SELECTING THE STOCK , , 17 



high-power producers" from' stanclarS-lJreH" st6c¥,'"''l)ut't}ie 

 product itself is more uniform and, therefore more salable 

 and capable of returning a higher price in' discriminating 

 markets. The fact that some trials with' standard breeds 

 have proved unsatisfactory', either from lack of productive- 

 ness or lack of health a-nd vitality, or^ both, is due, to the 

 fact that the particular strain from 'which the fowls sprung 

 was bred with a view to producing cfertain' color and shape 

 charact&istics without proper aitehtioh being given to the 

 basic principles of breed'iiig. The intelligent breeder look's 

 well to the vitality of his 'stock, the pareless' or ignorant pbul- 

 tryman does hot, andthe'latter'isth'^ wbrSt eiieriiv of 'stiihd- 

 ard-bred poultry. 



Consider the Mai^ket. ' 



There'is, however, dhe consideration that may not 'be 

 safely overlooked, and1;hat_is the "color of the shell preferred 

 in the market to whibh the pr6spective' egg; farmer desires 

 to catei". In a, majority of markeljs 'in the. United S>ta,tes 

 the disdrimfnatirig- trade is in favor, of an egg with a dark 

 brown shell,' while in other mariets, though they are less 

 in number, ah egg "with a" "white shpll is preferred. The 

 finest trade Will' pay slightly more for the. tint of shell that 

 pleases; therefore,, if the poultryman is to. cater to 'the fine 

 trade in New' York City, a breed whi'ch produces whi.te 

 shelled eggs,'' for example Leghorns and' Mijlorcas, should, 

 perhaps, be" given the' preference, provided, of course, not 

 much attention is to be given to pr6du^ing-;poultry meat 

 in connection with the' egg business. Where a "dark shell 

 is preferred, Boston for example, varieties of the American 

 or Asiatic classes, naimely: Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, 

 Rhode ■ Isldnd Reds, Langshans, Brahmas and Cochins, 

 should be given the preference. But When every point is 

 considered, the laying-bred fowl has' the call rather than that 

 of any particular breed or variety. ^ 



