CHARACTERISTICS OF PLYMOUTH ROCKS. 



91 



I suppose that for nine-tenths of those who keep poultry, a general purpose fowl is the best 

 fowl will be found most satisfactory. What proportion of this nine-tenths are best suited 

 with the most popular varieties of this class, is not so easy to estimate, but I should say cer- 

 tainly three-fifths, and possibly as much as four-fifths. These estimates will indicate to any 

 reader interested in the matter, something of his "expectation" of suiting himself better by 

 going outside of the popular varieties of the general purpose type of fowl. 



But while the advantage J/i general popularity is overwhelmingly with one class of fowls, and 

 with a few varieties in this class, there is still a large field for the others, and if the tendency 

 is for growers of poultry for economic purposes to concentrate on a few varieties, the tendency 

 among fanciers in quite opposite, and the number of people open to interest in other varieties 

 is always great enough to make possible a liberal demand for any fowl that has merit and 

 beautx . 



Coming now to a detailed consideration of the varieties mentioned, we have Plymouth 



Rocks Barred, White, 

 'Standard," and well 

 and Partridge and Silver 

 recent introductions, 

 not determined). 

 Plymouth Rock in this 

 varieties in popularity, 

 ago it was probably cor- 

 ing both special poultry 

 some attention was given 

 profitable, and fanciers' 

 Barred Rocks in the 

 all other thoroughbred 

 great predominance in 

 all to their being first in 

 superficial faults: They 

 difficult to breed to a 

 snd they had many black 

 dressed in the pin feather 

 these drawbacks, they 

 eminence, because the 

 Rocks were lacking in 



T.,i im * 



and Buff, (which are 

 established varieties). 

 Penciled, (which are 

 whose status is as yet 

 Of these, the Barred 

 country has long led all 

 Until a very few years 

 rect to say that count- 

 farms, farms on which 

 to making poultry 

 plants, there were more 

 country at large than of 

 fowls combined. Their 

 numbers was due first of 

 the field. They bad two 

 were, and still are, very 

 high excellence in color; 

 p i n feathers when 

 stage. But in spite of 

 long held their pre- 



early White Plymouth 



Indian Game Hen. vigor, and the White 



Wyandottes, which, in some sections, surpa>sed the Barred Rocks in popularity, were, on 

 the average, smaller fowls, and many breeders bad injured their stock by forcing early egg 

 production. 



Wuite Plymouth Rocks are now fully equal to the Barred in every economic quality, and 

 have the superficial advantage of color, which is gradually bringing them to a popularity 

 more nearly equal. As between White and Barred Rocks, choice hinges on taste, and on 

 whether easier preparation for market is an advantage. It is when many chicks are to be 

 dres;.ed in the pin feather stage. When stock is not dressed until mature as is the case on 

 most farms the white color is no advantage. 



Buff Plymouth Rocks are quite popular, but not so much so, nor with such promise of 

 permanent general popularity as the Barred and White. Their most serious fault, from the 

 average breeder's point of view, is that common to all buff and red fowls the wide departure 

 from approved shade of color even when bred with great care and good judgment to maintain 

 color. To the fancier this may not be a fault. Those who admire buff fowls, and find pleasure 

 in producing them, will readily sacrifice the culls, but a poultryman not especially interested in 

 the fancy will not long be suited with buff or red fowls if he wants uniform appearance in bi 

 flocks, for he cannot afford to sacrifice off colored bens. If he is indifferent to lack of uniform 



