8 Barred and White Plymouth Rocks. 



years, have borne the competition of other fowls, have been sub- 

 jected to every test that fowl could be subjected to, and have come 

 out of all these trials still as much praised and as much liked, both 

 by the fancier and general public as when they were first known. 

 Two things are demanded of the perfect fowl — a large amount of 

 good meat when on the table, and a large laying capacity. It is 

 safe to say that no other breed combines these two qualities as well 

 as the Plymouth Rock. There may be hens that will lay more eggs, 

 though we doubt it. Taken weight for weight, we have never seen 

 the fowl that could equal the Plymouth Rocks, and certainly no 

 fowl surpasses them for table use. They are a beautiful breed, com- 

 bining with their large size, beauty of carriage to a degree not 

 common with fowls. The only fault that can be found with them, 

 is the tendency to breed back to show some of the characteristics of 

 the breeds from which they are derived, but those showing only the 

 best points should be kept for breeding purposes. For the farm, no 

 fowl is equal to the Plymouth Rock." 



A few years ago the "boom" on Plymouth Rocks was only 

 equaled by the hen fever craze on Brahmas. Their unprecedented 

 popularity brought out new breeds, and with that peculiarity so 

 characteristic of the average American fancier, they were taken up, 

 boomed, enthused, and even overrated, and for a while diverted a 

 good share of the attention of novices and amateurs from this almost 

 idolized breed. True, it was never claimed they possessed aesthetic 

 beauty, nor that they are strictly a fancy breed in the sense we apply 

 it to Polish, Hamburg, etc., but for all purposes of egg and flesh 

 production, they are the rich man's pride, and the poor man's main- 

 stay. There are those who claim to know what is true beauty, that 

 do not hesitate to say the Cuckoo or Dominique color is handsome, 

 the favorite color of the Ventian, Grecian and Oriental mosaic and 

 fluted pillars, and mostly all the ancient Moorish paintings and 

 moresque work ; also an indication of hardiness and fecundity in the 

 fowl. A flock of evenly plumaged Plymouth Rocks presents a pleas- 

 ing and gratifying sight ; sober and positive color and distinctness 

 mark every feather from chickenhood to old age, defying alike the 

 summer's sun and winter's frost. 



The popularity of the Plymouth Rock is not confined to this 

 country. The London Fanciers' Gazette says : " The Plymouth 

 Rocks, as their name would imply, are an essentially American breed, 

 and m fact, have been manufactured across the 'herring pond.' 

 They are, however, not to be despised on this account, and though 



