POULTRY. 139 



I 



hens — being 137 to each healthy hen. One of the three hens 

 has laid, in our judgment, 150 eggs within the six months. 

 From observation, we know that she has laid constantly, and 

 more eggs than either of the others, therefore, I feel confident 

 of the above. Their flesh is of a lighter shade than the Black 

 Spanish, but as to its juiciness and flavor, I cannot say ; for I 

 imported them in the spring of 1863 and have not as yet killed 

 one, so I can#ot judge as yet of their merits for poultry. They 

 seldom sit until three years old, my hens being now two years 

 old, have not as yet shown any disposition to brood. Their 

 color is of dark green and black ground, with feathers pencilled 

 with golden reddish color, with rose combs and long sickle 

 feathers, resembling the English Red Cap fowl. 



In submitting my blood stock of Brahma fowls for your con- 

 sideration, I can only call your attention to my collection, as I 

 have not this year taken the pains to ascertain the amount of 

 eggs or chickens they have produced. I exhibit the original cock 

 (stuffed) with three trio of progeny, being son, father, grand- 

 father, and great-grandfather, which by comparison you can tell 

 if the stock holds its own. For reports of the merits of the 

 breeds you can consult previous reports of the society. I would 

 call your attention to a brood of chickens exhibited by Isaac 

 Felch, twelve weeks old to-day, (September 20th,) which have 

 been allowed to get most of their living themselves, being put 

 out in a lot away from the house and fed as inclination or cir- 

 cumstances dictated. In my opinion, with Brahma and Chitta- 

 gong fowls for poultry, and the Golden Pencilled Hamburg and 

 the Leghorn fowls for eggs, no man need to look further for 

 fowls which will be both profitable and a pleasure to keep. 



Statement of Samuel B. Bird. 

 The fowls which I offer for premium are a mixture of the- 

 White Leghorn and Common Native fowl, with the exception of 

 five which are pure White Leghorns. I think a cross of the 

 White Leghorn with our Native,' the most profitable fowl a 

 farmer can keep. They are good layers, good size ; will weigh at 

 five months old, six pounds a pair, are hardy and easily kept. 

 Since January 1st, I have kept, on an average, fifteen fowls, all 

 of them one year old last June. They have been allowed to 

 run at large on the farm, and have been fed with corn, barley, 



