A POULTRY COMPENDIUM. 25 



LIGHT BRAHMAS. 



In mating this breed, if the male has a dark hackle, 

 black wing-flights and black tail, he should be mated 

 with females lighter in those points, and vice versa. For 

 some unknown reason the sire — in this breed, at least — 

 seems to have more influence on the plumage than the 

 dam, so that if you have a good cock you are quite 

 likely to get good plumaged chicks. The mating of 

 pullets with a cock two years old is an admirable one, 

 and produces very satisfactory results. 



DARK BRAHMAS. 



The mating of Dark Brahmas is not one-half so dif- 

 ficult as the obtaining of standard birds, for the best 

 mating is the mating of standard birds ; that is, those 

 of both sexes which are free from the faults enumerated 

 in the Standard. Clear plumaged, large birds, the cock 

 with clear black breast, and the hen with finely penciled 

 plumage, free from brown shades or brown feathers, give 

 the mating desired. It used to be considered necessary 

 to make two matings of Dark Brahmas, and that practice 

 is still followed by some breeders, but we think that the 

 experience of the most eminent breeders will fully sustain 

 the text, that one mating is sufficient. • 



PLYMOUTH ROCKS, 



The Standard imposes a special hardship upon this 

 noble breed by requiring the birds to match in the show 

 pen, while Nature does everything to prevent such a re- 

 sult. The males will run light and the females dark 

 under the treatment and handling of the most experi- 

 enced breeder. Three matings may be made. 



