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PoutTRY DEPARTMENT: 
(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
FOWLS FOR PROFIT AND FANCY. 
Mr. Jos. M. Wavz. 
Dar Sir: I notice in my last Jowrnal that information 
is wanted by a New Hampshire correspondent, who signs him- 
self Novice, as to which are the best varieties of fowls to keep, 
with a view of crossing, for the purpose of producing poul- 
try and eggs for market. Were I to advise in the matter, 
I should have no hesitancy in recommending as a cross 
pure Light Brahma hens, bred toa Plymouth Rock cock. 
These two varieties are excellent layers, especially in cold 
weather, producing more value of eggs in a year, and more 
poultry in a given time, with less care and feed (being great 
foragers), than any other varieties within my knowledge; 
and for the fancier are unequalled, fine specimens always 
commanding high prices. 
I have bred within the last thirty years nearly every va- 
riety of fowls known to the fancier—breeding them pure, 
and crossing them for the purpose of producing the best 
possible results for all purposes requisite for a profitable 
fowl for eggs and poultry combined in one variety. 
The Plymouth Rocks of the present day were obtained by 
crossing four different breeds, and were named and first in- 
troduced to the public by myself, at the New England 
Poultry Show, held in Worcester, Massachusetts, March, 
1869. This variety stands first on my list (being truly the 
farmer’s fowl); are excellent layers, summer and winter ; 
prolific breeders; grow rapidly ; mature early, pullets lay- 
ing at five months old; and for early marketing, at two 
months old there is no variety that can show favorably be- 
side them. 
Next come the best of all of the Asiatics—Light Brahmas, 
which, when bred pure, are one of our very best breeds for 
all purposes. And last, but not least by any means, is the 
Rose Comb Dominique, a beautiful and profitable fowl, well 
bred, and pay well for their keep. I have discarded all va- 
rieties for the three above-named, believing them to be the 
three best varieties for real merit for the farmer and fancier, 
and would advise all interested to give them a trial. 
D. A. UrHam. 

WILSONVILLE, Conn., Nov. 21, 1874. 

—_ oS 

(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
CONNECTICUT NOTES. 
TuE splendid success and solid growth of the State Soci- 
ety has awakened a very general interest in poultry and 
pet stock throughout the State. The effort made last year 
to interest the State papers in the Association met with a 

FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 

handsome return, so that the poultry interest is now discussed 
with the same zeal, by our editors, generally, that is devoted 
to any other leading State topics. All this is bearing rich 
fruit, and resulting in much good—one of its outgrowths 
being the formation of a very strong society, in Bristol, 
about twenty miles from Hartford. 
This society is made up of prominent gentlemen of that 
town and vicinity, and has already issued a very fine pre- 
mium list for its first exhibition, which takes place in Bris- 
tol, December 9th and 10th. We hear of movements in 
other parts of the State for the formation of other local 
societies. The State Society is lending a helping hand to 
these new associations, and doing all it can to encourage 
and help them along. 
Just now the State Society-rooms, in Hartford, which are 
open the year round, present very busy scenes. Active 
preparations are in progress for the sixth annual exhibition, 
which takes place in that city, on the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 
19th of December. The premium lists are printed and are 
being sent out all over the country. Over five thousand 
will be sent by mail to exhibitors and others interested in 
poultry shows. 
The Society this year offers a handsome silver medal for 
first premium; a bronze medal for second; and a finely 
executed diploma for third. In addition to this is a special 
premium list of one hundred and seventy-five donations, 
amounting to over sixteen hundred dollars, among which 
are the following: A gold medal, costing fifty dollars, 
offered by Wilkes’ Spirit of the Times, for the best display 
of Light Brahmas; a splendid bible, costing twenty dollars, 
presented by Dustin, Gilman & Co., for the best pair White 
Leghorn chicks; fifty dollars for the finest display of 
pigeons; and thirty dollars for the second best; a twenty- 
dollar bible, by Case, Lockwood & Co., for best display of 
Houdans, etc. The premiums are all first-class, made up 
mostly of presentation silver pieces and greenbacks, and I 
thiuk, friend Wade, you will say it is one of the best now 
issued in the United States. Already, the indications point 
to one of the largest exhibitions ever held in New England. 
The leading breeders of Massachusetts, New York, and 
Rhode Island, have already put in an appearance, and the 
probabilities are that there will be exhibitors present from 
many States in the Union. The floral display in the hall 
will be very elegant, the Society having offered fine pre- 
miums to induce the leading florists to do their best. 
During the past week the poultry yards of Hartford, and 
club room of the Society, have been visited by prominent 
breeders; among them may be mentioned Mr. Sweet, of 
Buffalo, and Mark Pitman, of Boston—the latter being so 
fond of a practical joke, that he could not now let his trip to 
Hartford go by without indulging in one. One evening 
he came into the room, very early, before any of the mem- 
bers had arrived, the first comer supposed to be a member 
from the country who is present only once in a while, when 
the following conversation occurred: 
Mr. P. Good evening, sir. 
M. F. T. C. Good evening, sir. 
Mr. P. Amglad some one has come in; are you interested 
in this Poultry Society ? 
M. FT. C. Yes, sir. Why do you ask? 
Mr. P. Well I’ve been sitting here till I’m nearly tired 
out, I’ve got an attachment on all this fine furniture, and 
have got to keep it under my eyes until it’s disposed of. 
Now, my dear sir, I haven’t had anything to eat since morn- 
