BreedtiVG Coloured Dorkings. 313 



continues to the present time, breeding also up to this very day far more uniformity in colour. 

 Whole yards of Dorkings may now be found which run as true to colour as Brahmas or Cochins ; 

 whereas before this time almost every hen was different in colour, so much so that out of a hundred 

 hens in a yard it was a difficult matter to get three out of the lot to match. We have also thus 

 obtained longer bodies, greater width in shoulders, more length of breast, and greater depth in the 

 keel or breast-bone, where a proportionately greater amount of flesh can of course be put upon the 

 birds ; in fact the fowl is now heavier-fleshed all over, with no more addition of oflal in proportion. 

 With regard to the improvement in constitution, young Dorkings previous to the cross could 

 hardly be shown at more than two shows running, when they were either attacked with roup or 

 became black about the head ; often also becoming crop-bound, or dropping down with leg- 

 weakness — in fact, had con^tutions not at all adapted for show purposes. Now it is well known 

 they will travel from show to show all the season through, equal to almost any other breed, while 

 upon an average every first-class bird carries about three pounds more flesh than formerly." 



We are not sure that the gain as regards constitution, referred to in the foregoing notes, is not 

 somewhat exaggerated ; as a reference to any old files of poultry papers will show that years ago 

 all poultry sent to shows were far more subject to various diseases than now, owing chiefly to want 

 of sound knowledge as to their proper treatment. " E.xhibition fever" was in those days quite a 

 common and well-understood term, and the majority of fowls suffered more or less from it. The 

 gain in size is however beyond dispute ; and that to a perceptible degree vigour has been likewise 

 improved, must also be granted ; for both of which fanciers have to thank the efforts of Mr. Doug'as. 



The following notes on Dorkings — their breeding, management, &c., have been furnished by 

 Mr. John Martin, formerly poultry-breeder and manager to Viscountess Holmesdale, of Linton 

 Park, Kent, whose constant succession of triumphs as a Dorking exhibitor is still well remembered 

 by poultry-fanciers ; and who, since her ladyship retired from " the fancy," has won, with the same 

 stock, many prizes on his own account. 



" In choosing my breeding-stock of Dorkings," says Mr. Martin, "I am always careful to select 

 birds with good, sound feathers — that is, with feathers looking as though they had been glued down, 

 and not such soft-feathered birds as we often see in all poultry, and perhaps oftener in this breed 

 than any other. I choose birds possessing great length and depth of body, with good broad 

 shoulders and backs ; and especially I think it very important to get birds with great length of 

 breast-bone — not a short breast-bone like Cochins and Brahmas. Short-breasted birds may look 

 well in a pen to a novice, appearing round and plump ; but they are not good Dorkings, and would 

 be condemned by a judge who understands the breed. 



" I like the head to be large, but not coarse, and I like also to see good large feet, with a fair 

 but not excessive amount of bone. The fourth and fifth toes (that is; the back toes) should be low 

 on the leg, and separate — not one toe growing out from the other — and it is best for the lowest of 

 them to stand out straight, and not point to the ground ; for when they do so one or both often get 

 injured, and this mishap has not seldom prevented an otherwise good pen of birds from winning. 

 But, above all, I would select birds of good constitution, and in the best of health ; for if you breed 

 from either weak or sickly stock, what can you expect but, weakly chickens.' I prefer breeding 

 from adult birds, for I consider a bird at two years old is in its prime as regards strength and 

 vigour, whereas one only a year old has not arrived at its best — at least, it is so in Dorkings. I 

 always found, as a rule, that when I put a two-year old cock with pullets, the pullets preponderated, 

 whereas a young cockerel mated with hens produced more cockerels;* but I prefer full-grown 



* It will be seen that this corroborates our own opinion expressed on p. 133. 

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