Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-06-15

Careful study and the microscope have re-
vealed the fact that all the eggs that hen
can or ever will lay, are formed at once,
and are held in embryo 10 be matured as
conditions will allow. These embryo yolks,
thus held, range from six to nine hundred,
the largest number being found in the non
sitting varieties. Now here is something
worthy of notice. The hen is merely ma
chine, maturing or Withholding these en-
bryo eggs, and 1t is optional with her own
or whether she lays one hundred or two
hundred eggs in year, giving him profit
OF from one to two dollars yearly, or runs
him in debt. One way is just as practical
as the other, and by giving her suitable
quarters and stimulating food, she can be
made to lay almost the entire year; but in
forcing her TO do this, it produces a severe
strain upon her physical system, and at the
age of two years she should be killed and
her place filed by pullet. This is the way
TO do to secure the largest returns in the
shortest time, and in this way you will get
from the hen the bulk of all the eggs that
nature has provided her with and by kill
ing the two years old stock, you will save
an extra year or two of feeding to compar-
atively no profit. If you force hen TO lay
Its four or five years supply of eggs in two
or three seasons, there comes the end, and
you gain in time simply by this stlmulat-
ing process. But care should be exercised
with breeding stocks, for it is well known
fact, that AFTER the physical structure has
undergone severe draughts, rest must nee
essarily follow, and it would be very I'M
wise and detrimental TO breeding stock to
use artificial food to the extent that it might
be for egg production alone, for no such
over-draught upon nature as follows
through this stimulating process can be
made without corresponding drawback,
in some way, in the health and lives of the
hens thus fed, and it is for the future well
fare and profit to the owner, that the best
way be used to secure good, well-develop-
ed and healthy fowls.
After an experiment of fifteen years, 1
have found that "tine feathers do not al
ways make fine BIRDS" and neither does
any one variety meet all the requirements
of the producer; therefore judicious cross
in many instances of pure blooded fowls is
an improvement on the originals for eggs
and poultry, but 1 never would think of
breeding from this combination thinking
TO retain in the offspring all the qualifca-
tions that makes this cross valuable, for it
is impossible to do 1t without breeding for
series OF years, and in nine cases out of
ten, it will prove failure. A medium size
fowl, whatever their variety may be, is al
ways the best. The leg regard as the
best index of the general characteristic of
ofthe fowl of any part Of them. A long
slim leg with wide spreading toes indicates
corresponding body and weak constitu-
ton, and such fowls should reach what
they were created for, food for man, at an
early age.
VARIETIES OF HENS.
The Asiatics, as class, are large and
consequently require more time for devel-
opment than some other breeds. The light
Brshma has been regarded as one of the
best kinds for all purposes, but TO my mind
they are not what they were in years past.
This degeneracy is in part caused by their
increased size, and this has been at the ex-
peuse OF their egg producing capacity, I'M
Ill we now find them large and coarse,
great settlers, and not as profitable as many
other varieties.
The dark Brahma is one of the most
beautiful plumaged fowls that exists, and
they have not been held in as high esteem
as the light Brahmas owing 10 their parti-
colored plumage, and not being particular
ly nice for eggs or poultry, yet they have
bred, present an attractive appearance. The
buff, white, black and partridge Cochins
complete what is termed The Asiaiics, and
for general characteristics resemble the
Brahmas. As they now are bred, they are
rather taking the lead, and believe them
10 be superior TO the Brahmas for eggs, and
as they are not guile as long-legged, with
broader breasts and more compact forms,
they are more desirable as hens to lay OF
chickens 10 kill.
The Plymouth Rocks and American
Dominiques are nearly identical, both be-
ing of the same form and plumage; the
only perceptible difference being in the
comb, the former having single aud the
latter a rose or double comb. The Ply
mouth Rock holds place between the
Leghorns and the Asiatics, and being 9
cross-bred bird they are not as uniform in
plumage as many other kinds, but they
are fast gaining an enviable reputation as a
fowl, good for all purposes, and will in
lime become valuable acquisition to the
farm. The American Doniniques are the
old double-combed, dung-hill fowls inn
proved, aud have been bred until they now
have valuable characteristics, making them
distinct variety aud worthy of propaga-
ton. These two breeds of fowls are essen
TALLY the fowl for the farm, when chickens
and eggs are both wanted, as they are har-
dy, mature early, and are medium size, the
Plymouth Rock being little the largest
fowl. The Dorkings are a very plump, good
bird, and The old style of red has been
changed into some that do not prove desir-
able, owing to their white legs and skin,
making not an attractive bird when dress
ed. The hens are excellent mothers, and
those having yellow legs are nice dress
ing fowl, but are not uniform in color.
The Hamburghs have many admirers,
and when properly bred they present a
splendid plumsge and are second to none
for eggs, but for a fowl TO kill they are OBJ
jsctionable, owing to their blue legs and
skin. They are q difficult fowl to breed
because OF their penciled and spangled plu-
mage, aud 1 would not recommend any
one to breed them that did not understand
parti-colored fowls. Under the head OF
Spanish the Leghorns are classed, and COM
prise the brown, black, while and Domi-
nique. They are the fayorites as non-sitters
and great egg producers; but being ner-
Vous and e1citable bird they are not caps-
BILE Of bearing confinement as we'll as the
Hamburghs. They are voracious feeders,
and when given warm and sunny quarters