82 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



But I find that the Red Games are as gentle, if you treat them 

 gently, as any hens I ever had anything to do with. As to 

 their laying qualities, I have kept them several years, and I 

 am confident that they do lay well. I would not say that they 

 are as good layers as the White Leghorn or the Brown Leghorn, 

 but I do not know any other family, except the Leghorn, that 

 excels the Red Game in laying qualities. 



Another point about the Red Game is, that their eggs are 

 from a quarter to a third larger than the White Brahmas', or 

 than almost any of the pure-blooded hens with which I have 

 had anything to do, except the Leghorn. 



Now, I wish to say that I have no eggs to sell, and do not 

 wish to buy, but I would like to ask a question about the 

 Black Spanish. What does Mr. Felch know about them, as 

 to their laying qualities, constitution, etc. ? 



Mr. Felch. The Black Spanish, before the Leghorn came 

 into notice, was considered the best laying fowl. They lay 

 large eggs, but they do not lay a large number of them. I 

 think that a full-bred Black Spanish will lay about one hun- 

 dred and twenty-eight eggs in a year, — about what our native 

 fowls will do. Probably there is not half a dozen eggs a year 

 difference in what the Black Spanish, the Game, and native 

 fowls will lay. 



Question. How do the Black Spanish stand the cold 

 weather in the winter? 



Mr. Felch. Poorly. A Black Spanish chicken is a mis- 

 erable thing while growing, but when once grown, the fowl 

 seems to be quite hardy. It is a beautiful bird to look at; 

 there is no question about that. If a man does not care how 

 much it costs him to produce and keep a flock of Black Span- 

 ish birds, he can have them, and they will do very well, but 

 they are not profitable, managed in a practical way. I 

 tried to find the breed that a person with the least experience 

 could do the best with, everything considered, and that is 

 why I selected the Leghorn, Plymouth Rock, and Light 

 Brahma ; and here let me say, that, no matter what the breed 

 is, the Almighty has so fixed that thing that they will all pay 

 a profit, if properly managed. A man wants to take the 

 breed that pleases him, and if he does that, he will be likely 

 to take good care of them and make a profit. One man likes 



