1908.] Breeding and Rearing of Turkeys. 341 



Suitable Situations. — Although turkeys may be raised on 

 heavy land the operation is difficult, particularly in a wet 

 season, and as a rule they do better on light soils, except 

 in very dry weather, when there may be some deficiency in 

 the green food. The best results will be obtained upon a rich 

 soil, which is not absolutely heavy in character. Upon some 

 farms there is a certain latitude in this particular, in which 

 case the pasture must be selected for rearing according 

 to the prevailing conditions of the season, preference being 

 given to a dry and sheltered position, facing south if possible 

 and protected from cold winds. 



As young birds will not thrive in a cold bleak position, 

 every advantage must be taken of banks, or hedges, 

 which will serve as wind breaks, and if these are not available, 

 wattle and faggot screens may be temporarily erected to the 

 windward of the coops. In the latter case the trouble involved 

 is worth while, as it enables the rearing to be conducted under 

 healthier conditions than where recourse is had to sheds and 

 buildings ; a reasonable open air method of rearing being 

 essential to health and soundness of constitution. 



Varieties.—- The American Bronze most nearly resembles 

 its wild progenitor, and good strains attain an average weight 

 of about 30 lb. in the cock birds and 16 lb. in the hens. 

 In appearance this breed is very handsome, the neck, breast and 

 back being black, shaded with a glistening bronze. The under 

 parts are less richly coloured. The wings are black, barred 

 white or grey and edged with white ; the wing bow having 

 a greenish or brownish lustre. The tail is black with brown 

 pencilling, and the coverts grey, shading into black and ending 

 in a brown band. The face, ear lobes and wattles are a rich 

 red, and the legs long and dark in colour. 



The old English local varieties of the eastern counties 

 have been known as the Norfolk Black and the Cambridge 

 Bronze — the result of crossing. The plumage of the former 

 is black, with more or less white spots, and that of the latter 

 a bronze grey, although there is a considerable variation in 

 different strains, and the types are not generally maintained 

 nowadays. 



In addition to the foregoing the white turkey is now much 

 more commonly seen than was the case a few years ago, 



