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WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
servedly a very popular variety, and becoming more so every 
year, as their good qualities are better known. Their plumage 
is a light ground, shaded to a soft, slaty blue; legs yellow or 
dusky yellow; combs are either double or single, though the 
preference is generally given by fanciers to the rose comb. 
They are decidedly a farmers’ fowl, being good layers, setters 
and mothers; above the medium size; very plump, full 
breasted; easy keepers, good foragers, and very hardy. Chick¬ 
ens mature early, and are always in good condition to kill. 
Taken all in all, they come as near being a perfect fowl as any 
we have, and are fast coming into general favor. 
Black Spanish .—This variety is too well known to need any 
comments. As layers of ‘large, white shelled eggs, the} 7 - are 
not excelled; comparatively hardy; of beautiful metallic, 
green-black plumage, and stately carriage. They are favorites 
with many, but we consider them much inferior to White Leg¬ 
horns. 
Hamburgh —Where eggs are desired, without regard to size, 
Hamburghs will fill the bill. Their eggs are small, requiring 
nine or ten of them and sometimes more to weigh a pound. 
They are very ornamental, under medium size, non-setters ; 
chickens tender and rather difficult to rear, but when grown, 
very hardy. There are several sub-varieties, known as Silver- 
spangled, Silver-penciled, Golden-spangled and Penciled and 
Black. The Silver-spangled are generally considered the most 
beautiful, while the Black are the largest, and laying the 
largest eggs, are by many considered the most desirable. 
Polands may be classed as an ornamental as well as useful 
fowl. There are also several sub-varieties of this breed, known 
as the White, White-crested, Black, Silver-spangled and Silver- 
penciled—all of which are beautiful birds, and first-class layers, 
.but seldom desiring to set. The preference is generally ac¬ 
corded to the White-crested Black variety. 
Dorkings are the fowl of all England, and with Englishmen 
are a great favorite. There is no question, but they are a fowl 
of great merit, being among the best of table fowls ; of large 
