AGRMX 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 
/to 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
MINER'S 
 
 DOMESTIC POULTRY BOOK: 
 
 A TBEATISE ON THE 
 
 HISTORY, BREEDING, AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT 
 
 FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC FOWLS, 
 
 BT 
 
 T. B. MINER, 
 
 Author of the "American Bee-keeper's Manual," & Editor of the "Northern Farmer." 
 
 EMBRACING 
 
 All the late Importations of Fowls, and being descriptions by the best Fowl Fanciers 
 
 in the United States, of all the most valuable breeds, with the Author's 
 
 extensive experience as a breeder, together with selected matter of 
 
 interest, comprising, as it is believed, the most complete 
 
 and authentic work on the subject ever published. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY NUMEROUS PORTRAITS FROM LIFE. 
 
 ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
 I PUBLISHED BY GEO. W. FISHER, 
 
 ALSO, A. S. BARNE3 & Co., NEW YORK. B. B. MU3SEY, BOSTON, 
 
 J. W. MOORE, PHILADELPHIA. J. B. STEELE. NEW 
 
 ORLEANS. H. W. DERBY, CINCINNATI. 
 
 1853. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by 
 T. B. MINER, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern 
 District of New York. 
 
 1. W. BBOWN. STEREOTYPES, 
 
AGRia 
 UBfiAfiV 
 
 TO THE PUBLIC. 
 
 TOE undersigned, feeling deeply interested in the improvement of our Domestic 
 Poultry, and in the introduction of valuable foreign breeds; and believing that the 
 public require a faithful, practical, and reliable treatise on the subject, covering the 
 entire ground which hitherto has not been consummated, in consequence of the sud- 
 den and extensive influx of new breeds of fowls, most cheerfully recommends the 
 present work of T. B. MINER, Esq., as one embracing most of the breeds worthy of 
 especial notice, and far more complete than any work that has preceded it. Many of 
 the most valuable breeds, of which full histories are given in Mr. Miner's book, were 
 comparatively unknown in America, even BO late as the publication of " The Poultry 
 Book." That the sources from which Mr. Miner has derived the most of his matter 
 as shown forth in his Treatise, are reliable and of a character to ensure a great 
 popularity for his book, I can freely attest. His correspondents are mostly known to 
 me as honorable, well informed, and extensive breeders, and, as the Author of a work 
 on the same subject " The Poultry Book," and with the most extensive means of 
 judging of the merits of such productions, I can truly say that Mr. Miner's work is 
 the most reliable, practical, and complete that now exists in the English or any 
 other language, on the same subject. 
 
 Mr. Miner's book contains all the practical information which I intended to embody 
 in the subsequent editions of my Poultry Book, and I, therefore, advise all of my 
 friends who have been expecting from ine a new and improved work, to avail them- 
 selves of Mr. Miner's Treatise, as I shall not publish any future edition of my book. 
 
 JOHN C. BENNETT, M. D., 
 
 Author of " The Poultry Book." 
 
 FOBT DKS MOIKES, POLK COUNTY, IOWA, J 
 
 December, 1852. ) 
 
 Dr. Bennett resides at present (Jan., 1858,) at Great Falls, N. H., but he contem- 
 plates removing to Iowa early next spring, consequently he dates from the latter 
 Place. T . B . M , 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 THK business of poultry raising in this country has now become an 
 object of great importance. Indeed it has ever been a matter of im- 
 portance ; but more particularly so now, because within the last five 
 years many new breeds and varieties of fowls have been introduced, 
 either directly from foreign lands, or from the yards of our own 
 poultry breeders, many of which have proved much superior to our 
 native breeds. A feeling of public interest has been awakened on this 
 subject, never before known; and this has led many persons to regard 
 the subject of poultry breeding as a science worthy of their study and 
 research. People have suddenly awakened from the slumber of ages, 
 to the fact, that this branch of rural economy is susceptible of the 
 same advances to perfection, as the breeding of any other class of 
 live stock. 
 
 The raising of poultry as a business, sufficient to employ one's whole 
 time, is also receiving some attention ; and the desire to ascertain 
 what are the special difficulties in the way to such a business, and 
 how they may be removed, seems to be prevalent to some extent. 
 Hitherto but very few persons in the United States have attempted 
 the keeping of poultry on a large scale. I presume, however, that 
 such a business is not only practicable, but may be made profitable, 
 when rightly managed. 
 
 Poultry raising is certainly profitable when kept even on a moderate 
 scale. Of this there is not a doubt in the minds of those who have 
 tested the question properly. I did myself, when a resident of Ra- 
 venswood, Long Island, experiment to considerable extent in keep- 
 ing large numbers of fowls. I have ever been from my youth up 
 fascinated with rural employments, and especially with the raising 
 and management of poultry. My experience has been of that kind 
 that will enable me to speak understandingly on many points. 
 
Ti INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Perhaps the public may expect that I should give them the reasons 
 why I write this Treatise, when we already have some fire or six 
 works by American authors on the same subject. 
 
 In the first place it may be remarked, that we have no work on 
 this subject, as it appears to me, sufficiently practical. I may not be 
 an impartial judge of this question, but from a careful perusal of the 
 various works extant, I have been forcibly led to form such a con- 
 clusion. 
 
 Secondly, such works as we have that are worthy of consideration, 
 are, I think, too prosy on subjects not immediately connected with 
 the interests the pockets of the American public. We are a go-a-head 
 people, and as a general thing, we read more for profit than for plea- 
 sure ; and therefore, when we purchase a Treatise on " Domestic 
 Poultry," we look to the practical part of it for a remuneration of 
 what it costs. Occasionally a gentleman of leisure will desire a 
 full and scientific illustration of all the minor points pertaining to the 
 subject ; but the great mass of the people desire a plain, compact 
 Treatise, that is to the point on all matters relating to the successful 
 management of poultry. In my opinion these works occupy too 
 much space with the writings of ancient authors and modern foreign 
 writers generally. We have our own skillful breeders of poultry, 
 whose experience is unsurpassed, and whose opinions are far more 
 valuable to the people of the United States than those of foreign 
 writers on this subject. 
 
 Thirdly, the march of mind at the present day is onward; and 
 progress, of course, is the result. Hence where there is a chance of 
 improvement in any thing which exists among us, the opportunity is 
 quickly embraced. Now I think a new work on the practical man- 
 agement of poultry is much needed, in order to keep pace with the 
 new developments in regard to the various species of fowls which are 
 creating so great an excitement. Indeed, it is impossible to obtain 
 through the publications of the day on this subject any thing beyond 
 a mere fraction of the important information now existing among us. 
 
 Since these Treatises were published, numerous importations of new 
 and rare breeds of fowls have been made at a great cost, the descrip- 
 tions of which nowhere appear in the works now before us. Now, it 
 will be, not only my aim to improve in the matter, but also in the 
 price of my work. The books of the present day, that are of any 
 merit on the subject of poultry, are sold at one dollar. The price of 
 this work will show that I have a regard for the pockets of my read- 
 
IXTKODUCTIOTf. Yfl 
 
 era, as well as for their brains ; since, it actually contains as much 
 matter as the Dollar Works. 
 
 Lastly, I give as a reason, that I write in hopes of receiving a com- 
 pensation ; at least, in some measure, for my time spent in the produc- 
 tion of this work. " The laborer is worthy of his hire," and I hope 
 to benefit myself, while I benefit my fellow-men. I give you the 
 result of a life jspent in the pleasing occupations of the fowl-yard, to 
 a great extent, in connection with other branches of rural economy. 
 I give you the essence of all the works of the day of any merit. 
 Where compilation has been necessaiy, it has been divested of vague 
 and undefined hypotheses, and of all other useless matter : the wheat 
 being thus gleaned and sifted from the chaff. 
 
 The rapid growth of our cities and large towns is daily increasing 
 the demand for poultry and eggs ; and this demand will continue to 
 increase, and hence it is highly important that farmers, and all other 
 persons who can keep fowls, should awake to the advantages of 
 procuring the most profitable kinds, and to learning the best methods 
 of management, that they may realize the greatest annual profits. 
 
 The quantity of eggs consumed daily in the city of New York is 
 not less than four hundred barrels, or about 400,000 eggs! Some of 
 the large hotels in that city use about two hundred dozen per day. In 
 a year the enormous number of 146,000,000 eggs are sold there, worth, 
 at least, $2,000,000, taking the high prices of winter into the account. 
 The sales of poultry and eggs amount to about $3,000,000 ! 
 
 The sale of eggs in Boston in 1849, amounted to about $1,000,000 ! 
 So say the Committee of Supervision of the great Poultry Fair, held 
 in that city in November, 1849. 
 
 The value of poultry in the State of New York, according to the 
 latest census returns, is about $2,500,000, and in the whole United 
 States, $15,000,000. 
 
 Are not these facts sufficient to arouse the public mind to the im- 
 portance of raising poultry and eggs ? Our Railroads can now carry 
 poultry 500 miles to market in about twenty hours ; yet with all the 
 new facilities for rapid transportation, both poultry and eggs continue 
 to rise in value. 
 
 It will also be my special aim to give the most reliable information 
 in regard to fowls that can possibly be obtained. My correspondence 
 with the breeders in this country is very extensive ; and I can assure 
 the public that no labor, nor expense has been spared, to furnish a book 
 in which they can put the utmost confidence. That the work will 
 
Vlll INTRODUCTION. 
 
 have errors of type, of history, and of judgment, I cannot doubt. Per- 
 haps no human work on any subject is free from error of some kind ; 
 and I shall not claim infallibility in this Treatise. I shall use the 
 writings of others moderately where the subject I am treating on will 
 be elucidated thereby; and I hope no one will be able to accuse 
 me of not giving the proper credit, as has been the case with other 
 writers on this subject who have preceded me. I shall also discard 
 much of the matter now existing in the pages of my predecessors, 
 which seems to be of little practical value, but inserted apparently, for 
 the want of more important matter to help to fill up and swell their 
 volumes to the dollar size. Truth demands this assertion, however 
 harshly it may grate upon the ears of the writers of the works refer- 
 red to. It is too often the practice of the present day to extend a 
 little matter to a great sized volume, in order to command a higher 
 price. We often see large books with small pages, and broad margins, 
 and the types large and leaded, that is, the lines wide apart ; and in 
 this manner purchasers are made to pay for large books at high prices, 
 when their contents may just as well be condensed into books of 
 half the size, and sold at half the price. The pages of this work are 
 equal in size to the dollar works on this subject, but not so much 
 margin is allowed, and by using small type to a great extent, and 
 setting it solid, the work is in a form that admits of its being retailed 
 at the low price of fifty cents in paper covers. In the arrangement 
 of the various breeds of poultry, I wish it to be understood, that I do 
 not give particular breeds a precedence over others in regard to their 
 value, in consequence of such breeds being presented first in the work. 
 N"or do I attempt to form any particular classification on the score of 
 genealogy. 
 
 No work of value on Domestic Poultry can be produced without 
 comprising the Essays of gentlemen engaged in rearing fowls. That 
 some of these Essays may be rather highly colored for interested 
 purposes, is quite probable ; yet this is the only way in which we can 
 get information from those who breed them. And if they desire to 
 effect sales of their own particular breeds by publishing glowing 
 accounts of them, we must make due allowance for these things, 
 when and where we think best. 
 
 It has been my endeavor to procure information from gentlemen of 
 known probity and standing in society ; and I am happy to say, if that 
 which I now impart from my correspondents, is not correct, we may 
 consider it utterly impossible to obtain correct information on the 
 
INTRODUCTION. IX 
 
 subjects now treated on. My correspondents stand high in the estima- 
 tion of the society where they live ; and for my own part, I do i:ot 
 believe that one of them has uttered an expression in regard to any 
 breed of fowls in which he was not sincere, or by which he intended, 
 from interested motives, to deceive the public. Reliance may be 
 placed ou the information communicated by them. Indeed all the 
 sources from which statements are made, or arguments drawn in this 
 work, may be regarded as correct, and entitled to the credence of the 
 public. 
 
 I may be permitted at the close of these introductory remarks, 
 simply and briefly to state, that my great object in writing this 
 Treatise on Poultry is to produce facts not theories ; truths, not fancies, 
 on an interesting branch of rural economy, and hence to communicate 
 Buch reliable information as will be calculated to benefit the public. 
 
 "Whether I have done so, it is not for me to say. This I shall submit 
 to the judgment of the public, and let them decide. 
 
 All new and important matter will appear in subsequent editions 
 of this work, as often as shall be deemed necessary ; in the meantime, 
 the "Northern Farmer" will be the means of transmission to the 
 public. 
 
 TUB AUTHOR. 
 CLINTON, Oneida Co., N. Y. 
 
PART I. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OP THE DIFFERENT BREEDS AND YARIETIES 0? 
 DOMESTIC 
 
 WHITE DORKINGS. 
 
 The Dorkings originated in Dorking, England, and were 
 originally a pure white. Subsequently the colored Dorkings 
 were produced in Surrey, England, from a cross with the Malay, 
 as it is asserted, but without positive evidence of the alleged 
 fact. 
 
 The pure Dorkings have a supernumerary toe ; but the exist- 
 ence of the fifth toe is not always evidence of the fowl being of 
 this breed. 
 
 The cuts here shown are portraits from life of fowls owned by 
 Dr. Eben Wight, of Dedham, Mass., a gentleman well known 
 
12 WHITE DORKINGS. 
 
 as an experienced importer and breeder of fowls. It is said that 
 white Dorkings are nearly extinct in England, and that the 
 colored varieties are highly esteemed. It is quite probable that 
 this is true not from the alleged fact, that the colored varieties 
 are better, but from the positive fact that people are generally so 
 careless, that they cannot, or will not keep any breed long in its 
 purity. 
 
 Richardson, an English author, says : 
 
 "The color of the Dorking is generally pure white, spotted or 
 spangled with black ; these colors will sometimes merge into a grey 
 or grizzel. The hens weigh from seven to nine pounds ; stand low on 
 their legs; and round, plump, and short in the body; wide on the 
 breast, with abundance of white, juicy flesh. The hens are generally 
 good layers, and their eggs, though smaller than the eggs of the Span- 
 ish and Polish breeds, are of good size, and well flavored. The price 
 of pure speckled Dorkings is about 20s. the pair, ($4.44.) These birds 
 have been long prized, and it is now many years since their superiori- 
 ty over our ordinary domestic varieties was originally discovered and 
 appreciated. In this, and all other varieties of fowl, fresh blood should 
 be introduced from time to time, or the breed degenerates." 
 
 Mr. D. P. Newell, of Rochester, writes as follows : 
 
 " Dear Sir, In complying with your request, I would say, that I 
 have bred some of the choicest kinds of fowls, and have come to the 
 conclusion that the pure white Dorking is the best breed we have. 
 They have more good qualities than any other fowl. They are easily 
 kept, hardy and easy to rear, have little waste of offal, mature young, 
 and commence laying when from four to five months old. For the 
 table, I believe, it is conceded by all discriminating epicures that 
 they have not an equal. I have one white Dorking hen imported by 
 Mr. Scott, of Victor, which has layed for nine months past. She com- 
 menced when four months old and is laying now. I believe it would 
 be safe to say that she has laid at least one hundred and fifty eggs, and 
 has not offered to set. I have kept during the last season, five differ- 
 ent breeds, among which are the black and golden Polands; but my 
 pure white Dorkings have laid better than any breed. The fawn- 
 colored Dorking is doubtless a cross between the white Dorking and 
 Malay. I have raised the speckled and fawn-colored Dorkings this 
 season from the above crosses. The speckled Dorking is also a cross 
 between the golden Poland, and the white Dorking. My chickens 
 have the fifth toe, and other usual marks of the Dorking fowl. I have 
 Dr. Eben Wight's and Mr. Scott's importations, and shall breed them 
 with great care, selecting a cock from one importation, and a hen 
 from the other ; and I have yet to be convinced that the world can 
 produce any thing superior to the White Surrey Dorkings" 
 
 Maine, a foreign writer, says : 
 
 " The most valuable variety for the table at present is the Dorking 
 breed. This is pure white ; and highly esteemed for whiteness and 
 
WHITE DORKINGS. 13 
 
 delicacy of flesh when served at table. They also fetch a high price 
 at market. Among breeders, real Dorking cocks sell for from five to 
 ten shillings (sterling) each. This breed makes an excellent stock for 
 the farm or market. They fat well, lay well, and rear well ; are hand- 
 some alive, and show delicately white and advantageous when plucked 
 and dressed for mai'ket. Their feathers also being fine and of good 
 color, can be substituted many of them for geese feathers, consequent- 
 ly they bring a higher price." 
 
 In all the writings that have appeared in this country on 
 poultry, the Dorkings have, I believe, never been spoken of but 
 in terms of high commendation. George P. Burnham, Esq., 
 of Boston, in the New England Cultivator, says : 
 
 " The origin of the Dorking fowl is generally conceded to the town 
 of Dorking, Surrey County, England, where for a century and a half, 
 this variety has been kept and bred in great purity. The best fowls 
 known there, are purely white in color withi*ose combs, flesh-colored 
 legs and bills, and five toes. There are other fowls in England, as well 
 as in this countrv, which are called Dorkings for the reason that the 
 white fowl has become so deservedly popular, and so saleable ; but 
 these last named are generally a mixture of the white fowl with the 
 native breeds, or a cross of the noble white Dorking with the old 
 'Surrey' fowl (so called,) or some other mongrel. 
 
