Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-22

and If they are unaffected by climatic itau.
ences, then he is as deserving Of gratitude
as he who causes two blades Of grass To grow
where but one grew before. But unless be
can show some such superiority, the farmer
or mechanic who is no speculator in biddies
but keeps them for profit, may be excused
If he does not invest in high-pricod fowls,
and is not captivated by monotouy of
feathers. .I.. .." l
With patience equal to the task, any man
can originate from his motley flock breed
Of fowls with sameness Of color, by breeding
from those, year after year, that come near.
est in plumage to his ideal. But while he
is intent upon feathers, the more important
matter of eggs is neglected. For it would
be impossible iu the brief space of human
life to carry the two points of color and eggs
and beat the progenitors 10 both. This be-
comes manifest whoa it is considered that 10
direct, lineal descent animal products like
eggs and milk are capricious that it is not
an infallibe rule. as the mother, so is the
daughter; and that to secure maximum Of
these products, long and systematic course
Of breeding with the single object in view il
required. Hence the breeder whose primary
object is color, will find his incipient breed
no better layers than the average Of the old
flock. But he has made some advancement
in color, and cannot afford to lose all the
time he has spent, 60 back and begin anew.
And hence, when his new breed is perfected
in plumage, he finds no apprcciable improve.
ment over the OLD in intrinsic value.
But is it desirable, except as a mere mat
ter Of fancy that never should be allowed to
take the place of utility, to possess flock of
fowls so nearly alike in plumage that they
cannot be distinguishable, one from the 9th
er2 Cases are not rare when it is desirable
and necessary to do this that are rendered
very difficult by sameness Of color. What
farmer would desire TO breed his cattle so
nearly alike that nothing but the closest
scrutiny could reveal their difference More
over, what sensible farmer would thus breed
as primary object, and neglect the impor,
tant production Of milk and flesh I? And
who among his customers would be entioed
by tiresome monotouy ofred, or white, or
black, or a combination of these colors in
exact proportion and relative order? And
yet the cases seem to be parallel.
If the breeder of fowls would breed for
intrinsic rather than for speculative value,
he would do good service, and no controver.
sy would be had with him. Let him start
with dozen Of the best layers regardless of
color and breed from them then select the
best layers from these and so on, and he will
finally get breed Of fowls possessing real
value.
My flock of hens is motley one, the two
extremes being glossy black and duskish
white with several intervening colors, but
without pedigree or prestige. Yet as layers
they will not suffer by comparison with any
of the fancy breeds with long names. They
lay constantly, summer aud winter, Of course
excepting tho period of uCubating and moult-
ing. But in order to do this they are we'll
fed, supplied with pure water, and when
confined, with dry dirt to wallow in, bones
and old earthern ware crushed, and egg shells
all Of which are scrupulously saved. (This
is the place where the eggs come iu.)
Two broods Of chickens were hatched about
April 25th, few of which began to lay
September 25th at Eve months old. Striking
out his sales at fancy prices, can tho fancy
breeder give better account of his flock 2
. .-.. SEC.
WiimingtOH, ~.