Choosing the Breed 19 



and in the warm months, after the spring tide of 

 eggs is ebbing. 



Nothing except stupidity and neglect will stop 

 the White Leghorn from laying about the end of 

 its fifth month, and nothing except the best condi- 

 tions and expert care will induce the American 

 breeds to lay until along into the seventh month. 

 So if a flock of hens begins to lay early in October 

 when eggs are very high, instead of late in Novem- 

 ber, they may well receive our blessing. 



Late in the spring, when the warm days come 

 and lilacs bloom, Mrs. Rock and Mrs. Red decide 

 to give up laying eggs, and attend strictly to the 

 duties of raising a family. For one who has regu- 

 lar customers, as most people have, this- is small 

 pleasure to any but the hen. The time has come 

 now when incubators and brooders could take her 

 place very well, though she won't admit it. But 

 the Leghorn never heard of union hours. She 

 seldom sits, and when she does, is easily induced 

 to return to regular duty. Egg prices are now 

 mounting again, and once more the Leghorn 

 proves her worth by laying through the summer, 

 till molting time begins in the fall. 



White Leghorns can get a good living and pro- 



