272 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL gourNAn. [1 Aprtn, 1898. 
The greatest care should be taken in placing poultry in a house which has 
been disused for some time; for if, as is generally the case, the place has not 
had a thorough cleaning when previously abandoned, it will be a regular hotbed 
of disease and vermin, and no trouble should be spared in thoroughly cleans- 
ing it before re-using. The poultry-yard itself, especially if of small dimen- 
sions, should receive its due attention in this matter of cleanliness, and in 
no case should the refuse from the fowlhouse be placed where the fowls can - 
scratch amongst it. Time spent in the smallest matter of detail in cleanliness 
is never wasted where fowls are kept, for it means time saved in attending to 
diseases which may otherwise accrue if this matter is neglected. 
THE HELPFUL HEN. 
LEGHORNS, 
Lrcnorns are the best known of egg-produciny varieties. They are the 
premiers in laying, and the standard by which the prolificacy of other breeds is 
judged. White and brown Leghorns were the first varieties known. ‘The 
Leghorn fowl holds the same place among poultry that the Jersey holds among 
cattle. The question of profit in poultry has been decided in favour of egg- 
producing breeds. They are lively, active, and of a restless disposition, the 
best of foragers, and will pick up a good part of their living during the year, 
Leghorns are light eaters, and the cost of raising them to maturity is about 
one-half that of the Asiatic species. They mature early, feather quickly; the 
pullets often begin laying when four months old, and cockerels crow at the 
same age. ‘They are the best layers, averaging between 150 and 200 eges per 
ear. Their eggs are pure white in colour, and weigh about ten to the lb. 
As table fowls they are fairly good. The only thing that can be said against 
them is that they are small in size. Altogether, they are one of the most 
profitable breeds of poultry that can be kept on the farm, and the cheapness of 
their keeping will allow the raising of two Leghorns for the cost of one 
Asiatic. In shape, a Leghorn cock should be graceful, body round and plump, 
broad at the shoulders, and tapering down towards the tail. The tail 
should be well balanced on a fair length of shank and thigh, the length of 
leg giving the bird its sprightly and proud carriage. Closeness of feathering 
adds to the general shape, and secures a freedom from angles, which always 
proclaims the purebred typical specimen. The breast should be full, beautifully 
curved, rather prominent, and carried well forward. Neck long, well arched, 
and carried erect ; back of medium length, with saddle rising ina sharp coneaye 
sweep to the tail; tail large, full, carried upright—the full flowing tail and 
long well-curved sickles are characteristics of the bird which are much 
thought of. The wing is long, well-folded, and tightly carried. Hackle and 
saddle feathers long and abundant, and flowing well over the shoulder and 
saddle. The legs are bright-yellow in colour and free from feathers; toes also 
yellow, but a dark shade on them is allowable. The head is the prettiest por- 
tion of the bird, being short and deep, yellow beak, full bright-red eyes and 
bright-red face. The comb is single, of medium size, perfectly straight and 
upright on the head, free from side sprigs, deeply serrated with five or six points, 
and bright-red in colour. The comb should extend well back over the head, 
with no tendency to follow the shape of the neck. Larlobes, white or creamy 
white. 
The Leghorn hen in many respects resembles the cock, excepting carriage 
of comb and sexual differences. In shape and carriage the hen is even more 
graceful and sprightly than the cock ; very close in feather and rather small in 
body, though somewhat long in back. Her breast is full, very round, and 
carried high; legs fairly long, and shanks thin; tail carried closely and well 
up. The general carriage should be upright. Her comb is the marvel of her 
