Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1907-08-06

\ mao 0OllCeu JDdJ W. AllCt DuA pee
& Co., Pennsylvania seed growers,
also breeders Of fine poultry, held
Sherwoods and Cornish Indians high
er in price than any other fowl. This,
in time, aroused my curiosity. At
ter some correspondence, being as
sured by them that Sherwoods were
the best of any breed for this section
of country and for the west, consid-
cred by them as the hardest fowl in
existence, and one that from the
little chick up would withstand
danpness better than all others, l
purchased a trio.
l expected great deal, but nay
anticipations were more than real
lied, when the birds arrived. / had
no idea that fowl could be so finely
built, so elegant in appearance. so
graceful in movement, as those
young Sherwoods. They have been
a continual pleasure to all who have
seen them and their progeny.
The Sherwood is so called from
the Virginia plantation of Mr.. Tim
berlake, where they originated from
crosses first made nearly fifty years
ago, of White Georgia Games, with
Cochin and Drama hens. The finest
white cocks from these crosses were
selected for breeding, and the char
acteristics fixed in an established
breed. Their beautiful white plu-
mage and yellow legs, slightly feath-
cred to the outside toe, yellow bills,
bright red ear lobes and medium
sized, erect combs, make them a
very attractive sight on the lawn.
They get from Rrahma parentage,
heavy body, and from the Game
fuller breasts. Being close feather
ed, like Indian Games, they are not
clumsy or awkwa.d looking as so
many of the Fluffy feathered fowls
are. They endure the coolest wealth
err better than any of the Asiatics or
other large birds. They have most
beautiful feathers, those on the body
being soft, silky, and light as down.
The game spirit is apparent in the
lquick stretching of the head and
neck. Erect, alert, listening, no
slightest sound of movement escapes
them. They work rapidly, mature
early, and are ready for broilers at
ten and twelve weeks. Chicks when
first Matched are much larger than
the Brahma.
! Sherwoods are good mothers. easy
to handle and very gentle. They
are not such persistent sitters as to
be troublesome, as some are. They
lay fully as well as the Rocks, eggs
are of good quality and fine in APP
pearance. For table use, flesh is
slightly game flavor, tender and de
licious. The matured cock is almost
as large as young turkey. Hens
are plump, heavy birds, without the
appearance of being over large, and
do not have the tendency to take on
a large amount Of surplus fat. Act
i've, vigorous, they are in every way
fine birds. Those who raise poultry
for profit cannot find better breed,
or one easier to manage, while those
who keep a few fowls for pleasure
will find the Sherwood a satisfaction
to the eye as we'll as on the table.
An interesting circumstance which
shows how easily the Sherwood can
be managed: Had several Rocks
on Sherwood and duck eggs. One
Of these died few days before hatch
ing, and one of my Sherwoods want
ing to sit, put her on the nest and
she Matched the chicks. Just at this
time another left her nest, and
would not go back, so put the Sher-
wood on this nest taking chicks from
first hen into the house. She hatch
ed second lot, when No. 3 on duck
eggs left her nest, and the Sherwood
was given the duck eggs. These she
Matched, and would have mothered
them, but they, duck-like, cared |
nothing for hen mother; so, after
Matching out three broods, she found |
herself withouta family, and was
soon laying again.
Aside from all other qualities, that
of extreme hardness will gain for
tha CharuUOOd Ypoapxy vr,o,.,,, e,.;o. l. |