The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-07-22
POULTRY DEPARTMENT..
~All communications intended for
this department should be addressed to
DR.. J. F. KILLEBREw, Bolton, S. G.
BELToN, s. G., July IA, 1896

6ELTON, .. W., July IL, loSo.
We shall this week describe the
Plymouth Rocks. The history of the
origin of this breed can be briefly told,
so far as poultry men know of it. The
breed originated at or near Plymouth
Rock, Mass. They came from cross
between the Black Java and Domi.
nique. The birds can be considered
strictly an American breed. They are
one of the best call purpose fowls in
America to-day. They are docile, and
endure confinement perhaps better
than any other breed. The standard
weight of the hen is Z! pounds; the
male bird is 81 pounds. They are
good layers the year around. AS
mothers they have no superiors. The
plumage of the barred variety is like a
rich but plainly made garment-al-
ways and everywhere admired. The
Plymouth Rocks, both barred and
white. make choice broilers, frys and
roasters. This makes them popular
with the farmer and market poultry
men. They have the advantage Of
clean or featherless legs, but they are
hard to breed to standard require
ments. AS we said in the beginning,
they are the product Of "cross' and
are continually reverting back to their
black and white ancestors by "throw-
ing off colored feathers. This makes
them favorite with the true fancier
and places high value on really fine
specimens. Though undoubtedly one
of the most, if not the most, popular
breeds in this country-and for good
reasons-the Barred Plymouth Rock
is not the equal Of the Light Brahma
when put to the test Of breeding
true" But nevertheless it is the
concensus of opinion of poultrymcn in
all departments Of the business that
the Barred Plymouth Rock has fairly
earned the proud distinction of being
the best "all purpose fowl" Every
good thing that can be said about the
Barred Plymouth Rocks can, with
equal emphasis, be said Of the White
Plymouth Rocks. The only objection
we have ever heard made against them
is one that applies to all white fowls
the hawks can see them palmer. The
White Rocks are comparatively new
breed, but they combine SO many good
qualities that they are to-day very
popular. They, like their barred
cousins, have rich yellow skins and
legs, but are unlike their barred
cousins, in that they have no dark pin
feathers. They breed true to color
and standard points.
The White Plymouth Rock was a
"sport" from the barred variety,
whether true or only psuedo sport
need not be determined, but it was
probably the latter, for white blood
enters into the composition OF the
barred variety, and the occasional
white specimens may have been due to
reversion to the almost forgotten white
ancestor. The Barred Plymouth Rock
has also produced another "sport," g
bird like it in color, but with a pea
comb and smaller wattles instead Of
the usual single comb and well devel'
oped wattles. This "sport' has become
a standard variety, its claims to recog'
milton resting upon the fact that il
combines the excellent qualities Of it:
single comb progenitors with the ad
vantages that come from comb thai
is practically frost proof comb, anc
which saves the fowl from suffering il
the winter and better fits the hen fol
| the production of eggs during the colo
months of the year. The advantage
is, of course, more apparent in the
Northern States than in the Southern
Every new breed is, on its first ap
| pearancc, heralded as the coming fowl
| but whether the pea comb variety oi
| the Plymouth Rock family shall 81
| prove remains to be seen.