 " The best authorities on poultry give the name of ' Dorking ' to 
 the white variety that these are a large fowl, however, we believe, 
 is not claimed for the Dorking, generally. We have never seen a pair 
 of them that would weigh over eight to eight and a half pounds for the 
 cock, and five to six pounds for the hen. They possess remarkable 
 good qualities, however, in other respects; and have their advocates, 
 very decidedly, among fanciers and breeders. Dr. Wight, we believe, 
 was one of the first who imported these fowls from England into the 
 United States. 
 
 "In form, the Dorking is compact, short-legged, possessing very 
 little offal, and is a handsome modeled bird. The hens are excellent 
 layers, and the very best of mothers, always. They are moderate 
 feeders, and for the table are very choice the meat of this fowl being 
 short-grained, juicy and daintily flavored. 
 
 "There has been an attempt, with one or two breeders in this re- 
 gion, to palm off upon the unsophisticated, a cross between the white 
 Dorking or the 'Surrey' fowl, with the Great Malay, or other Chinese 
 bird a mongrel, which has been denominated for the time being, the 
 ' speckled Dorking' or the 'grey Dorking,' but with very indifferent suc- 
 cess. The fanciers who tried this experiment, have given it up ; and 
 so we will only quote the following authorities in regard to the color 
 of the Dorkings, and leave the speculators in ' grey Dorkings' to get 
 out of their permanent investments as best they may ! 
 
 " A correspondent of Dr. Kerr, in his late ' Domestic Poultry,' thinks 
 the only color which is thrown by the thorough-bred Dorking, is 
 white ; with white legs and bills, and a fifth toe. " He adds that the 
 white Dorkings have been largely bred "in-and-in," and have never 
 
14 WHITE DORKINGS. 
 
 varied in color. Mowbray, Dickson, Maine, and other known authors, 
 contend that white is the true color for the purely-bred Dorking. 
 
 "Mr. Nolan, of Dublin, in his recent work, speaking of the Chitta- 
 gong fowl, says that ' their plumage is speckled grey, and there is no 
 doubt of their being crossed on the Dorking, which fowl they resemble 
 in shape, and then produce what is denominated the grey Dorking.' 
 Here we have Mr. Nolan's assertion, who is considered one of the very 
 best informed men on poultry in the world, that the ' grey ' or ' speck- 
 led Dorking ' is nothing but a cross of the white Dorking with the 
 Malay or Chittagong. 
 
 " A few so called ' speckled ' Dorkings have been imported from 
 England, latterly, by enthusiastic fanciers, but we are informed that 
 they give very little satisfaction, upon a more intimate acquaintance, 
 and that these gentlemen are ready to fall back upon their original 
 fowls, the white variety, after giving the others a fair trial. 
 
 " There are very few varieties so highly prized as are these, and 
 none excel them for all the good qualities desired in a domestic fowl." 
 
 The following is from Mr. H. V. N. Dimmick, a breeder 
 of experience at Hubbard's Corners, Madison Co., N. Y. He 
 refers to colored Dorkings in his allusion to Mr. Rotch's stock : 
 
 ''I was very much gratified to see a true description of the 'Dork- 
 ing fowl ' in the January number of the Northern Farmer ; so that 
 those who are anxious to obtain that very valuable fowl, may be the 
 better able to judge of what they are about to purchase. I have rais- 
 ed the ' Dorkings' some three or four years. I have them from both 
 Mr. Kotch and Dr. "Wight's stock ; and in regard to flesh, I think they 
 cannot be surpassed, nor even equaled, although I think they are not 
 as good as many other fowls in regard to laying properties alone, but 
 both combined, they are truly a valuable fowL" 
 
. WHITE DORKINGS. 
 
 15 
 
 Mr. Newell, the owner of the Dorking fowl here represented, 
 in a subsequent communication, writes as follows : 
 
 "The above portrait was drawn from life, and is a correct represen- 
 tation of my pure white Surrey Dorking rooster : these fowls have 
 long, round and large, plump bodies, with a broad, full chest, like a 
 'partridge. Both the crower and hen are invariably white, from bill 
 to toe. Abundant proof is furnished by Mowbray, W. B. Dickson, and 
 others. They have been the choice market fowl in England for the 
 last twenty years, and in this country they hold the same rank among 
 poultry which the Durhams do among cattle. They will produce 
 more weight in eggs and flesh, and of a better cpality, than any other 
 variety on the same amount of food ; and as sitters and mothers can- 
 not be surpassed by any other breed of fowls. Dr. E. Wight, of Mas- 
 
16 WHITE DORKINGS. 
 
 sachusetts, of whom I obtained part of my Dorkings, remarks that they 
 are a hardy bird, and their young easily reared a fact of great im- 
 portance in this climate. The partridge should be the standard for the 
 shape of fowls. It will be found in general, that the nearer this form 
 is approached, the better will be the flesh, and the greater the quanti- 
 ty in proportion to the bone. 
 
 "The Dorking comes nearer to' this standard than any other variety. 
 I have two diiferent importations of the pure Surrey white Dorkings ; 
 consequently, my fowls are not related, as they never should be, if 
 you wish for strong, healthy and vigorous chickens. When well bred, 
 I know not a better fowl. In truth, I might say of them, as the pious 
 ISAAC WALTON was wont to say of the trout, his favorite fish: 'God 
 might have made a better fish, but he did not ;' so of the pure, unadul- 
 terated Dorking." 
 
 During the present season, (1852,) the white Dorkings have 
 shown the want of an infusion of fresh blood very much ; and 
 they have in many cases manifested a delicacy and tendency to 
 deterioration that will soon ruin this breed, unless remedied by 
 sending for fresh stock from England, or procuring stock from 
 different importations into this country. Dr. Eben Wight, and 
 Mr. Scott of Victor, are the only gentlemen who have made 
 importations of this breed, to my knowledge. Dr. Wight has, 
 I believe, made several recent importations for the purpose 
 of remedying the above evil. The white Dorkings that I 
 have raised are from Dr. Wight's celebrated stock, yet I cannot 
 recommend them, nor indeed any stock of this breed, until an 
 improvement shall have been made by avoiding the ruinous 
 practice of a close in-and-in breeding. I have made arrange- 
 ments for procuring fresh blood. 
 
 As I have no interest to subserve, save the embodiment of 
 reliable facts in this work, I shall present such information, as 
 shall come into my possession, either from my own experience, 
 or otherwise, that will give a truthful description of all the 
 various breeds, and varieties of fowls among us, so far as I am 
 capable of doing, however much it may clash with the opinions 
 of other writers. That all white Dorkings have degenerated, 
 I am not prepared to say; but my own have, and I have learned 
 of numerous instances that sufficiently corroborate my state- 
 ments, to satisfy me that I may safely say, that this breed has 
 generally become so delicate in this country, from the causes 
 before mentioned, that they are not a desirable breed to rear for 
 profit, either as a market or table fowl. That the quality of 
 the flesh of the white Dorking is of the most tender, juicy and 
 fine flavor, there is no doubt, neither is there any doubt as to 
 
SPECKLED DORKINGS. 17 
 
 their shape being a model for all fowl fanciers to seek for ; but 
 under the circumstances, I think it for the interest of the public 
 to cross them with any good breed till fresh blood shall be attain- 
 able, rather than to attempt to breed them pure. If Mr. Newell, 
 our correspondent, or Dr. Wight can furnish fowls that shall be 
 hardy, and of their original beauty, compactness and weight, 
 and not suffering from a want of fresh blood, then I have noth- 
 ing to say ; but I am satisfied in my own mind that they cannot 
 do it, unless it be from recent importations. There is obviously 
 a tendency in white Dorkings of pure blood to deteriorate, or to 
 become less hardy and vigorous, and consequently more liable to 
 debility and sickness, and this important fact regarding them 
 should be made known, that the public may be able to form 
 a correct opinion respecting these fowls. In justice to Mr. New- 
 ell, however, I will say, that his opinion on this subject is changed 
 from what it was, so far as regards the necessity of obtaining 
 fresh blood, when he furnished the preceding articles for the 
 Northern Farmer, (see advertisement of this publication in the 
 back of this work,) from which a portion of the matter con- 
 tained in this Treatise is copied, and he has taken measures, I 
 believe, to reinstate his stock in vigor and change of blood. 
 These fowls now command from $5 to $10 a pair, and eggs 
 from $3 to $5 per dozen. 
 
 SPECKLED DORKINGS. 
 
 This breed, or variety of fowls possess the general character- 
 istics of the white Dorking to a great extent, except color ; 
 and are so much akin to them, that I have not thought it expe- 
 dient to procure cuts of them. The cut that follows on page 24, 
 representing the Surrey fowl, may be said to be a true portrait 
 of this breed, as well as of the fowl it is intended to represent. 
 
 It is yet a disputed point, how these fowls originated. Some 
 fowl fanciers contend that they are a pure breed, and will pro- 
 duce their like, while others assert that they ^originated in a 
 cross, and therefore should be termed a variety. ' It will not be 
 my object to treat at length on any of the numerous disputed 
 points pertaining to fowls, of no immediate, or particular 
 importance to the American breeder, but to come direct to the 
 point, and show what the fowls are, not what they were. I have 
 no room for such matter, unless I run out my pages to an extent 
 that would produce a too large and too expensive work ; hence 
 
18 SPECKLED DORKINGS. 
 
 I have omitted the usual long, dull, and uninteresting introduc- 
 tion that generally precedes the practical matter in works of this 
 kind, treating of the origin, <fec., of the gallinaceous tribes, which 
 must of necessity be mere speculation, inasmuch as the truth can 
 never be developed. 
 
 L. F. Allen, Esq., of Black Rock, N. Y., was among the 
 first, if not the first person who imported the speckled Dorkings 
 into this country. He has bred them some ten years, and has 
 kept them pure, if they can be called a pure breed. They 
 must, however, now be considered a pure breed, I think, or 
 they would have degenerated and " cried back" to their pro- 
 genitors. Crosses generally when bred in-and-in, will rapidly 
 degenerate, and sooner or later run into the breeds from which 
 they originated, or show the main characteristics of such breeds. 
 This is termed " crying back." To produce in time, a pure 
 breed from a cross, is asserted by some writers as possible to 
 effect, and if so, the speckled Dorkings are probably an instance 
 of such a result. 
 
 Mr. Allen is still rapturous in praise of his speckled Dorkings 
 as a table fowl. He challenges the whole country to show 
 Dorkings with him. He exhibited his best specimens at the 
 New York State Fair at Rochester, in September, 1851, and 
 took the premium on that breed. 
 
 He writes me under date of April 20th, 1851 : 
 
 "The Dorking fowls are no better than the well selected common 
 fowls of our own country, in any respect, except their fine, full, com- 
 pact, broad bodies, as an article of food. For that they exceed any 
 other fowls I ever saw. They are tender, do. not lay so well, and are 
 less prolific than the others." 
 
 Here we have the whole story in a nut-shell, so far as per- 
 tains to the colored Dorkings. The authority is the best in the 
 country from ten years' experience, and from one who was 
 some two years endeavoring to obtain his stock in England, 
 through his agent there, because he would have none but the 
 best in Surrey, and the breeders had formed an alliance for the 
 purpose of preventing any of the breed leaving the country alive. 
 
 These fowls have the extra fifth toe, as well as the white 
 Dorkings, but crosses will also produce this extra toe, hence 
 it is difficult for the purchaser to ascertain whether the 
 fowls he wishes to buy are pure, or not. I have no hesitation 
 in saying, that a large portion of all the various fowls in this 
 country alleged to be pure, are more or less tinctured with cross- 
 
..SPECKLED DORKINGS. 19 
 
 ed blood, and purchasers should be very careful, and select 
 fowls from breeders of well known reputation. Purchasers 
 will often procure half breeds, or other crosses, at a low price, 
 and when they get them home, pronounce them the real " Si- 
 mon pures," and thus the character of the really pure and good 
 fowl is made to suffer. 
 
 The weight of speckled Dorkings is somewhat heavier than 
 that of the white breed ; that is, the best specimens ; say about 
 eight pounds for a cock, and five to six for a pullet, still there 
 are some that exceed this weight. 
 
 They are also tender, but not so delicate as a large portion 
 of the white Dorkings among us. Their flesh is excellent, and 
 their shape nearly, if not quite up to the model "white Dork- 
 ings. 
 
 The combs of both breeds are sometimes single, and some- 
 times double, the double comb being the result of too long 
 in-and-in breeding, as is asserted ; but I am not prepared to 
 fully endorse this allegation. 
 
 The following article is from Francis Piotch, Esq., the well 
 known importer and breeder of this kind of fowls. It was 
 furnished for this work, and the Northern Farmer. Mr. Rotch 
 states in a private note that " he has no desire to make sales." 
 I allude to this fact to show, that what he asserts is not stated 
 from interested motives : 
 
 MORRIS, Otsego Co., K Y., Sept. 4, 1852 
 
 Dear Sir, I infer from the frequent statements and remarks upon 
 poultry, published in the agricultural journals, that much interest 
 continues to be felt on the subject ; and any information I may offer 
 in reply to your inquiries, though late, may not be out of time. Not 
 that I have much to say beyond a remark or two which may correct 
 the attempt lately made by the Boston fanciers, to rest the purity of 
 the Dorking fowl on color, or rather on no color, and to rule out as 
 mongrels all birds that do not happen to be white ! 
 
 I may, perhaps, claim to be some authority in the case, inasmuch 
 as my school days were passed in the County of Surrey ; and my play- 
 ground, when visiting at Bury-Hill, (the then residence of Robert 
 Barclay, Esq.,) extended to the very outskirts of Dorking itself. 
 From that early period to the present time, covering an interval of 
 nearly .fifty years, my experience has but confirmed my early prefer- 
 ence in favor of the Dorking as a fowl of general usefulness and beau- 
 ty not so handsome, I must allow, as that ready swordsman, the 
 swaggering, stylish game-cock, nor as those little, coquettish brunettes 
 that are mated with him ; still the Dorking is a quite stately, substan- 
 tial fellow, and' though his companions may not have the same pert, 
 
20 SPECKLED DORKINGS. 
 
 jaunty air as the games, yet there is a house-keeping, satisfying look 
 about them, a development that will go far in recommending them 
 to the many. 
 
 You will perceive mine is not altogether the dollar and cent appre- 
 ciation of a poulterer, but that I have a full value for the beautiful ; 
 a fancy, that is not satisfied with the tailless, booted breeds of India, 
 shorn as they^ are of those beautiful and graceful plumes which, in 
 all other varieties, give a balance to the bird, a justness to his pro- 
 portions, and a stateliness to his every movement. In the little, 
 strutting, booted Bantam, a feathered leg may be all very well, and 
 does but complete his foppishness, for he values them, and takes care 
 of them; but the neglected and broken feathers on a long-limbed 
 " Booby-fowl," do but increase the awkwardness of his appearance, 
 and the clumsiness of his gait. 
 
 But to return to my more immediate subject, the " Dorking." 
 There is in every thing a fashion ; and when I was a youth, white 
 was the aristocratic color then in vogue, not only for its beauty, but 
 because it was less common than the darker colored. But in course 
 of time these gave way to the stronger bird of more varied plumage 
 which, then as now, was a larger, better constitutioned fowl; and 
 proved a better subject for the disgusting process of " cramming" a 
 practice then in common use with those who fatted poultry for the 
 London market. 
 
 As late as 1846, I was in the yards of the celebrated dealers in 
 fancy poultry, the Messrs. Bakers, of Chelsea, and at No. 3, 
 Half-Moon passage, London, and was there shown a lot of very fine 
 speckled and brown Dorkings which I afterwards learned were intend- 
 ed for the exhibition of poultry, about to be held in the Zoological 
 Garden. Is it to be supposed that such men would risk their reputa- 
 tion by exhibiting mongrels in so keen a competition as they were 
 certain to encounter on that occasion? In 1845 I was present at one 
 of the Societies' exhibitions, and saw there half a dozen cages of col- 
 ored Dorkings to one of white. 
 
 But lest all this should not be evidence enough to satisfy the exclu- 
 sives, I will quote for their benefit, from a work, the second edition ot 
 which appeared in 1823, entitled " A Picturesque Promenade round 
 Dorking in Surrey." At page 100 will be found the following state- 
 ments : 
 
 "An incredible quantity of poultry is usually sold at the weekly 
 markets. This trade is chiefly in the hands of a few individuals who 
 regularly attend and supply the London dealers. There is also a 
 breed of fowls with five claws, well known among the poulterers in 
 the metropolis by the appellation of Dorking fowls ; one sort is per- 
 fectly white, and another of a partridge color. Columella in his 
 Husbandry, describes fowls of this kind, and it is conjectured that they 
 were originally brought here by the .Romans." 
 
 Now, gentlemen of the hen-coop, I hope we shall hear no more 
 about white Dorkings being the only pure birds of the breed. In 
 my opinion, they will do very well if they can hold their own, in the 
 more important points of a good fowl, with the colored Dorkings. 
 
 Yours, (fee., R. 
 
SPECKLED DORKINGS. 21 
 
 The following was communicated for the Northern Farmer, 
 and not having space for its immediate publication, I insert it 
 here, though the writer thought it a too off-handed production 
 for a book, but I consider it just the thing. When we make a 
 book, we should speak to our readers in a plain, familiar style, 
 and not attempt to please by fine, flowery sentiments altogether. 
 Furthermore I shall not follow the formal rules of a nice divi- 
 sion and sub-division of all subjects pertaining to my work, 
 but shall write as " the spirit moves me," taking no fore- 
 thought of what I shall say, till the time shall arrive to trans- 
 fer my sentiments to paper ; and matter that would be appro- 
 priate in my Preface, may be found "interspersed, in a few cases, 
 through this work. 
 
