Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-06-15

Brahma has been regarded sS one Of the hes
Kinds for all purposes, hut to my mind thcl
are not what they Were in years past. Thi
deSeneracy is in part caused by their increas
cd size, and this has been at the expense o
their egg producing capacity, until we nov
nnd them large and coarse great settlers. anC
not as profitable as many other varieties
The dark Brahma is one of the most beau
tiul plunaged fowls that exists, and they
have not been held in as high esteem as the
light Brahmas owing to their parti-colored
plumage, and not being particularly nice fol
eggs or poultry yet they have many advo.
Gates, and when successfully bred. present
an attrative appearance. The buff. white,
black and partridge Cochins complete what
Is termed the Asiatics, and for general char
acteristics resemble the Brnhmas. As they
| now are bred, they are rather taking the
lead, and believe them to be superior to the
Brahmas for eggs, and as they are not quite
as long-legged, with broader breasts and
backs more compact forms, they are more
desirable as hens to lay or chickens to kill.
The Plymouth Rocks and American Do
miniques are nearly identical, both being OF
the same form and plumage; the only per-
| ceptible difference being in the comb, the
former having single and the latter a rose
or double comb. The Plymouth Rock holds
place between the Leghorns and Asiatics,
and being cross-bred bird they are not as
uniform in plumage many other kinds.
but they are fast gaining an enviable reputa-
ton AS fowl, good for all purposes. and
will in time become valuable acquisition to
the farm. The American Dominiques are the
old double-combed dunghil fowls improved,
and have been bred until they now have val
liable characteristics, making them n distinct
variety and worthy of propagation. These
two breeds of fowls are essentially the fowl
for the farm, when chickens and eggs are
both wanted, as they are hardy, mature early,
and are medium size, the Plymouth Rock
being little the largest fowl. The Dorkin's
are very plump good bird and the old
style of red has been changed into some that
do not prove desirable, owing to their white
legs and skin making not an attractive bird
when dressed. The hens are excellent moth
ers, and those having yellow legs are a nice
dressing fowl, but are not uniform in color.
The Hamburghs have many admirers, and
when properly bred they present a splendid
plumage and are second to none for eggs.
but for fowl to kill they are Objectionable,
owing to their blue leg and skin. They are
difficult fowl to breed because of their pen
ciled and spangled plumage and | would not
recommend any one to breed them that did
not understand parti-colored fowls. Under
and comprise the brown. black. white and
Dominique. They are the favorites as nom
sitters and great egg producers; but being
nervous, excitable bird they are not capable
of bearing confinement as well as the Ham
bnrghs. They are voracious feeders, and
when gwen warm and sunny quarters in cold
weather they will do well, but if left to shift
for themselves they will not pay for their
keeping in winter.
The Polish as a class very closely resemble
the Hamburghs as non-sitters and good lay
ers, being about the same size; but III color
they are very different and the black, white
crested, If bred so that the crest is pure
white, are a very handsome bird and present
a novel and attractive appearance when kept
in focks, but are not saleable as market |
fowls.
The French. which comprise six varieties, |
are good sized and most of them are excel |
lent layers, but as they are mostly white or |
blue-legged they are not general favOrites |
and are bred by amateurs and those that 20 |
more for fancy than profit. The game fowls |
do not seem to be bred to any great extent |
only by those living in and around villages
and cities. They are n very good fowl to lay
and are extremely hardy, and for mothers
they are without rival. A game hen with
a brood of chickens is warlke piece and
will defend them successfully against most
any kind of foe. They have very plump
forms, especially the breast, and have been
bred SO as to retain their warlike disposition
as they were originally found in their wild
state, and like the partridge, are devoid of
any internal fat.
