The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-25
BEAUTY OF PLUMAGE
NOT BAR TO UTILITY
Theory That Two Qualities Are
Incompatible Seems to Be
Exploded.
~ JAMES =. HOPKINS.

For the past few wears. ana especially
during this year. much has been said
and written IN the poultry press on tho
subject Of "Utilty ". Fancy Fowl" Be
ginners especially AZ once jump ~ con-
illusions and arn often led astray because
they do no, seek deeper knowledge ON the
points raised in poultry culture
A few years ago the writer Jumped A.
first conclusions and advocated a LAYING
type. the long bodied. deep ke"l,d fpW.
But some seventeen years use Of the trap
nest and a deeper Knowledge Of poultry
and breeding proved that So far there was
no egg tNp", at least not on the order a.
first believed. There may be an egg
type but So ?ar those who have found
II have had their theory exploded nv *
pert breeders ~ poultry who have used
trap nests for q number OF wears and
have found shat standard bred fowls tina:
is fowls free from disquaihcttious Of
Eood riumlgr. have laid ~ many eggs
~ IN" so-ca!l"d egg type. That the shape
y tIr majority Of the d.rtrru, breeds
with certain exceptions, has little 10 DO
with egg production j. not now genera l..
disputed by poultry raiSers Of experience
VINO nave been users of trap u,sts 'ur a
number of years That .t IL easier 9,
breed from any fowl that has lail from
100 10 over 200 eggs .u the yea~. regard
less OF Shhp" or pium1gc. no one VII
deny. Hut thH does not bear out .h.
claim Ihat poor feather marking ami
many times worse shape. CO.. q lIng deem
kceled fowl. is the lL I'M tNpc.
u is true. however. that the poultry
keeper can retain NOR. Of ,hc fowl,
raised for future reproduction from thos.
that have mndr good egg records u one
pays no attention to either shane ar
plumage and IN this case. az is 50 often
seen. the mock Is not uniform. either IN
shape or plumage. and docs not improve
a. the years 20 by. except in the ono
thing. !, e.. egg production.
The progressive breeder sometIn,c1
called the fancier. breeds his fowls 10
omb!ne the two qualities utility and
ncy ; that In, only fowls with oil egg
records are retained az breeders and
those which do not come up to tho stand
nd requirements In feather and shane
IRE rejected. Consequently there IS no
question that .uch a breeder has more
nifty value an us flock than tine so-
called utility breeder who has worked
r hut one dining, 'ge productions F.r
'Nample. one often scaS % flock ~ N'Vau-
'Nttes. full breasted. plump. up or near
standard weight and good egg producers
oF more often nockS Z Wyanduttos are
seen that are Hat breasted. narrow aud
below standard weight nv fr m one
'"uud 10 one AMI three-quarter pounds
and yet are good producers # "hcn
= ut " Yet the liner flock IL hv Ia. tho
est utility flock because OF the higher
I'm in breeding. The first named owner
# high grade Wis has flock always
better from me. standpoint. ana u
pound TO a pound and thrse-quurtcrs in
Zach fowl makes a big difference when
sold IN the open market. The owucr
~ the moro uniform Il cll rs The same
high Egg production Of tHr poorer
.haned and lighter nock az IN" second
breeder.
So far as utility soe, it is wholly up
% the hreder lie alone can make or
break the earnings OF HE nock. u los
within his power, by selection ana breed
Ing along safe and sane lines, 70 combine
utility with fancy, Not every one can
do this I'm f'ct the majority prefer the
easy road aud strive 10 breed In their
hDck one Characteristic alone. namely
egg production. There are others who
have an eye FOR the beautiful that COM
bine the two, which Is indispu,ably the
hardest hut the most profitable So the
beginner can choose the lines he wishes
to follow. but should not condemn the
average fancler who In many cases H.
tho high grade breeder ana has 10 offer
stock OF much higher Erade for pro-
duCtlvencsS than many Of tho so-Called
utility breeders.
That there are breeders OF fancy fowls
who have neglected the utility side in
their mad rush for poultry show hoGors
is we'll known fact. some breeding from
any fowl, regardless OF egg production,
that had shape and feathers
But this class OF breeders IL becoming
less each year, due to The popular de-
mand for fowls that will produce a goody
number or eggs Again thore are many
So called utility breeders whose fowls are
haphnzard bred and are not much more
than scrubs. with not even feathers or
shape 10 recommend them, and In some
cases not ~ high egg producing power,
A good utility fowl is worth nearly as
much ns fancy fowl and II both are
combined the fowl IL worth consid cradle
money They cannot he purchased for
rs cents or 800 or at market quota
tons, and tho prospective purchaser can
look with suspicion on any stock offered
at price but little above the market
quotations. 1t takes extra care to pro-
ducs and keep In condition sale fowls,
and the value OF such Ia rated by their