INTRODUCTORY 



HIS BREED lU )OK, devoted to the Orpington race of domesticated poultry, is the 

 first and most complete of its kind published in America. England has produced 

 many Standard-bred varieties of superior merit and surpassing beauty in the past, 

 but we have no hesitation in stating that its newest production, the Orpington, 

 is the most universally popular breed ever originated in Great Britain. Not only in 

 England, but in Australia, Canada, and the United States as well, are Orpingtons enjoying un- 

 bounded popularity. The intrinsic merit of the Orpington fowl for utilitarian purposes, its 

 commanding size and solid type, combined with beauty of plumage, are invaluable assets that 

 assure its permanent popularity. 



That a book giving an authentic history of the origin of the Orpington, its develop- 

 ment as a Standard-bred fowl, its value as a layer and meat producer, a^d a description of its 

 fine exhibition points, with proper illustrations for mating, breeding and judging all varieties 

 of Orpingtons, is needed, is obvious. 



In;undertaking the task of compiling a book of this character, I did it with a feeling of a 

 responsibility greater perhaps than the results may show, but readers can rest assured that a 

 careful research has been made into the history of the breed from its origin to its final de- 

 velopment into three Standard and eight non-Standard varieties. For most of the im- 

 portant data relating to the above I am indebted to the Lewis Wright's "Book of Poultry," 

 E. Campbell's book, "The- Orpington And Its Varieties," both standard English works; 

 also to letters and articles written by the originator, William Cook, Captain Gedney, Har- 

 rison Weir, Wallace P. Willett, and others. 



To the Reliable Poultry Journal, American Poultry World, D. E. Hale, A. O. Schil- 

 ling, and many prominent American breeders of Orpingtons grateful acknowledgment is due 

 for their valuable contributions to the different chapters of this book. Special attention is 

 directed to the beautiful illustrations by Franklane L. Sewell, Arthur O. Schilling and I. W- 

 Burgess. This art work is one of the great features of this book, unrivalled and unappr.oachable 

 in beauty of design and finish. 



Having made a study of the Orpington fowl as a judge at the earlier exhibits held at Mad- 

 ison Square Garden Shows, New York, and at other large shows in the East, South and Canada 

 up to the present day, the task has been a congenial one and the conclusions arrived at are the 

 result of an impartial judgment of the facts as they appeared to me. That "The Orpingtons" 

 will prove a valuable aid to breeders of one of the most popular breeds in the world is the sin- 

 cere wish of the undersigned. 



J. H. DREVENSTEDT. 

 New York, 1910. 



