The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-06
Brown Leghsrn Fowls.

It requires several seasons to become thor
oughly acquainted with single breed, for
there are many different and separate strains
of one breed. All breeders do not aim at one
point, or several united points. One likes size,
and breeds for it accordingly, while another
another unites all the desirable points, and
endeavors to produce from those birds as
nearly perfect specimens as possible. A new
beginner cannot expect distinct strain in
enc, or two, or even in three seasons. 1t is
the quality of the ancestors that tells on the
present generation. Wry tails, crooked backs,
defective plumage will appear, when, per-
haps, the immediate breeding birds are fault
less, as far as these deficiencies are concerned.
Anxious, patient waiting, with close study,
will generally bring about the desired result
sooner or later. The merits of the brown
Leghorns are their unrivalled production of
eggs-white eggs and good, both in abuot
dance and quality their splendid plumage,
easiness of keep, and excellence of flesh for
table. A good brown Leghorn hen will pro-
duce three times the amount of eggs in Civ
en- length of time, and on less feed, than
Brahma, either light or dark. or a buff or par
fridge Cochin. The droppings under the
roosting places of these latter birds look much
as though horse had been stabbed above:
Twenty Brahma hens and cock will eat
through corn crib in one winter and will
not lay besides, if they do not choose to do
80. The Brahmas are inoffensive fowls to be
sure, but they are also idle and lndolent.
They are no respecter of persons-never get
frightened; eat and sleep and doze in the sun
light, never thinking of starting up run IN
less it be for stray kernel of corn that had
escaped their eye, and then the gait is much
like putting cart horse on a gallop.
cannot admire Brahmas. / have win
forod Thorn fhrouoh oo1d hord vyinfor
and they disappointed me and brought me
to grief. They gave me no eggs, nor dthey
sit in early spring, when most wanted to
bring out my early chicks, which was my
only object in pampering them through.
They never thought about laying their poor
half dozen eggs until April, and yet they
crowded the Leghorns, taking the choicest
for themselves, while the Leghorns each laid
an egg every day. The Brahmas were sure
to stun their crops to the fullest extent on the
good bits that the laying hens required, and
never gave an egg in return, and gave them
up.
The Brown Leghorns are quiet and fond of
their feeder. have bred them three seasons.
and the chicks each season have been reared
IN the garden. They never touch the toma-
toes, where quantities rot and 60 to waste
each season. They never NEEDLE with the
fruit or vegetables, for the reason that they
are well fed. They have a bdilding where
they roost at night, and are fed in the morn
ing before being let out. Food is kept in this
building at all times, and when the chicks re-
quire it they know where it is TO be found.
The Brahma's egg is hard-that is, thick
and becomes hard-boiled sooner than the
Leghorn's egg. Break Brahma's egg into
boiling water, aud in few seconds the white
becomes hard and tough, like liver, while the
yolk is hardly warmed through. Not so tine
Leghorn or Spanish egg. Drop one of the
latter into vessel of boiling water, and the
white, being thin, will spread off and become
custard-like, and retain this consistency even
after the yolk is properly cooked. The flesh
of the turkey is admitted by all TO be superior
considered among the best. The Spanish and
Leghorn eggs come as near them as possible,
and their flesh is comparable in many instan-