eggs. 
Ocropgr 2. 1905 
. 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
HE POULTRY YAR: 
Torrefield 
Barley 
Petalomia | 
And 
Munburnie 
Incubators 
BROODERS 
Everything in the 
‘Poultry Line 
Bee pes Write for our Catalogue to 
F. J. Anthony and Co., 
Payneham Road 
Telephone 948. ST. PETERS, S.A. 
Poultry Breeds and 
Crosses. — 
The following suggestions as to suitable 
breeds and crosses for various purposes are 
given in a leaflet of the Department of Agri- 
cultural and Technical Instruction for Ireland ; 
LAYING OR NON-SITTING BREEDS. 
(Production of eggs.)—Minorcas, Leghorns, 
Andalusians, Houdans. Characteristics. — Light- 
bodied birds, weighing from 53 to 74 1b. Active 
in habit; noted egg producers, but, generally, 
poor table birds. These breeds lay white-shelled 
They are known as “ Non-Sitters,” as 
the maternal instinct is not strongly developed, 
though broody specimens are not uncommon. 
-Selection— White Leghorns and Black Minorcag 
are most recommended. All the above- 
mentioned breeds thrive upon light and gravelly 
soils. Fora cold, exposed situation, or a clay 
soil, Leghorns should be selected.- Minoreas, 
Andalusians and Houdans are best-suited to 
medium or light soils and sheltered situations. 
* Kk OK OK 
GENERAL PURPOSE BREEDS. 
(Winter layers) —Plymouth Rocks, Orping- 
tons, Wyandottes. Characteristics. — Large- 
bodied birds, weighing from 7 to 11 lb. These 
breeds are hardy, and combine both laying and 
table qualities. ‘They are good winter layers, 
and all lay brown-shelled eggs; the hens make 
good sitters and mothers. Selection — Buff 
Orpingtons and Plymouth Rocks are most 
recommended, All the breeds thrive well upon 
light or gravelly soils. For cold, exposed 
‘situations and clay soils, Plymouth Rocks should 
be selected, tas 
; yn Oke Ok 
TABLE BREEDS. 
(Production of flesh), Dorkings, Indian 
Game, Faverolles, Characteristics, — Large- 
bodied birds weighing from 7 to 11 Ib,, and 
possessing great development of flesh. All, with 
the exeeption of Fayerolles, poor layers. Dork- 
ings lay white, Game and Faverolles tinted eggs. 
For selection Dorking, Faverolles and Indian 
Game are most recommended. <A bird of prime 
table quality should possess a large frame, com- 
bined ‘with fineness of bone, scarcity of offal, a 
long deep breast, white flesh and skin and white 
legs and feet. The Indian Game, although not 
_ possessing all these qualities, is one of the best 
breeds for table purposes when crossed with 
white fle-hed breeds such as Dorkings or Fave- 
rolles. The above-mentioned breeds, especially 
Dorking, thrive best upon medium or light soils. 
Birds of high-class table quality are difficult to 
produce on heavy clay soils. 
* OK KOK 
CROSSING. 
Under special circumstances crossing is bene- 
ficial. If the b rds are suitably mated, crossing 
tends to increase the size, vigor and hardiness 
of the offspring; this applies only to a first- 
cross, that is, a cross between two breeds. The 
object in view should first be studied, and two 
breeds selected whose characteristics and quali- 
ties when blended together will secure desired 
result. Indiscriminate crossing is positively in- 
jurious. ‘To maintain a first cross and to avoid 
the necessity of breeding or purchasing new 
stock of both breeds every year, the following 
plan will be found most successful and economi- 
cal. If, for example, it is desired to cross Hou 
dans and Leghorns, and that the first mating be 
a cock of the former breed and the hens of the 
latter, the progeny will be half-bred. This 
method is continued year after year, simply 
using alternately a male bird of the two breeds 
originally employed. While cross bred pullets 
produced each year are kept as stock for the 
coming season, the cockerels are disposed of for 
killing. Under no circumstances must crossbred 
malebirds be used for stock purposes. In this 
simple manner the cross is confined to two 
breeds, and no expense except the yearly pur- 
chase of a male bird, is incurred after the initial 
outlay. 
The following crosses are recommended — 
For Egg Production, 
Cock. Hens, 
Houdan - White Leghorn 
H judan - ~ Black Minorca 
For General Utility Purposes. 