 Mr. Editor, The early history of the Dorking seems to be involved 
 in uncertainty. From the best information that can be obtained, it 
 appears that County Surrey, England, has for the last century been, 
 celebrated for a valuable breed of fowls. The town of Dorking, in this 
 county, lays claim to the honor of having originated these beautiful 
 birds with how much right, it is difficult to say, as the only advan- 
 tage in evidence this town has over the rest of the county, is, that it 
 has given its name to the breed. 
 
 The point has been mooted in this country, that all Dorkings of pure 
 blood, are white. I am able to find no authority for this opinion, and 
 am inclined to think, that it is an assertion of those who have white 
 fowls only. Of all the Dorkings [so called] that I have seen, the 
 brown and speckled are vastly superior to any white breed. 
 
 A correspondent of the Northern Farmer, (Jan. 1st, 1852,) eays: 
 "The fawn-colored Dorking is doubtless a cross between the white 
 Dorking and the Malay. I have raised the speckled and fawn-colored 
 Dorkings this season, from the above crosses. The speckled Dorking 
 is also a cross between the golden Poland and the white Dorking. 
 My chickens have the fifth toe, and other usual marks of the Dorking 
 fowl." "Why could he not, with equal propriety, call his chickens five- 
 toed Malays ? 
 
 " Fawn-colored Dorkings " do you call them ! ! Would a breeder 
 be justified in selling such mongrels for " fawn-colored Dorkings ? " 
 I think not I quote from eminent English authority, the following : 
 
 " A man may take one cross without much permanent mischief; but 
 if he attempts to produce a cross breed, it usually happens that the 
 progeny possess the faults of both parents, instead of their merits. 
 Besides this, he cannot look forward with anything like certainty to 
 what any young may be." 
 
 One of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen, was a half-bred 
 Dorking, with his ten toes on his two feet, but would any breeder 
 purchase or sell such as a pure blood f If such crosses are " fawn- 
 colored Dorkings" no wonder you say, " that not half the fowls that 
 go by that name are worthy of that name." If the true variety is 
 valuable, let it be preserved with its merits pure, and not kill the breed 
 by breeding a fifth toe upon a dunghill, and dubbing them Dorkings ! 
 
22 SPECKLED DORKINGS. 
 
 Quoting from Mr. L. F. Allen, you give us " the whole story in a 
 nut-shell." " The Dorking fowls are no better than the well selected 
 common fowls of our own country, in any respect, except their fine, 
 full, compact, broad bodies, as an article of food for that they exceed 
 any other fowls I ever saw ; they are tender, do not lay so well, and 
 are less prolific than the others." You say, " the authority, the best 
 in .the country." He gives the bird the credit of exceeding all others 
 for the table that, surely, is one great point. Now let us see what 
 this same authority [Mr. L. F. Allen] says in the American Agricul- 
 txirist, some time after his importation in 1841: "They are most 
 excellent layers, good and steady setters, and kind, careful nurses." 
 " The young have proved very hardy and easy to rear. The males, 
 of which I imported two, are large, strong birds, and the hens are all 
 I could desire of them. Their eggs are of a large size, clear, white 
 and excellent in quality. Although in the depth of winter, with over 
 a foot of snow on the ground, the hens lay daily, running out in the 
 severest cold." 
 
 Now, Mr. Editor, you would hardly think that the above quotations 
 were from the same pen, describing the same bird. Ten years' breed- 
 ing should have improved, not degenerated the stock, particularly in 
 the hands of an eminent breeder. I am happy to say, that Dorkings, 
 as described, with all the good qualities that can be combined in one 
 bird, viz : beauty, strength, fine flesh, good layers, and hardy, can be 
 found in this country. I have no doubt but that Mr. Allen gives a 
 full description of the Dorkings as they appeared to him at the differ- 
 ent times he was writing. But how great a change has ten years 
 made in the bird itself 1 The Dorkings imported by him, and their 
 immediate descendants, instead of being about as perfect and desira- 
 ble a breed of fowls as a man could have in his yard, Mr. Allen now 
 describes as a breed of one virtue only, and coupled with so many 
 serious faults, that, if true, no person breeding for profit or pleasure, 
 would desire them. 
 
 So far from being tender, I have, the past winter, with the mercury 
 standing at one time at 36 below zero, watched three or four 
 yards containing pure Dorking fowls, with no protection but a half 
 open shed, that have been as well, and began laying as early, as the 
 most hardy breeds. Last winter, I saw a coop of brown Dorking 
 fowls on their way, and addressed to Mr. V. Cornish of Hartford, 
 Conn., and I thought they looked rather better than anything I ever 
 saw at the State Fairs, or at the shows of poultry in Boston. Per- 
 haps Mr. Cornish might be willing to give your readers the history of 
 his Dorkings, and some of his ideas as to their qualities. [Communi- 
 cations are solicited for the Northern Farmer. ED.] 
 
 The fact is, Mr. Editor, the pure Dorkings, when attention is paid 
 to their breeding by the introduction of a fresh strain of blood often 
 enough, are all that Mr. Allen described in 1841, and their merits 
 have only to be known to make the public as much their friend as 
 your correspondent. 
 
 COCKEREL. 
 
 It is a fact, that Mr. Allen did, in 1841, write in the Ameri- 
 can Agriculturist, what he virtually contradicts in 1851 
 
SPECKLED DORKINGS. 23 
 
 This he must reconcile, but I suppose he wrote in 1841 rather 
 prematurely, expecting that his fowls would come up to his 
 description, in which he was disappointed. 
 
 In order to furnish as ample proofs of the character of the 
 Dorking fowls as my limits will allow, I quote from Mowbray, 
 a foreign writer, as follows : 
 
 "The Dorkings rank in the third degree in the list of the largest 
 of domesticated fowls. They are well shaped, having a long, capa- 
 cious body, and shortish legs, and should have five claws on each foot. 
 The absence of a fifth claw is, however, not considered a proof of spu- 
 rious breeding. They make an excellent stock for the farm or market. 
 They fat well, lay well, and rear well ; are handsome alive, and show 
 delicately white when prepared for cooking. General opinion has 
 accorded to this breed the highest character for laying, and also for 
 arriving at early maturity. When full grown, they weigh from five 
 to eight pounds, and possess finer proportions than any other breed. 
 Capons sometimes reach ten to twelve pounds' weight. They are hardy. 
 Their eggs are of a large size, clear, white, and of excellent quality. 
 
 The cocks are magnificent ; variegated in color, with a surpassing 
 brilliancy of plumage, rarely equalled by other kinds. The hens are 
 pheasant-shaped, with a clear and beautiful head and throat, and a 
 deep, heavy crop. The young are easily reared." 
 
 The Eev. Mr. Dixon, the author of a Treatise on Poultry, 
 published in England, says : 
 
 " There can be no doubt that the production of two hind toes, in- 
 stead of one, is entirely accidental, like that of two thumbs on one 
 hand, sometimes observed to run in particular families ; but this is 
 certainly not peculiar to the fowls bred about Dorking in Surrey, for 
 five-toed fowls are mentioned by Aristotle in Greece, by Columella 
 and Pliny in Rome, and by Aldrovand in Italy." 
 
 " Their flesh is extremely white, succulent, and delicate, and they 
 have the advantage of feeding rapidly, and growing to a very large 
 size, when properly managed. Capons and pulardes, though by no 
 means so common in England as in France, are sometimes made of 
 these fowls; which, when castrated, grow to an enormous size, a well- 
 fed capon having been known to weigh fifteen pounds." 
 
 "For those who wish to stock their potiltry-yards with fowls of the 
 rr.ost desirable shape and size, clothed in rich and variegated plumage 
 and not expecting perfection, the speckled Dorkings are the breed to 
 be at once selected. The hens in addition to their gay colors have a 
 vertically flat comb which, when they are in high health, adds much 
 to their brilliant appearance, particularly if seen in bright sunshine. 
 The cocks are magnificent. The most gorgeous hues are frequently 
 lavished upon them, which their great size and peculiarly square-built 
 form, display to the greatest advantage. The breeder and the farmer's 
 wife behold with delight their short legs, their broad breast, the small 
 proportion of offal, and large quantity of good, profitable flesh. 
 
 The colored Dorkings are worth from $3 to $5 a pair, and 
 the eggs sell at $1 50 to $2 per dozen. 
 
24 
 
 THE SURREY FOWL. 
 
 THE SURREY FOWL. 
 
 The Surrey fowl is an improved variety of the Dorking, Imt 
 lucking the fifth toe. They are bred extensively in England, 
 but not to much extent in this country. 
 
 The above cut is from Nolan's work on Domestic Poultry, 
 published in Dublin, but it was furnished for this Treatise by 
 Jno. Giles, Esq., Providence, R. I., as a representation of his 
 Surrey fowls. In that work this cut represents the speckled 
 Dorking with the fifth toe, but in applying it to the Surrey 
 fowl, as bred by Mr. Giles, the fifth toe is missing. This 
 explanation is given to disarm critics, who may cavil at the 
 fact, that Mr. Giles has selected Mr. Nolan's cut to represent 
 his Surrey fowls. I presume that it is as true a representation 
 of Mr. Giles' Surrey cock as if he were to have a portrait drawn 
 from life, because no portrait, except it be from a daguerre- 
 otype, is perfect in all respects. The following is Mr. Giles' 
 description : 
 
THE SURREY FOWL, 25 
 
 "The Surrey fowl takes its name from the county in England 
 (Surrey), where they are raised in great abundance. They are 
 considered the best fowl in England for profit, being broad and 
 full in the breast, wide on the back, plump in the body, short in the 
 legs, and of a large size. A full grown cock will weigh from nine to 
 twelve pounds. One in my possession will weigh, in good condition, 
 twelve pounds. The hens weigh from seven to nine pounds. They 
 lay eggs in great abundance, are excellent sitters and careful mothers. { 
 The flesh of the fowl is white, juicy, and not surpassed for the table 
 by any other fowl. The pure Surrey fowls have white legs, the plum- 
 age is grey or speckled, the comb and wattles almost as large as those 
 of the black Spanish fowl, and of a beautiful scarlet, with a small 
 white patch on the cheek. I confidently recommend this fowL 
 
 " Yours respectfully, 
 
 JOHN GILES." 
 
 Mr. Giles is one of the most experienced fowl fanciers in 
 this country. He has kept fowls extensively for thirty-five 
 years, and has bred, as he writes me, all known varieties of 
 gallinaceous and aquatic fowls, wholly for pleasure and diver- 
 sion, not for profit. The Surrey fowl as bred by him can be 
 obtained nowhere else in this country to my knowledge, and as 
 Mr. Giles does not breed fowls to sell, I presume the above 
 fowl will not soon become extensively raised, unless we import 
 them from England. 
 2 
 
26 
 
 THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 
 
 THE BRAHMA POOTRA COCK. 
 
 I now introduce the large Asiatic breeds, and commence 
 with Brahma Pootras, because this breed is acknowledged to 
 be at the head of the list, in regard to size, weighing at ma- 
 turity from twenty-two to twenty-six pounds a pair. 
 
 The origin and description of these fowls by Dr. J. C. Ben- 
 nett of Fort des Moines, Iowa, author of the " Poultry Book," 
 was furnished for the Northern Farmer and this work, and 
 was inserted in the Farmer, as follows : 
 
THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 
 
 2-7 
 
 THE BRAHMA POOTRA HEN. 
 
 These fowls, as all others should, take their name from the country 
 of their nativity. Geographers differ as to the orthography of the 
 name, some spelling it Burrampooter ; others, Brahmaputra ; and others, 
 Brahma Pootra. This last is the spelling adopted by the Hon. Georg* 
 Thompson, (member of the British Parliament,) a noted traveler and 
 historian, and is the correct one as sustained by both "Webster and 
 Worcester, and the one we shall adopt. In relation to the name of 
 these fowls, Virgil Cornish, Esq., of Connecticut, in a letter to the 
 author, March 2d, 1852, observes: "No doubt you are acquainted 
 with the relative position of the State in India, called Chittagong, 
 and the river called Brahmaputra. Chittagong is a small State upon 
 the eastern borders, and bounding west upon the bay of Bengal. The 
 river Bramahputra discharges its waters into that bay, forty or fifty 
 miles from the western boundary of Chittagong. If the large, light- 
 colored fowls came from that region the Bramahputra of which I 
 think there is no doubt, for we have seen nothing which in the least 
 resembles them from any other country, still I am unable to say by 
 which name they should be called, with certainty. Chittagong, if I 
 understand it, is mountainous, little inhabited; while the country 
 
28 THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 
 
 through which the Brahmaputra river runs is a flat country, exceed- 
 ingly rich, though perhaps a damp soil. It is much checkered with 
 rivers. The richer the country, the larger the productions, is our 
 rule to go by." In these views, I have no doubt, Mr. Cornish is per- 
 fectly correct. Between the large, light-colored fowls from the Brah- 
 ma Pootra, and the large grey fowls from Chittagong, there is a 
 marked difference, and the person who can not see it, can see no 
 difference between a zephyr and a tornado. This difference we will 
 point out distinctly in its appropriate place. 
 
 Mr. Cornish, in the same letter alluded to above, in speaking of 
 the importation of the Brahma Pootra fowls, remarks : " In regard to 
 the history of these fowls, very little is known. A mechanic, by the 
 name of Chamberlain, in this city, first brought them here. Mr. 
 Chamberlain was acquainted with a sailor -who informed him that 
 there were three pairs of large imported fowls in New York, and he 
 dwelt so much upon the enormous size of the fowls, that Mr. Chamber- 
 lain furnished him money, with directions to go to New York and 
 purchase a pair of them for him, which he did at great expense. Tho 
 sailor reported that he found one pair of light grey ones, which he 
 purchased. The second pair was dark-colored, and the third pair 
 red. The man in New York, whose name I have not got, gave no 
 account of their origin, except that they were brought there by some 
 sailors in the India ships. The parties through whose hands the fowls 
 came, as far back as I have been able to trace them, are all obscure 
 men. I obtained my stock from the original pair brought here by Mr. 
 Chamberlain, and have never crossed them in the least. Mr. Hatch's 
 first stock, I think, were from that pair. These fowls were named 
 Chittagong, by Mr. Chamberlain, on account of their resemblance, in 
 some degree, to the fowls then in the country, called by that name ; 
 but it is certain they never bred until they reached this town." The 
 description of these fowls exactly corresponds with that given by 
 travelers and sea captains, with whom I have conversed, of the large, 
 light-colored fowls found in the valley of the Brahma Pootra, and 
 materially differing from the large, grey fowls found in the state of 
 Chittagong. 
 
 The Rev. R. W. Fuller, of Massachusetts, in a letter to "W. N". An- 
 drews, Esq., of New Hampshire, of Feb. 9th, 1852, says: "I have a 
 rir of Brahma Pootra fowls, of the same breed as those sold by Dr. 
 C. Bennett, for $24 a pair, and I consider them decidedly the most 
 beautiful and splendid fowl ever imported into this country. Their 
 color is white, inclining on the back to a rich cream-color, the hackles 
 on the neck slightly streaked \vith black. The legs are yellow, 
 heavily feathered with white, and shorter than the Chittagong or the 
 Shanghae, giving the fowls a more beautiful proportion. They are 
 very gentle and peaceable in their disposition, and have a stately and 
 graceful gait. Take them altogether they are just the fowls for an 
 amateur to fall in love with, and such as an owner, possessed of one 
 spark of vanity, would desire to keep in his front yard, that all 
 passers-by might behold and admire them." 
 
 Dr. Eben Wight, of Boston, in a letter to the author, of March 15th, 
 1852, in speaking of tjie Brahma Pootra fowls, remarks: "A man in 
 
THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 29 
 
 Connecticut, says he has a pair, same stock as Hatch's, which he has 
 "weighed: cock, thirteen pounds; hen, nine pounds six ounces; but 
 he refuses to sell them That is a fine breed of fowls and must beat 
 all others." _ Dr. Wight is one of the best amateur breeders and 
 most extensive importers in this country, and I regard his opinion 
 as paramount. 
 
 Mr. Samuel 0. Hatch, of Connecticut, in a letter to the author, of 
 Feb. 13th, 1852, writes: "People here are better acquainted with 
 these Brahma Pootra fowls, than your eastern fowl breeders. I can't 
 sell the Forbes or Marsh stock of Shanghaes for over $3 a pair, best 
 samples; whereas the Brahma Pootras sell readily for from $10 to $40 
 a pair, according to their age, and I have sold one pair at $50. The 
 usual price is from $12 to $35 a pair. As layers they are unsurpassed 
 by any breed." 
 
 The committee of judges on the different classes of fowls exhibited 
 at the late Annual Exhibition of the "New England Society for the 
 Improvement of Domestic Poultry," held in the hall over the Fitch- 
 burg Railroad Depot, on the llth, 12th, 13th and 14th days of Novem- 
 ber, 1851, in speaking of the Brahma Pootra fowls, say: "Some 
 mammoth items of this variety were shown by Dr. Bennett, S. O. 
 Hatch, and J. Parkinson, each possessing great merit. Mr. Hatch's 
 lot was entered under the head of grey Chittagongs, but were really 
 pure Brahma Pootras, and decidedly better fowls than any Chittagongs 
 in. America. They are better layers, lighter in color, have shorter 
 legs, more compact forms, larger ear-lobes, and smaller combs and 
 w r attles; and, in every respect, are vastly superior to the Chittagongs. 
 As the judges desire that every variety of fowl should be called'by its 
 right name, they cannot sanction the. application of the title Chitta- 
 gong, to this excellent stock, when, in reality, they are perfect Brah- 
 ma Pootras. B. F. Beal, R. "W. Fuller, and J. H. Penniman, showed 
 some very handsome fowls of the same variety. Dr. Bennett pur- 
 chased Mr. Hatch's lot at a very high price." 
 
