268 



Fowls for Table Poultry. 



[august, 



Birlie. The worst combination is found in Storm King, 

 with short pointed kernel and thick husk. The heaviest 

 or rather the most rigorously dressed samples of Potato have a 

 milling factor of their own in the shape of a bosom pickle of 

 which only the pales have developed. 



According to the preponderance of certain conditions, the 

 milling property leans one way or another. It is conceivable 

 that a very dry mature sample of Storm King, grown on a 

 stiff clay soil, will yield more meal than a damp sample of 

 immature Sandy from a peat ; but equalise the conditions, 

 and Storm King will be eclipsed ; reverse them, and Storm 

 King will be nowhere. 



SELECTION OF RACES OF FOWLS FOR 

 TABLE POULTRY. 

 Edward Brown, F.L.S. 

 It may be accepted as a general rule that excess in any 

 direction can only be obtained at the expense of some other 

 quality. Specialisation is essential under the more intensive 

 conditions of the present day, but the result is not all gain. 

 There is sufficient evidence to show that increase of egg pro- 

 duction is usually accompanied by a reduction, if not an entire 

 loss, of the maternal instinct, and a diminution in the size of 

 body. The adoption of the trap-nest system as a means of 

 selecting the best laying hens will expedite this process, and 

 probably lead to a more rapid exhaustion of size of body and of 

 vigour in our races of poultry than hitherto. Whilst the system 

 is necessary , and eminently practical, it is desirable that 

 breeders should recognise the probable result. On the other 

 hand, increase of size and of flesh properties lead to a lessened 

 laying capacity. Hence it is that those breeds which are 

 valuable as table fowls can seldom show an average output of 

 eggs at all approaching the laying races, and this is more 

 especially true of the larger races. One or two of the smaller 

 breeds which have considerable capacity for fattening are fairly 

 good layers. 



A considerable number of races of fowls are specially strong 

 in meat qualities, in that the muscles found upon the sternum 

 or breast, and upon the thighs are abundant. As a rule these 

 breeds are fairly large in body, adult cocks weighing from 7 lb. 



