POULTRY & PHEASANT REARING 221 



They should grant their ladies some portion of 

 reasonably good corn, even if the latter be somewhat 

 damaged, and should furnish them with good hous- 

 ing for the birds, both old and young. For egg 

 production I found Leghorns, of all colours, and 

 Minorcas to be the best layers. The Bramahs and 

 Cochins come on most profitably for winter laying. 

 Plymouth Rocks are hardy strong birds, and Indian 

 game are excellent for crossing with either of these 

 breeds for the table. It must not be forgotten that 

 the Dorking is undoubtedly the best flesh-forming 

 breed, but they do not thrive in all parts of England. 

 They are, however, most profitable on their own 

 native chalk downs, and generally upon dry soils. 

 The Spanish at one time were famous layers, and 

 very white-fleshed table birds, but the breeding for 

 the long pendant white wattles and large combs to 

 win in the show-yard, has lost that mostly desired 

 quality, namely, the capacity to produce a large 

 number of very fine pearly white eggs. That the 

 Aylesbury duck is by far the earliest variety goes 

 without saying. They make, for young ducklings 

 about seven weeks old, in March and April, from 

 14^. to 20^. a couple readily. They, however, seem 

 to degenerate after leaving their native district, and 

 a cross is necessary from the original stock every 

 three or four years. The Pekins, a very hardy 

 breed, crosses excellently with the Aylesbury, and 

 gives additional vitality to the young birds. The 

 Rouens are beautiful ducks, not very early, but 

 excellent layers and very hardy. The Cayugas are 