 I purchased very extensively of Messrs. Cornish and Hatch, and 
 find the stock identical. Most magnificent samples have been for- 
 warded to me by both of those gentlemen. 
 
 In relation to the last nine pair of Brahma Pootra fowls, purchased by 
 Col. Mark Noble, of New Hampshire, and myself, of Mr. Cornish, the 
 last named gentlemen, in a letter of February 25th, 1852, says: "I 
 have now nine pairs of Brahma Pootra fowls. The weight I give in 
 a schedule below. Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5, were hatched the first of 
 July last, and Nos. 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9, on the first of September that 
 is the cocks ; the pullets, some of them, a little older late July 
 chickens. They are all good fowls. Nos. 1, 2, and 3, I think are equal to 
 my old pair, which were so much admired. Their weight is equal to 
 that of the old pair at the same age. I shall be disappointed if the 
 cocks do not come up fully to thirteen pounds each, when fully grown, 
 and the pullets in proportion. I have no doubt they will go above 
 that figure. They are now decidedly the three best pairs of fowls 
 that can be produced in this section of the country. The others 
 are equally good of their age. 
 
30 
 
 THE BRAHMA ] 
 
 No. 1 cock, 10 pounds, 
 " 2 " 10 
 
 " 3 " 10 
 
 " 4 ounces. 
 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 pullet, 7 pounds, 8 ounces. 
 
 4 
 10 
 9 
 6 
 8 
 
 4 
 5 
 
 The above weights are accurate, but I -would remark that the fowls 
 are all rather lean in flesh. They are all labeled, and if they do not 
 lose their cards from their necks, you can readily select them. You 
 have long been well acquainted with fowls and know how difficult it 
 is to describe their precise color," <fec. 
 
 Though these are " truly magnificent " fowls, as Mr. Cornish says, 
 still, I have made purchases of Mr. Hatch, of this breed, fully 
 equal both in weight and beauty, if not even superior. My breeders, of 
 Brahma Pootra stock, could not be purchased at a $100 per pair, they 
 are, certainly, the most magnificent fowls I ever saw of any breed. 
 
 The Brahma Pootra fowls may be thus described : The cock is 
 mostly white, with neck hackles penciled with black, and rump 
 hackles of a gold or yellow color. The tail is black, with glossy, green 
 plume feathers. The wings and a portion of the neck hackles slightly 
 penciled with black. 
 
 The pullets are white, with black tails, the wings and neck slightly 
 penciled with black. The comb is small and serrated, though fre- 
 quently they have the perfect pea-comb of the Sumatra Pheasant 
 Game fowl, which is always a rare indication of fineness of flesh. 
 The wattles are small, but the ear-lobes are extremely large and pen- 
 dulous. 
 
 The legs are yellow, and usually very heavily feathered, though I 
 have seen some excellent specimens with smooth legs. 
 
 Their weight at maturity is from twenty-two to twenty-five pounds 
 per pair, and they are quite symmetrical in their conformation. 
 
 As layers they are unsurpassed by any breed. I have tried them 
 side by side with the Imperial Chinese, (Marsh stock,) and the Shan- 
 ghaes, (Forbes' stock,) and find the three breeds about equally pro- 
 lific. Dr. Elihu Halladay, of Ohio, in a letter to the writer, of 
 March 12th, 1852, says: "The Brahma Pootras, Imperial Chinese, 
 and Shanghaes, have layed most of the time this winter. They have 
 only stopped occasionally for a few days, and some of them hardly 
 stopped for the coldest weather. I can hardly tell which of these 
 breeds are the best layers." 
 
 The Brahma Pootras, lay larger eggs than any other Asiatic fowls, 
 not excepting the great Hoang Ho fowls, recently imported from 
 Keangsoo, Shantung and Hoan, in the valley of the Hoang Ho river. 
 On an average their eggs are about fifty per cent, larger than those 
 of the Shanghaes, or Imperial Chinese Forbes and Marsh stocks. 
 
 The Brahma Pootra fowls differ from the grey Chittagongs in the 
 following respects : They are lighter color ; shorter legged ; more 
 compact in form ; have larger ear-lobes, and smaller combs and wat- 
 
THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 31 
 
 ties ; deeper breasted, but shorter quartered ; are more active ; better 
 layers ; and are more uniform in color and size. No one, but a stupid, 
 who has ever seen the Chittagong and Brahma Pootra fowls, side by 
 side, would ever suspect their being the same breed, or would so pro- 
 nounce them, unless influenced by mercenary, corrupt, and unworthy 
 conniderations so to do. The Chittagong fowl is frequently crested, 
 the Brahma Pootra never. 
 
 It is true that a cross-breed of fowls derived from the great Ostrich 
 and grey Chittagong fowls, and to which I gave the name of Brahma 
 Pootra from their resemblance to that breed, arc crested, occasionally, 
 and frequently of a buff color ; but no one ever pretended that these 
 were not a cross, or that they were the pure Brahma Pootras, though a 
 very, excellent variety of fowls. Of this cross-breed, the committee 
 of the Poultry and Bird Exhibition, at the Fitchburg Depot, on the 
 2d, 3rd, and 4th of October, 1850, in their "Report," say, page 2, 
 " The Burrampooters shown by Dr. Bennett, were among the largest 
 and most showy domestic birds exhibited. They resemble the Chit- 
 tagongs strongly ; are grey in plumage, and come from stock imported 
 directly from the valley of the Burrampooter, (or Brahmapootra,) 
 India. It is stated that this species attain to the enormous weight of 
 twenty-three to twenty-five pounds per pair, at maturity. They 
 clearly originate in a cross of the Chittagong, and ' Ostrich ' fowl of 
 the East. The crower and two pullets, sent in by Dr. Bennett, were 
 magnificent samples." 
 
 The Boston Traveler in speaking of these fowls, observes : 
 
 "These promise to be decidedly the largest birds in America. 
 Beautiful in their appearance, and the prevailing color of their plu- 
 mage is white or light fawn. They excel the Chittagongs or the im- 
 ported Chinese in quality, averaging at maturity not less than twenty- 
 Jive pounds a pair ; good layers, and the flesh is of a most superior 
 quality." 
 
 The pure Brahma Pootras are not the cross-breed here alluded to, 
 but a perfect breed &s perfect as the black Spanish, the Guelderland, 
 or the white Dorking. Of the pure Brahma Pootra fowls, in addition 
 to the persons above named, B. Bignon, Esq., and Charles Collins, 
 Esq., of Georgia ; Rev. N. S. Smith, of New York ; Dr. A. H. Gross, 
 of Pennsylvania ; Samuel "Wood, Esq., of Maine ; and R. R. Winslow, 
 of Ohio, have excellent samples. 
 
 The eggs of the Brahma Pootra sell readily at $6 per dozen ; and 
 some have sold at $1 each, or $12 per dozen. 
 
 JOHN C. BENNETT. 
 
 Fort Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa. 
 
 Dr. Bennett is one of the most extensive fowl fanciers in the 
 United States. He was the originator of the "New England 
 Poultry Society," was Professor of Midwifery, &c., in the 
 University of Lake Erie, and subsequently "Major General of 
 Division, and Quarter Master General of the State of ^ Illinois," 
 and still later Professor of Surgery, <fec., in the Third street 
 Medical College of Cincinnati. His opinion is entitled to respect. 
 
32 THE BRAHMA POOTBA FOWL. 
 
 I received in the spring of 1852 a pair of Brahma Pootras 
 from Dr. Bennett, and I have had abundant evidence of 
 their character to warrant me in saying that this breed of fowls 
 is magnificent, large, hardy, handsome and prolific, and destined 
 to be of great popularity. They possess all the valuable traits 
 of the best Shanghaes, short-legged, compact, great layers, &c., 
 besides being larger and far more attractive to the eye. They 
 lay daily, while they do lay, as a general rule, and stop but a 
 few days between broods, when not allowed to sit. Their eggs 
 are very large, larger than those of any other fowl in this 
 country. They are the most quiet, docile fowl known, never 
 pecking at young chickens, and will seldom leave the yard 
 where bred, when an opportunity is given them, unless forced 
 to do so. I have a peculiar instance of this fact. Having 
 reared several broods in a yard of good limits, I desired to have 
 them run out into an adjoining field, after the grass had been 
 cut, to feed on the bugs and grasshoppers, and having opened 
 a passage thereto, I presumed they would soon enter the field ; 
 but I was disappointed ; not one passed out. I then called them 
 out into the field and fed them there several times, but as soon 
 as they had gathered their corn they returned to their own 
 yard, and would not leave it, unless called out. Another fea- 
 ture is, they can be confined by a fence three feet high, and 
 our gardens will never suffer from their depredations, even if 
 the gates were left wide open. All the Asiatic tribes are easily 
 confined, but this breed is the least inclined to ramble of them 
 all, as far as my knowledge extends. I now (October, 1852), 
 have a dozen fine pullets of this breed, that can not be pur- 
 chased. My object is to breed from them next season not to 
 speculate, but to furnish the public who may desire eggs, or 
 fowls of this breed, at as low rates as they can be procured 
 elsewhere, and be enabled to ensure to purchasers the pure 
 breed, a matter of the utmost importance, and yet so little re- 
 garded by many breeders, who care for nothing but to get the 
 money into their pockets. 
 
 Since this breed of fowls has become popular, and much 
 sought for, the title to their name has been disputed by George 
 P. Burnham, Esq., of Boston, dealer in Cochin Chinas and 
 Shanghaes. The following extracts will show the ground 
 upon which Mr. Burnham stands, and also the position of Dr. 
 Bennett, the gentleman who gave them the appellation of 
 JBrahma Pootras : 
 
THE BRAHMA POOXRA FOWL, 83 
 
 From the New England Cultivator for June, 1852 : 
 
 " Dr. Bennett, of Great Falls, N. H., publishes a long article, lately, 
 in the Northern Farmer, on the origin of the ' Brahma Pootra ' fowls. 
 ' " Now these fowls are grey Shangkaes ; that is to say, they originated 
 in the city of Shanghae, China, and are grey in plumage. They have 
 single comb form like all good Chinese birds of a large size, and are 
 feathered or smooth-legged, as the case may be. Ihe Chittagongs 
 and these are perfectly identical ; and all are of the great Chinese 
 variety the gallus gigantem of ornithologists. 
 
 " Call these particular birds by whatever cognomen yon please ' a 
 rose by any other name will smell as sweet ' and still they are beau- 
 tiful specimens of poultry. But why not designate them correctly, 
 and call them what they 'really are 'grey Shanghaes ? ' 
 
 " We suggest this, in all candor to Dr. B., and all others who are 
 making these mistakes. As for our friend Dr. Bennett, personally, we 
 respect him, highly and are free to admit that no man has done 
 more for the benefit of the New England Society than himself. But 
 the best of us are liable to commit errors ; and we think the matter 
 alluded to is a very decided mistake. 
 
 "The original pair took the premiums at two successive fairs in Bos- 
 ton, and were called the ' Chittagongs'' at that time. That cock and 
 hen now weigh about twenty-one pounds the pair. 
 
 " This stock has been largely bred the past year, however, and there 
 is a good demand for the better specimens, at $15 to $25 a pair say 
 at a year old. " 
 
 From the Northern Farmer for September, 1852 : 
 George P. Burnham, Esq., of Boston, has recently asserted 
 in the New England Cultivator, that Brahma Pootra fowls are 
 grey Shanghaes. He also says that "the Chittagongs and 
 grey Shanghaes are perfectly identical" thus, at a single dash 
 of the pen, annihilating the Chittagong variety of fowls and 
 merging them in the grey Shanghaes ! This will be news to 
 the poultry breeders of the United States, that there are no such 
 fowls as Chittagongs! Verily, Mr. Burnham should have 
 informed the world of this fact before, and not have suffered 
 them to appear in all our recent works on poultry, and in half 
 the papers in the country for years as Chittagongs. 
 
 Dr. Bennett, of Great Falls, N. H., is the gentleman assailed, 
 as having mis-named these fowls, and the writer of their his- 
 tory in our May number. The Doctor desires us to insert the 
 following proofs of the origin and correctness of tfre name 
 of these fowls on his responsibility : 
 
 Mr. Miner :-r-In the New England Cultivator, for June, Is an article 
 on " Grey Shanghae Fowls," from the pen of George P. Burnham, Esq., 
 confounding that breed with the Brahma Pootras, and as he has used 
 my name most liberally, I beg leave to make a short reply. Mr. 
 
34 THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 
 
 Burnham says : " Mr. Burnhara was the first to introduce this large 
 breed of grey fowls into Massachusetts in 1849 and 1850. [Mr. B. is 
 incog, editor, and writes of himself as of another person. ED. NORTH- 
 ERN FARMER.] They were called Chittagongs at that time." Now, 
 the Chittagongs to which Mr. Burnham refers, are grey Chittagongs ; 
 I had some of the same stock. They were purchased of Dr. Kerr by 
 Mr. Burnham and myself at the same time. Mr. Burnham admits 
 that these fowls are Chittagongs, and so do I. They were, and now 
 are, of a grey owl-color, not white, with black tails and penciled neck- 
 hackles, like the Brahma Pootras. [The Brahma Pootras are just as 
 here described. ED.] Mr. Burnham's pair of Chittagongs, which he 
 pretends are similar to Brahma Pootras, passed into the hands of Mr. 
 G. W. George, of Haverhill, Mass. On the 28th of June, Mr. George 
 visited Great Falls to see my Brahma Pootras. He was accompanied 
 by Mr. TV. P. Neff, of Cincinnati, Ohio. I requested Mr. George to 
 Btate in the presence of Mr. Neff, whether Mr. Burnham's Chittagongs, 
 which he owned, resembled my Brahma Pootras. He replied, "Not 
 in the least. The Chittagongs that I had of Mr. Burnhara are owl- 
 colored, or grey, more like a Dominique fowl." Now, Mr. Burnham's 
 " grey Chittagongs" have turned out to be "grey Shanghaes," for he 
 gays they are " perfectly identical I " If this is true, there is no such 
 thing as Chittagong fowls ! ! They are all grey Shanghaes now ! 
 That Mr. Burnham has some grey Shanghaes, I am not disposed to 
 contradict, but that they are the original grey Chittagongs, I deny. 
 But if they were the same, that circumstance would have nothing to 
 do with their being Brahma Pootras, because neither of these breeds 
 resemble the Brahma Pootras in the least. That Mr. Burnham had 
 no fowls in 1849 and 1850, resembling the Brahma Pootras in the 
 least, / know to a certainty, and in confirmation of this statement I 
 append a letter from Virgil Cornish, Esq., of Conn. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 J. C. BENNETT. 
 
 
 July 19th, 1852. 
 
 DR. J. C. BENNETT : Dear Sir A few weeks ago I received the 
 Northern Farmer, and noticed your article on the Brahma Pootra 
 fowls, with quotations from my letter to you, which are all correct. I 
 have shown the article to Mr. Chamberlain, and he says that the de- 
 scription of the origin of these fowls, as there given by you, is per- 
 fectly correct. You have probably noticed the article in the New 
 England Cultivator for June, under the head of " Grey Shanghaes," 
 in which tlfe author claims that the Brahma Pootras are identical 
 with that breed, <fec., telling us that Mr. Burnham knows all about 
 them, and had them in 1849 and 1850, <fcc. Now I happened to meet 
 Mr. Burnham at the Poultry Fair in 1850, when he told me, after 
 viewing a few young specimens of Brahma Pootras shown at that 
 time, that he had never seen anything like them before, and Mr. Morse 
 [Mr. Morse is Secretary of the New England Poultry Society. ED.] 
 also said the same, and denied that they were grey Chittagongs ; and 
 observed that he had never before seen the pure Brahma Pootras. 
 Both gentlemen made great efforts to obtain a promise of some of 
 
THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 35 
 
 the fowls, but failed. Now, I do not wish to say that the assertion in 
 the Cultivator, that Mr. B. had the Brahma Footras iu 1849, is false, 
 but it looks very much as though there was, at least a great mistake 
 eomewhere. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 VIRGIL CORNISH. 
 
 I consider Mr. Cornish's letter quite conclusive as to the 
 origin and true name of these fowls ; and were they not sought 
 for in preference to Cochin Chinas and Sanghaes, it is probable 
 that no one would ever take the trouble to dispute the title to 
 their name, as given by Dr. Bennett, one of the original 
 purchasers of this breed of fowls. 
 
 The Brahma Pootras that I own and they are equal to 
 the best in the country are no more like the grey Shanghaes 
 or Chittagongs, than an owl is like a hawk. They are nearly 
 white, except a few hackles upon their necks, &c., as Dr. Ben- 
 nett ha described. They generally have a small pea.-conib 
 resembling that of the Sumatra Pheasant games, but which is 
 never found on the grey Shanghaes, nor the grey Chittagongs, 
 but their combs are always single and serrated. This single 
 fact is conclusive evidence that the Brahma Pootras are not 
 identical with grey Shanghaes, nor Chittagongs. The Cape 
 of Good Hope, Domnique, or the white Shanghae fowls, can 
 with as much propriety be said to be " perfectly identical " with 
 the Brahma Pootras, different as those fowls are, than can be 
 said of grey Shanghaes or Chittagongs. 
 
