Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-10-16
ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF BUTTER.
CUP FOWLS.
(By Isaac F. TilIinghast, Secretary
American Butrercup Club

10y 4SG6S - 1A444ASAS
:. American Butrercup Club
Sicilian Buttercups, as the name i'm
plies, were first found native OF the
island of Sicily, Italy, and hence they
are classed as Mediterranean.
The origin of the breed dates back
SO far it is shrouded in obScurity. they
having been kept, possibly for ages, by
the peasants of their native land, for
eggs and meat, with apparently no at
tempt to breed them to feather or uni
furmity of type in coloring, although
their POPULARITY of comb, and greenish
c.lored shanks have long been main
tanned.
So far as I can learn, their original
introduction into this country was
first described by Carroll G. Loring of
Massachusetts,, who gave the story, so
oft since repeated, Of old Cephas
dawes, the New England sea captain.
who more than fifty years ago brought
to Boston, from Sicily, a cargo of
rasins, organges and figs. When his
cargo was made up and he wa sready
to sail he was attracted by a coop of
fowls offered in the market, and think
ing to occasionally have a treat of
fresh meat while On his journey home,
e purchased them and took them an
board.
Captain Dawes soon noticed in them
their usual habit" of laying eggs, and
they laid so continuously n well,
large white eggs with very firm shells
and rich, delicate flavor, n as they
were of a specially gentle, quiet dis
position, they o became the pets Of
the entire crew, n Jared well; and
thus won the regard of captain and
crew through u~nobtrusiVe worth, pre-
Cisely as they have ever since done
wherever they have been placed; for
IL is a very noticeable fact that when
eEer they are taken up they win their
way to the final displacement of all
competitors.
Mr.. Loring, above referred to, is one
of our we'll known, ~old-time poultry
men. I quote the following from one
of his recent letters:
"I am the original introducer and
breeder of Buttercups in this country.
[ have spent 50 years of my life in the
scientific breeding of pure blooded;
have originated several standard Vari-
etiesS am original introducer in the
United States of Barred Plymouth
Rocks with MT Upham, in 1865; or
Crringtons, as exhibited at Music Hall,
Boston, in 1888; and of Sicily Butter
cups, or Good Luck Fowls" in dear
est, coy, profitable success bringing
Of any fowl, in 1860.
"Sicily Buttercups are handsome, at
trGctive, ~endearing fowls to every wo-
man,, and money makers for They
are very tame, docile pets, somewhat
larger than Leghorns.. They bring
success, comfort and profit to all who
keep them. They were first brought
from the Island of Sicily by Captain
Dawes, in the bark "Fruiter," our
farms Joined and 1 first obtained them
from him. 1 have always found them
tremendous layers of large sized white
eggs, very hardy, and splendid broil-
ers. I have since received a new i'm
Iortation from Messina, Sicily, but 1t
took two years to find a cock and hen
of my type, and few Of them exist in
Sicily. Most OF the native fowls there
are varied greatly in feathering.
"In 1866 1 was bringing out the
Barred Rocks Their later Dark Brah-
mas; then originated and brought out
the Silver Penciled Wyandottes and
Partridge Wyandottes-
"I also imported Silver Brackets
from the grass district of Belgium, and
Silver Campines' from the Pine Woods
district of Belgium, but do not like
them, and have discontinued both, as I
found the Buttercups far superior.
"In 1894 l first began to put out the
'Sicilians,' and / then added the word
tButtercup.' See Year Book of the u.
S Department of Agriculture, Bureau
of Animals Industry, for 1905. They
there published the report of my
bre ding, etc.
"The speckled breasts and neck on
Buttercups is wrong, and not of the
true type. With kind treatment But
tercups become companions like a dog
or a cat"
So much for the origin and history
Of Buttercups. Whatever popularity
they gained during succeeding years,
until very recently, vas made entirely
Upon intrincis merit; upon their re-
cOdr as remarkable egg-layers which
spread from mouth to mouth. To the
above / add the following from the
, writings of Mr.. H. w. Dewey, Presi.
4sdent OF the American Buttercup club:
"A little later, John B. Cough, the
great temperance advocate. obtained q
trio of the breed, and still later. Rev.
A B. Browe, at the time a student in
college, was presented with a trio.
fortunately these early importa-
tons either remained or become the
property of owners who we're interest
a foundation for the establishment Of
this greatest of laying breeds was laid
in America.
"The great and ever increasing de-
mand for Buttercup fowls is a surprise
to many poultrymen, especially to
those who have come to depend upon
extensive advertising to boom their IA
vorites. The little hen from Sicily has
surely come to the front, and she has
come by way of always and every
where making good. Her fame rests
on a most enduring foundation. Briefly
: stated, Buttercups are easy keepers,
good foragers, very hardy, mature