ENGLISH BREEDS 61 



as the breeds described above, though all of them are well suited 

 to the class of general-purpose fowls. 



Buckeyes, named after the state of Ohio, where they were 

 originated, were obtained from Barred Rock crosses on BufT 

 Cochins, with an infusion of Cornish and Pit Game blood to give 

 the flesh quantity, and the offspring vigor. See Fig. 36. In 1905 

 they were admitted to the ranks of the Standard of Perfection. 



The name of the Dominique is closely interwoven with our 

 early history of poultry, yet the real origin is very obscure. Some 

 claim that the breed is a product of the Island of Dominica, but 

 apparently this idea is purely fanciful, since a breed of these char- 

 acteristics was never found there. A more reasonable theory is 

 that the name just evolved — as an ambiguous term to cover a 

 mixed origin. The similarity of the Barred Rock has no doubt 

 been responsible for the falling off in the popularity of the Dom- 

 inique, for it is no longer bred by so many poultrymen. In fact, 

 it is seldom seen to-day. The same holds true of the Javas and 

 the Buckeyes. 



For poultrymen specializing in eggs, we were glad to doff our 

 hat to the sprightly little Leghorn ; it holds first place among all 

 comers in the egg class. But, for all-round, general poultry busi- 

 ness, which includes all of the different branches of the industry 

 — eggs, meat, broilers, roasters, capons, feathers and maternal 

 instincts, not to forget caste and beauty — the American breeds 

 are at the top of the heap, and not likely to be supplanted. 



There are numerous other varieties closely resembling the 

 American breeds in shape, disposition and size, and are commonly 

 classed as general-purpose fowls. 



English Breeds. — First, let us take the English breeds. With- 

 out question the most popular of these are the Orpingtons, of 

 which there are ten or more distinct varieties, — single-comb 

 White, single-comb Black, single-comb Buff, single-comb Span- 

 gled, and single-comb Diamond Jubilee; also, rose-comb varieties 

 of the same colors. See Fig. 37. In the past few years a couple 

 of other varieties have been originated, notably the Blues, but 

 these are so recent and bred in such limited numbers that we will 