 In a subsequent allusion to these fowls, Mr. Burnham says : 
 
 "It matters very little what name they go by, however; they are 
 splendid birds, in all respects, and the specimens exhibited at the late 
 Fair in Boston were extraordinarily fine samples old and young. 
 
 "This breed may be feet down as the largest domestic fowl we now 
 have in this country, without exception, unquestionably. The plum- 
 age of this variety is very beautiful a light grey, approaching to 
 speckled or streaked white ; the form is that of the best modeled 
 Shanghaes, the characteristics are the same ; the weight, considerably 
 above the average : and the general appearance very prepossessing. 
 
 At the Fair of 1852, these birds commanded very high prices; and 
 all the good samples that were for sale, were taken up at an early 
 moment after the opening of the exhibition, at round figures. Fifty 
 dollars a pair was paid for the premium fowls, of this breed, and the 
 younger stock was sold at proportionate rates. They are really an 
 extraordinary race, and cannot but become popular, wherever they 
 may hereafter become known." 
 
 At the poultry show in Boston, held in September, 1851, 
 
86 THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 
 
 under the auspices of the New England Poultry Society, the 
 dispute in regard to the name of these fowls was submitted to 
 the judges for their decision. The committee consisted of Dr. 
 Bennett, and Messrs. Burnham, Andrews, Balch, and Fussel. 
 The following is their decision : 
 
 "The Committee are unanimously of the opinion that those marked 
 * Chittagongs,' are not of that breed ; it is clearly a misnomer and 
 the only question is, whether they are ' grey Shanghaes' or 'Brahma 
 Pootras ' from China or India ; and as the arguments of Mr. Burn- 
 ham on the one side, and Dr. Bennett on the other, are before the 
 public, we submit the question." 
 
 By this decision the question is settled that this breed of 
 fowls is not identical with Chittagongs, and to persist in calling 
 them grey Shanghaes seems to be a gross misnomer, because 
 they are not grey, but white, or nearly so, generally. Occasion- 
 ally we see one with the usual neck hackles extending nearly 
 over the entire body, giving the fowl a beautiful appearance, 
 yet quite distinct in color from all other fowls. Marquis F. 
 Moore, of Massachusetts, in a letter to me, dated September 3, 
 1852, says : 
 
 "The Brahma Pootra fowl are very dark in many instances. Yours 
 may be almost white, but that is no sign that all are light-colored. I 
 prefer no fowl above this breed, and I now have a pair that fifty dol- 
 lars will not buy." 
 
 I am inclined to infer that Mr. Moore's stock is not direct 
 from the original pair from which Dr. Bennett's has sprung, 
 but I may be in error. I have, however, heard of no dark- 
 colored Brahma Pootra fowls from any other source. Mr. 
 Moore also says that they do not always have a pea-comb. I 
 admit it, but Dr. Bennett's stock generally do. 
 
 Without desiring to extol these fowls beyond their merits, 
 I annex the opinions of gentlemen in different parts of the 
 country, to be taken for what they are worth, but I can assure 
 my readers that what they say was not prompted from interested 
 motives; because their opinions were given in private letters, 
 and not for the press : 
 
 The Brahma pullet I have is drooping, but I hope with care to 
 restore her. I would not lose her for any amount. This breed is de- 
 cidedly the handsomest and finest fowls I have ever seen. 
 
 B. BIGNOX, 
 
 Georgia. 
 
 Tour article on the Brahma Pootra fowls, published in the North 
 ern Farmer, for May, corresponds generally with my own experience 
 
THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 37 
 
 in regard to them. I have bred four varieties of the Shanghae fowl, 
 also the Cochin China and black Polanda, but I give the Brahma 
 Pootras the decided preference over all others. They grow to a much 
 larger size than other India fowls, and are better proportioned, and 
 they are not excelled in their laying qualities. 
 
 W. N". ANDREWS, 
 
 New Hampshire. 
 
 I find them hardy and hearty, requiring but little attention to 
 raise them. They are as easily yarded as cows, not disposed to ram- 
 ble abroad, great grass eaters, and not at all dainty. 
 
 SAMUEL WOOD, 
 
 Maine. 
 
 I have been offered for my old pair of Brahma Pootras $50, but 
 I refused to sell them. They cannot be beat. Every one that sees 
 them wants to buy them, but I don't want to sell them. 
 
 GEORGE SMITH, 
 
 Ehode Island. 
 
 My Brahma Pootra hen has beat everything about here in lay- 
 ing. She commenced in January, when seven months old, and with 
 the exception of one period of ten days, she has laid constantly to 
 this time (July.) 
 
 L. KENNEDY, 
 
 Wisconsin. 
 
 My Brahma Pootras are splendid, and cast Burnham's into the 
 shade. The fact is, they do not resemble his at all. They are quite 
 different birds, and greatly superior, more elegant and loftier. He is 
 grossly in error when he calls them grey Shanghaes. 
 
 A. VERLOIN DE GRUY, 
 
 Lousiana. 
 
 I give no residence to the writers of the foregoing extracts, 
 to show to the public that I am not advertising their fowls, 
 as is often done in an underhanded manner, for which a con- 
 sideration is tendered. If it be possible to furnish an honest 
 work, without favoring friends, or fearing foes, I desire to do it. 
 
 Mr. De Gruy, it appears, was a purchaser of stock from Mr. 
 Burnham, which that gentleman calls "Brahma Pootras," alias 
 grey Shanghaes, but the pair he extols so highly were pur- 
 chased in 1852, of Dr. Bennett for $50, and I now "have a letter 
 in my possession from Mr. De G. to Dr. B., stating that a friend 
 had offered him $150 for this same pair of fowls, and he refused 
 to sell them I 
 
 The stock that I purchased of Dr. Bennett were hatched in 
 the same nest with this pair sold to Mr. De G. ; so Dr. Bennett 
 writes me. I am well aware that such prices will appear to some 
 
38 THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 
 
 of my readers as fabulous, yet I assure them it is strictly so. I 
 have, myself, sold seven pairs and one cock of this breed, lately, 
 for $110 ; but they were chickens, from two to four months old 
 only. 
 
 At the present time (November, 1852), this breed is nearly, 
 if not quite out of the market, all having been bought up 
 throughout New England at very high figures. 
 
 In regard to hardiness, I can truly say that nothing in the 
 way of poultry can excel them. The chicks are the most easily 
 raised of any I ever saw. Few, or none die of disease, as far 
 as my own experience goes, and what I learn from others who 
 have bred them. They are covered with a soft down that pro- 
 tects them, similar to that on young ducks, and the morning 
 dew or wet grass has little or no effect upon them. If you 
 have a brood hatch you can count upon raising every chick, 
 unless killed by accident, vermin, or some other enemy. The 
 feathers of these fowls equal those of geese. 
 
 During the summer season they feed on grass to such an 
 extent that they consume no more food than our smallest com- 
 mon breeds. This occurs when they have a good range to grass. 
 
 This breed of fowls was wholly unknown in England, till Dr. 
 Bennett sent a pair to Mrs. Hosier Williams, Eaton, Mascott, 
 near Shrewsbury. Mrs. Williams is a lady of distinction in 
 England, and one of the most ardent fowl fanciers in that 
 country. She writes, that she constanly took prizes for all the 
 fowls she has exhibited at the great Poultry Fair in Birmingham. 
 She read Dr. Bennett's work on Domestic Poultry, and noticing 
 that we possess some breeds not known there (the Brahmas are 
 not described in that work), she wrote to the Doctor to do her 
 the favor to procure them for her. He then sent her a descrip- 
 tion of the Brahma Pootra fowls, in the Northern Farmer, as 
 she requested him to advise her, if any new breeds had been 
 introduced not mentioned in his work. On the receipt of the 
 paper she wrote back to procure a pair of this breed at any 
 cost. Here is an extract from her letter on receiving the fowls.: 
 
 "Sir Last night only, I received safely the pair of Brahma Pootra 
 fowls, per steamer America. I must say, they more than realized 
 my expectations, and are truly splendid. I never saw young fowls of 
 so gigantic a size and weight, and they have many decided peculiari- 
 ties which distinguish them from every other breed 1 have hitherto 
 seen. I am, indeed, not a little proud to be the only possessor in 
 Europe of such a pair of fowls, and I can not sufficiently thank you 
 for so perfectly complying with my wishes by sending them." 
 
THE BRAHMA POOTRA FOWL. 09 
 
 Mrs. Williams then offers to procure for Dr. Bennett any 
 breed of fowls in England that he may desire the best that 
 England can produce ; and adds a glowing eulogy on Lord 
 Hill's Aylesbury ducks. Dr. Bennett has requested her to 
 procure him two pairs of these celebrated ducks ; one pair for 
 himself, and the other for me, from which I shall, I hope, be 
 able to introduce, in connection with Dr. Bennett, some of the 
 best ducks in the world. 
 
 The fowls sent to Mrs. Williams, have created much excite- 
 ment in England with those who have seen or heard of them. 
 The following extract is from a letter by Wm. Gust Gwynne, 
 M. D., of Sandbach, Cheshire, England, to Dr. Bennett : 
 
 " Dear Sir, I have been so charmed with the accounts sent me by 
 Mrs. Hozier Williams, of Eaton, Mascott, near Shrewsbury, of her 
 pair of Brahma Pootra fowls, and with your description in the North- 
 ern Farmer, which Mrs. Williams received from you, and forwarded 
 to me, that I am resolved, if possible, to possess myself of the birds." 
 
 Dr. Gwynne then goes on to say, that he has remitted a 
 Bank of England note, equal to $24, for a pair of chickens of 
 this kind, but if that is not enough he will send more ; but he 
 must have a pair, let them cost what they may, <fec. 
 
 I allude to those matters to show that this breed of fowls 
 was unknown in England previous to Mrs. Williams receiving 
 her samples, and also to show that other people besides 
 Americans are willing to pay high prices for them. If these 
 fowls are not what they are represented to be, then we must 
 admit that we can place no confidence whatever in the written 
 statements and opinions as expressed in public prints. 
 
 The portraits of those fowls here shown, were got up in a 
 plain way not to sell the fowls, as many are, and they are in- 
 ferior in appearance to the fowls themselves, yet quite true to 
 their general form and proportions. 
 
40 
 
 6HAKGHAE. FOWLS. 
 
BHANGHAE FOWLS. 41 
 
 SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 This breed of fowls is more generally bred, at this time, in 
 the United States, than any other of the large breeds, for the 
 reason, that they have been sold at comparatively low prices, 
 and are truly a valuable fowl. 
 
 Mr. A. A. Hudson, of Syracuse, a gentleman who has had 
 experience in raising poultry, furnishes tho annexed cut, and 
 writes as follows : 
 
 "Enclosed I send you an engraving of my Shanghae fowls, which 
 received the first premium at the New York State Agricultural Fair, 
 held in Rochester, in September last. The engraving is taken from life 
 by an experienced artist of our city, (Mr. Chase.) It is considered by 
 those who have seen the fowls, to be a perfect resemblance, and the 
 proportions to be developed in the most perfect manner. 
 
 "The weight of my fowls, when exhibited at Rochester, was as fol- 
 lows : cock, 10 Ibs., 10 oz. ; hens, 7 Ibs. 1 oz., and 7 Ibs. ; only fifteen 
 months old. 
 
 "If farmers only knew the worth of these fowls, no effort would be 
 spared to obtain them, as they will produce more eggs in four months, 
 than any common fowl will in twelve months. I have had a ready sale 
 for all my fowls raised the past season, at prices ranging from $3 to 
 $10 a pair, according to age. From my experience in raising fowls, I 
 am fully of the opinion, that pure blood Shanghae fowls will eventually 
 drive all other breeds out of market. There can be no doubt of this, 
 as they are certainly the best fowls in America for laying, and they 
 are a very superior fowl for the table. I am satisfied, that if farmers 
 would abandon all their common fowls, and procure Shanghae fowls, 
 they would realize, at least, 100 per cent, better profits than they now 
 do. There is no mistake about this, as every person within my 
 knowledge, who has tried the experiment, will testify. You may, 
 perhaps, think me prejudiced. I believe I am not. I have tried most 
 kinds of fowls, and experience has shown me what I have now stated. 
 I have bred the Dorkings from as good stock as I can procure in tho 
 State, and I am willing to say, that their flesh is as good as that of the 
 Shanghaes, but no better ; and for laying, they will excel the Dorkings 
 by 30 per cent. 
 
 "The raising of fowls may be so increased, as to produce an annual 
 income of from $500 to $1000 a year, on any ordinary sized farm. 
 Every farmer might produce his own guano, and save the expense of 
 sending abroad for it." 
 
 Mr. Hudson is not acquainted with the character of the 
 Brahma Pootra fowls nor with the merits of several other breeds, 
 I presume, as valuable as the Shanghaes. 
 
 D. Taggart, Esq., attorney at law, and one of the best poultry 
 breeders in Pennsylvania, writes me as follows : 
 
 " The Shanghaes, by proper attention, can be made to yield more 
 
42 8HANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 eggs than any other breed. The chief obstacle in the -way of their 
 fertility, is their proneness to incubate. By care, however, this can 
 be prevented, and if so, a Shanghae hen will scarcely ever miss a day 
 without producing an egg." 
 
 The letter, from which the above brief extract was taken for 
 publication in the Northern Farmer, contained much more mat- 
 ter of interest, but having been mislaid, I am compelled to 
 forego its publication here. The following very interesting 
 communication, of a subsequent date, will, however, partially 
 atone for the loss of the original one. 
 
 NORTHUMBERLAND, Pa., Nov. 21, 1851. 
 
 My Dear Sir, Since writing you before, I have attended the State 
 Fairs at Rochester and Harrisburg, and have returned home with my 
 former notions of the varieties of the gallus giganteus very consid- 
 erably confused. I have seen almost as many different sorts of Shang- 
 haes as can be found among the common dunghill fowls yellow, red, 
 dominique, speckled, white and black ; legs of every color feathered 
 and featherless ranging through all sizes, from ordinary to gigantic. 
 And this of a breed, which my previous limited researches had taught 
 me, was primitive, distinct and uniform. 
 
 At Harrisburg, I exhibited, among other large fowls, a pair of 
 beautiful Shanghaes, five and a half months old, of unexceptionable 
 pedigree, descended from stock I purchased last year of Dr. Kerr. 
 Their grand-parents had pecked scraps of dog-pie from a Chinese 
 platter, and waked the tea-pickers by the banks of the Yang-Tse-Ki- 
 ang, to their morning toil. The stag, the handsomest color imaginable 
 fine, brilliant yellow dominique ; the pullet, glossy^, light yellow 
 both heavily feathered upon the legs, and very downy in plumage, and 
 according to the books, filling every requisite of pure, thorough-bred 
 Shanghaes, for which they were purchased. Nevertheless, Mr. New- 
 bold, of Philadelphia, himself an importer of fowls from Asia, and 
 who deservedly stands high as a naturalist in this peculiar branch, 
 pronounced them Cochin Chinas. As the committee, of which Mr. N. 
 was chairman, awarded them a very flattering premium, I was not 
 disposed to quarrel with the name, but like Galileo on an equally im- 
 portant occasion, I persisted in my old belief. 
 
 A cock, about as heavy as an ordinary game fowl, with short, clean 
 legs, by the way, a very handsome bird, was adjudged the Shanghaest 
 chicken on the ground. He looked some like a cross between the 
 Game and some undersized Cochin China. Thus doctors differ. I 
 apprehend the science of chickens, when it comes to minute classifi- 
 cation, will prove almost as troublesome as entomology. 
 
 A number of gentlemen import large fowls from China one 
 importation differing from another. Each gentleman considers his 
 own the only pure Shanghaes, and the others, of course, mere adul- 
 terations. The truth is, I doubt not, in that original home of cocks 
 and hens, they have, as elsewhere, in the course of ages, obtained an 
 almost endless variety some differing little, derived from a common 
 
8HANGHAE FOWLS. 43 
 
 starting point others differing much, from a distinct original. I am 
 not inclined to trace every variety of chickens, from the Great Malay 
 to the Bantam, to a common progenitor. Nor do I yet believe, that 
 every extra speckle, or every superfluous feather, whether on top of 
 the head, under the throat, or upon the legs, denotes a distinct Adam 
 cock, and Eve hen. A middle course seems to be the sensible one. 
 No man can believe, that the Chittagong, the Game, and the Bantam 
 are descended from the same stock, and yet no man can deny, that 
 wonderful changes in external appearance, and even in qualities, can 
 be effected by the careful or fanciful breeder. Some years ago, I came 
 into possession of three common grey puddle ducks a male, and two 
 females. These birds were without a single white feather, and yet, 
 by aiming at white, in the course of four years, I had from these 
 three, a flock of beautiful white ducks, without spot or blemish. I 
 could more easily have had grey, parti-colored, or dark, if I had chosen. 
 Nay, I could have turned the white flock back again, for though that 
 color, when once established, greatly preponderated, the dusky hues 
 would sometimes re-appear. And thus of the purest fowls you or I 
 have ever seen. From yellow or buff Shanghaes, it is hardly to be 
 doubted, that white and other colors could be obtained, in the 
 course of a few generations, if constantly aimed at. As of color, so 
 of other minor characteristics. 
 
