FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 
595 
awhile, we proceeded to inspect his hen house and its occupants. 
Mr. H. keeps nothing but White Leghorns. His poultry 
house is well planned for comfort and convenience. After 
a walk through his well-kept garden of small fruits we took 
our leave. 
We next visited Mr. Francis Darlington. Here we saw 
Black-Breasted Bed Game Fowls and B. B. R. Game Ban- 
tams. Mr. D. intends to make a specialty of B. B. R 
Games. We heartily indorse his opinion that this is the 
sure road to success in breeding any variety of fowls. 
Wishing him success in his commendable undertaking, 
we started otf for the residence of Mr. W. T. Rogers. Here we 
saw the finest flock of Silver-Pencilled Hamburg's that we 
ever remember to have seen. Mr. R. makes a specialty of 
this variety, and consequently has some very line stock. 
Next we were shown his Duckwing Game Bantams. Mr. 
R.’s record in the show-room says all that is necessary as to 
their quality. Our attention was next called to his Japanese 
Silkies ; of these Mr. R. has some excellent specimens. As 
Mr. R. has all his young fowls reared upon farms several 
miles from home we had not an opportunity of seeing all of 
them. We next visited his pigeon loft, which contains an 
excellent collection of choice birds, among which we noticed 
a pair of Blue Pied Pouters, several pairs of pretty White 
Fans, Red Saddle Fans, White, Black, Red and Yellow 
Barbs, White Jacobins, Black, Red, and Yellow Carriers, 
Blue Owls, and some inside Tumblers. 
Bidding Mr. Rogers good-day, we next called upon Mr. 
Geo. P. Harvey. Mr. H. makes a specialty of White Leg- 
horns, and we think we can truly say that he has as fine 
specimens of this variety as have been seen on exhibition in 
this part of the country. We saw quite a flock of young 
chicks bred from his prize birds, and they prove the old 
axiom “that blood will tell.” Mr. H. also showed us a fine 
trio of American Dominiques, but he has not bred them to 
any extent, and intends discarding them and breeding White 
Leghorns exclusively. Next we inspected his Apiary com- 
prising several colonies of Bees. It being about dusk, we 
accepted our host’s invitation to take tea with him, after 
which he accompanied us to the room of the Association, 
which by the way is conveniently and pleasantly located, 
and (it may not be amiss to state just here that the Associa- 
tion is desirous of establishing a Directory, and- all cards, 
circulars, papers, books, &c., sent to Mr. W. T. Rogers, 
Box 137, Doylestown, Pa., will be placed in a prominent 
position in the room) during the evening some dozen or 
more members of the Society dropped in, and an informal 
meeting was organized, and discussions of the merits and de£ 
merits of the various breeds of fowls were freely participated 
in by their several admirers. The subject of the approach- 
ing Exhibition of the Society was also brought up, and it 
seemed to us that all of the members are determined to make 
it, if not the best, one of the best ever held in this State. 
After passing several hours very pleasantly, we returned 
home with Mr. T. H. Walton. W. E. Flower. 
(To be continued.) 
(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
THOROUGHBRED POULTRY. 
As our Standard of Excellence is now supposed to be com- 
plete, and the time for exhibitions of poultry is drawing 
near, and every fancier is on the lookout, to select those best 
suited for the purpose, they can be seen with the book in one 
hand, and a stick in the other, pointing Out the proper marks ; 
but this is not the case with me; I always refer to my egg 
basket for the Standard of Excellence, and then point to the 
hen that laid this egg, or that one, by so doing I can select 
the most thoroughbred, as I know it is the color of the egg 
that proves the genuineness of the fowl. Every fancier is 
trying to improve his stock, to bring them to a genuine or 
thoroughbred class of fowls ; but always selecting those 
marked according to the Standard of Excellence, and per- 
haps those that have no marks at all, to suit the standard, 
are the purest breed, but they will not breed from them on 
this account, and if the supposed properly marked ones do 
not lay eggs with their proper colorings as they should do, 
according to their class or breed, they will never bring them 
to a standard of purity ; but if certain points, or marks, are 
in accordance with the Standard of Excellence, it is all right 
with some, but not so with me. When I was a small boy, 
all eggs were called white, but they were not all white, they 
were of different shades of cream color ; as far as my expe- 
rience has taught me, there are now four different colors, 
the dark brown, light blown, cream, and white colors, all 
others are mere shades, caused by crossing, or mixed blood. 
A thoroughbred light Brahma lays a brown egg, and so does 
a Buff Cochin ; cross the Brahma hen with the Buff cock, 
their offspring will lay eggs of a lilac color, as every cross 
changes the color of the eggs ; some may say, it would be 
foolish for me to breed from those that have no points of 
excellence, even if they do lay eggs proving their purity, 
as I could not, perhaps, select more than one trio out of 
twenty-five or thirty-five chicks suitable for exhibition pur- 
poses ; you would not do better than that, if you bred from 
impure exhibition birds. Not only that, but you never im- 
prove your stock ; but the other plan will bring them all 
right the first season, or the second, sure; then is the time to 
select for exhibition, and more especialy for breeding. As 
for the selection of a cock, you must use your own judg- 
ment, but after two seasons there will be no difficulty. 
What a numerous quantity and variety of wild birds we 
have throughout the country. They never cross of their own 
accord, therefore, they are always known by the color of 
their eggs. 
I am pleased to see the American people so much inter- 
ested in trying to improve the different breeds of poultry, 
and exhibiting the same. Nothing gives me more pleasure 
than to attend one of our poultry exhibitions, and see a va- 
riety of most excellent birds, and of many kinds, and I 
have no doubt but there are many thoroughbred chickens 
amongst them, by accidentally selecting those with the 
proper points, that lay the proper colored eggs. 
Yours truly, 
September 2, 1874. Wm. J. PyLE. 
(For Fanciers' Journal.) 
STRAY THOUGHTS. 
Jos. M. Wade: 
I have been interested in the pages of the Journal; each 
weekly visit is more and more appreciated, and a source of 
pleasure and instruction. I do not see how any fancier can 
do without it, being just what is wanted by all fanciers of 
poultry and pets, pigeons, &c. 
I am an amateur in the poultry and pigeon fancy, but 
have always had a taste that way, like most other persons 
who ever kept a chicken. In a small way, I know of no 
cheaper source of rural delight than to have a lawn enlivened 
i 
