392 FARM ANIMALS 
6. Buff and red turkeys.—The turkeys of these varie- 
ties are uniformly colored, as their names imply. They 
weigh 27 and 18 pounds respectively foi cock and hen. 
Though fairly well distributed throughout the country 
they are by no means as popular as either the Bronze or 
Narragansett. 
“The Bronze turkey is everywhere recognized as altogether the 
best existing type. Considering its qualities collectively, it may be 
doubted whether the type can be improved upon. It is a rugged 
race, growing sometimes to great size, but on the average not up to 
the standards for exhibition weights for other varieties.’—Robinson. 
7. Laying season.—As a 
rule turkey. hens begin lay- 
ing very early in the spring. 
For best results it is desir- 
able that they be encour- 
aged to lay in places conven- 
ient for gathering the eggs. 
Turkey hens, especially 
young ones, rarely lay more 
saa than a dozen eggs before 
becoming broody. They may 
be broken and made to lay 
a second clutch of eggs. Older hens seldom lay more than 
18 for their first litter and not quite as many in the sec- 
ond of the season. The eggs should be collected daily 
and stored in a cool place until they can be set. Eggs 
from specially productive and otherwise desirable hens 
should be marked and set separately, so their progeny 
can be marked when hatched and thus be given preference 
when selection for breeding takes place the following 
autumn. It is a safe precaution to put hens’ eggs in the 
turkey nest to keep the turkeys contented when laying. 
8. Confining the layers.——During the laying season, 
many turkey raisers confine their flocks to comparatively 
BourRBON RED TURKEY 