 After the rearing of young broods, the next most important item, 
 and certainly the most profitable, where fancy prices cannot be 
 obtained for chickens, is the production of eggs. In France, it is said, 
 the cooping system answers very well. But unless the citizens of the 
 Grand Republic understand the necessities of egg-bearing hens better 
 than we do, or minister to them with much greater care, I am inclined 
 to doubt the statements. I know very well, that in our country, 
 abundant food and liberty are both essential to long continued pro- 
 ductiveness. On a limited range, a hen soon exhausts the supplies of 
 grass, worms, gravel, and calcareous matter, that are necessary to her 
 health, enjoyment and fertility. And even if these things are plenti 
 fully furnished her, a difficulty still remains. The premises will 
 become tainted and unwholesome, in spite of the most unremitting 
 care. I have had hens to lay tolerably well for a time, when confined, 
 but the attention they required was tenfold, and their prolificness of 
 short duration. Fruits and vegetables, and any form of animal food, 
 are highly promotive of the object to be attained. With the excep- 
 tion of hogs and men, there is nothing so omniverous as a chicken 
 And in this respect, the more their appetites are pampered, the better. 
 Corn to-day, oats to-morrow, wheat next day, and "green things" 
 every day, is a good system of rotation. 
 
 If I were a butcher, I would engage to supply a small neighborhood 
 with eggs, winter and summer, by keeping hens around my slaughter 
 house, to live on bullocks' blood, scrapings, and other odds and ends. 
 I can imagine no better food for poultry than corn meal saturated with 
 blood. I would advise every knight of the slaughter weapon, to add 
 a hennery to his premises, thereby securing both profit and pleasure. 
 If any farmer who has been in the habit of wintering one hundred 
 fowls on the shift-for-themselves principle, will reduce his flock to 
 
44 6HANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 fifty of the finest young ones, and feed these regularly and plentifully, 
 affording them reasonable shelter in severe cold, he will find the yield 
 of eggs greatly increased, and the destruction of grain in the mow 
 and stack, as greatly diminished. When chickens are permitted to 
 help themselves, they are apt to leave in exchange what does not 
 much enhance the value of the grain they fail to consume " verbum 
 sapientibus satis." 
 
 The killing off of fowls is another matter worthy of consideration. 
 The number of a hen's eggs is generally in an inverse ratio to her 
 years. Unless hens are great favorites, and possess very remarkable 
 personal attractions, they should not be permitted to live beyond two 
 years. Besides their comparative barrenness, their gouty dullness in 
 the poultry yard, is anything but ornamental. " Off with their heads," 
 before they get too old to be eaten. 
 
 Yours truly, DAVID TAGGART. 
 
 As the descriptions of our most valuable fowls have hitherto 
 been very meagre in works on poultry, I shall give full details 
 from numerous sources. 
 
 Mr. Miner, Sir: I think the Shanghaes are very excellent fowls, 
 especially as layers. In proof of this, I have a " brown Shanghae " 
 pullet from stock of the Gillet importation, which commenced laying 
 in October last, and has layed almost daily, ever since, notwithstand- 
 ing the severity of the weather for a few weeks past. 
 
 H. V/K DlMMICK. 
 
 Madison Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1852. 
 
 Mr. T. B. Miner Dear Sir : Of the domesticated large breed of 
 fowls, the Shanghaes are conceded to be the best for general purposes. 
 They are as large, if not larger, than any other pure breed, and have 
 the most noble and commanding appearance of any fowl I have ever 
 seen ; they are of a fine form, good plumage, very peaceable and quiet, 
 healthy, easily raised, and much attached to home. Mine do not wan- 
 der twenty yards from the house, although, did they choose, they 
 might take the range of three or four acres. It has been said to be 
 a dish fit for an Emperor, when well cooked. This I am much inclined 
 to doubt, and cannot believe they are equal in that respect to the 
 Games, or those having a dash of that blood in them. I have not as 
 yet, however, tested their quality as table food. I have a cockerel 
 and pullet of this breed, which were hatched on the eighth of Janu- 
 ry last. The cockerel now weighs seven pounds, three ounces, and 
 the pullet six pounds and three-quarters, being within one ounce of 
 fourteen pounds, for a pair of chickens only nine months old. This 
 ought to satisfy any reasonable person as to size. The pullet has not, 
 as in the case of the Cochin, commenced as yet to lay, and I am better 
 satisfied that it is so, as the commencing so soon to lay, has a tendency 
 to retard the growth, and as I believe this to be a pure breed, their 
 precocity is not so great as a first cross would be, or for instance, the 
 Chittagong is, which has been known to commence laying at five 
 months old. 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 45 
 
 To the Chittagongs, (so called,) I am not partial, on account of its 
 being a mixed breed. Their progeny are of all descriptions and 
 colors-,-some smooth, and some with their legs feathered ; and again, 
 some having nine and ten toes. They are also deficient in form to the 
 Cochin or Shanghae, being very tall in proportion to thickness of body ; 
 but to those who are not nice in such matters, and who think that all 
 fowls are much the same for culinary purposes, they may do very well. 
 They very often attain a large size, arid weigh as much, if not more, 
 than any other variety. They are good layers of large and very well- 
 flavored eggs, if well fed. I have a hen of this variety, but not 
 knowing when she was hatched, cannot testify as to her precocity, 
 but can as to her prolific qualities. She is now raising her third 
 brood of chickens this year, and some of the first brood now stand 
 twenty-four inches high, and all promise to be of the largest size. 
 
 I would recommend to those who breed this, and other varieties of 
 a large size, to put saddles on the hens' backs, (that is, a piece of 
 thick cloth, but not so closely wove that the cock would slip off. A 
 piece of cotton-bagging would answer very well, either sewed on, or 
 secured with tape), to prevent them from being lacerated by the claws 
 of the cock ; or put eight, ten, twelve or enough of hens to satisfy his 
 salacity. If the saddle is used, it will be necessary to examine fre- 
 quently beneath, to see that there are no vermin. A smearing of the 
 parts with oil or grease, before applying it, would be beneficial. 
 
 A. C. Pnm 
 
 Charleston, S. C. 
 
 I had an instance the last season, of the skin of the sides of 
 a hen being completely stript down, by the sharp claws of a 
 large, heavy cock. It would be well to use Mr. Phin's remedy. 
 
 The following is from A. T. Newbold, Esq., of Philad., a pio- 
 neer in the importation of this breed, and the origin of the name : 
 
 "In the spring of 1847, I received, direct from Shanghae, by Capt. 
 G-. W. Lockwood, of the ship Tartar, the first pair of native fowls 
 from northern China, imported to this country. I have been a fancier 
 of fowls for thirty years, and I believe that I have had every known 
 variety, at different times. There have been many different fowls 
 brought from Shanghae, but it docs not follow, that all are the pure 
 native breeds of northern China. On the contrary, most of the fowls 
 at the port of Shanghae are hybrids, as 'also are the Cochin Chinas. 
 Previous to having the Shanghae fowls, (a name which I gave them 
 in consequence of their being shipped at that port,) I had a breed, 
 which I called the "Grey Eagle," improved by crossing with tho 
 large black fowl from Algiers, with the large white fowl of Poland, 
 without top knot, known as the Baltic fowl. Although hybrids, they 
 were the best I had seen, until I received the Shanghaes. In regard 
 to the laying qualities of the Shanghaes, you can judge, when I state, 
 and vouch for, that I received them in the early part of June, in very 
 poor condition. The hen commenced laying on the 19th of June, and 
 up to Dec. 3d, I had 127 chickens from her eggs! They were hatched 
 under other hens, of course." 
 
46 SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 The color of the Shanghaes that have been described, is 
 variable, no two importations being exactly alike. Some are 
 yellow, some buff, some brown, some fawn-colored, and some 
 black. Their weight may be correctly set down, as averaging 
 at maturity, from fifteen to twenty pounds per pair. 
 
 I have a pair of 5w^-colored Shanghaes, that are very supe- 
 rior. The hen weighs nine pounds, fifteen months old; the 
 cock is younger, but will probably draw twelve pounds when 
 two years old. The pullet is so short in the legs, and heavy 
 in the body, that she walks with difficulty. She is a perfect 
 fowl in every respect, and now lays daily, (Jan. 10th, 1853.) 
 Here is a very good delineation of her, but this cut was not 
 engraved expressly to represent her : 
 
 I have procured these fowls 
 as the best specimens in the 
 country, being resolved to spare 
 no expense in obtaining the 
 best of the various breeds that 
 I shall keep, and I believe the 
 State of New York cannot pro- 
 duce a Shanghae pullet that 
 is her equal in all the good 
 points that constitute a perfect 
 fowl. I shall not be able to 
 spare any eggs from this pair 
 before another year. My own 
 candid opinion in regard to Shanghaes, is, that they are next 
 to Brahma Pootras, and as the latter cannot be had at less than 
 $15 to $25 a pair, the Shanghaes are the fowl, at present, for 
 the public generally. 
 
 In purchasing, pay no regard to the "stock" the fowls are 
 said to be from, as you can place little dependance on such 
 evidence of their value, but see that you get a short-legged, 
 compact fowl, with a short tail, legs feathered heavily as a gen- 
 eral rule, a bright eye, single serrated comb, and the weight of 
 pullets at eight months old, not less than six pounds, and cocks 
 of the same age, eight pounds, at least, with an increase of two 
 to threa pounds on each, when mature. The price for good 
 specimens, is from $3 to $10 a pair, and even higher for very 
 fine extra fowls. 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 R. C. M 'COR MICK, JR 
 
 SHANGHAES. 
 Eighteen Months Old Bred from Imported Stock. 
 
 friend Miner, In fulfilment of my promise, I now send you 
 sketches of some of my fowls, taken from life, a few days since. The 
 specimens portrayed, are fair representatives of the kind that I have 
 bred for several years past, the Shanghaes, and which I now esteem 
 much higher than any other variety that has yet attracted my atten- 
 tion. In 1851, I obtained from the bark "Gallego," at New York, 
 from Shanghae direct, a number of pairs of Shanghae fowls, equal in 
 size and quality, I believe, to any of the celebrated importations hith- 
 erto made. From these fowls I have raised a large number, and their 
 progeny well sustain their characteristics. The drawing of old 
 fowls, now forwarded, was taken from a pair bred from the import- 
 ed stock, and now eighteen months old. No attempt has been made 
 to put flesh upon them ; they have the run of the farm, and pick up 
 most of their living thereabouts, and are now only in ordinary condi- 
 tion. Their weight, a few days since, was nineteen pounds; and, 
 highly fed, they would, in all probability, draw a number of pounds 
 more. The cock is of a dark-red color ; his legs, very large, of a 
 
48 
 
 SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 handsome flesh-color, and heavily feathered ; he stands up loftily, 
 measuring about thirty inches ; and combines, with great size and 
 weight, much symmetry and beauty in his form ; and this I think 
 quite desirable, for in this world, even roosters, are valued by many 
 for their graceful appearance ; and I myself like to see them exhibit 
 a good proportion and graceful figure. I have seen many heavy fowls 
 that I would not give crowing room their clumsy, uncouth forms 
 " without shape or comeliness " ; and their awkward movements certain- 
 ly invite ridicule, and give good cause for dislike. The hen shown in 
 this cut, is from the same imported stock. She is of a deep copper- 
 color, and stands well up, though the artist has given her rather long 
 legs ; her limbs are exceedingly large, yet her formation is very com- 
 pact. In every respect she is a valuable hen a good egg-producer, 
 an attentive mother, and withal, a remarkably well-behaved, quiet, 
 honest fowl. Her head is serpent-like, and her eye sharp ; and 
 throughout, she presents, what I consider, the true marks of the real 
 Shanghae. 
 
 m 
 
 SHANGHAE CHICKS 
 
 EiyTit Month* Old. 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 49 
 
 The sketch of chicle* is intended to represent a pair, bred from 
 my old fowls. They are now eight months old, and weigh seven- 
 teen pounds. They resemble very much the original stock. The 
 crower is of a deep-red hue, very tall and heavily built, and is a 
 promising bird. The pullet, his mate, is of a buff-color, and now 
 weighs eight pounds. (No means have been used to fatten these 
 chicks.) She is, of all my Shanghaes, the favorite. I think her body 
 is somewhat longer than drawn in the sketch, but you may form a very 
 good idea of her shape therefrom. She has a perfect serpent-head, 
 and very heavy, flesh-colored legs, thickly feathered, down to the toes ; 
 her wings are small, and her frame extremely broad. I do not remem- 
 ber to have met, even in the yards of the celebrated fanciers of Bos- 
 ton and vicinity, (that notorious chicken district,) a chick or old fowl 
 that seemed to me to comply more fully with all of the distinguishing 
 peculiarities claimed for the pure Shanghae. At the fair of our County 
 Agricultural Society, held at Flushing, in October last, no fowl was 
 admired more than this pullet. Many amateurs and breeders pro- 
 nounced her superior to anything of the kind that they had ever seen. 
 I have had numerous proposals, but incline to keep her, and hope to 
 have " more of the same sort." I do not suppose that she surpasses 
 everything in the country, but would only intimate that I have never 
 had her equal, of similar age, etc. Perhaps my excessive admiration 
 has Jed me to eulogise too highly " my pet." Could you see her 
 though, I think that you would fully agree with me in praising her. 
 
 So much towards describing the "pictures." You want my opinion 
 of Shanghaes generally. At any rate, I will speak of no other species 
 now. They are my first choice, and, of course, get my first notice. I 
 have chosen, as specimens of my stock, the birds sketched, believing 
 that they display the genuine traits of the breed. There are many 
 cocks strutting about my yard, whose voices have oft welcomed the 
 dawn of the oriental sun, and many hens too, natives of the Celestial 
 Empire no w cackle daily round my barn. But I consider their Amer- 
 ican offspring, better birds. And why should they not be? The 
 anxiety endured by their parents, in being torn away from their 
 homes and friends in the days of their youth, (as they had generally 
 been,) with the hardships and fatigue of six months in a small coop, 
 on the " rolling ocean," is sufficient to render them imperfect in their 
 developments ; for while sea voyages may greatly benefit the mem- 
 bers of the human family, I doubt exceedingly their material improve- 
 ment to the feathered race. Chickens are by nature land lubbers, and 
 the sea is anything but agreeable to their health and condition. 
 
 I have been familiar with, and have owned poultry of almost every 
 known variety, and from personal experience, now fel ready, as I have 
 before intimated, to give the Shanghaes the pa.lm, considering them tru- 
 ly the ne plus ultra of chickendom. No fowl is better adapted to the 
 farmers' wants, none can be more easily reared, and none are less'dis- 
 posed to injure or destroy his property, nor is any more productive or 
 hardy. I think that they excel even the Black Polands in laying. 
 Last winter, during the unusually severe weather, when all others had 
 ceased laying, my Shanghae hens were daily obliging me with their 
 rich eggs, (all of a deep cinnamon-color.) I have no stories to tell of 
 3 
 
50 SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 two eggs per day, but you may, with almost a certainty, rely upon re- 
 ceiving one good egg every day from a Shanghae hen, and occasionally 
 I get one with two yolks, as large as a turkey's, measuring afoot or less 
 around ! For breeding, these fowls are excellent. It is all untrue 
 and libelous in the extreme, to brand them "poor setters" and 
 inefficient mothers ; they hatch their eggs well, and rear their young 
 with great care and success. It is not ^Infrequently the case, that 
 every member of a large brood reaches maturity. 
 
 In all respects then, the Shanghae is a most desirable species, the 
 introduction of which into our country, has formed a new era in the 
 history of poultry and poultry breeding, and will, I think, prove of 
 great benefit to the land. Poultry breeding has become so extensive 
 A business, that it is to the interest of the citizens of the United States, 
 that all improvements in the varieties, etc., should be encouraged, 
 and the scattering through the States, of this capital and profitable 
 breed, will, in my estimation, do much toward raising the quality and 
 increasing the value of our domestic poultry. 
 
 I have not entered into detailed descriptions, as I should like to have 
 done, and find that already my letter is quite too long. But I suppose 
 that there are but few in our country now, who are not more or less 
 familiar with the Shanghae. I have sent of my stock to the 
 Northern and Southern States, and to the West Indies, and have 
 heard th-e most favorable reports. I have not, nor do I intend, to 
 breed for the market, or for profit, but from an innate love for 
 " chickens," (alive,) and a special interest in this species, have devoted 
 much of my time and attention to its study and keeping.. I shall be 
 pleased to furnish you, or the readers of your book, with any further 
 information relative to my Shanghaes, that you may at any time 
 desire, which my continued study of their "manners and customs," 
 may afford. 
 
 I may, perhaps, mention, that to avoid breeding in and in, (a prac- 
 tice to which I am strongly opposed,) and in order to breed directly 
 from imported stock, I replenished my yards last spring by an impor- 
 tation per ship " Oneida," at New York, and within a few days, I 
 have received an additional invoice per ship " Oriental," at New York, 
 from Shanghae direct, in a short passage. 
 
 The accompanying " sketches," were prepared by Nathaniel Or, 
 Esq., the distinguished engraver of New York, and although pro- 
 nounced exceedingly accurate and artistic, they still carry to the 
 uninitiated, a very imperfect idea of the size and beauty of these 
 fowls. 
 
 With continued respect, 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 RICHARD C. McCoRMiCK, JJR. 
 
 Woodville, near Jamaica, Long Island, N. Y., ) 
 December 22d, 1852. J 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 61 
 
 IMPERIAL CHINESE FOWLS. 
 
