Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-05-29
AarifuItntal.
SELECTING LAYERS.

Our much boosted wisdom of selec-
ton of the best laying specimens from
the annually reared fiocks of fowls, by
attention to appearances, l think we
must all, after all these years of mistak.
en- idea and giving out Of the same to
the press, decide to be not wisdom after
all, but a showing Of lack Of it instead.
We still read that the wedge-shaped bird
is the layer par excellence. But is she
Do we know it to be true that she is q
better egg producer than the handsome
ly rounded, plump appearing sister. and
her other sisters, Of varying symmetri-
cal lines Of besuty2 We think not, and
we think we have proven it. In truth
we know we have, for egg records kept
accurately have given evidence that
shape and form have not half 80 much
to do with the question as right breed
ing and selection. We have had, and
have, hens that are very large, of ideal
form SO far as beauty goes, that can safe
ly be said to lay as many eggs as the
wedge-shaped hens that keep putting in
an appearance, in degree, every season.
The plump, rounded pullet or hen at
tracts the beauty-loving eye as the sharp
angled bird never does. Let man or
woman come into our yards to select q
breeding hen, and given their choice
every time will the rounded, prettily
formed bird be taken. Her graceful car
riage and general appearance lies in her
favor, and not q word will be asked
about her egg -record. If she was not Of
family of good layers, we should feel
guilty at letting such bird 60 into the
hands Of purchasers. If she is pullet
and chosen before having made record
one can only say that she is from fam
lily of good layers, or strain Of prolific
birds. And, as the wedge-shaped hen,
in our hands, has proven no better
layer than her handsomer sisters. we
breed from the handsomer birds, and
find no reason for changing the proceed
ure when il comes to the breeding sea-
son. Trap nests and careful selection
have aided in building up strain of ex-
ceptional layers. Attention to these little
points, that, in themselves, are very es-
sential, works rapid and satisfactory
changes.
A bird that is always active, SEEM
ing to have in her mind 80 many plans
that must be daily carried out, is always
hen that is laying we'll. She lays
well when she is in the condition to lay
we'll, no matter what her shape or form
Everything surrounding her being of a
character that induces laying she goes
nesting regularly, to deposit the results
of good food, her perfect health and her
activity. She is, therefore, profitable,
desirable as property, and in much de.
mand as among the salables Of the place
She may be even an almost over large
specimen Of her breed and be yet al un-
usual layer, though this is not, we be.
lieve, the rule. The birds of largest
breeds are not the layers that the lesser
weight breeds are They make up for
lack in eggs, iu pounds of flesh They
utilize agreater proportion Of food stuffs
in the making of size and flesh to cover
the large frame than in eggs, while the
slighter built bird inclines to eggs re-
markably. But, given less care or at
tention to shape, and more to actual
record making and taking down. and
then the thorough work of selection, the
best layers will be found, and will not
be absolutely found in wedge-shaped
bird.-Nellie Hawks, in Agricultural
Epitomist: