60 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



weakness in their limbs. A good healthy hen of this breed, 

 I believe, will lay more eggs from March to October than any 

 other breed, not excepting the Leghorn. 



The Cochins are, in England, much preferred. They are 

 good mothers, being covered with long, fluffy feathers. They 

 are hardy, and as layers in winter hard to excel. Their eggs 

 are furnished with a thick shell, and in closely bred birds 

 extremely hard to hatch. I think more chicks die in the shell, 

 hatching, than do those of any other breed. There are the 

 partridge, buff, white, and black varieties, all having their 

 admirers; the partridge being the most beautiful, while the 

 black has undoubtedly the most merit, for they are good lay- 

 ers and fine poultry. For one dollar, the " American Standard 

 of Excellence" can be obtained, which gives a full description 

 of the different breeds. We therefore omit description of 

 breeds in this essay. 



As a rule, a bushel of corn will produce nine pounds of 

 live weight in poultry, and, with good even care, one has only 

 to weigh his chicks to know their cost. When fowls are fed 

 sparingly, being kept short, they become an expense ; for 

 there is no stock that pays so poorly, if neglected, or as well, 

 if extra care is taken of them. A greater profit will be real- 

 ized on incubating breeds, if allowed to rear one brood of 

 chicks during the season ; for the incubating season gives the 

 laying functions rest, and you get more eggs, I am confident, 

 in the year, beside the care of the brood of chicks gratis ; and 

 as the chicks will pay one hundred per cent, profit on their 

 cost, you will find that many of the incubating breeds will 

 pay as well, and even better, than some of the non-setting 

 varieties. In all breeds, it will be found to pay to take pains 

 to make your selections from the best-laying families of the 

 breed, for there is as much difference in them as there is in 

 the Shorthorn breed of cattle for milk. 



The smaller the flock, the greater will be found the individ- 

 ual yield ; but the most economical provision, taking into the 

 account the care of the flock and greatest comparative profit 

 compared to cost of provision made for them, will be found 

 in groups of fifty, for a greater number will not do as well 

 together. This number can be kept in health and a high pro- 

 ductive condition in a house with a laying-room fifteen feet 



