1858.] SENATE— No. 4. 135 



Should one not be anxious to retain them in purity, his best plan 

 would be to secure a good Game cock and use Spanish hens, as it 

 serves to add stamina to the constitution. 



Dorkings in sufficient purity were not presented to allow the 

 committee to give an award. Such as were shown as Dorkings were 

 mere mongrels, with yellow legs, though retaining the fifth toe. The 

 true Dorking is a noble fowl, and deserving a place in any poultry 

 yard. They are short-legged, heavily-bodied and broad-breasted, and 

 as layers and sitters, most energetic. 



From the Dorking, when served at the table, you can get more 

 slices from off the breast than from any other breed. If not desired 

 in purity, let a Game rooster be added for the purpose of giving har- 

 dihood. There is always danger attendant in the removal of the 

 Dorking from one habitation to another, more so in fact than we have 

 ever noticed in any other breed ; they are almost always liable to get 

 the snuffles, which often ends in death. 



Hambtjkghs, — Superior specimens of this breed were shown by 

 J. W. Hunt, North Bridgewater. This is a beautiful fowl, and as an 

 ornamental bird, commands a good price ; it is claimed that they are 

 good layers. 



Bolton Geays. — Here we have another quite ornamental bird, 

 which is a good layer, though the eggs are small. The body of this 

 breed of fowl is quite small and of little value for the table, and one 

 of the few whose flesh becomes of a dingy black when boiled. 

 George Dorr, Dorchester, had the best stock of this variety. 



Fkizzled. — The only trio of this breed was shown by Isaac 

 Osgood, West Newton. This, as well as the Negro and the Rumpless 

 fowl, are worthless, and only deserving a place in some travelling 

 menagerie. If once mixed with our domestic poultry, it would, in 

 all after time, give a striking proof that it had once been there ; in 

 the event of its having become mixed, the only certain and sure 

 method is, to kill off all your fowls and start anew. 



Game, — Some of the choicest of these were shown by Rupp, Hunt 

 & Co., Wilmington, and several others. We are surprised that so 

 few of this breed of fowl are kept by our farmers. They are the 

 smallest feeders, good layers, determined sitters, and in maternal 

 charge would fight a dog or vermin even to the death. One fact is 

 worthy of mention, viz. : they are never placed on the "sick list," 

 which shows a stamina of constitution unequalled by any other 



