THE BEST CROSS. 83 



the Red Game, another the Brown Leghorn, and another the 

 Brahma. I do not agree with those who say that the Buff 

 Cochin is the best bird of the lot. The Buff Cochin is a 

 splendid hen to raise chickens, and they are handy to have for 

 that purpose. They look large, but they are not really so. 

 They are very full feathered, and their feathers make them 

 look large. 



Mr. Vincent. The Black Spanish does not want to set. 



Mr. Felch. No; the} r are of weak constitution. Still, 

 I can hardly say that, because, when once grown, they seem 

 to be hardy, if you can keep them away from the frost. 

 Their wattles and combs are easily chilled, and that seems to 

 take all the life out of them until spring. 



Question. What do you consider the best cross? 



Mr. Felch. I consider the best cross in the world is the 

 cross of a White Leghorn cock on a Brahma hen. I say a 

 White Leghorn, because that cross will produce a uniform 

 white color. There will be no party-colored feathers, which 

 is an advantage in preparing poultry for the market. 



Question. What would be the quantity of eggs produced 

 by that cross ? 



Mr. Felch. They will produce as much as either of the 

 thoroughbreds. I have birds in my family of Brahmas that 

 have laid for twenty-three successive months without setting ; 

 but that is unnatural. I have received several letters this 

 season from parties to whom I have sent birds of this family, 

 stating that their birds have laid the entire season without 

 wanting to set. The Brahmas, both dark and light, do not 

 lay in that way as a rule. 



The Leghorn I call a hardy bird. The Black Spanish I 

 call a delicate bird, because they are predisposed to disease. 

 They must have dry, warm quarters, or they will have the 

 roup. They will have catarrh in the head, and roup follows, 

 and all the attendant diseases. They must have dry quarters. 

 You cannot put them in a damp place with impunity. 



Mr. Cheever. Is there any limit to the number of eggs 

 that any one of the breeds of hens can lay ? I think I have 

 seen it stated in some paper, — from a French authority, — 

 that the ovaries are limited. Do you know anything about 

 that? 



