162 PROFITS IN POULTRY. 
may be improved by careful breeding as well as a pig of 
acow. An infusion of new blood should be procured 
every year or two, and a bird of undoubted excellence 
should be bought. 
THE FRENCH BREEDS—HOUDANS AND CREVECCURS. 
If profit is the chief end of poultry-keeping, and this 
is certainly the purpose for which farmers and those who 
raise poultry for the market, us well as those who com- 
pete for prizes at the poultry shows, are all in pursuit of, 
‘then the French breeds of fuwls are worthy of high con- 
sideration. There is no other country in the world 
where poultry is so popular a product in the market, or 
so frequent a dish upon the tables, as in France, and ¢ 
breed that is in favor there must possess positive merit. 
Tn addition to the vast number of eggs which are con 
sumed in every possible shape in cookery, and in varion: 
arts, millions of dollars’ worth are exported from France 
every year; and the pouwlet, variously presented, is not 
only a very conspicuous item on tlie bills of fare, but its 
delicacy and succulence entitle it to the prominence it 
enjoys. ‘That it is acceptable in France should be to a 
breed a passport to popular favor everywhere. Yet the 
French fowls are not nearly so popular in America as 
they deserve to be. The Houdans and the Crevecceurs 
are both prolific egg-producers, grow rapidly, and pos- 
sess white and juicy flesh. Yet we have admired these 
fowls in the yards of other people, and have listened 
favorably to frequent praise of their profit and their 
beauty. The Houdan is doubtless a very handsome and 
attractive bird, and a flock of them, well bred and well 
cared for, is very showy in the yard or the field They 
are square and massive about the body, with short legs, 
a spirited or even a fierce carriage, on account of their 
