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FANCIERS’ 



Pouttry Department: 
‘ (For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF BROWN LEGHORNS. 
No breed of fowls has risen more rapidly, and at same 
time more meritoriously, in the esteem of poultry men than 
that of Brown Leghorns., As to the time of their first im- 
portation and introduction into this country we shall not 
argue. It is sufficient for our purpose to know that the breed 
from comparative obscurity, four years ago, has suddenly 
claimed and secured the attention of the entire poultry-loving 
public; and, what is of greater importance, has done it 
through merit alone. 






Much has been said in favor of this breed, and, so far as 
I know, nothing against it. This is probably as high praise 
as could be given. As layers I have never found anything 
to surpass them. I find their eggs are of fair size, and 
almost always fertile. As egg-producers they rank high 
above the Cochins; this has been my experience at least. 
After all the main profit in poultry raising to the farmer 
and market man lies rather in the production of eggs than 
in the rearing of fowls, and this is the great merit of the 
Brown Leghorns. It is fair to say that they will produce, 
bird for bird, an average of at least sixty per cent. more 
eggs than common dunghill fowls, and fully that much more 
than the average of fancy breeds. : 
I have nothing to say against the Asiatics; Iam a warm 
admirer of them, and have bred them with a good degree of 
success for years, but when they come to table I prefer the 
flavor and tenderness of the four-pound Leghorn to the 

JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 

comparative coarseness of his more majestic friend. In fact 
the better quality of the meat makes up in lack of quantity to 
my taste. 
The extreme hardiness of the Brown Leghorns is one of 
their strongest recommendations. They will thrive where 
any other variety will. Their only drawback is their im- 

mense combs, which, now and then, are severely frozen, 
and, of course, their beauty is ina measure destroyed. This, 
however, is true with almost all single-combed fowls. 
I have found them to lay well when confined in « small 
yard, but they do much better when they are allowed to 
range, at least a part of the day, and forage for themselves. 
Not only the number but also the size of the eggs, increases 
when they are given some range. 
Another valuable feature is their propensity to mature 
early and lay early. This is of double advantage: it secures 
barbecues and roasts much earlier, and, at the same time, 
gives greater opportunity to rear large flocks with a certainty 
of their coming to maturity before the cold weather of win- 
ter. Asiatics and other large breeds are not apt to produce 
matured birds if hatched later than June, but Leghorns can 
be hatched in August with a good chance of their reaching 
full development and returning their cost in eggs before 
some of their larger neighbors have begun to hunt for nests. 
This, to the poultry man, whether supplying spring chickens 
or eggs is a matter of some importance. 
Of course where one has near neighbors, and desires his 
fowls to run at large, it will be difficult to get along with 
Brown Leghorns, or any other light-bodied and large- 
winged fowls. I had some provoking, and at the same time 
amusing, experience of this last winter; when getting ready 
for the exhibition, and after my fowls had been entered, I 
found two of my best hens with their tails cut off, and this 
in January when they could not harm anything whatever. 
The secret of it all was that they had trespassed on a neigh- 
bor’s garden walk. It was hard to take, but I preserved my 
equanimity, and won my premium a few days later on two 
of their mates. _ ALN. R. 
Lock HAVEN, Pa. : 

(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
SHIPPING EGGS LONG DISTANCES. _ 
Mr. Eprror: 
As the question is often asked, whether eggs will hatch 
after being transported long distances, for the benefit of all 
parties interested we will give you the result from some Light 
and Dark Brahma eggs obtained from Mr. W. H. Todd, 