In the miscellaneous class We have the
Frizzles, Silkies. Creepers, Rumples. etc,
more ornamental than useful, and the dimin-
utive Bantam, great in his own estimation.
but to its owner more ornamental than pro-
ftable and the only profit that can be derived
rom them is IN keeping the garden clear of
many kinds of injurious insects. This they
will do without damaging any of the growing
plants and for good old-fashioned chicken
,ie they stand pre-eminent. This long list
comprises all the varieties that we have now,
md which is the best is matter of choice
eft optional TO the fsncier, but as far as my
'wn choice is concerned | would prefer the
isiatics and Leghorns crossed. You take
light Brahma cock and white Leghorn hen
md you will get chick OF good size, gene
ally pure white in color, and excellent for
he table or eggs. Also cross with the
cartridge Cochin and brown Leghorn will
i've you equally as good bird and by COM
,inlng two varieties of pure fowls almost any
ind may be produce, and many of them will
'e elegant specimens and will be more profit
BILE than any simple breed.
REARING CHICKENS.
In rearing chickens it is necessary TO have
oms fixed idea of what You want and what
he demands ofthe market are, where you in
end to dispose of your surplus stock then
rocure some good fowls, pure bred are the
est, and If the hens are mongrels, get n
lll-blooded male, even if he does cost double ,
r treble what q mongrel can be procured |
IT; set the eggs and watch for results The
rocess Of incubation is very interesting, and ,
o product of ANIMAL life is more marvellous ,
D the thinking mind, and as few have more ,
nan superficial idea of the operation, ,
annot forbear giving it n moments thought. 4:
At the close of the third day after the hen t
set on the eggs, the lineaments of the I
hicks body family appear. The heart be- ,
lns to beat the fourth day. At the end of 4
lie fifth day the wings and brain globules ,
now. The liver is seen on the sixth day, \
hen the bill appears also. On the tenth '
ay the feathers begin TO show and on the I
leventh day the eyes appear. On the four t
,enth the stomach and lungs are perfected. S
n the fifteenth or sixteenth day the bill !
pens often. At the eighteenth day 1t peeps a
nd is growing rapidly stronger; breaks from
S shell on the twenty-iirst day" This is l.
le process of incubation, and how marvel =
us it is that all the parts of an animals
Ddy should be concealed within the thin n
Orous shell of an egg. which requires moth
Ig but heat to unfold and mature it into nc /,
We life and the moment it is hatched II is n
eayier than the egg was before. ,
Young chicks require feeding often, and q
list what they will eat up clean and by Civ l
ig them fine middlings and Indian meal l.
iixed they will grow rapidly if kept free q
al. |
tack them while young l have succeeded +
Kidding mother and chicks by scattering I,
ry sulphur among the feathers ON the breast a.,
nd under side of the wings of the mother n
ter the chicks are all Matched, and before s
ley are removed from the nest. This will a
rove eiectual for time, or until new sup =
Iy gets Matched, when the remedy must be G
,pcated. a
TIE TURKEY 4
The turkey Is locked upon as being very t
npurtnnt bird III reckoning up the profits II
erIved irom the poultry yard, and IN suita- /
le places they can be reared at II small eN- Il
ense. The bronze, black and Narmgunsett t
gray are the best to select for breeding l.
ock, but the same care should he exercised +
Ill fowls, the medium size being the best. II
any think that the largest and heaviest "
ales and females are the ones To- tllve to "
''h mum hi0 N Nibilpt IL ltllulf llltl
eighs ten pounds is far preferable to one :
mt weighs fifteen OF eighteen pounds. In =
lecting hen turkey, look well to the head
nd ste that 1t Is clean, well defined and
'yered with soft, fine feathers, legs medium :.
myth, body smooth, compact and wrll de :,
ned and looks every way like a. perfect tur- y
". Such II one will prove both prolific and :.
roftable Turkeys one year old or more ,i
% preferable as breeders and if the male IA II
ianged once in two years the young turkeys :,
Ill be strong and healthy. Young turkeys !,
,quire considerable care and attention, hut :
ter they have become well feathcred. will u
lift for themselves II they are fed once IL day I
ltil they are half grown, after that they =
.nerally secure sufficient food aud the lar !,
er's balance sheet shows good profit de- = =
we'd from them if the foxes have not fore !
allied him. !,
GEESE AND DUCKS ,i
Geese and ducks, noisy, but indispensable Ii
Il good bed and Christmas dinner II is Il
iid that geese, like bean porridrr. imurnys :,