CHARACTERISTICS OF PLYMOUTH ROCKS. 



9t 



1 suppose tbat for nine-teotbs ol those who keep poultry, a general purpose fowl is the best 

 fowl — will be found most satisfactory. "What proportion of this niiie-tentbs are liest suited 

 with the most popular varieties of this class, is not so easy to estimate, but I should say etr- 

 tainly three-fifths, and possibly as much as four-fifths. These estimates will indicate to uity 

 reader interested in the matter, somethiog of bis "expectation" of suiting himself better by 

 going outside of the popular varieties of the general purpose type of fowl. 



But while the advantage in general popularity is overwhelmingly with one class of fowls, and 

 with a few varieties in this class, there is still a large field for the others, and if the tendency 

 is for growers of poultry for economic purposes to concentrate on a few varieties, the tendency 

 among fanciers is quite opposite, and the number of people open to interest in other varieties 

 i~ always great enough to make possible a liberal demand for any fowl that has merit anil 

 beautx. 



Cuming now to a detailed consideration of the varieties mentioned, we have Plymouth 



lincks — Barred, White, 

 '•Standard," and well 

 and Tanridgeand Silver 

 recent introductions, 

 not determined). 

 Plymouth Rock in this 

 varieties in populiirity. 

 ago It was prol>aldy cur- 

 ing both special poultry 

 some attention was given 

 profitable, and fanciers' 

 Barred Rocks i u the 

 all other thoroughbred 

 great predominance in 

 all to their being first in 

 superficial faults : They 

 difficult to breed to a 

 and they had many black 

 d ressed in the pin feather 

 these drawbacks, they 

 eminence, because the 

 Rocks were lacking in 



and Buff, (which are 

 established varieties). 

 Penciled, (which are 

 whose status is as yet 

 Of these, the Barred 

 country has long led all 

 Until a very few years 

 rect to say that — count- 

 farms, farms on which 

 to making poultry 

 plants, there were more 

 country at large than of 

 fowls combined. Their 

 numliers was due first of 

 the field. They had two 

 were, and slill are, very 

 high excellence in color ; 

 p i n feathers when 

 stage. But in spite of 

 long held their pre- 

 early Wliite Plymouth 

 vigor, iiiul the While 



Indian Game Hen. 



Wyandottes, which, in some sections, surpassed the Biirrcd Rocks in iiopularily, were, on 

 the average, smaller fowls, and many breeders bad injured their stock by forcing early egg 

 production. 



While Plymouth Rocks are now fully equal to the Barred In every economic quality, and 

 have the superficial advantage of color, which is gradually bringing them to h popularity 

 more nearly equal. As between White and Barred Rocks, choice hinges on taste, and on 

 whether easier preparation for market is an advantage. It is when many chicks are to he 

 dres-cd in the pin feulher stage. When stock is not dressed until mature — as is the case on 

 most fHrms — the white color ia no advantage. 



Buff Plymouth Rocks are quite popular, but not so much so, nor with sucli promi-e of 

 permanent general popularity as the Barred and White. Their most serious fault, from the 

 average breeder's point of view, is that common to all buff and red fowls— the wide departure 

 from approved shade of color even when bred with great care and good judgment to maintain 

 color. To the fancier this may not be a fault. Those who admire buff fowls, and find pleasure 

 in iiroducing them, will readily sacrifice tlie culls, but a poultryman not especially interested in 

 the fancy will not long be suited with buffer red fowls it be wants uniform appearance in his 

 flocks, for he cannot afford to sacrifice off colored hens. 



If he is indifferent to lack of uniform 



