CHOOSING AMONG THE BREEDS 27 



large producer. The Minorcas have large size and lay 

 a handsome large white egg ; but they make little head- 

 way, so far, against the Leghorns. The Leghorns, 

 White, Brown, and Buff, have a host of admirers, the 

 White being most popular. All are prolific, hardy, non- 

 sitting in instinct. The Standard of Perfection says 

 that they are identical except in the distinctive colors. 

 But, if you would like to hear some comment on this 

 point, talk Leghorns with from ten to fifty Leghorn 

 breeders. I feel rather sure that you will find none 

 among them who will agree that the seven Leghorn 

 varieties are thus identical, with the single exception of 

 color. Very similar, in many points, all will admit them 

 to be. But identical .■' In theory, perhaps. But, not 

 even the White Leghorn flocks of various poultrymen 

 who have them in purity are in fact identical in charac- 

 teristics with one another. 



Among the Rose-Comb Brown Leghorns, for instance, 

 there is a wide variation in type, among different flocks. 

 I do not think it is very generally known that there are 

 two types. These are really very distinct, when we con- 

 sider that they are supposedly bred to the same Standard 

 of Perfection. Until recently, it was a standing puzzle to 

 me that the authorities should so often say that the Rose- 

 Comb Brown Leghorn laid a smaller egg than the White 

 Leghorn. Some years ago, too, I sold, through a poul- 

 try supply house, a sitting of eggs from this breed. 

 They were refused, on the ground that they were not 

 from pure stock, the proof adduced being that the eggs 

 were not chalky white. On one other occasion, I re- 

 ceived a card, saying : " Eggs received in good shape. 

 Would like to have you explain how the eggs come to be 



