The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-08-08
How TO Select Brown LeghOrns.
Practical POultryman.I

There is as much in the proper sell
ection of this valuable breed as any
standard variety. In selecting, out
ward appearances are likely to deceive
YOU greatly as some of the finest speci-
mems apparently will, when examined
carefully, prove to be disqualified. Let
us first turn our attention to the cock
erel. A fine brown Leghorn cockerel
is one of the proudest OF all varieties
and an exhibition specimen will always
attract attention. There is great
difference among them ranging In
brcky color to the rich metallic lustre
of the game, a golden scintillation as
the sunlight strikes them. If you will
find an exhibition Black Breasted Red
Game you will find in him some OF the
cooring SO desirable, though do not
use the color of the neck to select by
as YOU wish your Leghorn cockerel
deeper mahogany, and with we'll de-
fined stripe in hackle. In the selection
Of combs choose an evenly serrated and
not too large, showing the five points
evenly balanced. Look at this very
carefully that there may be no tendency
to lop or twist, see that it does not go
too far back as to become heavy, too
heavy to proper balance not too far
over the beak. An ideal comb is one
rarely found, but when found should be
closely watched as breeder provided
other qualities are as good. Now in
selection of head see that the specimen
has distinctive Leghorn head peculiar
to the breed. Eye bright and clear
aud face bright, see that wattles are
not too large, SO large as to appear
baggy, as Leghorn wattles may be large
yet grim and beautifully curved. In
selection Of lobes is one Of the greatest
bones of contention among breeders,
some prefer one, another another and
so on, but all seem TO agree upon one
thing, the nearer to pure white the
better.
A perfect lobe is a rarity and once
seen is never forgotten "a velvety tex
ture and pure white in color). The
neck of Leghorn cockerel also has a
shape peculiar to the breed, in fact the
whole Leghorn type is one distinct
from any other, and stands alone among
the varieties. The plumage of the
| neck should be full and abundant and
come down well over cape. We have
seen them go full as to form like a
shawl meeting in front over well de-
fined coal black breast. Look the
breast over very carefully and see that
it is an even black without brown feath-
ers these feathers are often chick
feathers, and as such may be plucked.
But we advise you not to pluck white
feathers, for though your bird may be
judged without disqualifying, some
party may purchase him and thereby
ruin his whole flock as the breeding of
such disqualification is sure to show
i'll the progeny. Choose rich red ma
hogany shoulders and wing covets a
clean blue black. The backs of Leg
horns are peculiarly shaped; study them
well that you may be able to select the
correct type. See that saddle feathers
are ABUNDANT and that the under color
is of dark color, as tendency to gray in
under color will pretty surely develop
into that Objectionable white. Tails
cut a great figure in making a symmet-
rical bird they should be large enough
to balance nicely, yet flowing and
proudly carried. Legs should be rich
yellow, not too long, and body carried
nicely upon them. There is no breed