176 THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF 



The majority of poultry-keepers, however, 

 especially the class to which we appeal, prefer 

 general-purpose fowls, their object being to 

 obtain as many eggs as possible and to sell 

 their surplus chickens for the table. There 

 are no means of producing birds, however 

 carefully we may select the stock, which will 

 at the same time lay large numbers of eggs 

 and produce chickens equal in table proper- 

 ties to the Dorkings or the Dorking and the 

 Indian Game. 



One of the best crosses with which we are 

 acquainted is more difficult to make owmg 

 to the fact that the variety of hens which 

 should be employed are but little kept in 

 this country. We refer to the Fleche, so 

 well known in France. These hens are large in 

 size, square, deep-breasted, black in plumage, 

 with large white ears and combs similar to 

 the head of an arrow, from which they take 

 their name. They are non-sitters, but they 

 produce a great number of large white eggs. 

 If these hens are crossed with the Black 

 Langshan — and for the purpose a deeper- 

 bodied, shorter-legged bird than is common 

 should be selected — they will produce fine- 

 growing, strong chickens, which provide 

 fine white flesh, and which are soon ready for 



