The Portland daily press., 1879-03-31
AGRICULTURAL.
The Rest Rreed.

Letters OF Inquiry often come to hand, and
are met with in publications devoted to poul-
try matters, asking which the best and most
profitable breed is. 1t is next to an impos-
sibility to reply TO this question satisfactorily.
In the first place, location, climate and pur-
poses should be considered. For a careless
poulterer, or Indifferent amateur, the Brah-
mas, perhaps, will meet all ends. as they are
slow, sluggish, and seldom get in the way.
An ordinary fence will confine them. Where
there is available space, nearly every village
and country tenant can keep a dozen, or
malt dozen fowls. This is well enough, and
q portion OF the year the POOR, neglected
birds give them some profit. For this class
the Aslatlcs are not generally available, as
the high state of feed necessary and required
in the fall to bring them up to winter laying
is not always afforded. Brahma eggs should
always bring 80 cents per dozen, as the ex-
pense of producing them is much greater
than that of any other breed. / believe the
Asiatics will take on the greatest amount OF
fat-a coarse, oily fat-of any breed. The
greatest difficulty to contend with is the OBJ
tanning Of that happy medium which pro-
duces eggs. certain amount of fat is nee
essarY to bring the hens to the laying point,
yet an overplus is as bad as not enough.
But as to the question which is the very best
breed that can be had, the reply must be
broad, as the question is one of latitude. II
one is situated in village, and has desire
for few fowls for family use, either for table
or the production of eggs, the Black Spanish
can be strongly recommended, especially If
the owner has an eye for beauty. The Brown
Leghorn would be stronger faverite, but is
smaller bird. The Dominiques are too
wild and untameable. The Games have too
much OF the pugnacious proclivity in their
nature to become tractable for the village
breeder. Still many villagers keep them.
They are by far the more popular fowl, and
one that ever meets with ready sale at fiat
tering prices. With the community at large,
it is ever pleasure (if certain sort of cruel
sport praticed with Game cocks may be cal
led pleasure) before profit. Besides the
Game bird suits the epicure-the Brahma,
the workingman.
Of the new Langshan fowl I know little or
nothing as yet. There is breed that is not
Dominique, neither is it a Cochin, but is a
connecting link between the two, which is
called Plymouth Rock. There is little known
but its virtues are occasionally extolled. For
blocking up hennery for eggs alone, the
large fowls are inadvisable. Large birds do
not always lay the largest eggs or the great
est quantity. 1t is the medium fowl that
does the work. The advice that it is pru-
dent to offer in all cases is to make trial on
small scale. This is safe. There is little to
be gained in condemning breed without
thorouah proof. What answers ones ends
in all cases is the variety for that person, re-
CARELESS OF the experience of others. Ii the
greatest amount of meat is required, then
choose the large bird; if eggs, then select
from the smaller breeds. There are at the
present day so many varieties that any reas-
enable person can be satisfied. There is no
such thing as sbest breed" All are good.
There is no breed of fowls that will give sat-
isfaction without thorough trial. One year,
and often two, will not suffice. There are
breeds which may possess merits that are de-
sired, but which cannot be drawn out at
first. We must expend feed, time and pa
thence. DO not feed one day and look for
eggs the next.
When we produce breed that will give a
quantity of eggs in the months of November
and December, the height of perfection is
nearly reached. These two months are the
very worst OF the whole year for eggs. There
are less required, it is true, because the mar
ket Is supplied at that time with packed and
lined eggs; but these are stale and fresh eggs
are what we desire at all times of the year.
The Brahmas will give few at this period,
but no definite quantity. Hints can be given
but no advice; every one must be his wn
counselor, as tar as that is concerned. The
breed for eggs. The French varieties, espec-
tally the Crevec9urs, are also desirable. Fine
in flesh. and handsome, heavy bodied fowls,
they give about as many eggs as any other,
and their eggs are particularly fine also.
"Beef to the heer' has been said of this
breed. They are remarkably quiet, dome-lIke
fowls, and non-sitters. The DorkiDgs are
equally desirable, and resemble the Domin-
iques. They are sitters, and hardy. There
are several sorts of Bantams, but the "fancy"
breeds 1.-THE small birds that are required
merely for ornament) do not come into the
list OF profitable breeds. The best breed is
the one suited to our owh uses; that meets
our requirements, no matter whether the
breed be cried up or down. Much Landed
varieties are apt to dwindle from their posi-
ton in our opinion, sometimes, when we be-
come the possesors. Some of the fault of
this lies in over-statements, while more blame
might reasonably be brought home to our
own door. We expect too much and do too
little. When we come into possession
of what we deem the best breed, there is still
room for more mprovement--Corr.C Country
Gentleman.