Desirable Cross Breeds. 131 



moult. By this means a race of first-class birds will be 

 obtained, and the difference in returns the following winter 

 if mongrels have been previously kept, will show the wisdom 

 of the course adopted. Layers can easily be got that will 

 produce an average of ] 50 to 200 eggs per annum, and table 

 fowls that will grow and fatten very rapidly. The breeding 

 hens can be put among the young ones in the autumn, as they 

 will be wanted again the following spring. In all well-regulated 

 yards it is customary to kill off the hens when about nine- 

 teeu months old, just before they go into their second moult, 

 as they are still good for eating, or, at any rate, much 

 better than they will ever be again ; and, as every moult gets 

 more severe aud protracted, and the number of eggs laid 

 fewer, it is much more profitable to supply their places with 

 young hens. But the same breeding stock will do again, 

 simply filling up the ga 1 'S, or introducing fresh birds as may 

 be found necessary. As breeders of laying fowls we suggest 

 the following crosses, the first-named of each pair being the 

 cock : — Black Minorca — Leghorn ; Minorca — Houdan ; An- 

 dalusian — Leghorn; Andalusian — Minorca; or, Andalusian 

 — Houdan. For good all-round fowls — layers, sitters, and 

 table fowls : — Game — Houdan ; Game — Langshan ; Game 

 — Brahma ; or, Game — Scotch Grey. And for first-class 

 table birds : — Game — Dorking ; Game — La Fleche ; Game 

 — Creve ; or, Dorking — La Fleche. These crosses will be 

 found sufficient for those who wish to try the plan suggested, 

 aud we should recommend them not to keep too many varieties. 

 One laying and one table-fowl cross, will be sufficient for 

 most yards. 



Doubtless there will be some of our readers who have a 

 stock of hens which they do not wish to part with, and would 

 prefer to improve these by obtaining some fresh cocks. We 

 do not look upon this as the best plan, but at the same time 

 give such information as will help those who prefer to adopt 



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