found in the Asiatic, American and Mediterranean classes, as fol- 

 lows : In the Asiatic class the Light Brahmas, Black Langshans, 

 Buff and Partridge Cochins; in the American class the Barred, 

 Buff and White Plymouth Rocks, all the Wyandottes and the 

 Rhode Island Reds; in the Mediterranean class the Black 

 Minorcas, Brown, White and Buff Leghorns. These are the 

 great money-making varieties. The Asiatics are excellent table 

 fowls and prolific layers of dark brown eggs. They are good 

 sitters and mothers, although somewhat clumsy. They are 

 inclined to be sluggish and readily take on fat. They stand cold 

 well, and make good winter layers. The Mediterraneans are egg 

 machines, turning out great quantities of white-shelled eggs. 

 They do not stand cold as well as the Asiatic and American 

 breeds, and are not as good fowls for the table. The Americans 

 on the whole are the favorites. They are all-round birds, good 

 layers of brown eggs, excellent for the table, good sitters and 

 mothers. They stand cold well, and are the birds for farmers 

 and breeders. The danger with every breed is that it will get 

 into the hands of the fanciers and be bred for points rather than 

 for utility. Stamina is the important thing, and not the show 

 card. It will be a great day for the poultry business when far- 

 mers keep more pure-bred fowls, for then the great standard 

 varieties may be kept up without danger of deterioration. 



HOW MANY VARIETIES SHALL I KEEP? 

 After studying the matter carefully, I have come to the con- 

 clusion that it is better for the average poultryman to confine 

 himself to one variety. He will get better results and make more 

 money if he concentrates his energies than he will if he dissipates 

 them. After a man has made a success with one variety he may 

 perhaps add another, and even a third; but the best poultrymen 

 do not handle many varieties, and some of the most successful 

 confine themselves to one. Where several varieties are kept I 

 would suggest that there be some principle of unity determining 

 the choice. Let the birds all be of one color say white, black 

 or buff or let them all be of one family like the Leghorns, 

 Wyandottes or Plymouth Rocks. Where the fowls are all of one 

 family they will have the same characteristics and respond to the 

 same treatment. In case of an accidental mix-up the damage is 

 reduced to a minimum, for the birds are all of the same size, 

 comb and contour. 