 This variety of fowls are said to have been produced orig- 
 inally from a cross between Marsh's or Forbes' Shanghaes and 
 the " Cochin Chinas." The committee of the South Carolina 
 Poultry Society, in their report, say : 
 
 "IMPERIAL CHINESE," This name has been given to a large variety 
 of fowl produced by crossing the Forbes' Shanghae on the Cochin China 
 fowl. They are very large, and the best cross breed, we are acquainted 
 with." 
 
 These fowls have been represented as being the Marsh Shan- 
 gaes. If they are a cross, as has been represented, I shall 
 not conceal the fact, as I ana pledged to give the truth, as far as 
 possible, without fear or favor. I have received a pair of this 
 variety from the yard of C. C. Plaisted, Esq., of Great Falls, N. 
 H., and I can bear testimony to their being a very fine fowl ; 
 short legs, compact bodies, and possessing the good points of 
 the best specimens of Shanghaes. The cock is a light-red, 
 merging in brown. The hen is of a beautiful variegated 
 plumage, partaking of the shades of the dominique fowl to 
 some extent. I am opposed to multiplying names of fowls, 
 without a good reason, and when they are not unquestionably 
 a distinct breed ; and if we admit the right of breeders to give 
 a new name to every cross that is produced, we should soon 
 find ourselves in a labyrinth of confusion in the nomenclature 
 of our poultry. 
 
 In making these remarks, I do not wish to be understood as 
 speaking in disparagement of these fowls, for I consider them 
 as a very superior fowl, and one of those fortunate crosses (if 
 they are a cross,) that produce a better fowl than either of the 
 parents, and consequently sell at a higher price. I have not 
 bred my specimens yet, having received them recently. I expect 
 to produce some splendid samples next season, however, and 
 I will then give a more detailed description of them in the 
 Northern Farmer. They now sell at $10 to $15 a pair. 
 
 Here is Dr. Bennett's description of this variety. I have had 
 no engraving taken of them, in consequence of their affinity to 
 the Shanghaes. They are well represented in model by Mr. 
 Hudson's cut of Shanghaes, before inserted, and the cuts which 
 follow. 
 
 "This breed of fowls is ranked, by common consent, as one of the 
 best varieties now bred in New England ; and this position is accorded 
 to them on account of size, beauty, and general valuable properties. 
 
52 SHANGHAI FOWLS. 
 
 " The appearance of these birds is attractive, and exceedingly majes- 
 tic. The color of the cocks is generally red and brown, and the hens 
 are usually dark yellow. They bear large, single combs, and the wat- 
 tles are large, also. The cheeks, or ear lobes, are large, and of a 
 clear red. They have long necks and legs, and the legs are usually 
 yellow, and frequently feathered, though some of the best specimens 
 are without feathers, and are dark. 
 
 "They have four toes on each foot, and these are of extraordinary 
 length. The wings and tails are very short, like those of the Cochin 
 China fowl, and the plume feathers are of a beautiful green. The 
 chickens feather slowly, but are very strong and healthy. They are 
 seldom affected by disease, even when other breeds in the same, yard 
 are feeble and sickly. Though it may seem strange that birds which 
 feather so slowly, should endure the rigors of a northern climate, yet 
 these are among the most vigorous chickens, and stand the cold better 
 than those which feather at an early age. 
 
 " The weight of these fowls is a remarkable characteristic. The im- 
 ported pair are said to have weighed twenty-three pounds; the cock 
 weighing xipwards of thirteen pounds. I have one, eleven months 
 old, from imported stock, which weighs a trifle over eleven and a half 
 pounds. 
 
 " The difference in weight between the cocks and hens of this breed, 
 is very great in fact, they are rather disproportioned. For instance, 
 a cockerel of mine, six months and fifteen days old, weighed nine 
 poxinds, strong, while the best pullet of the same brood, only weighed 
 five pounds, at the same age. At the same time, I weighed a pair of my 
 Brahma Pootras, five months and twenty-one days old the cockerel 
 drew eight pounds, and the pullet five pounds and a half a much 
 Letter proportion. On the whole, the Imperial Chinese are fully equal 
 in size to the best specimens of grey Chittagong fowls, but are superior 
 in fineness of flesh, and are decidedly better layers. 
 
 "The eggs of these fowls are of a medium size, and tinged with a 
 salmon-color. There are no fowls more prolific. The imported hen, 
 the mother of my fowls, laid 135 eggs in 147 consecutive days, and 
 another of Mr. Marsh's hens, of this" breed, laid 86 eggs in 91 consec- 
 utive days. They begin to lay early, usually at five months old, and 
 lay continuously. 
 
 " Mr. Marsh says, under date of April 26, 1850, that he has 'a pul- 
 let hatched Dec. 23d, which began to lay April 23d.' One of mine, 
 hatched April 10th, began to lay August 25th. In another letter, 
 dated May 4th, 1850, Mr. Marsh says, 'one hen that has laid almost 
 daily for the last seven months, has but lately evinced a desire to sit.' 
 
 "The committee of the Poultry and Bird Exhibition, at the Fitch- 
 burg Depot, Boston, on the 2d, 3d, and 4th of October, 1850, in 
 
 the committee say, ' The Imperial Chinese fowls, contributed by Dr. 
 Bennett, were splendid birds. The crower and pullet ehown, were 
 six and a half months old, [this is an error they lacked eight days of 
 being six months old,] and were very large the cock weighing over 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 53 
 
 eight pounds. They were from the Marsh stock, of which mention 
 has already been made.' 
 
 " The Boston Traveler says ' They are among the largest and finest 
 fowls in the country, and are considered as one of the best importa- 
 tions ever made. They are unsurpassed as layers, and very fine 
 fleshed.' 
 
 "Dr. Thomas Gailard, of Claiborne, Alabama, in a letter dated 
 Sept. 23d, 1850, in speaking of these fowls, observes: 'You will 
 inquire whether my expectations have been realized. I answer, 
 entirely so. The Imperial Chinese are the most splendid fowls I ever 
 * beheld ; and, although my anticipations were somewhat extravagant, 
 they surpass the standard of excellence I have assigned to them. All 
 who have seen them, concur in this estimate of their qualities. I 
 have been already offered for a pair of chickens, when old enough to 
 be taken from the mother, the cost to me of the parents, $15 a pair, 
 besides the freight.' " 
 
 On sending me the specimens of " Imperial Chinese," Mr. 
 Plaisted remarks : 
 
 " The hen is one of my best specimens, for I want you to have the 
 best stock in the country. She is in a heavy moult now, but when in 
 feather is a splendid hen, and precisely the color and marks of the 
 old imported hen that Mr. Marsh speaks of in his description, that 
 laid 135 eggs in 147 days. I have one hen that weighs nine pounds, 
 and the same color as yours. I would not part with her at any price. 
 I have refused $15 for her, several times," 
 
 Geo. A. Smith, Esq., of Georgia, writes to Dr. Bennett as 
 follows : 
 
 "The first pair of Imperial Chinese fowls I bought from you for my 
 friend, Mr. A. B. Ross, have proved themselves to be a trump. At the 
 time of our fair, in 1851, before the pullet was a year old, she had 
 laid 120 eggs. Twenty -five of the chickens were on the ground, and 
 were sold to one man for $125. He retailed them out for $180. From 
 the 15th of January to the 15th of October, she laid 215 eggs. There 
 was sent to the fair 66 chickens, of various sizes, that sold for $240, 
 besides several pairs that were given away. They are among the 
 finest fowls that I know of. They are large, and very hardy." 
 
 James McClintock, M. D., Professor in the Philadelphia 
 College of Medicine, and who has a very extensive assortment 
 of poultry, at his country residence in Bustleton, has recently 
 imported from England some splendid specimens of " Imperial 
 Chinese " fowls, known there (England,) as " Partridge-col- 
 ored Cochin Chinas." I am assured by both Dr. Bennett and 
 Dr. McClintock, that the foregoing descriptions may truly apply 
 to this importation, as regards all the characteristics furnished 
 by Dr. B. This indicates that these fowls are not a cross, as 
 Dr. McClintock's importation are said to be a pure breed. I 
 
54 SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 hope that those bred here are of pure blood. My anxiety to 
 furnish a true history of the various breeds, led me to make 
 the foregoing remarks, presuming that the S. C. Poultry Society 
 spoke with authority, and understandingly, and the fowls being 
 so scarce and unknown, except to a few individuals, that I, in 
 the haste of putting my work to press with the utmost despatch, 
 to meet the demands of the public, was compelled to omit to 
 apply for further and more distinct information. 
 
BHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 DR. M'CLINTOCK'S IMPERIAL CHINESE COCK. 
 
 The above is a true representation from life, of Dr. McClin- 
 tock's Imperial Chinese rooster ; weight nine pounds, but will 
 probably draw eleven or twelve pounds when six months older. 
 I learn that the flesh of this breed, as well as those bred in this 
 country, is of a beautiful yellow when dressed. In brief, both 
 the American bred and English fowls are splendid in model, 
 plumage, <fec., and must be popular. 
 
56 
 
 SHANGHAE FOWLS, 
 
 DR. M'CLINTOCK'S IMPERIAL CHINESE PULLET. 
 
 The weight of the above fowl is eight pounds and three- 
 quarters as fine a hen as on 3 need to look at. She is heavily 
 feathered on the legs, which are short, and she has that com- 
 pactness of body that always denotes a good fowl of any 
 breed. Dr. McClintock may well be proud of such fowls, for 
 their like is not often seen. They are however, not superior to 
 the specimens that I have received from C. C. Plaisted, Esq., of 
 Great Falls, N. H., who has a large number equally large and 
 fine. 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 MODEL COCK. 
 
 This cut was originally designed to represent the " grey 7t 
 Shanghaes, so called, or Brahma Pootra fowl, but I consider the 
 design quite as appropriate for our lightest colored buff Shang- 
 haes, as for any specimens of the above breed. My buff 
 Shanghaes, to which I have previously alluded, are almost a 
 fac simile, in model, at least, of these cuts. I have just 
 received these portraits from my engraver, which is the reasoa 
 3* 
 
58 
 
 6HANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 why I did not Jnsert them at the place where my fowls are 
 described. 
 
 There are some specimens of the Brahma Pootra fowl that 
 conform very closely to the portraits here given. A portion of 
 my pullets are truly portrayed by the cut that follows : 
 
 MODEL BRAHMA POOTRA, OR 8HANGHAE HEN 
 AND CHICK. 
 
 And if the dark pencilings of the neck were changed to a 
 bright, yellow-brown hue, my buff Shanghae hen would have 
 a perfect portrait. 
 
 Here I will observe, that these portraits are a guide in pur- 
 chasing good fowls, of all breeds. See what beautiful, compact 
 forms. These are none of your long, lean, lank, crane-looking 
 fowls, all bones and offal, that have brought discredit on the 
 really good breeds. The portraits are not original ; I have 
 copied them. 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 59 
 
 DOMINIQUE SHANGHAES. 
 
 This is a new and distinct breed, and recently imported. I 
 had heard of the fame of this breed, and feeling desirous of 
 being able to speak from ocular demonstration of their merits, 
 I sent to A. White Esq., of East Randolph, Mass., for a pair of 
 his best specimens. Mr. White, in connection with another gen- 
 tleman, imported this rare breed direct from Shanghae, China, 
 and these fowls are now owned by only a very few individuals in 
 this country, that is, the pure dominique Shanghaes. Their shape 
 is very much like the preceding cuts, and only differ from those 
 portraits in color. They are of precisely the same blue-speckled 
 hue of our native dominique fowls, yet they have every other 
 characteristic of our best Shanghaes. Their legs are feathered, 
 combs single and serrated, &c., like the buff, red, white and 
 black breeds, and they will draw about the same number of 
 pounds at maturity. The cock in my possession is pronounced 
 by an experienced breeder as the best in Oneida Co. They are 
 worth from $10 to $15 a pair. 
 
 p. MELLENDY'S DOMINIQUE SHANGHAES. 
 
 Mr. P. Mellendy, of Mount Healthy, Hamilton Co., Ohio, sent 
 me the above cut, representing his dominique Shanghae fowls. 
 He says : 
 
60 SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 " The above portraits represent a pair of fowls obtained from H. 
 L. Devereux, Boston, Mass. The father and mother of the above 
 pair, Mr. D. got of Dr. Kerr, of Philadelphia, which he imported in 
 1847. The cock is yellow, or redish dominique; the hens are of a 
 dark-yellow. The cock is now eleven months old, and can reach 
 thirty -four inches high; the hen stands about twenty-eight inches 
 high. The plumage of the thorough-bred Shanghae is remarkably 
 soft and silky, or rather downy, and is equally as good, for domestic 
 purposes, as that of the goose." 
 
 These are a very different fowl from the White importation, 
 such as I have received. They can hardly be called dominique 
 Shanghaes. 
 
 I have received no detailed description of the dominique 
 fowls imported by Mr. White, owing to the short time they 
 have been in the country, and I must refer the interested reader 
 to more full particulars in the Northern Farmer, when their 
 merits are more fully developed. 
 
 "PERLEY" AND "PALMER" SHANGHAES. 
 
 Since every new importation of Shanghaes receives the name 
 of the importer, to identify it from other breeds, I fear that 
 the list of names to designate such importations, will, ere long, 
 swell to an unwieldy length ; yet, I have no control of these 
 things, and only act as a chronicler of what exists in the empire 
 of fowldom. The "Perley" and "Palmer" Shanghaes are 
 spoken of very highly. They are both recent importations. 
 Dr. Bennett writes me, under date of Jan. 9th, 1853, as follows : 
 
 Friend Miner, To-day I forward to Mr. De Gruy, two cocks and 
 three pullets of the Palmer importation of Shanghaes. One cock, 
 hatched on the 15th of May last, which weighs ten pounds and two 
 ounces ; the other cock, hatched on the 20th of May, and weighs ten 
 porfnds, strong. One of the pullets, hatched July 1st, weighs eight 
 pounds ; another, same age, seven pounds and eight ounces ; and the 
 third, hatched on the 6th of August, weighs six pounds and ten ounces. 
 
 I likewise send Mr. De Gruy, to-day, one cock and four pullets of 
 the Perley importation of Shanghaes. The cock was hatched on the 
 17th of June last, and weighs nine pounds and fourteen ounces. One 
 of the pullets, same age, weighs eight pounds; another, same age, 
 seven pounds and fifteen ounces; and the other, same age, seven 
 pounds and fourteen ounces ; the fourth pullet, hatched 20th July, 
 weighs six pounds and twelve ounces. 
 
 Mr. De Gruy, here alluded to, is an extensive breeder of 
 fowls in the suburbs of New Orleans. 
 
 3* 
 
6HANGHAE FOWLS. 61 
 
 The following letter was forwarded to me by Dr. Bennett : 
 
 -___.. GEEAT FALLS, Jan. 9th, 1862. 
 
 BE. J. C. BENNETT Dear Sir : You requested me to give you a 
 description of the Palmer breed of fowls, which I will now endeavor 
 to do. They are very large. I have known some of the cocks to 
 weigh from twelve to thirteen pounds, at maturity, and have known 
 young cocks, less than six months old, to weigh eleven pounds and 
 upwards, and I raised two pullets that weighed twenty pounds and a 
 quarter. My neighbor had one that weighed ten pounds and a quar- 
 ter, which made the three thirty pounds and a half. 
 
 This is no more than their average, and they arrive at maturity 
 earlier than any large fowl I have ever seen. I have known pullets 
 to lay some days less than four months old. The color of the cocks of 
 the original stock was dark-red ; the hens were a liver-color ; some of 
 them had pea-combs legs, green. They are now mostly of the 
 thrush-color. 
 
 They were imported from some part of China, what part I do not 
 know. Their laying properties are good. I have known pullets to 
 lay from 75 to 85 eggs to a litter, missing but few days in the time, 
 and to commence a new litter within eight days. 
 
 Mr. Wood, of Providence, owned nine pullets, of the Palmer im- 
 portation, that averaged more than nine pounds and a half apiece. 
 
 S. H. AUSTIN, 
 
 Great Falls, N. H. 
 
 Dr. McClintock Las some fine specimens of both the " Per- 
 ley " and "Palmer " importations, said to be magnificent fowls, 
 portraits of which have been taken by an artist of distinction 
 in Philadelphia, and sent to me for insertion, as follows : 
 
62 
 
 6HANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 DR. M'CLINTOCK'S PERLEY BHANGHAES. 
 
 Dr. McClintock writes that his "Perley" rooster weighs ten 
 pounds, fifteen ounces ; eight months old ; height, thirty and 
 three-quarter inches. Hen, eight pounds and a half ; eighteen 
 months old. 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 63 
 
 DR. M'OLINTOOK'S PALMER SHANGHAES. 
 
 The cock here portrayed weighs nine pounds and three- 
 quarters ; six months old. Pullet, eight pounds and three- 
 quarters, full ; nine months old. Both breeds were furnished 
 to Dr. McClintock by Dr. Bennett, from his splendid stock. 
 
6HANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 w. c. HUDMAN'S SHANGHAES. 
 
 The cock here represented is said to stand thirty and a half 
 inches high ; weight, eleven pounds ; age, sixteen months. 
 Pullet, weight, nine pounds ; age, nine months. 
 
