70 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



easily as we mix the paints that give us different tints in color. 

 By adhering to this mode, one breeder becomes of benefit to 

 his neighbor breeder ; for by crossing the strains, the pullets 

 become of equal value to each : each breeding back to their 

 respective strains makes the blood of his neighbor's strain 

 feed the blood of his own. When breeders learn this, and 

 work together, and give up the jealousy that now exists, they 

 will all be better off, and may become founders of families in 

 fowls, as now breeders of Shorthorns become in cattle. 



Mr, Flint. I have been exceedingly interested in the 

 paper which has been read by Mr. Felch. I am sure he has 

 come up to the expectations of those who had so much con- 

 fidence, when they invited him to prepare this paper. Mr. 

 Felch has had many years of thorough and careful experience 

 and accurate observation, and I am sure the principles which 

 he has enunciated in his paper will be of great interest and 

 great value to the large number of poultry breeders in this 

 State. 



I should very much like to hear the experience and observa- 

 tion of those who are now engaged practically, every day, in 

 poultry breeding. There are a great many questions, I know, 

 that many persons wish to hear discussed, and there are 

 others here who can discuss them better than I can. I have 

 been a somewhat extensive poultry breeder in the course of 

 my life. I have kept a great variety of fowls ; too great a 

 variety, altogether, I am sure, for profit. I have generally 

 come to the conclusion, that where profit, for poultry and 

 eggs together, is concerned, the Light Brahma . is the best 

 breed ; but as egg producers, the White Leghorn, and perhaps 

 one or two other breeds, greatly surpass them. I know that 

 Dr. Fisher here has some stories which are quite remarkable 

 as far as the actual productiveness of White Leghorns is con- 

 cerned. I have seen his poultry, and the manner in which 

 he keeps them ; it is very admirable, and I am sure he will 

 be able to give us a statement which will be of great value. 



So far as the feeding of poultry is concerned, I am pretty 

 well satisfied that farmers and those who keep poultry are 

 inclined to feed too much corn. Corn, as you all know, will 

 induce fat, and when poultry are to be fatted for market, 



