SMALL HOLDINGS 177 



the table. The cross-bred pullets, too, are 

 first-class layers, and with care in breeding 

 and judgment in selecting we believe they 

 might be made to yield as many eggs as any 

 birds which are known. Their uniformity in 

 colour is also an advantage, if not an important 

 one. 



Crosses may be made between the Wyan- 

 dotte and the Orpington or the Plymouth 

 Rock, with the result that pullets useful 

 for laying and cockerels for table will be 

 grown. As it is possible, however, that 

 the great majority of small farmers already 

 possess some few hens and prefer to retain 

 them, we refer to an earlier suggestion, and 

 once more emphasise the importance of 

 introducing a Dorking cock for crossing and 

 only selecting the best pullets for stock, with 

 the certainty that, in the end, the flock will 

 be immensely improved. 



Although poultry-keeping does not of 



necessity involve the breeding of ducklings for 



table purposes, this branch of 

 Ducks. ^ ^ 



the poultry industry is distinctly 



profitable, simple in practice, and occupies 



but a small portion of the year. Well-bred 



ducklings, by which we mean birds of large 



size and well furnished with flesh, command 



