POULTRY. 221 



POULTRY 



MIDDLESEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The committee on poultry are gratified at the increased 

 attention which is being paid to this kind of stock, by a portion 

 of our intelligent and enterprising farmers, believing, as we do, 

 that no other farm stock yields so large a per centum of profit, 

 or affords more pleasure in the rearing. 



There was a less number of fowls on exhibition at the late 

 fair, than on some former occasions, (owing, probably, to the 

 inclemency of the weather,) but those that were presented were 

 of great excellence, and reflected much credit on the exhib- 

 itors. A breed of fowls, in order to commend itself to the 

 attention of the farmer, should possess several qualifications not 

 always found in the poultry yard. 



1. It should come to maturity early. It is evident that a 

 pullet which commences laying at four months of age, is of much 

 greater value than one which yields no income till eight months 

 have expired ; and chickens which are fit for the market in 

 July and August, command a much higher price than those 

 which do not arrive at maturity till November. 



2. The hens should be good layers, and at the same time 

 possess tender and juicy flesh, in order to fulfil the require- 

 ments of the table. 



A breed of fowls possessing these qualities will always, with 

 good care, yield large profits, and afford great satisfaction in the 

 rearing; always affording the means of furnishing the table 

 with food that is delicate and also nutritious. 



J. B. Farmer, Esq., to whom the committee award the 

 highest premium, seems to have succeeded, by judicious cross- 

 ing, in obtaining a flock of fowls which combine all the required 

 excellencies. They are of medium size, and come to maturity 

 at four months of age ; are excellent layers, and the chickens, 

 when dressed, command the highest market prices. His fowls 

 are a mixture of the AVhite Dorking, White Shanghai, and 

 Black Spanish breeds. 



