A GUIDE FOR KEEPERS OF POULTRY 227 
enough to win prizes. He then goes over more carefully 
the birds still considered eligible and applies the stand- 
ard requirements, without making any record of his cuts, 
simply keeping them in mind, until he has selected the 
best and those that follow in rank of merit, awarding 
the prizes accordingly. 
KAFFIR-CORN.—Kaffir-corn is a good grain feed for 
fowls. It is about half way between oats and corn in 
nutritive value, being richer in protein than corn and 
poorer than oats. The size of the grains makes it a valu- 
able feed for chicks after they are four or five weeks old. 
It is very much esteemed by pigeon breeders as a feed 
and poultrymen who live where it can easily be secured 
would do well to use it rather freely. 
KNOWLEDGE OF POULTRY FEEDING.—We 
have not yet reached the point in our knowledge of poul- 
try feeding where we can say definitely that a certain 
method of feeding is the best. Yet a knowledge of the 
best methods and the reason for following these methods, 
together with a general knowledge of the science of feed- 
ing, will help the poultryman very much. Knowledge 
along these lines will often enable the poultryman to 
select between two rations and save money while obtain- 
ing as good results with a cheaper ration as he would 
with one costing more. 
LAYING HENS, COOK’S SIGN.—William Cook, 
originator of the Orpington fowls, told the writer that 
he could select a good laying hen every time by observ- 
ing the short feathers that grow on each side at the base 
of the comb. If these feathers curl up and are inclined 
to point forward the hen is a good layer and if they lie 
smoothly, the points lying flat, the hen is a poor layer. 