Cocks. Hens. 
White Leghorn 
White Leghorn 
Black Minorea 
Plymouth Rock 
Bluff Orpington 
Plymouth Rock 
All these crosses produce pullets of great 
vigor and prolificacy, and cockerels that can 
readily be disposed of for table purposes. 
For Table Purposes. 
Cocks. Hens. 
{Indian Game Dorking 
Indian Game Faverolle 
Indian Game Buff Orpington 
Old English Game Dorking 
In order to secure the greatest possible re- 
turn from common fowls of the country, it is 
necessary to raise them to the highest standard 
of perfection. This standard can only be attained 
by breeding from pure male birds, as they possess 
known good qualities and have the power of 
stamping such upon their progeny. Mongrel 
male birds lack these characteristics, and are, 
therefore, unsuitable for breeding purposes. By 
the use of mongrel or crossbred male birds it is 
quite impossible to grade up or improve common 
fowls, At the same time it would notalwaye be 
advisable to dispose of all mongrel hens because 
good results can be obtained from flocks of 
crossbred hens if they aremated with pure bred 
male birds of a type possessing the qualities 
desired in the offspring, 8 5 
“delights to 
SELECTION AND BREEDING. 
1. Breed with a definite object in view. 
2. Avoid indiscriminate breeding. Breeding 
without selection leads to failure; therefore only 
breed from selected birds possessing the re- 
quired qualities, and not from the entire flock. 
Tf possible, establish a select breeding pen, and 
ascertain that the birds chosen come from good 
strain, are perfectly healthy and possess straight 
breast bones. Deformed or crooked breasted _ 
fowl should never be used for breeding -pur- 
poses. 3. Avoid in breeding. It causes deterio- 
ration in preductiveness, and produces birds 
weak in constitution, which renders them more 
liable to deformity and disease. The introduc- 
tion of new blood is important, and is best ob- 
tained by purchasing each year a fresh male 
bird of a good strain and unrelated to the hens — 
with which he is to be mated. 4, Six to ten hens. 
may be mated with each male bird, but no fixed 
tule can be laid down asthe season of the year, — 
the breed and the vigor of the cock are all de- 
termining factors. 5. Donot keep old hens. A 
hen for laying should not be kept after two and 
a half years of age. Hach year all such hens 
should be sold off before they moult. Usually; 
the best price can be obtained in Britain in 
June or July, but a study of the local markets 
wil] be the best guide in this direction. arly ~ 
hatched pullets should take the place of the old ~ 
hens, and this necessitates the sale of half the 
stock annually. Such pullets should be marked — 
by placing rings or bands round their legs. All 
hatched one year can be marked upon the right 
leg, and those hatched the following year up n~ 
the left. By this simple means the birds to be 
disposed of can easily be distinguished. 6. 
Hatch early to procure strong and healthy stock 
birds, and rear young birds apart from the 
general stock. At an early age separate the 
sexes. When not allowed to-run together, both 
cockerels and pullets grow faster, and ultimately 
make better birds. 
The Commercial College, Pirie street, Ade- — 
laide, is the only institution in this State which 
is headed by an Associate of the Institute ot 
Accountants, or with one on its staff at all. 
The principal keeps in touch with business men, 
and places scores of young men and ladies in 
first class appointments annually. To ensure 
this success, the principal takes a continued per- 
sonal interest in his duties, not leaving qualified 
students to shift for themselves. The principal — 
interview parents or anyone in-— 
terested, and will furnish any information ~ 
desired, as well as a prospectus, to anyone asking 
for same. Country residents will be glad to . 
learn that they can obtain tuition by correspond- 
ence on all subjects, also typewriting, and can get 
particulars on writing to Mr Howard. : 
S. Marshalland Sons are doinga good tradeon 
the time payment systeia in pianos and organs, 
A good instrument is always worth its money, 
so those who intend buying a piano or organ 
should purchase from a firm whose name is a 
guarantee of the quality of the goods sold. 
Robert Hill, 
Chaff and Grain Merchant... 
no » 64 OURRIE STEEET, Adelaide. 
pee emcene 
Bran, Pollard, Oats, Wheat co staiiad (peace 
Chick Meal, and allkinds of = 
Poultry Food PUSS ieee 
AT LOWEST MARKET RATES. 
Telephone 1250, © Tile Seat ree 
