The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-03-05

meSucat1on for untold centuries.
They are referred to in Holy
Writ; are reproduced on ancient coins
mlnted long before the Christian era;
are mentioned in the most ancient
books. Poultry-keeping, therefore, Is
an ancient art.
Just what wild forms were first
domesticated, how they were selected
and crossed to produce new types,
will probably never be known. Most
students believe that the jungle fowl
of India-the Galus bankiva OF the
scientists-is the progenitor of our
domestic sorts.
From Asia the stock was carried
westward, by sea and overland. In
most countries some special type was
finally evolved, and later these were
SO blended that it is almost possible
to trace the ancestry Of even the
newer breeds. But this process has
worked for improvement, and today
the better kinds of fowls are the most
efficient machines that we have for
Transforming raw materials into food
products for man.
When securing flock of fowls 1t
is always best to obtain birds of pure
breeding. Crosses and mongrels may
In themselves be profitable under cer-
tain conditions, but they have so
many serious faults that one is hardly
justified in working with them, espe-
cially in view of the fact that really
good stock may be secured at such
moderate prices. The great advan-
tage of the thoroughbred flock is due
to the fact that the various individ-
uals are reasonably alike in size,
color, temperament and habits, and
will produce eggs and chicks which
are uniform, and, therefore, more
available. When breeding mongrels
no one can be sure of the type of the
resulting offspring.
1t is not necessary to buy exhibl-
ton birds for which high prices are
charged. But it certainly IS advis-
able to take full advantage of the
work already done by breeders In
fixing the type of the various breeds
so that the future operations may be
conducted with reasonable confidence
that the results will be satisfactory
But breed is not everything. We
find poor individuals in all breeds.
One should carefully consider his
problem, definitely determine the
object to be gained, and then select
those fowls which have in greatest
degree the characteristics he most
needs. II the market demand is for
eggs having white shells, 1t is poor
business to keep flock Of layers of
brown eggs. If the production of
table poultry is to be the main con-
sideration, the lightweight breeds
should be considered.
So much for the utility poultry
keeper. The fancier, the producer OF
exhibition stock, valued because of
perfection in form and color, may
give his fancy free reign and devote
himself to the kind which best pleases
him, regardless Of any other consid-
Grafton.
Class, Breed, Variety.
In connection with fowls we hear
such terms as class, breed, variety,
strain, etc. These are often confused,
so word Of explanation may be in
order.
In the American Standard of Per-
fection, fowls are grouped in classes
largely according to the country of
their origin. Each class contains one
or more breeds, the latter consisting
OF fowls which are alike in size and
shape. Breeds are further subdivided
into varieties, the determining char
acteristics usually being plumage
color or comb shape. For example,
the White Wyandotte Is the white
plumaged variety of the Wyandotte
breed, and the latter belongs to the
American class
Let us take up the classes in order
First comes the American, con-
tanning the Plymouth Rocks, Wyan-
dottes, Javas, Dominiques. Rhode Is
land Reds and Buckeyes in their sew