The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-03-09
COMMERCIAL EGG PRODUCERS
PREFER WHITE LEGHORNS.
Though Any Breed May be Made
Source of Profit Under Favor
able Conditions.

(By Professor Stonebu-n, Poultry
Editor of N. Y. Worldly
"What is the best, the most salts
factory and profitable breed of poul-
try"
This often-repeated question, in one
form or another, has appeared fire.
quently of late in my correspond
ence. The following remarks are not
intended or expected to be a salts
factory reply; they are IN attempt
to show that one breed, at least,
ranks high in popularity among egg
farmers. This, in turn, is evidence
that the breed has made good for a
large proportion of poultrymen who
are specializing in the production Of
market eggs.
Among the hundred-odd breeds
and varieties of domestic fowls there
is scarcely one-aside from those
bred exclusively for show points, as
the exhibition games-that cannot be
made. source of profit under certain
favorable conditions. But when it
comes to a business or commercial
proposition we find that successful
plarts are usually stocked with one
c, another of the old standbys. OF
these the White Leghorns, Barred
and White Rocks, White Wyandottes
and Rhode Island Reds are outstand-
ing examples.
In order TO avoid the wrath Of
those whose favorites are not mem
toned above I hasten to admit that
certain other breeds may be equally
good, possibly better; that some OF
the newer ones have not yet had full
opportunity to widely demonstrate
their true worth; that in later years
we may see some Of the old favor
ties relegated to honorable obsecurity
and others take their places in the
sun.
Survivor OF the rIttcSt.
It is not by accident, by fortunate
chance, that certain breeds become
generally popular throughout the
country. They represent "the sur
vival of the fittest" in the reverend
ing practical test Of proft-producing
ability conducted day by day and year
after year by men and women who
are striving to make good income
fro,a poultry keeping. AS rule, the
beginner is inclined to test out sew
elal breeds and finally concentrates
on the one which, judged in the light
oe experience, may be expected to
yield him the greatest net profit. And
when large body Of commercial pro-
ducers, whether Of table eggs or poul.
try, are in accori as to the most sat
isfactory breeds for the purpose, such
kinds must possess unusually desir-
able qualities,
New Jersey is noted for its poultry
industry. It is one of the leading
poultry states. The poultrymen of
New Jersey are wideawake and pro-
gressive. The percentage of profit
producing poultry plants in that
commonwealth is certainly as high as
il. any other section of the country.
One must conclude, then, that eff
cicnt methods are generally followed,
that mighty good fowls are kept there.
Recently the New Jersey Depart
ment of Agriculture made a careful
survey of 432 commercial poultry
plants located in the various counties
o. the state. The data included the
number and kinds Of fowls kept on
each plant. Sixteen standard breeds
and varieties were listed in addition
to the nondescript stock known as
mongrels.
White Leghorns 80 Per Cent.
The hens on the farms surveyed
numbered 121,14O; the pullets num-
bered 1S4,537. This gives grand to-
tai of 305,557, or a trifle over 92
pc. cent, were White Leghorns. 1
can conceive of no stronger. argument
rs to the value of the Leghorn as a
money-making producer of table eggs.
It is the overwhelming favorite of
tbs commercial poultry keepers of
this great section as it is in the great
egy-producing areas along the Pacific
Cast.
Admittedly, New Jersey conditions
are favorable to the breed. Climate
and soil are suitable and the great
market to which the great bulk of the
eggs are shipped-New York-pre-
fers and pays premium for white
81 ,lled eggs. Such conditions do not
maintain the country over and in
other sections the Leghorn may not
do as well.