Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1883-03-22

quantities Tor general purposes, to furnish
eggs for market and give fowls of good size
when matured. What would you recon-
mend"' The fact is these questions are
very frequent, and we are beginning to 60
slow about recommending anything. The
more we learn the more we lack, is about
our own experience in the poultry business,
and tor every fact established by observa-
tlon or experience, we find two questions
seeking proper answer. We advise our
correspondent to try some experiments.
The time spent will be far from lost, for he
can scarcely expect to raise any chickens
that will not afford him some profit. But
to know just what crosses or distinct breeds
will give him any desired results, he mast
try experiments constantly.
The average farmer finds some very fine
layers and very plump market fowls in his
focks every year, and is not slow to take
notice Of the happening. But the existence
o. such birds was matter of chance. so far
as his part was concerned, though, strictly
speaking, there is no chance about it. Re-
1esA'o
Of mongrels that have been crossed in hap
hazard manner from time immemorial, what
results can be intelligenty expected. or
what effects traced back to their causes. 1t
is fact OF procreation, as well known as
existence itself, almost, that parents made
up OF mixed bloods of uncertain kinds and
in unknown quantities. are liable to mark
their progeny in almost any conceivable
manner, and to mark back to the character
istics of ancestors OF forgotten generations.
Where the blood of a score of different pro.
genitors mingle together and come in con-
tact with as great mixture in one of the
other sex, who could be so ignorant as to
expect anything in particular to result. 1t
can only be explained that the progeny of
such made up stock will resemble their pa
rents In the most common particulars
point where the least variation occurs.
We could give our opinions to our cores
pondent and would vaguely suggest that he
must cross large fowls with extreme layers
to get the desired utility breed, If he
does not find what he wants in any pure
variety. We think it better to use the cocks
'f the smaller variety with hens of the |
arger, to select birds of contrasting color for
'rossing, and to put old cocks with young |
lens, and viee uersa. But we know that it
$ labor in vain to cross, excepting with
trictly pure breeds, and the direct cross
must be made each year, 1t is not necessary
hat the birds should be fin, ly marked in
reed characteristics and fance points, such
8 is required in the exhibition room. 1t is
equired that the pure varieties to be used
hould be constantly well bred. kept up to
tandard points with great care, fresh blood
lfnsed from the best sources now and then,
nd every effort made to have only the best
trains OF the kinds used. By this last ex-
ression, We mean to imply that some strains
Brahmas or Cochius may be larger, ear
er maturing and better layers than other
milies equally thoroughbred, and that all
rains OF Leghorns, Hamburgs or Houdans,
re not equally hardy, prolific or early in
irving at maturity. But with good pens
the pure breeds to work with, culls, so
r as fancy points go, may be selected fer
le direct cross of each season, and yet def ,
tie and desired results be obtained. TRY ,
Iperiments, and let Others know the re- {
and Farm Journal.
EARLY DAYS OF cHICKENHooD.