The herald., 1897-07-01
Improved Breeds of Poultry

Is Ole Ol pQe DtSl dQlHOIltlSS OlA pOuA-
try in the United States. In recent ad-
dress before farmers institute in Bos-
ton, Mr. Cushman gave the following
statistics as CLEANED from the United
States Census: In 1880 the number of
fowls kept in the country was 126,000,
000 in 1890, 2S6, 900, while in 1896 he
says the number has reached $4,000, 600.
Yet we import each year hundreds of
millions of dozens of eggs from Mexico,
China, Japan and Canada. While we do
export some eggs, we import over ten
times as many as we export. During
the past three years we have imported
into the United States over s1,0O0,00O
worth of foreign eggs. In September,
1895, we imported 16,S4S dozen eggs,
while in the same month of 1896 the
number reached 20,092 dozen. We see
that there is room for more poultry in
our country, and as with all races of do
mestic plants and animals that room
should be filed only with the very best.
There are many signs that our people
are realizing the fact that more atten-
tion can wisely be paid to this business.
Many of the states have coupled poultry
with other subjects for scientific inves-
tigation. Prof. Jaffa's report regarding
eggs and the best food for their pro-
duction, at our own university, ELECTED
much interest and attracted wide at
tention. Our own state legislature at
its recent session passed a bill to pro-
vide for research in this line, at our Call
ifornia experiment stations, which was
vetoed by the governor, as he thought
the necessary appropriations were so
large that all possible economy should
be practiced. The United States depart
ment of agriculture has also published
some admirable bulletins and reports
regarding care and management of
poultry, and recently has issued very
excellent report from the pen of G. E.
Howard, secretary of the National Poul-
try Association, on the improved breeds
of fowls, now kept by our best fanciere.
Our present breeds of fowls may be
classified as, first, the general purpose
breeds, which Mr.. Howard styles the
American breeds; second, the meat or
table breeds, the Aeiatics; third, the
egg breeds, the Mediterranean; fourth,
the ornamental breeds Polish games,
bantams, etc.
THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.
The Plymouth Rocks stand at the
head of the fowls of American origin
are by far the most popular and COM
mon, and the white. The first originated
about thirty years ago and resulted
from a cross between the Black Java
and the American Diminique, with trac-
es of light and dark Brahnna and Pit
Game.
The alternating stripes of grayisf
white and blue-black make the plum
age very attractive. The size of these
birds is medium, their carriage
graceful. Their plump, full breast
and early maturity fit them admirably
for the table land market, while their
numerous eggs, of rich brown color and
large size-they weigh on an average
eight to the pound-and their excellence
as winter layers, add to their popularity
They are good sitters and mothers, and
rank high, alike with the practical men
no less than the fanciers The white
and buff strains of Plymouth Rocks are
very like the common barred, except in
color, the former being clear white, the
latter uniform buff in color, except tbs
tail, which is of deeper blue. The weight
of standard fowls of this breed is 91e
for cocks, 71a for hens and for cock
erels
THE JAvAS
The Java race is the Oldest American
breed and was once a favorite, but is
t now eclipsed by the newer candidates for
popularity. They have much the same
characteristics as the Plymouth Rocks
There are three strains-black, mottled
and white. The first are uniform glossy
black, and the most popular, though the
mottled are not without their friends.
They all have single combs while the
Plymouth Rock strains have both single
and pea-combs.
THE WYANDOTTES
The Wyandotte, like the Plymouth
Rock, is also general purpose fowl,
and is hardly less popular than is that
breed. 1t sprang at once into general
favor. 1t Is late breed, hardly, as yet,
quarter of century old. They are
said to have originated in the Dark
Brahma, Silver Spangled Hamburg and
the Bredas The early members of this
breed had single combs and feathered
legs, and so it has been contended that
Z there was Cochin blood present. The
Wyandotte is a little lighter weight
than the Plymouth Rock is vigorous in
constitution, lays well, and is nearly or
quite equal to the Plymouth Rock in
bearing confinement and for table pur-
pose. They will give under favorabl
circumstances fourteen dozen eggs a
year. and lay well in winter.
Mr.. Howard states that there are five
varieties of Wyandottes, which differ
little except in color and markings of
plumage. The Silver Laced are very
beautiful, while the white excel in pop
ularity, as they are more easily bred to
standard, though the Golden, Buff and
the Black are not without their staunch
friends.
AMERICAN DOMINIQUES
This breed, the last of the first group,
are the size of the Wyandottes, with ths
markings of the Plymouth Rocks Their
vigorous habit, laying qualities, early
maturity and excellence for the table
make them a popular breed.
THE ASIATIC BREEDS
Undoubtedly the Asiatics, especially
the light Brahmas, will always hold high
rank as the best fowls for the California
farmer. They are the shorthorns among
poultry. Quiet tractable, easily kept, of
very early maturity, and easily rivaling
the stately turkey for the table. The
writer has kept poultry of all the types
and the reputed best types of each. and
-xet he n1aces the light Rrohrr1as in the