ESSEX SOCIETY. 15 



to the proprietor by exercising his taste and judgment in pro- 

 ducing fine forms and varied and splendid plimiage, and in watch- 

 ing the developments of the young broods in their different 

 crossings, it almost rises to the dignity of one of the fine arts. 



If the object is mainly one of pecuniary profit, it becomes an 

 important inquiry to ascertain which of the different varieties 

 it is most profitable to rear, some being most valued for the 

 table, and others for being the best layers. It is known that 

 the flesh of the male towl, in all the varieties, may be much 

 improved by caponizing, and the committee regret that no spe- 

 cimens have been exhibited to-day. The skill and trouble re- 

 quisite for this change, would be amply repaid by the greatly 

 improved value of the fowl. We all instinctively eschew bull 

 beef and prefer that of the ox. Why then should we not, by 

 the same means, seek to provide ourselves with that delicate 

 and nutritive meat which has rendered Shakspeare's Country 

 Justice — 



" In fair round belly with good capon lined," 

 the very epitome of good living. 



There is still much difference of opinion existing among 

 breeders, as to the relative value of the European and Asiatic 

 varieties, in their qualities as layers and for good flesh. The 

 committee do not propose to enter into the controversy on the 

 origin of the different varieties. It is sufficient to know that 

 there are now many kinds marked by distinct peculiarities, and 

 that they have various good qualities differing from each other. 

 It is the province of the fowl-breeder to combine these excel- 

 lences by the judicious crossing of the breeds, carefully marking 

 the result in each case. Here is a fine field for competition, 

 and it might be well for the society to require exhibitors to 

 present statements of their manner of keeping their fowls, such 

 as that offered to-day by Mr. Putnam. It would also be well 

 to require the number, or what would be better, the weight of 

 the eggs produced in a given time, as a foundation for the 

 awards. 



It is a source of much gratification to witness the high and 

 increasing consideration with which the denizens of the poul- 

 try-yard are now heW. The great interest in these feathered 



