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yet its adherents are greatly in the minority, and of little signifi- 

 cance, as compared with that vast army of true fanciers with 

 whom, although careful attention is paid to standard points, 

 quantity and quality of flesh, size and number of eggs produced, 

 hold supreme importance. 



Thus it happens that among our best breeds we find birds 

 possessing a harmonious blending of attractive colors and a 

 symmetrical shape, united with solid utilitarian qualities as 

 shown by large plump yellow bodies and a surpassing egg rec- 

 ord. 



This is notably the case with those two breeds of strictly 

 American origin and American production that represent the 

 consummation of the poultry breeder's skill, the highest combina- 

 tion yet attained of all those requisites that go to make a per- 

 fect general purpose fowl. We refer to the Plymouth Rock 

 and Wyandotte. Who was it that brought that inveterate layer, 

 the Leghorn, from Italy, the Houdan from France, that model 

 table-fowl, the Dorking, from England, the Pekin duck from 

 China, and, in fact, all those improved varieties of fowl, both 

 gallinaceous and aquatic, that have proved so good material in 

 the hands of the breeder both for the production of meat and 

 eggs? 



It is the fancier, he it is, who, at first undoubtedly attracted 

 by gorgeous plumage, uniqueness of appearance, or elegance of 

 symmetry, speedily gains possession of a pair or so, brings them 

 to his native country, and ultimately their blood becomes dis- 

 tributed over a large extent of country to the great improve- 

 ment of a nation's poultry both in the production of pure-bred 

 stock and grades. Therefore there is a bond of fellowship be- 

 tween fancier and poultry farmer. Each is necessary to the 

 success of the other. 



It is the office of the fancier to develope the breeds we now 

 have, to originate new breeds, and to bring from foreign coun- 

 tries the best they afford. It is the province of the poultry 



