The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-01-17
Choosing n Breed.


In endeavoring to give a few points in
selecting breeds of chickens, i wish to talk
direct to that class of poultry raisers who
do not attempt to compete in show rino
and not with what is termed the ..fanc1r''
breeder, as believe that it is this class oh
people that we, as breeders Of some experi
ence should strive to assist, not the estah-
nshed fancler or man long engaged in the
business. and especially the farming class
the farmers wife, daughters and sons for
1t is these would-be chicken raisers who
need and expect enlightenment on the nv
suit in which they are engaged or about to
engage in. In the first place this SORT Of
person usually looks over the poultry pa
pers, and fills up, as he or She thinks
'chuck full'' Of Chicken lore" from no,,1
try men of high and low degree, and now
as general thing, they have made I'm
their MIND TO buy certain breed as heinz
their ideal of fowl. and after takino
canvass over the number they expect to
start with, proceed to sit down and indite
a letter ordering the new blood'' R,,t
right here l would have the writer Of tbat
letter to stop minute while. bv his l,,nd
forbearance, l whisper few things in his
ear.
Did you select the Brahma or the Cochin
thinking to raise ten to underground fowls
and get as many eggs as you would from
the smaller breeds, or did you pick out the
hiv11r
ing that While you would get more ngor
than anybody you would also raise bir5s
of six or eight pounds in weight? Did x,ou
pick upon the Spangle Hambures Eed
Caps, games or some other odd stra.n
thinking you would get something alto-
gether different from any one else and az
the same time get a good-s;ze fowl ona =
record breaker for layers? If YOU did
choose any of the above for the reaso,s
mentioned or similar reasons tbar
must warn you that you will be doomed 10
disappointment, for in no event will -
be satisfied after years trial. knou
whereof L write, or else 1 would not
attempt this advice. Well, then, you saw
what do you advise me to buy as tbeSo
breeds will not fill my ideal. what breed 30
you advise me to select? I answer. take
the all-purpose fowl, these will fill the LiI1
nine times IN ten. especially as I have sad
when it is the farmer or gardner who iS
interested.
In these breeds are the barred and white
flymoutn ROCKS, golden or silver WAN
dottes, black or white Langshans or Amari-
can Dominiques. These are the princina1
breeds that will prove the best all-purnosa
IoWi. while other breeders may differ some
what with me. as every one has his own
preference. I claim either of the above
named breeds will give the best satisfa ction
III the END. and If the intending buyer has
Z Aoi a UiS ioWl he can select the
hangshan and he will also have q GOOD
layer and hardy fowl If he should oh
Ject to the mixed colors of the barred F,lv-
mouth Rock or Wyandotte he has recourse
TO white Plymouth Rock or white Lang
snan and still get the laying qualities
one word more and I am done: If Won
want as near perfection as can well be OBJ
.a-neo IN point OF color, laying, beauty ard
narolness buy the white Plymouth Rock:
they will make five to seven-pound fowls
large enough for any ordinary man. and
what else do you want?