The Illustrated Book of Poultr j. 
w iH serve to ward off gapes and roup ; which, if they once enter a Dorking yard, are particularly 
difficult to stamp out again. 
The “ bumble-foot ” to which Dorkings are so subject, has often puzzled breeders. The 
affection has been almost always ascribed to high and small perches, the feet being supposed to be 
injured by the weight of the bird when flying to the ground, or by stepping on some sharp stone. 
Such may very possibly be the immediate exciting cause of many cases, just as a slight blow or 
strain may be said to be the exciting cause of a severe case of cancer ; but in both cases other and 
more deeply-seated causes of disease must be sought for, since we have known many instances of 
the worst form of bumble-foot in yards where the birds had only turf to walk upon, and were not 
allowed to roost at all, but bedded upon straw. Again, the equally heavy Brahma or Cochin does 
not suffer in this way, being only subject to abscess in the foot in the case of some actual irritation, 
such as the entrance of a thorn or small piece of glass ; on the removal of which, and proper 
treatment, the tumour speedily disappears. We have, therefore, years ago been forced to the 
conclusion that the cause of this tiresome disease must be sought in the law long since discovered 
by physiologists, that any abnormal excess in the structure of any part of the body is frequently 
accompanied by what may be called weakness of function ; and that when the abnormal excess, by 
breeding or otherwise, becomes constant, the tendency to weakness almost invariably becomes 
constant too. We shall have occasion to mention a confirmation of this view in the case of 
Houdans ; and hence it would appear that the difficulty is inseparably connected with the fifth toe 
which is so dear to the heart of Dorking breeders. If they will have it, they must take the 
consequences. The absurdity of insisting upon a feature which has such actually injurious 
results is singularly aggravated in the present case by the fact that Dorkings were, till very lately, 
always strongly affirmed not to be birds “ of colour,” but the sole breed of poultry which was not 
only bred for exclusively table or practical purposes, but even judged in the same way. Yet here 
is a point which is more arbitrary than any standard of mere feather can be ; can be shown to 
produce inevitable evils ; and yet retains its place in this par excellence “practical” breed ! We are, 
of course, perfectly aware of the utter impossibility of changing views now so deeply rooted as that 
of “ the fancy” upon this point ; but it is none the less a duty to point out the simple state of the 
case, having done which both our duty and responsibility ceases. 
The most useful crosses of the Dorking fowl have been already treated of in discussing 
Brahmas and Cochins, and we need not go over the same ground again. The cross with the Game 
is perhaps the next most frequently employed, and produces very excellent table chickens, with 
large breast and merrythought, and of fair weight. They are not, however, so generally profitable, 
requiring a good run to rear them successfully : in fact, they have the same main character as laige 
Game chickens themselves. The only other cross calling for special mention is that with the 
Houdan cock. This cross possesses no beauty to make it desirable, and the plumage varies greatly ; 
but the chickens produced are very hardy, almost always lay well, and in early matuiity surpass the 
Dorking itself, while the flesh is of most excellent quality. To those who wish to inciease the haidi- 
ness of the Dorking, but object to Asiatic crosses on account of the feathered legs and yellow skin, 
or who wish to preserve the “ five claws ” which are such a passport to the good opinion of a 
London salesman, this cross may be safely recommended as likely to answer the puipose. 
JUDGING DORKINGS. — The need of special watchfulness against prejudicial or unhealthy 
fat in judging this breed — the Coloured variety more especially — will have been gatheied fiom our 
preceding remarks. Time was when the scales often decided which were the piize-winneis , but 
these aids to critical observation are now rarely used by good judges, except in the case of water- 
