Comparison of Various Breeds. 
19 
Minorcas or Andalusians, Houdans, Langshans, Wyandottcs, Spanish, Brahmas, Plymouth Rocks, 
Polish, Game, Cochins, La Fleche. For quality of meat : — Game, La Fleche, Dorkings, Creve- 
cceurs, Houdans, Polish, Wyandottes, Langshans, Brahmas. For size and weight : — Brahmas, 
Cochins, Dorkings, Langshans, Plymouth Rocks, Crevecceurs, La Fleche, Malays. For hardiness : 
Leghorns, Houdans, Wyandottes, Brahmas, Langshans, Cochins, Minorcas and Andalusians. 
As sitters and mothers : — Dorkings, Game, Dumpies, Silkies, Brahmas, Cochins. We might 
perhaps add that for combination of useful qualities generally we would name Houdans, Plymouth 
Rocks, Langshans, and Minorcas, as most worthy of attention, or a Minorca-Langshan cross. 
Supposing only a single house and shed, or run, to be at the disposal of the fowls, it will 
be far better not to attempt to rear any chickens at all, but to purchase, every autumn, such 
young birds as may be required. Chickens can be reared, with care, in almost any conceivable 
circumstances ; but in those we are considering, the time and trouble involved would far 
outweigh the return. Non-sitting breeds, therefore, must be selected ; and either the Houdan, 
some one of the Spanish breeds, Polish, or the American Leghorn, will bear the confinement 
well, and yield a good supply of eggs. Hamburghs rarely do so well penned up ; but in some 
cases, where the shed is large and roomy, and scrupulous cleanliness has been observed, they 
have yielded very good results. Supposing there to be a fair-sized open yard or run besides, 
with the aid of a feeding-coop, chickens might be reared to a limited extent ; and if this be 
thought at all desirable, the most lucrative breed in ordinary circumstances will be the 
Plymouth Rock, Houdans being inadmissible for want of sitters, and Brahmas, on the contrary, 
sitting too often for the limited space. 
Perhaps rather more space can be given to the fowls, so that the breeding and laying stock 
can be divided into two or more runs, and a spare run devoted to chickens. In that case we are 
convinced that the most profitable single breed will be the Plymouth Rock, Langshan, or Brahma, 
and that if two breeds be chosen, they should be one of these, and Ploudan or Minorca. With 
such two breeds, properly managed, we are persuaded that greater returns can be obtained than 
from any other combination. We would never, in a limited space, choose the Dorking ; and are 
sure that a great part of the failures in poultry-keeping arise from the common belief in the supe- 
riority of that fowl, leading to its being adopted in circumstances not at all adapted to it. A bad 
layer, and very difficult to rear, it will never pay as a mere family provider ; and heavy losses 
will diminish what little there might otherwise be. 
On the contrary, where dead poultry for the market is the main object, the Dorking is 
invaluable. It fattens “ naturally " and grows early, while no fowl presents a more satisfactory 
appearance on. the table. No other fowl will realise such high prices in the London market ; 
and the well-known five claws are always a passport to the good opinion of the poulterer. But 
even when good markets and a demand for chickens make it desirable, this breed should not 
be attempted unless the situation be dry and sheltered ; if otherwise, the Houdan or Plymouth 
Rock should be substituted, or a Dorking cock crossed with Brahma hens. The largest birds ever 
known have been reared from this last cross, which can scarcely be distinguished on the table 
from pure Dorking. 
For the general run of a farm, Brahmas, Plymouth Rocks, Houdans, or Minorcas will still 
yield the best return : Brahmas and Plymouth Rocks, where many chickens are required, and 
Houdans or one of the Minorca varieties where eggs alone aic the end in view, d he Ameiican 
Plymouth Rock we regard as a generally most useful fowl, which only requires to be better known. 
It has the appearance and many edible qualities of the “cuckoo” Dorking, but differs from 
it in having yellow legs and a far hardier constitution, besides being an infinitely better 
