THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



as I used to think, the feathers on the under 

 part of the bird's body.) Until a buff bird has 

 matured one really cannot tell what the bird's 

 color is going to be. You must always wait 

 until the birds have had the first moult, and 

 get their adult feathers. White birds must 

 be mated with the same regard for counter- 

 balancing defects of shape and color as other 

 varieties. The greatest difficulty is to get 

 and maintain white plumage: the natural 

 tendency is to brassiness. 



From the time chicks are hatched, they 

 should receive the best of care in the matter 

 of food, for any neglect will check growth, 

 and jeopardize their chances later in life. In 

 the " Self -Supporting Home " I gave a 

 method of washing and shipping birds, but as 

 you may not have read it, the instruction given 

 in the catalogue of one of the largest white 

 Wyandotte breeders in the world may help you. 



Have ready three tubs of water; one hot, 

 one warm, and one cold. To the latter add or- 

 dinary washing blue. Get a moderately soft 



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