FARM-YARD FOWLS. 



luded to ; but, on the other hand, thei'e are old 

 men now living in the Cuckfield district, where 

 the best specimens are still found, brought up 

 from their infancy as higglers or fowl-dealers, 

 following the occupation of their fathers in the 

 same business, who assert, on their own knowl- 

 edge and on the tradition of their predecessors, 

 that the fowl in question is a Sussex fowl, and 

 that nothing would induce them to cross their 

 breed with the Dorking." 



It has been stated by those who have paid 

 particular attention to the subject, that the thor- 

 ough bred are less hardy and less prolific than 

 when an admixture of blood is admitted, which 

 has been confirmed by the experience of those 

 who have kept the pure speckled Dorking on a 

 large scale, both for private consumption and 

 for the supply of the market, that the cross is 

 more profitable. Some complain that they are 

 soon worn out, and not good for much, either in 

 the way of laying or sitting, after their second 

 year. All this shows some inherent defect. 

 Hence the precautionary and remedial measure 

 of introducing a fresh and well-selected cock- 

 bird or two into the walk every second or third 

 year, at farthest, is the very best that can be 

 adopted. 



Mr. Dixon, a celebrated writer on poultry, re- 

 marks, on the subject of the Dorkings : " For 

 those who wish to stock their poultry-yards with 

 fowls of the most desirable shape and size, 

 clothed in rich and variegated plumage, and, not 

 expecting perfection, are willing to overlook one 

 or two other points, the speckled Dorkings are 

 the breed to be at once selected. The hens, in 

 addition to their gay colors, have a large ver- 

 tically flat comb, which, when they are in high 

 health, adds very much to their brilliant ap- 

 pearance, particularly if seen in bright sunshine. 

 They are larger bodied, and of better propor- 

 tions, according to their size, than any other va- 

 riety I have yet seen, their bodies rather long, 

 plump, and well fleshed ; and the breeder, as well 

 as the housewife, generally beholds with delight 

 their short legs, full broad breasts, little offal, and 

 the large quantity of good profitable flesh, the fla- 

 vor and appearance of which is inferior to none. 

 When fatted and served at table, the master and 

 mistress may be satisfied. 



In size the Dorking ranks next to the large 

 Asiatic tribe. It is short-legged and large-bod- 

 ied, and readily accumulates flesh, which is of 

 good quality. The breed has been introduced 

 from England, and has been bred in this coun- 

 try for a number of years. Mowbray, when he 

 wrote, ranked them in size in the third degree 

 of the largest of fowls. The weight of the Dork- 

 ings at maturity varies from five to eight pounds, 

 and full-grown capons have been known to 

 weigh from ten to twelve. 



The Dorking hen is rarely a layer of many 

 eggs before she becomes broody, the average 

 number not exceeding twenty-four. The eggs 

 are usually of a clear white, but sometimes of 

 an ashy-gray color, rather larger in size, weigh- 

 ing from 2% to 3 ounces each, rounded at both 

 ends, and of a rich flavor. They have the rep- 

 utation of being excellent sitters and good moth- 

 ers ; but as pullets they do not excel for either 

 employment. 



The Dorking cocks are splendid birds. The 

 most gorgeous hues are frequently lavished upon 

 them, which their large size and symmetrical 

 form display to great advantage. The original 

 Dorkings are said to have been white, but such 

 are now seldom seen. From the specimens we 

 have seen, we have no reason to believe that 

 color is a criterion of purity. Mowbray contends 

 that they are of an ivory-white, and that they 

 have uniformly five toes or claws on each foot, 

 while a writer in " Rees' Cyclopedia" says " the 

 colors are as variable as the dung-hill fowl." 

 " The most valuable variety for the table at 

 present," says Main, "is the Dorking breed. 

 They are pure white ; and highly esteemed for 

 the whiteness and delicacy of their flesh when 

 served at table, and fetch a high price in mark- 

 et." 



Among the early importations of pure-blooded 

 Dorkings into this country, white more or less 

 prevailed ; but many were marked with bands 

 or bars of ashy-gray, like our Dominique fowl : 

 some had the hackles of the neck white, with a 

 tinge of yellow, and the body of a darker or 

 brownish-red, intermixed irregularly with white ; 

 while others were beautifully variegated with 

 white, black, green, and brown, commonly called 

 speckled. The combs of some cocks are large. 



