The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-06
Edward Brown, in Country Gentleman,

in a great many cases the titles gwen 70
our fowls are the latter rather than the
former. For instance, the Hamburg has
nothing whatever with the port or the
EIbe; the Polish has very little TO DO
with eastern Europe; the duck known as
fhe Rouen is not in any sense peculiar
10 northern France; and the turkey. in
stead of coming from southeastern Eu-
rope. emanated from America TO less
extent this is true of the breed which is
so prominent a member of the Mediterrs-
mean family. called in England and
America the Leghorn. This breed IS
known on the continent as the Italian
fowl. and there can be no question that
that designation is correct.
The explanation IS very simple. 1t ap-
pears that as far back as 1S5 number
of birds similar to our Brown Leshorns
were imported into New York from Italy,
and further importations took place dur
ing the fifties. These birds were oreo
with a certain care, and began to attain
popularity b. reason of the excellent egg
producing qualities. 1t was ont, however
until about 1872 that birds OF this type
reached England from America. The
original importers into the United States
On seeking for a name, evidently se.ect-
ed that of the port whence they had
been received How the captain of the
ship. or whoever it might be. had Sc
cured the birds. we have no evidence.
but probably they were simply fowls
IL q, in 1G
market. or it may be that eve min those
GAYS there were breeders who selected
their birds with care, and had attained
a considerable fxity Of type. But the
fact is that Leghorn has no special con-
nection with this fowl. and in my visit
10 Italy in many other districts a dis
tinctly better type of Italian fowls was
met with than in the ne,ghborhocd of
1eghorn itself This is explainable from
the fact that at the ports there IS al
ways the chance Of an introduction OF
fresh blood.
At the same time, however, consid-
ering the influence of the Leghorn and
the large measure of popularity which
st has attained, 1 was very anxious TO
make inquiries in the district as to poul-
try breeding generally, and able TO dis
cover if possible something with regard
TO this and other branches Of livestock
Ieghorn is a thriving port situated In
a somewhat bare district; 1t is not a very
Interesting town but the suburbs are fine,
and the outlook over the Mediterranean
delightful. The market in this town show
ed that the. fowls for sale were small.
and are sold dead in sections. Most OF
them have yellow legs. and Their is moth
ing done in respect to fattening. There
Is perhaps more variety Of fowls around
here than elsewhere, and l saw a good
many with cuckoo plumage and feath-
cred legs. l was fortunate at Leghorn,
thanks to the kindness Of the British
vice-counsel at that port, Mr.. NJ. Car
michael. and his assistant. Mr.. A. Hen
derson-in meeting Signor Boshart. who
has taken a great deal Of interest In
poultry, and at one time had a consid-
cradle breeding establishment. He in
formed me that great number of eggs
are shipped at Leghorn. but chiefly to
France and Spain, none whatever going
TO England. The price of eggs in the
country districts at the time of my visit,
April was about cents per dozen, and
In Leghorn itself cents per dozen. Eggs
are pretty cheap in lower Tuscany
From Signor Boshart l learned that
throughout Tuscany, which practically
may be said to cover the Leghorn dis
trict. the Italian type of fowl is general.
and that it is more regularly feathered
finland than nearer the coast, owing to
the fact that within reach of a great
port like leghorn the opportunities of OBJ
tanning other stock are much greater. He
fold me that while all colors of Italian
fowls are to be found, and very little
attention is paid TO color If there is any
feeling among the peasants in favor of
one variety over another. il is that the
Black Leghorns are regarded as the best.
AT the same time the majority of the
fowls kept are brown and white, with
those intermediate colors which would be
met with where there was no care in Sc
lection. If anyone is disposed to give
great attention to his poultry he would
be likely 10 choose Blacks by preference.
Some o. In ,se nave yellow legs. but by
no means the whole OF them, and in
great many cases they have slate-coIored
less. The brown type is less common. and
At is not a little remarkable that the
first Imports from Italy of Leshorns to
America appear to have been what we
now krow as browns Had they been
Blacks. it is possible that the whole flu
turc of this breed would have been gen.
orally moiified-that is. so far as the dis
tribution Of it's different varieties is con-
cerneI
OF late years there has been practically
no Improvement among the breeds of
poultry kept on me farms OF the country
The Tuscan peasant is said to be obstinate
and suspicious as to the motives of those
who seek 10 influence him with view of
altering his methods. Also he is very diff
foult TO deal win, and regards what has
been as the best. Signor Bohart says that
as rule in this part of Italy the people
are utterly indifferent TO anything out
side their own knowledge; SO long as
they make a living. that is all they care
for; and l am bound To say that my i'm
preston from this interesting converse
tion with Signor Boshart was that he
felt depressed at the slow progress which
had been made. This Is the experience
all have had 70 meet. and / was able to
tell him that il has been found in other
countries that 1t requires years OF work
and practically a new generation ere
great changes can be brought about in the
regular methods adopted by a rural popu-
lation
One point on which I was very DESTROYS
o. obtaining information was in regard
20 the methods adopted OF Matching ard