White Plymouth Rocks — Characteristics. 35 



have bred them, bear testimony to their wonderful egg productive- 

 ness. From a flock of thirty-two fowls, five old ones and twenty- 

 seven yearlings, which began laying in February, we have averaged 

 continuously from fourteen to twenty-four eggs daily, and during 

 the breeding season of April, May and June, the average was fully 

 twenty-eggs daily. The young chicks are vigorous and healthy, as 

 are the older ones. They are great foragers, as well as generous 

 eaters; but they give back in eggs and flesh abundant recompense 

 for all. In size they are about the same as the Plymouth Rocks, in 

 shape perhaps a little rounder, and no prettier sight could be seen 

 than a flock of these white beauties." 



Another breeder, who has evidently caught the " White Plym- 

 outh Rock fever," says: " The demand is increasing for a pure-white 

 fowl, having yellow skin and fine flavored meat, in connection with 

 superior laying qualities ; and there is no purely American fowl 

 which has so firmly established itself among those interested in 

 poultry raising, as the White Plymouth Rocks. They were known 

 only a few years since, and the demand for them this season shows 

 that their good qualities are not illusions, but facts, the guaranty for 

 which is shown in the ready market for fowls and their products. 

 They originated by ' sports ' from Plymouth Rocks proper, but have 

 now reached a point through careful breeding where they breed true 

 to feather, size and markings. Their plumage is pure white, and 

 they are plump and full-breasted, making them among the best of 

 table fowls. They are strong and vigorous fowls, and not subject to 

 the diseases common to ordinary chickens. They are excellent lay- . 

 ers of large, rich brown eggs, and are such enormous layers that 

 they have scarcely any time for sitting, but when they do sit they 

 are very faithful and make excellent mothers. Take them as a gen- 

 eral purpose fowl, they are better for farmer and fancier. They are 

 contented in a small enclosure, and are gentle and domestic in their 

 habits. The chicks from the eggs often show colored markings, but 

 when they first shed their downy covering and put on their regular 

 feathers, they are pure white. As show birds, their noble, dignified 

 carriage and beautiful plumage have no equal, and are sure to give 

 unqualified satisfaction." 



The reader will have noticed in the two preceding quotations, 

 how ardent admiration for this new breed has carried the writers (in 

 our estimation) so far as to overrate their laying qualities, and one 

 other point, namely. " The White Rock is one of the greatest layers 

 in the world, and we will not even except the Leghorn family;' 



