the " Old Colony Memorial : " 



The Tonquins are very handsome fowls, and are usually five-toed, 

 tall, and well proportioned. In color, they are not uniform, being 

 sometimes white and sometimes variegated. They have a rose-comb, 

 medium wattles, and are frequently muffled, but free from top-knot. 

 The tail of these birds is shorter, and their legs are longer than those 

 of the Dorking, and they do not unfrequently resemble them in color. 

 They are surpassingly excellent table fowls, their flesh being abundant, 

 white, and juicy. They are very superior layers of large and well- 

 flavored eggs. Mr. J. J. Nolan, of Dublin, in his great work on 

 "Domestic Fowl," &c., says: "the Dorking does not come to full 

 growth till two years old," and the remark is equally true of the 

 Tonquin, and all other largo fowls, though they are fit for market at 

 six months old, frequently attaining a weight of eight pounds at that 

 age. Their usual weight at maturity, is from seven to ten pounds 

 each. Their chickens are easily reared, and they are healthy, and 

 stand this climate better than other chickens that feather at so early 

 an age. As these fowls have great abundance of flesh, and very 

 email offal, none are better calculated to add to the profits of the 

 farm-yard, and, very few surpass them in beauty. They are well 

 calculated for emasculation, and are amongst the easiest fowls fatted. 

 These are birds of unflinching courage, and eager for the combat, and 



