Year: 1877

took time to visit the exhibition of the
Massachusetts Poultry association this year.
1t was not as large or as good a show as
they bad two years ago, but there were some
very fine birds. There was large number
of the Brahams, but was sorry to see that
many of them were pronounced disqualified
for defective colorlng. AS farmer and
and not poultry fancier l must enter my
protest against breeding for color alone in
fowl or in cows. With me shape should
be of much greater importance than color
or size. A perfect form, especially in the
male, discloses the perfect animal. One
strain OF Brahams, noted as prize winners
in past exhibitions, has also become noto-
rious among poultry tanciers who had not
means to buy the prize winners for produc-
ing deformed chickens-one- sided, twisted
necked, knockkneed chickens. l even
saw some upon exhibition (not by that
breeder, however) which we're far from be-
ing OF perfect shape. This is q result of
breeding for color and size, in part, and
partly a result of breeders judging the char
acter of a strain by the prizes taken at ex-
hibitions, and losing sight of qualifying cir
cumstances.


For instance, a breeder who raises thou
sand chickens may be able to select one or
two trios that would take first prizes, while
the rest of his flock would be only fit for
eating, and scarcely that. Another one
may raise an hundred, aud any trio among
them be worthy Of a second prize, and
from them you might be sure of breeding
good chickens, while from the winners OF
the first prize you would have chickens full
of detects as were the rest of the flock in
xuhfrh shaxy raieaI If I in tho
fancy fowl business would not purchase
cock to breed from unless l had seen not
only him but tho other chickens tred with
him, and | was satisfied with the whole
flock. In breeding fancy fowl l should
prefer breeding in and in rather than TO In
troduce an untTied male with flock Of
hens that was well satisfied with. l would
test him and be sure he got good chickens
before risked my whole flock.


The show of Plymouth Rocks were very
good. AS have spoken against them in
previous articles l wish now to qualify by
saying that two years in the hands of care
full breeders seem to have improved them
very much. They have moro uniformity
Of appearance in both color and shape, and
think the breed is getting established 80
there would be less tendency to ''sport" than
two years ago l also thought they looked
heavier in breast and leg than then, thus
promising better for the table. Buff, part
ridge. white and black COchins, Houdans
and Crevecours were there in small num-
bers, but think none of them are OF ever
will be as popular among all classes as the
light Brahams. | am unable to learn of
any point in which they excel the latter
when kept side by side, excepting that the
Houdans are non-sitters. They may lay
more eggs, but if you want chickens you
must give them some other hen as wet
nurse.


Ii q non-sitting fowl is desired prefer
the Brown Leghorn to any other. More
hardy than the White Leghorn, not as wild
as the Black Spanish, not as pugnacious as
the game, they deservedly are pets where
chickens are not wanted. White Leghorns,
Spanish, Polish, Dominiques, Dorkings and
other varieties had only small representa-
tions present. There was a good show of
game fowl, but never liked them. l was
sorry to see that the thanksgiving testivi-
| ties had so consumed the turkeys that but
one coop was on exhibition l hope there
are few left for seed in the country, for
| If turkeys play out what is the use OF try
ing to have Thanksgiving.


The show of ducks was larger than usual
and few geese helped swell the musical
chorus; like ducks and geese when well
roasted. They may be profitable to keep
when one is properly located for 1t. but it
takes too many pounds of corn to make a
pound Of duck TO suit me. The chow of
pigeons, rabbits aud other pets was very
| fine, and l would like to be the owner OF
some specimens that l noticed, but sup
pose If had them should have to calcu-
la'e my profit as gentleman whom knew
did on his farm living in the city he spent
much money on his farm and said 1t paid a
good profit, for every time that he spent a