168 tBE COMPLETE POULTRY BOOS.. 



come from the wild turkey of our woods and prairies, which still exists in con- 

 siderable numbers in the newer states and territories. Occasional specimens of 

 the wild bird, generally old gobblers, are captured, which equal the heaviest 

 weighfa of the farm-yard, but the average of the wild birds is much lighter than 

 the average of a well-bred farm flock. The Bronze breed is the smallest de- 

 parture from the wild bird in respect to color, and a decided improvement upon 

 it, both in color and size. Nothing can exceed the brilliant plumage of a Bronze 

 cook-turkey, in his second or third year, and the females are hardly less attrac- 

 tive. The dirty, snuff color, which marks the wild birds, is entirely bred out of 

 them. This lustre of the plumage, assimilating to that of burnished gold in the 

 sunlight, has made the Bronze variety a great favorite with all admirers of fine 

 poultry. About everything known to the 'arts of the breeder has been done for 

 the Bronze turkey to bring the stock to its highest perfection. They are the Short- 

 horns Of the poultry-yard. They have been bred especially for size for a long 

 time, and when we select stock from a flock of thoroughbred birds, we have cer- 

 tain quEdities fixed in them, which are reproduced in their offspring. They are 

 uniformly beautiful in plumage, and heavier than birds raised from the com- 

 mon stock. The increased cost of breeding stock is paid for in the larger average 

 weight of the turkeys slaughtered for the markets at Thanksgiving and Christ- 

 mas. The standard weights for adult birds of the Bronze variety, fixed by the 

 American Poultry Association, are, for males, twenty-five pounds; for females, 

 sixteen pounds ; but these weights, in well-bred flocks are often reached in the 

 first year, and adult pairs of forty-five to fifty pounds are not uncommon, and 

 sixty to sixty-five pounds are sometimes, though rarely, reached. It pays to 

 breed invariably from the best stock." (See illustration, page 161.) '^ 



MANAGEMENT OF TFKKEYS. ' 



The following full directions for the management of turkeys were written by a 

 correspondent of the Oowntry Oentleman: 



" Comparatively few farmers who raise turkeys, make suitable preparations for 

 the business. These birds are recently reclaimed from the forestby the frequent 

 infusion of new wild blood, and it is taken for granted that they are capable of 

 taking care of themselves, and the more freedom they have the better it is for 

 them. This is one of the half truths that does a great damage in the rearing of 

 the crop. They have no yard for 'them, often no roosts, and they are left to seek 

 their own nests, and to brood in the woods, where they are exposed to foxes and 

 other predaceous beasts, and birds of prey. It is not uncommon for the hen 

 turkey to steal her nest in the woods, and to hatch out her brood without the 

 knowledge of her owner. While it is true that these birds need a ramble 

 through the summer, when they can get the most of their living in green pastures, 

 it is also true that they need restraint during the laying and hatching season, 

 and for the first three weeks after the chicks leave the nest. None of our domes- 

 tie birds are more susceptible of training, or take more kindly to the prepara- 

 tions that the wise poultryman makes for their thrift and comfort. During the 

 laying and hatching season, they want a good deal of attention, and for a part of 

 the day, at least, should be kept in a yard or orchard by themselves, where nests 



