NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



35 



DORKING HENS. 



The Dorking is the most distinguished race of hens 

 in England and in this country. They are from the 

 town of Dorkmg, in that country, where great pains 

 ai'e taken in their breeding, and large numbers are 

 sent thence to different parts of the kingdom, and to 

 other countries. These fowls are of a large size, 

 with short, stout bodies, and short legs. They gen- 

 erally have five toes, and whole chapters might be 

 wTitten on the subject of this extra toe being indis- 

 pensable to constitute a genuine Dorking, and a very 

 good case made out on cither side. The color varies 

 from pure white to brown, and to black clouded with 

 white. 



Dorkings arc milJ, peaceable fovvls, bearing con- 

 finement to a limited range with patience, especially 

 Avhen brought up in thi^ way from their chickenhood. 

 The biddies arc good layers, kind and affectionate 

 mothers. Their eggs are piirc white in shell, and the 

 outer meat of a very fine, delicate texture, and de- 

 licious flavor, excelling the dark- colored, and coarse, 

 unsavory eggs of the large India fowls. The flesh 

 is noted for its fine texture, juiciness, and excellent 

 flavor. They rank with the very highest in this 

 respect. 



The protector is usually adorned with varied and 

 beautiful colors ; ho is of a stately and dignified de- 

 portment, not naturally pxignacioxis, avoiding offen- 

 sive wai'fave, and the invasion of others' rights, but 

 fighting desperately in defence of his own preroga- 

 tives, and for the protection of the subjects of his 

 dominions. 



The above engraving vras drawn from a noble pair 

 of fowls, which we have directly from the importer. 

 The protector weighed ten pounds, and notwith- 

 standing his large size, he is remarkable for his 

 agilit3% Lest some persons should take the trouble 

 to send orders for these fowls, w^e would remark, that 

 we have sent them to a distant friend, and we have 

 none of this race on hand. 



After aU that is said of the Dorkings, or any othei- 



fine races of hens, selections may be made from our 

 native hens that fully equal them, all things consid- 

 ered, though these noted breeds may excel in some 

 peculiar properties, as the Polands for beauty and 

 non-sitters, the Bantams for ornament, small size, 

 and harmlessncss in gardens. 



POTATOES FROM SEED. 



Most, if not all, of our valuable potatoes have been 

 raised from seed. With this valuable esculent, as 

 with fruits, from raising numerous kinds from seed, 

 we occasionally find an excellent new variety, which 

 may in some respects excel other kinds in general 

 use. 



This should lead farmers to make experbncnts, as 

 potatoes may be raised from seed, with as little 

 trouble as fruit-trees, and it takes far less time to test 

 a new variety ; as the potato will come to perfection 

 in less time than a fruit-tree will attain sufficient size 

 to set out as a standard. 



We commenced this article with a view of re^- 

 ommonding that the seed should be prepared the 

 same as seeds of fruit-trees, instead of sowing them 

 dry in spring. Put the seeds in damp sand or loam, 

 set them in the cellar, and keep them slightly moist 

 till the time of sowing. 



If kept dry, and sowing be delayed till warm 

 weather, only a part of the seeds will vegetate ; but 

 if sowed dry in March, they will generally vegetate 

 freely, as they lie a while in the earth, before vegc^ 

 tation commences, which serves as a preparation. 



If the seeds be put into sand late in winter, or 



early in spring, it will be in season. We received a 



lot of seeds last year, rather late in the season, and 



w-e put them into moist loam the last of March, and 



sowed them the last of April. They carne well, and 



j by extra culture we raised, the first season, some 



I potatoes of medium size, say four inches long, and 



1 nearly two in diameter. 



