4 



188 On the Rearing and Management of Poultry. 



in and in." The colour of this variety is black, and its weig^ht 

 ranges between 18 and 30 lbs. Some have been known to attain to 

 the enormous weight of 56 lbs. Its flesh is allowed to be supe- 

 rior to that of any other breed, yet I have known cooks of con- 

 siderable standing give decided preference to the white. 



The white variety is not so easily reared, and never gets to the 

 size of the Norfolk. 



The copper coloured is very scarce, and is more difficult to 

 rear than any other. 



It would, in a country where the turkey is so abundantly reared 

 and so highly esteemed — bringing with it, as Soyer says, the 

 joyous recollection of Christmas and an alderman in chains" — be 

 superfluous to give a description of its appearance. Nor do we 

 think it necessary to give instructions for the selection of stock 

 from the same variety. There are but few men who cannot decide 

 as to which is the handsomer of two birds, when standing side by 

 side. 



The form of animals which is ever most pleasing to the eye is 

 almost invariably that form which denotes health. This is our 

 maxim ; and, from it, we contend that the only perfect plan of 

 attaining a correct knowledge of the figures of animals is by com- 

 paring those of the same class with each other. Such a knowledge 

 it would be impossible to get from books. This will sufficiently 

 explain why 1 have not given instructions, as is the custom, 

 *^ to enable our readers to distinguish between the handsome and 

 the ugly." 



There is great difference of opinion respecting the age when 

 turkeys are in their prime, and how long they continue profitable. 

 1 consider the cock to be at his prime at three years, and the 

 hen at two years old : whether they should be continued to breed 

 from after these ages depends on the discretion of the owner. Some 

 cocks are famous for being the sires of a healthy offspring, and so 

 are some hens for being good sitters and nurses. To dispose of 

 such, before symptoms of declining constitution are displayed in 

 the health and number of the chicks, would display a want of 

 judgment. 



One fecundation is sufficient to render all the eggs fertile which 

 are of one laying. This has been strongly denied by some. In 

 this district many people keep hens only, and have to send them 

 to some neighbours cock : the hen is sent once only, yet it is 

 known that nothing more is generally required to ensure the 

 fertility of all the eggs of that laying. 



The number of hens to one cock should not exceed fifteen. 



From a change in the appearance and manner of the hen, the 

 poultry-keeper is aware of her wants ; and if not in possession of 



