Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-03

tic. But each breed has its enthusi-
aStic sponsors. 1t sometimes happens
that a raiser, discouraged or dissatiS-
fled, decides to change the variety to
which he has hitherto pinned bis
faith. Such one after years of
Bronze, chose the Buff. Said he q
year later to a friend contemplating
a similar change: Don't do it.. 1 grew
tired racing after my Bronze turkeys
day after day, and got the Bluffs last
year. Well, the hens and young ones
simply camped on the door step wait
ing for me to feed them. OF course,
at Christmas, they were midgets."
Buff was to him a disqualification,
since he desired size more.
1t is their size combined with Vigor
that makes the Bronze, sometimes
called the Giant Bronze, a favorite IN
every locality, and accounted the best
all-round breed for general raising.
The young grow vigorously and dis
play an admirable inclination to as
sist their boarding mistress by forag-
ing. The adults frame is long, deep
breasted, powerful, well constructed
for carrying the weight of flesh TO
which the gobbler owes his ability to
tip the beam Nrom 80 to 40 pounds.
His dark plumage, overlaid with iri-
descence, proud carriage and noble
size, establish it as the Grand Mogul
maturity, hence seven months, a mar
ketable age with the average turk,
finds the Bronze inclined to be gawky,
except where it has been constantly
under ideal conditions of range,
weather and health.
Virtues of the Hardy Black.
The Black Turkey in contour resem-
bles the Bronze, but is smaller, clean
cut, with less depth of breast. 1t is
distinctly stand-offish in disposition,
inclined to wander and rather timor-
Gus. IT is considered very hardy and
is raised exclusively in some rigorous
climates and on ranches To make a
good showing when plucked, it must
be in the pink of condition. Pin feath-
ers on any of the -plumaged va
rieties make slightly dressing difficult,
since the black pigment therein smears
smuttily. It's polished crow-black
coat, matched with black shanks,
make it markedly handsome bird
a real Black Beauty. Baby Blacks are
wiry, rather small, vigorous. Prejudice
against the color has discarded this
variety in many sections noted for
their fancy dressed stock-a real in
justice when it's hardy qualities are
considered.
In direct contrast to this is the
White Holland of similar line and size,
but with snow-white plumage and
mendation is it's beauty as a dresser
1t lacks popularity because many con-
slider it lacking in stamina In conf
mon with all white fowls, it offers
special inducements to predatory birds
and animals, since it's color offers it
no protection. The albino of every
kind is considered inherently weak.
The Buff turkey probably displays
a sharper difference in body than any
other variety. The type is shorter,
more compact, the body rounder, the
neck and legs shorter The creamy
flesh and pale pin feathers lend an air
to even the poorer specimens. The
uniform is brownish red with white
tail and wing quills. The Bourbon
Red is larger with much the same col
oring. Tt is often called Red" or
"Snuff-colored. 1t is placidly home
loving and reasonably vigorous. No
variety is more suitable for one desir-
ing turkeys disinclined to wander.
Distinguishing Traits of the Slate
Personal experience with nearly all
the varieties has cemented the writ
er's regard for the Slate. Architecture
ally conforming to the Bronze, it is a
rational foraser, vigorous, of even