POULTRY DICTIONARY AND CALENDAR. 347 
QUALITIES OF THE BREEDS. 
The following tables are based on statements of many 
authorities aud experts, bringing into compact form a 
large amount of descriptive data from various sources. 
The information is meant to represent the general aver- 
age of the breeds under good care, excluding statements 
which apply only to greatly improved strains or to fowls 
exceptionally well managed. Moreover, in a flock that 
has not been improved by selection, many of the indi- 
viduals will not come up to the normal average of the 
breed. Hence, the beginner cannot safely rely upon 
the yield and weight given, although the figures have 
often been exceeded. 
In regard to cost of raising, Jacobs declares: ‘‘ Fifty 
cents will more than pay the cost of raising any kind of 
fowls, not excepting turkeys and geese.” By general pur- 
pose breeds are meant those which are equally good for 
production of meat or eggs. The meat breeds are those 
which are usually kept rather for market poultry than. 
for eggs. The egg breeds are non-sitters and great lay- 
ers, but less valuable for market poultry. 
Authorities consulted in compiling these tables include 
government Bulletins 41, 51 and 64, reports of experi- 
ment stations of New York, Louisiana and Utah, pub- 
lished works of Wright, Beale, Jacobs, Boyer and Hun- 
ter, and direct inquiries of leading breeders of chickens, 
‘ducks, geese and turkeys. Whenever weights are men- 
tioned in the Standard of Perfection, these are adopted 
in the tables. 
INCUBATION PERIODS. (DAYS.) 
Shortest, Average. Longest. 
HO icin aasinns dseieeieis ae 19 21 24 
Turkey scis ie ceemenves 24 26 30 
Dueck... 28 30 32 
GOOSE.. 2... cee eee eee 27 30 33 
Pigeon ... 16 18 20 
Pea hen.......ccceeeeee 25 28 30 
Guinea hen.... idle 20 23 25 
SWAN .....0-- ce ceeeeees 40 42 45 
