648 Transactions of the American Institute. 



on moderate food as the Ayi'shire, to give as yellow milkers 

 as an Alderney, and to be as elegant in shape and as bnght in 

 color as a full blooded Devon. Such a combination of merits is not 

 to be expected. In choosing among the breeds of fowls one can get 

 at least two good qualities combined, and it is for each pereon to 

 know and decide for himself for what excellencies he chiefly values 

 poultry. In the white Leghorn he will find a regular and constant 

 egg producer, and the flesh quite good, but a bad mother. They %vill 

 not set. In the Dorking he will find a fine delicate flesh, a full 

 development of breast, hardiness and self-help, the ability to pick up 

 a living wherever any hen can live. But they are not great layers, 

 especially in cold weather. In the Chinese fowls, especially the 

 Brahmas, liglit and dark, he finds a big-boned chicken, a rapid grower, 

 a large and indifferent feeder, that bears confinement well and gives 

 more weight of poultry meat to the food consumed than any other. 

 In the French breeds. La Fleche and Houdan, we have a fowl that 

 lays well at all times of the year, and ^^hose flesh is excellent, l^ut 

 they are not inclined to set, and make poor mothers. We recommend 

 to all who keep poultry to improve the common barn-yard chicken 

 by the introduction of cocks of some of the improved varieties. If 

 one wishes to breed mainly for poultry, we recommend a Dorking 

 cock as a consort to Brahma hens. If in eggs there is more profit, 

 let him get a Houdan or a Leghorn cock. The black Spanish is a 

 good layer, but not so remarkable in that respect as the Leghorn. 

 His flesh is usually dry and hard. If he respects flavor and appearance 

 of flesh and fullness of breast, the Dorking blood should predominater. 

 If he raise poultry for market and wishes to sell the greatest number 

 of pounds, and especially if he wishes to convert his eggs into spring 

 chickens in the shortest time, the Brahma fowl will be found most 

 profitable. By thus bringing together the various kinds and afford- 

 ing the public an opportunity to know the characteristics of each, 

 and of hearing how and where they may obtain choice birds, we think 

 the New York State Poultry Association has benefited the commu- 

 nity, and the society deserves encouragement and support. 



J. B. LYMAN, 

 A. S. FULLER. 

 WM. S. CARPENTER. 



Mr. D. B. Bruen. — I agree with that report. It is just and sen- 

 sible. I have never had any great faith in these large bony hens, 

 especially for eggs. Besides they are greedy creatures, and will eat 



