The state herald., 1905-03-17

OF American agriculture considering the
capital invested.
The conditions in this country are
such that the poultry industry is capa
bic OF indefinite expansion and especially
so in Phillips county, owing to the gray
ell and abundance of this grand and
glorious water which | am sure every
thing must enjoy and for which we all
ought TO be thankful.
According to my observations, poul-
try has been shamefully neglected. al
though ] might say, have seen few
fair specimens of different breeds though
never saw what would call show birds
or, in other worde, have yet to see the
chickens in this county that could show
very high scoring.
To those who have paid little or no Mt.
tennon to poultry, perhaps could help
you by telling you that poultry is not
pedigreed but scored instead.
In order to receive larger copsump-
ton Of poultry produce in this county
as well as In othe RS. it is OF great I'M
portauce that there should always be an
abundant supply OF strictly fresh eggs
and the best grades OF table poultry.
This condition is also n necessary fnctor
in the development OF export trade.
When the markets are filled with eggs
which have lost their quality and flavor
by long keeping aud many OF which have
acquired ar offensive taste: when the
brolers and roasters offered to the con.
sumer are thin, tasteless, tough and al
together unfit for the table, it is not sur
prislng that they are passed by ana beef,
mutton, or pork taken IN their stead
So also when the exporter Is buying
for consignment to foreign markets. he
must be able to find at all times u good
ariic.e Of eggs or poultry in sufficient
quantity or he cannot continue his trade.
II the owner Is willing to go little
further and bestow somewhat more at
ten'on upon his birds, he may cross
them with males of standard breed or
replace them entirely by purebred males
and females.
The standard breeds hnve been brought
To a higher plane Of ev.lopment by e2-
tra care and more skilliul management
and, II they are to maintain this improve
th..V rnn M nai ,,,,l,r fbs
conditions which brought 1t about. They
suffer more from neglect and unheslth-
ful surroundings than do the common
fowls because less accustomed to these
conditions. The standard breeds for this
reason may not always give satisfaction
II their characteristics and requirements
are not understood. u however the
highest returns are expected which skill
fni management can Obtain, then n
breed OF fowls should be adopted which
has been bred for generations with this
object IN view.
The most popular fowls IN the United
States are the American breeds, known
as the Plymouth Rvcks aniW ,andotts, of
which | prefer the Plymouth Rocks.
They are Of medium SIZE, good rs
Oroller., good as roasters, good egg pro-
ducers. The hens ARE go.d sittsrs and
gpnd mothers aud for these reasons they
are known rs general purpose fowls.
Perhaps II would be of interest To
some of you at least 10 know little
history Of this particular breed OF fowls
The barred variety ia the most generally
known OF the Plymouth Rocks and it's
history dates back little over u quar.er
ol century. Various bloods were need
IN its making, the belief being general
that l, originally came from the crnss b..
tween the American Dominique and tse
Black Java. II hBs also been show
that the light Brahma, dark Brahma anc
PIT Game have been used in its making
ibe Barred Plymouth Rock is Of n gray.
lsh white color regularly crossed with
parallel bars Of blne back running in
straight distinct lines throughout the
entire length OF the feather aud showins
on the down or nndercolor oi tie feath.
ers. The barring u somewhat smaller
On the hsckle aud saddle feathers than
on tho other portions ot the body. The
hird is oi medium size with brnsd back
Hat nt the shoulders. Tie breast is iuil
and the body broad ana compact medl.
um sized wings that fold gracefully, the
pulp,a being we'll covered with breast
aud saddle feathers: u medium sized
head 1rnnmsnted with upright. bright
red comb Snd vgtil-s; large bright eye
and yellow benk, legs and ,oes. The
Barred Plymouth Rock, besides being a
praciical fo~., ls also ono OF tho mos,
.oOght after by faucirrs. No class ID
better allied At the a,erng. poultr, show
thnn IL this Tn. graceful figure, up,
right carriage and active nature cnd.ar
u 10 all M fanci-rs fowl. There is a
fascination IN breeding II Tor plumage,
the NOR. regular aud even the barring
thr better II requires much skill "a
breed 'ur color.
ltmy time was not limited I could
give you more history on the .,andurd
snnc'ica na thcr. ar. eighty seven stand
ard and u large number uf pfomisciour
varieties OF chickens raised IN this coun
Try. The standard varieties ne divided
| lntn tan ,itfTaN.,, .iusaa. 4. lG,l, -. {. 4