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FANCIEES' JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 



PoiJltf\y Depa^t^T- 



(For Fanciers' Journal.) 



THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF BROWN LEGHORNS. 



No breed of fowls has risen more rapidly, and at same 

 time more meritoriously, in the esteem of poultry men than 

 that of Brown Leghorns. As to the time of their first im- 

 portation and introduction into this country we shall not 

 argue. It is sufficient for our purpose to know that the breed 

 from comparative obscurity, four years ago, has suddenly 

 claimed and secured the attention of the entire poultry-loving 

 public; and, what is of greater importance, has done it 

 through merit alone. 



Much has been said in favor of this breed, and, so far as 

 I know, nothing against it. This is probably as high praise 

 as could be given. As layers I have never found anything 

 to surpass them. I find their eggs are of fair size, and 

 almost always fertile. As egg-producers they rank high 

 above the Cochins ; this has been my experience at least. 

 After all the main profit in poultry raising to the farmer 

 and market man lies rather in the production of eggs than 

 in the rearing of fowls, and this is the great merit of the 

 Brown Leghorns. It is fair to say that they will produce, 

 bird for bird, an average of at least sixty per cent, more 

 eggs than common dunghill fowls, and fully that much more 

 than the average of fancy breeds. 



I have nothing to say against the Asiatics ; I am a warm 

 admirer of them, and have bred them with a good degree of 

 success for years, but when they come to table I prefer the 

 flavor and tenderness of the four-pound Leghorn to the 



comparative coarseness of his more majestic friend. In fact 

 the better quality of the meat makes up in lack of quantity to 

 my taste. 



The extreme hardiness of the Brown Leghorns is one of 

 their strongest recommendations. They will thrive where 

 any other variety will. Their only drawback is their im- 



\\o\ 



mense combs, which, now and then, are severely frozen, 

 and, of course, their beauty is in a measure destroyed. This, 

 however, is true with almost all single-combed fowls. 



I have found them to lay well when confined in a small 

 yard, but they do much better when they are allowed to 

 range, at least a part of the day, and forage for themselves. 

 Not only the number but also the size of the eggs, increases 

 when they are given some range. 



Another valuable feature is their propensity to mature 

 early and lay early. This is of double advantage : it secures 

 barbecues and roasts much earlier, and, at the same time, 

 gives greater opportunity to rear large flocks with a certainty 

 of their coming to maturity before the cold weather of win- 

 ter. Asiatics and other large breeds are not apt to produce 

 matured birds if hatched later than June, but Leghorns can 

 be hatched in August with a good chance of their reaching 

 full development and returning their cost in eggs before 

 some of their larger neighbors have begun to hunt for nests. 

 This, to the poultry man, whether supplying spring chickens 

 or eggs is a matter of some importance. 



Of course where one has near neighbors, and desires his 

 fowls to run at large, it will be difficult to get along with 

 Brown Leghorns, or any other light-bodied and large- 

 winged fowls. I had some provoking, and at the same time 

 amusing, experience of this last winter ; when getting ready 

 for the exhibition, and after my fowls had been entered, I 

 found two of my best hens with their tails cut off, and this 

 in January when they could not harm anything whatever. 

 The secret of it all was that they had trespassed on a neigh- 

 bor's garden walk. It was hard to take, but I preserved my 

 equanimity, and won my premium a few days later on two 

 of their mates. A. N. E. 



Lock Haven, Pa. 



(For Fanciers' Journal.) 



SHIPPING EGGS LONG DISTANCES. 



Mr. Editor: 



As the question is often asked, whether eggs will hatch 

 after being transported long distances, for the benefit of all 

 parties interested we will give you the result from some Light 

 and Dark Brahma eggs obtained from Mr. W. H. Todd, 



