The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-01

is decidedly the most popular, as well a.
the most useful as i general purpose fowl.
II has good laying qualities, is of medium
size, aad makes a practical fowl for the
poultry yard. The barred variety is the
most generally known OF the Plymouth
. Rocks. and its history dates back a little
over a quarter of century Various
bloods were used in its making. the gem
eral belief being that it is a cross be-
tween the Black Java and the American
Dominique. 1t is a sreyish white color
regularly crossed with paralleied bars OF
blue black running in straight distinct lin .
throughout the entire length of the
feather and showing on the down or under
color OF the feathers. The barring Is scne-
what smsller on the hackle and saddle
feathers than on any other portion of
the body. The bird is OF medium size.
with broad neck. nat at the shoulders
the breast is full. and the body broad and
compact, medium sized wings that fold
gracefully. the points being well covered
with breast and saddle feathers, a medium
sized head. ornamented with upright red
comb and wattleS. large bright eye, and
yellow beak. legs and toes.
For the farmer or market poultrymsn
they are favorites. being of medium size.
well proportional. with deep. full breast.
making most admirable bird for market
y.
and make excellent broiiers from eight to
twelve weeks old. They are good layers
the year round and in winter they lay
exceptionally we'll. Their eggs are brown
in color and average eight to pound.
They are good settlers and exesilent
mothers.
The Barred Plymouth Rock. besides
being a practical fowl, is also enc OF the
most sought after by fanciers. No class
is better fllsd at the average poultry show
of the country than is this. The grace III
figure. upright carriage, and active nature
endear 1t to all as q fanci.r's fowl. There
is a fascination in breeding it for plurnaSe,
the more regular and even the barring the
better 1t requires much skill to breed
for color, and two matings are generally
used An established rule for mating for
cockerels is to use a stardard-co,0r male
with medium dark females, and for pullets
use light male and dark females. The
double mating il resorted to by many. yet
tho writed has seen rare specimens pro
duced from single matings.
Javas are tho Oldest Of the American
class, and at one time it was considered
time however. they are not raised very
extensively. They are good layers and do
well in winter. They mature early and
make good settlers and mothers. The
American dominique is very similar in
color TO the Barred Plymouth Rock. They
are good layera mature early. and dress
well for the table.
The Cochins are very popular with
breeders. They are second to the Brahras
in the meat breeds, weighing but pound
lighter than the light Brahma. Old and
experienced breeders of Cochins are pro-
nounced in praise o: their qualities as prof
table fowls. They are hardy. good winter
layers of rich. brown. nedium-sized eggs.
ard fairly good table fowls. The chicks
grow well and develop rapidly under prop
er care
The Buff variety is the most generally
bred; their color tone offers an attraction
to fanciers that II hard to resist. Both
male and female are OF 4 rich, deep. clear
buff. uniform in shade throughout except
the tail which should be deeper bun or
copperisf bronze. under color same as sur
face color but OF lighter shade and should
extend 10 the skin. In breeding s.lect fe-
males as near as possible to the desired
shade Of buff. as free from dark or white
in wing and tall and on az even color as
can be. To such female mate 4 cock of
deeper shade, with some little black in
wing. and OF deep bum lustre- This mat
ing Will produce good results in cockerels
and pullets. The heavy leg and foot teath-
ering so characteristic OF the breed should
have constant caro- and attention. While
the featherins should be abundant, all sem