FRENCH PO UL TR T. 265 



I acknowledge the merits of these, but claim a 

 higher place for the "Houdans," as a hardier race 

 and of faster growth than either of the others. 

 They lay large, beautifully-formed white eggs, 

 which, Uke the diminutive Hamburg, seldom fail 

 in hatching. I have kept "Houdans" in great 

 numbers, and never have had a badly-formed egg 

 from them. The chickens grow and feather 

 rapidly, and nothing can be better as table 

 poultry — added to all which, they are very orna- 

 mental. They sometimes show a desire to incu- 

 bate, but their forte lies in laying — therefore I 

 strongly recommend their being kept as the egg- 

 suppliers of the establishment, and am not afraid, 

 if once tried, of any adverse opinion. The " La 

 Bresse " breed is also hardy and precocious ; but 

 I cannot advise any of my readers to set the eggs 

 of either " CrSve Cceurs " or " La Fleches " till 

 April at soonest, and only then if the frost has 

 left the ground. A very interesting show of 

 poultry was held in Paris in 1865, not for orna- 

 mental fowls, but for fat ones killed and trussed 

 for cooking. The " La Bresse " breed carried oif 

 the " prix d'honneur,'' closely run by the "Hou- 



