Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1917-06-16

III the UnlIeu states. Lie DdTIeu Fly
mouth Rock was the original variety
and was developed in the United
States, various lines of blood being
used In the making. 1t is probable
that the Dominique, the Black Cochin,
the Black Java, the Brahma, and the
Pit Game were used for this purpose.
The size and type or shape of all the
varieties of Plymouth Rocks are sup
posed to be identical. In general the
breed may be described as good,
sized, rather long-bOdied chicken, with
fairly prominent breast and good
depth of body, showing when dressed
n well-rounded, compact carcass. This
breed has a single comb and yellow
legs, bill, and skin. The standard
weight of cocks is nine and q half
pounds; Of hens, seven and a half
pounds; cockerels, eight pounds; pull.
lets, six pounds. They are layers OF
good-sized, brown-shelled eggs, and are
reputed especially as winter layers.
Popular Farm Fowl.
liz bUllCu ANONh 10 "
far the most popular general-purpose
or farm fowl. This variety has sc
long been a favorite with the general
public that the barred color is gen
orally associated with quality in table
fowls. The Barred Plymouth Rock
plumage is a grayish white, each feath
er of which is crossed by dark bars
which are almost black. 1t is desired
that these bars should be as even in
width, as parallel, as straight, and as
well carried down to the skin as pos
sible. Each feather should end with
a narrow, dark tip. The barring in
the hackle and saddle is narrower than
in other sections. The alternating
dark and light bars give a blush cast
or shade to the general color, which
should be even throughout the surface
1t is common for solid black feathers
or feathers which are partly black tC
occur in practically all strains in this
variety, but this should not be taken
as a sign of impure breeding. Black
spots are also common occurrences on
the shanks, particularly in females
but this does not indicate impurity.
There is a decided tendency for the
males of this variety to come lighter
in color than the females, and for this
reason breeders are usually obliged
to resort to two separate matings, one
for the production of males of stand
ard or exhibition color and the other
for the production of females of stand
ard or exhibition color. This system
of breeding is known as double mat
ing. In mating for males of exhibit
ton color male of about standard
color is used with medium dark fe
males, or those two or three shades
darker than females of exhibition col
or, in which the barring is as distinct
and as narrow as possible, showing 6
clear-cut line between the black an(
white bars. This mating is known a:
the cockerel mating, because it pro
duces q greater percentage of eXhibi
ton or standard-color males, while the
females produced are too dark in cOlOl
for exhibition, but are suitable fol
continuing this line Of breeding. Ii
mating for females Of exhibition color
females Of about standard color arr
used with q medium light male or one
that is two or three shades lighter thar
males of exhibition color, but which
shows distinct barring and as stron:
| barring in the undercolor as can be OBJ
| tanned. This mating is known as thu
pullet mating, because it produces {
greater percentage of females of ex
| hibition color, while the males pro
| duced are too light for exhibition, bu
may be used to continue this line O.
| breeding.
White Plymouth Rock.
The White Plymouth Rock is thu
second most popular variety of thi
breed. All the characteristics Of thu
White Plymouth Rock are supposed t.
| be identical with those of the Barred
| Plymouth Rock except color. AS ;
| matter of fact the White plymouth
| Rock tends to run somewhat larger il
| size, and the type is a little more uni
| form and a little better than that 0
the Barred Plymouth Rock. In colo
| the White Plymouth Rock should be ;
pure white throughout, free from blacl
ticking and from any brassiness o
GREATNESS.
The Buff Plymouth Rock is distin
guished from the other Rocks by tn
color alone, which should be an evel
shade of golden buff throughout
Shafting, or the presence of feather
having a shaft of different color from
the rest of the feather, and mealiness
or the presence of feathers sprinkle'
with lighter color as though powdere'
with meal, are undesirable. AS dec
| an undercolor of buff as it is possible
| 10 obtain is desirable. There is grea
difference of opinion as to what con
stitutes desirable buff color, some ia
vOring the lighter color, apprOachin;
lemon, while others favor much dark
err buff, approaching red. The impor
| tant point is to have the shade Il
even as possible over the entire sur
| face.
| New Varieties.
The Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocl
| Is one of the new varieties. Its plum
| age is distinctive and very beautiful
In general, the plumage of the NAL
| consists of a silver white top color