ON POULTRY. 49 



If the object is mainly one of pecuniary profit, it becomes an 

 important inquiry to ascertain which of the different varieties 

 it is most profitable to rear, some being most valued for the ta- 

 ble, and others for being the best layers. It is known that the 

 flesh of the male fowl in all the varieties may be much im- 

 proved by caponizing, and the committee regret that no speci- 

 mens have been exhibited to day. The skill and trouble re- 

 quisite for this change would be amply repaid by the greatly 

 improved value of the fowl. We all instinctively eschew bull 

 beef and prefer that of the ox. Why then should we not by 

 the same means seek to provide ourselves with that delicate 

 and nutritive meat which has rendered Shakspeare's Country 

 Justice — 



" In fair round belly with good Capon lined,'' 



the very epitome of good living. There is still much differ- 

 ence of opinion existing among breeders as to the relative val- 

 ue of the European and Asiatic varieties in their qualities as 

 layers and for good flesh. The Committee do not propose to 

 enter into the controversy on the origin of the different varie- 

 ties, some poulterers contending that only one pair of gallina- 

 ceous fowls entered the Ark, and that climate and location have 

 caused the variety, while others insist that Mrs. Noah had the 

 care ot Malays, Shakebags and Bantams, as well as Dunghills. 

 It is sufficient to know that there are now many kinds marked 

 by distinct peculiarities, and that they have various good 

 qualities differing each from the other. It is the province of 

 the fowl breeder to combine these excellencies by the judicious 

 crossing of the breeds, carefully marking the result in each 

 case. Here is a fine field for competition, and it might be well 

 for the Society to require exhibitors to present statements of 

 their manner of keeping their fowls, such as that offered to- 

 day by Mr. Daniel Putnam, and which we append to this Report. 

 It woiild also be well to require the number, or what would be 

 better, the weight of the eggs produced in a given time, as a 

 foundation for the awards. 



It is a source of much gratification to witness the high and 

 increasing consideration with which the denizens of the Poul- 

 try yard are now held. The great interest in these feathered 

 7 



