92 LE.S50NS IN POULTRY KLLPING SECOND 5LRILS. 



appearance he will not count 

 this fault against them. 



Partridge and Silver Penciled 

 Plymouth Rocks are very band- 

 some fowls, but at present 

 require great skill in breeding. 

 Like all laced and penciled 

 fowls, they will always be 

 difficult for most breeders to 

 handle, and if their popularity, 

 as compared with the other 

 varieties 'of the breed, follows 

 the same course as that of simi- 

 lar colored varieties in the old 

 breeds, they are not likely to 

 come into a general and lasting 

 popularity, but will be bred 

 mostly by those who want gen- 

 Houdans. eral purpose fowls with single 



< ombs, and have a decided preference for one of these colors. 



In Wyandottes we have, naming them in the order in which they were admitted to the 

 "Standard," the Silver Laced, Golden Laced, White, Black, Buff, Partridge or Golden Penciled, 

 Silver Penciled, and Columbian. 



The typical Wyandotte, as compared with the typical Plymouth Rock, is a shorter bodied, 

 compact, blocky fowl, and a little smaller fowl. But many breeders of Wyandottes breed 

 them as large as Standard Plymouth Rocks, and larger than the general run of Plymouth 

 Rocks, while It is probably true that Wyandottes as they run are smaller than Plymouth 

 Rocks as they run. The difference in size is one which any breeder of either variety who 

 chooses to do so may easily overcome breeding Wyandottes to Plymouth Rock weights, and 

 vice versa, so that for general use we may sny that there is no material difference in size 

 between Rocks and Wyandottes. The real differences in this respect are, that the most sym- 

 metrical fowl In each breed is likely to be the fowl about standard weight and size for the 

 breed. Wyandottes of Plymouth Rock weights are apt to be a little coarse and "cochinny ;" 

 Plymouth Rocks at Wyandotte weights a little undersized. From this it follows that if a 

 poultryrnan wants fowls which we may term small medium in size, be can get them in Wyan- 

 dottes without departing as far from a good type as he would if be tried to breed Rocks to 

 the same weights. Conversely, if he wants large medium fowls he can get them in extra 

 large Plymouth Rocks, which will be a little coarse, but not so far away from the breed type as 

 if he 'tried to get as large fowls in Wyandottes. In egg production there is practically no 

 difference in average number of eggs laid. The Wyandotte eggs average a little smaller, as 

 would be expected, but the difference in this respect is not important. 



As between the different varieties of the Wyandotte, the White is by far the most popular, 

 ranking as one of the few most popular fowls. The Buff, though far behind the White, comes 

 next in popularity, and so far these are the only varieties of the breed to gain and bold any 

 great popularity, though all the laced and penciled varieties have had their booms, and have 

 maintained a following large enough to keep them well in the public eye. The Black Wyan- 

 dotte hits never attracted much attention. The Columbian Wyandotte is by many regarded as 

 a "coming" variety. Being a white fowl with black points like the Light Brahma, it will 

 dress like a white fowl. 



Of all these varieties the White furnishes the greater proportion of specimens of good size 

 and with true Wyandotte shape. This Is because more people are interested in it, and more 

 of those interested in it are especially interested in market poultry culture. 



Of H/iode Island Reds there are, as has been said, two varieties differing only in the shape 

 of the comb, one having a single, the other a rose comb. Taking the average Reds as we find 

 them, the single combed variety might on its looks be termed a Red Plymouth Rock, and 