BHANGHAE FOWLS. 65 
 
 Dr. McClintock writes me as follows : 
 
 On the 8tli insi, my freind, Wm. C. Kudman, Esq., of thig city, 121 
 Green street, received a cock and two hens, direct from Shanghae, 
 China, which port they left about the 15th of October, 1852. They 
 are a trio of the most beautiful and perfectly symmetrical fowls I 
 have ever seen. The cock, which appears to be about sixteen months 
 old, stands thirty inches high, and carries himself erectty"and proudly. 
 He weighs eleven pounds ; his head is small ; comb, single, and well 
 serrated ; beak, short and strongly formed ; eyes, bright and spark- 
 ling ; neck, beautifully made, and covered with feathers of a golden 
 hue ; body feathers of a brilliant reddish color ; tail, small, and the 
 feathers mostly black. He is very broad across the back, and com- 
 pactly built ; his legs are thick, strong, and relatively short ; they 
 are lemon-colorod, and well feathered ; he walks strongly and firmly, 
 and with a majesty rarely equaled. 
 
 The hens, which appear to be about nine months old, weigh eighteen 
 pounds full ; they are most perfectly formed, with small heads, short 
 beaks, bright, sparkling eyes, and small combs. One is of a cinnamon 
 buff-color, the other is of somewhat lighter hue ; the feathers on each 
 are of almost uniform shade ; the under surface of the body, rump 
 and thighs, are well covered with soft, downy feathers ; the legs are 
 lemon-colored, strong and well feathered. Their cai'riage is erect and 
 dignified, and altogether they are most admirable birds. The cut will 
 give a very good idea of the hen, but the cock does not appear as tall 
 as he really is. 
 
 Yours truly, JAMBS MCCLINTOCK:. 
 
 Philadelphia, Feb. 20th, 1853. 
 
 P. S. Since the foregoing was written, Mr. Rudman has increased 
 his stock of imported SShanghaes by the addition of six very fine hens, 
 which came out in the same ship with the cock and two hens previously 
 described. To-day I received, per ship Horatio, direct from Shanghae, 
 a trio of most beautiful fowls. The cock is of bright reddish and 
 golden hue ; he appeal's to be about ten months old ; weighs over ten 
 pounds ; stands thirty-one inches. The hens are remarkably good ; 
 of a buff-color, some of the feathers slightly penciled with black ; 
 they weigh about seventeen pounds and a half, although they seem to 
 have been rather badly fed lately. The three have feathered, yellow 
 
 J. MoC. 
 
66 
 
 BHANG HAE FOWLS. 
 
 RED SH AN GH AES. 
 
 The abo\e cut represents a group of fine red Shanghaes, 
 bred by Jno. Fussel, Esq., of Mass. The general character of 
 these fowls is the same as that of all good, colored Shanghaes, 
 and consequently they require no further description. 
 
 Since the foregoing matter was written on the " Palmer," 
 " Perley," and other importations of Shanghaes, I have received 
 the following further descriptions, from Dr. Bennett, now of 
 Fort des Moines, Iowa : 
 
 "PALMER'S IMPORTATION. This is the largest pure stock ever yet 
 imported, from Shanghae. The cocks will weigh thirteen pounds, 
 and the hens eleven pounds, at maturity, and occasionally they will 
 exceed these weights. My friend, Solomon II. Austin, Esq., has pro- 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 6*7 
 
 duced chickens of this stock, which, at six months old, weigh eleven, 
 pounds and a half, cocks, and ten pounds, the pullets, each. The plu- 
 mage of this stock is of a dark-mahogany color, very rich and beau- 
 tiful. They have all the marks of the best of the Shanghae race 
 comb, single and serrated, though occasionally they have the pea- 
 comb, wattles ordinary size, wings and tail short, legs heavily feathered, 
 etc., etc. ; but in the color of their legs they differ from their race, 
 frequently having dark or greenish legs. Their eggs are very large, 
 and they are equally prolific with other Shanghaes. A cross between 
 the Palmer and the Perley Shanghaes, was called ' Cochin China,' at 
 the last fair (1852,) of the ' New England Society for the Improvement 
 of Domestic Poultry,' and took the first premium as such ! but I desire 
 to be henceforth delivered from all CROSSES of fowls whatever. 
 
 " FORBES' IMPORTATION. This excellent variety is known as the fawn- 
 colored, or buff Shanghaes. The body is buff, the neck yellow, the 
 back slightly penciled with light brown, of the hens ; and the cocks 
 are usually of a redish-dominique. They have all the other marks 
 of the best Shanghaes. The cocks average from eight to ten pounds, 
 and the hens from seven to eight pounds, at maturity, or at two to 
 three years old. Though the eggs are rather smal], the fowls are very 
 prolific, and are greatly admired for their beauty. 
 
 "FULLER'S IMPORTATION. These magnificent fowls are known to 
 novitiates as the 'Marsh stock,' and are fully described under the 
 head of 'Imperial Chinese Fowls,' with the single exception of the 
 beautiful penciling of each feather, as with the touch of the most 
 exquisite master. The dark or green-legged fowls of this stock, are 
 decidedly the best, being of greater specific gravity, of larger actual 
 size, and more prolific. I now speak of the best importation of this 
 stock that of 1848. 
 
 " PERLEY'S IMPORTATION. These birds are of a very bright yellow, 
 with black tails, and neck penciled with black. They are of a very 
 uniform color, and of greater specific gravity than any of the Shanghae 
 race, though they are not quite equal in actual size to some of the 
 other varieties. The cocks will weigh from seven to nine pounds, and 
 the hens from six to eight pounds, at maturity. They lay a much 
 larger egg than the buff Shanghaes, and are not near so feathery. 
 The hens of this breed are the handsomest of any of the Shanghaes. 
 
 "PACKARD'S IMPORTATION. These birds are perfectly black, though 
 the cocks usually have some chesnut color mixed with red. Other- 
 wise they resemble the 'Forbes' Importation' They are very handsome, 
 and are much sought for. 
 
 "WHITE'S IMPORTATION. These are the famous 'grey Shanghaes,' 
 but more properly of a dominique, or owl-color. They are not the 
 Brahma Pootras, by any manner of means, but are uniformly of a 
 grey or dominique color, all over. They are fine looking birds, and 
 have the usual marks of Shanghaes. 
 
 " WIGHT'S IMPORTATION. This breed is perfectly white in plumage, 
 both cocks and hens, and are very superior birds in every respet. 
 ' They exactly resemble the black Shanghaes, with the exception of 
 color." 
 
68 
 
 fiHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 DE GRUY'S SHANGHAES. 
 
 A. Verloin De Gruy, Esq., of the firm of H. Tete & Co., 
 Commission Merchants, No. 28 Conti st., New Orleans, to whom, 
 as a celebrated importer and breeder of fowls, I have previously 
 alluded, owns the fowls of which the above cut is a true repre- 
 sentation from life. My New Orleans correspondents who have 
 seen these fowls, and others belonging to this gentleman, are 
 rapturous in praises of them, and I have no doubt that he has, 
 as it is said, the most magnificent collection south of Mason & 
 Dixon's line, the Potomac. I make the following extract from 
 a letter from Dr. Bennett : 
 
 " DE GRUY'S IMPORTATION. This is one of the very best importations 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 69 
 
 ever made. The imported cock weighs twelve pounds and a quarter, 
 and the hen eight pounds, though she is yet young, and has not 
 near attained her full size. The color is a bright yellow, and the birds 
 have all the usual characteristics of the best blooded Shanghaes. I 
 think them equal to any I have ever seen. Mr. De Gruy, in a letter 
 to me, of the 10th of December, 1852, in speaking of these fowls, 
 Bays : ' I consider them extraordiuny birds, and the finest, largest, and 
 best ones in America.' They are larger than Brown's Importation, but 
 resemble them in color." 
 
70 
 
 SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 MR. D. P. NEWELL'9 WHITE SHANGHAE. 
 
 The above cut was engraved for the Northern Farmer and 
 this work. It looms up rather tall, but the reader must not 
 judge of the size of the fowl by the comparative size of the 
 cut. 
 
6HANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 71 
 
 Mr. Newell writes as follows : 
 
 "This cut is a fac- simile of my white Shanghae cockerel, which 
 was drawn from lite, and is a noble specimen of the Shanghae variety. 
 In fact, I have never seen his equal. I obtained him, with some fine 
 hens, from Mr. Smith, of Mass., who took the premium at the late 
 exhibition of poultry in Boston. I have also Dr. Wight's importation 
 of 1850; and I shall not have to breed in-and-in, a system that ought 
 to be condemned by every one who raises fowls. I have been to the 
 trouble and expense of obtaining these two different importations, so 
 that my fowls, which I breed from, will not be in the least related ; 
 and I shall be able to produce larger and better fowls than those who 
 have the cock and hen from the same brood. 
 
 "Dr. E. Wight (and there is no better authority,) remarks, that 
 ' the white Shanghaes are larger and more quiet than other varieties. 
 The flesh of these fowls is much superior, not sinewy or stringy, as is 
 the case with the flesh of other Shanghaes. The eggs are larger, and 
 the hens are more prolific than those of other colors, and in their 
 habits, they are less inclined to ramble.' " 
 
 DR. EBEN WIGHTS WHITE SHANGHAES 
 
Y2 SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 The last named fowls are identical with the breed, as reared 
 by Mr. Newell. 
 
 They are generally heavily feathered on the legs, are purely 
 white, and partake of the characteristics of the colored Shang- 
 haes. It is a generally admitted fact, that every species of 
 animate nature of a pure white, is less hardy than those of 
 other colors, but Mr. White, of the firm of Parker & White, 
 Boston, who is a fowl fancier, states in the " Poultry Book," 
 as follows : " It will not perhaps, be out of place to say, that 
 notwithstanding the popular opinion, that a white fowl is more 
 delicate than a colored one, I have found the white Shanghaes 
 very hardy." 
 
 The following communication is quite interesting : 
 
 Dear Sir, Coincidences are sometimes singularly remarkable. I 
 was just on the point of assuming my pen to acknowledge your kind 
 favor of some few weeks since, when the Northern Farmer was put 
 into my hand. It was as much as to say, " I shall be happy to hear 
 from you." At the same time, my old white Shanghae rooster gave a 
 loud and sonorous crow, as though he would say, " bear my respects 
 to the gentleman, and tell him to beat tMfct if he can." 
 
 Under these circumstances, I cannot withhold my pen, but true to 
 the monitory sign, will speak a kind word in behalf of the noble 
 chanticleer and his numerous family. This splendid bird is now 
 eighteen months old, of the whitest and most beautiful plumage that 
 ever adorned any of his race. He will stand by the side of a common 
 flour barrel, and with great ease eat from the top of it. He has 
 graced two exhibitions in this neighborhood, and refused to be sold, 
 even at the price of $25. Were I a good draughtsman, you should 
 have him, without cost, to adorn your publication ; you should then 
 see him to the life, with his keen eye and towering comb, nothing 
 afraid to meet Johnny Dorking or any of his race. This is the only 
 way in which I could consent to part with him. 
 
 My estimation of this breed of fowls has been in no wise diminished 
 since I last wrote you, and though I am not disposed to lessen in any 
 degree the value of other fowls of good breed, yet my firm conviction 
 is, that the white Shanghae breed of fowls will, when better known, 
 be the fowl that will bear the palm from every other. They lay eggs 
 of a large size, and of a very rich quality. The rearing of their 
 young is attended with very little trouble. One hen will give you, 
 (generally speaking,) three broods of chickens in one season. And 
 for table use, it may well be doubted if there be any fowl extant, (not 
 excepting the Dorking,) that can vie with them in point of excellency. 
 
 By your publication, it is evident that some intend to make the 
 Dorking fowl stand No. 1. This is all very well, for this reason, 
 that it is more generally known than some others of the high class 
 fowls. It is with me a favorite fowl one that is justly highly valued ; 
 it is one of the very best breed of fowls ; but the white Shanghae, in 
 my humble opinion, is still better. No such success has ever attended 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 73 
 
 my efforts in the rearing of the Dorking fowls, as in those of the 
 white Shanghaes. A gentleman of considerable experience, who has 
 tested, as he thinks, thoroughly, the value of these two breeds, informs 
 me, that he is so well convinced of the superiority of the white 
 Shanghae over every o-thez-, that he intends now to confine his atten- 
 tion solely to this breed. 
 
 I have sent a number of this breed to the south and west, and 
 nearly all who have written me on the subject, have expressed their 
 unqualified approbation of the beauty and excellency of these fowls. 
 A gentleman in this neighborhood, who obtained a pair, informed me 
 a few days since, that for the last six months, the hen had given him 
 an egg almost daily, with the exception of a few days, when she 
 wanted to it ; he would then confine her for a short time, when, true 
 to the mark, she again commenced her daily performance of duty. 
 
 There has been a disposition on the part of some, to cry down the 
 imported breed of fowls ; and they have gone so far as to state, that 
 our native breeds are superior in almost every respect. You hear the 
 terms humbuggery, yankee notions, and such kinds of slang, freely used. 
 How little do such persons reflect, that such a course would preclude 
 every improvement, and check the spirit of enterprise in every thing 
 else. The truth is, that hundreds of fowls have been sold in our mar- 
 ket, under the name of Shanghae, Cochin China, &c., which have 
 scarcely any more relation to these fowls, than a turkey-buzzard ; and 
 because from such a worthless stock, nothing but disappointment could 
 proceed, the full-blooded importation has been regarded as worthless 
 fowls. Shall we look to such persons for testimony ? Ought their 
 declaration to have weight with men of candor and judgment ? I 
 hesitate not to say, there is no humbuggery in the full-blooded impor- 
 tations. If the experience of two years is worth anything, I am plain 
 to declare, that they are a hardier fowl, better layers, and better for 
 the table, than our native breeds, and that it costs no more to keep 
 them than common fowls. Such has been my experience, be it worth 
 more or less. 
 
 It is a good thing that you have opened the columns of your paper 
 to this subject. It matters not whose opinion is crossed, so that truth 
 only have fair play. If the Dorking fowl, or any other, can be proved 
 to be superior to the white Shanghae if even the native breeds, (as 
 some assert,) can be proved more excellent than the imported then 
 will we bow with deference to superior judgment, and bid our 
 favorite chanticleer shut up his mouth and crow no more. 
 
 There is a question of some importance which occurs to me, viz ' 
 how far the diversity of climate may operate in reference to our 
 imported fowls. A gentleman of New England, now present with 
 me, remarks, in reference to the white Shanghaes, that he has never 
 seen any fowls of this kind equal to my stock, although he has 
 attended all the poultry fairs in New England, and is well acquainted 
 with Dr. Wight, and other gentlemen, who have these fowls. He waa 
 much astonished to see how greatly the superiority of the progeny had 
 exceeded the parent stock which was sent me from New England. To 
 what can we attribute this but to the difference of climate ? May not 
 our climate in Pennsylvania be better adapted to this class of fowla 
 4 
 
74 BHANGHAE JTOWL3. 
 
 than the more rigorous climate of New England ? It is here thought 
 with regard to the native breeds, that our Pennsylvania fowls exceed 
 in size and excellency, all others. I pretend not to throw out conjec- 
 tures, but to state facts, and leave you to form your own conclusions. 
 That some fowls are better adapted to some climates than others, and 
 their qualities more freely developed, is a fact that will not, I think, 
 bo disputed. 
 
 There is another question to which I would direct your attention, 
 viz: Have we, in this country, the pure Cochin China fowl? There 
 are some writers who assert that we have not, while others assert to 
 the contrary. I hope you will be able to throw some light on thia 
 vexed question, in your new work. Some of my white fowls I have 
 been in the habit of terming the white Cochin China, for the reason 
 that many have made a distinction between those fowls that are feath- 
 ered on the leg, and those which are not ; the latter being termed the 
 Cochin China. There is a great difference in the color of the egg ; in 
 this latter class, they are of a brown or chocolate shade. An English 
 g.entleman who lately visited my poultry yard, on examining these 
 eggs, observed, that they were exactly similar to those of the cele- 
 brated Cochin Chinas belonging to Queen Victoria, and that the dark 
 or purple spots, generally seen on the eggs, were considered indicative 
 of the purity of the breed, as also of high qualities of the fowL 
 
 I have several pairs of the "Bailey" and "Parsons" imported 
 Shanghaes ; they are considered far superior to the Forbes and Marsh 
 stock, although they never attain to the size of the latter. They are 
 most excellent layers, and very superior for the table. They are worth 
 from $6 to $8 per pair. I have disposed of several of the white 
 Shanghae fowls, but have never sold any for less than $15 the pair. 
 Yours truly, 
 
 SAMUEL A. BUMSTEAD. 
 
 In the above communication, Mr. Bumstead alludes to a 
 white fowl, bred in Pennsylvania, resembling the white 
 Shanghaes, which he calls white " Cochin China " fowls. As 
 there is no such breed known among the New England fanciers, 
 and in fact, none existing anywhere, that can properly be thus 
 named, it is safe to say that the name is incorrect. Mr. B. 
 writes further, as follows : 
 
 But while much has been written favorably, concerning the quali- 
 ties of these fowls, yet none that I have met with have alluded to the 
 difference existing between the white Cochin China and the white 
 Shanghae, seeming rather to class these two kinds under that of the 
 latter, whereas there is in some respects a difference. Those of the 
 white Cochin China breed, lay a much browner-colored egg than the 
 former, and their wings are much smaller and higher up on the body. 
 The male bird of the Cochin China has also the power of doubling his 
 wings, which is not the case with that of the white Shanghae. 
 
 Some have denied this peculiarity as belonging to this fowl, stating 
 fliat there is no double joint in the wing, which gives the bird tho 
 
SHAXGIIAE FOWLS. 75 
 
 property of underlapping the posterior portion of the wing. Let this 
 DC true or not, there is in the Cochin China which I possess, a peculiar 
 propensity to do this, which does not exist in any other fowl that 1 have 
 seen or heard of. 1 have two very fine Chinese crowers, perfectly white, 
 and seemingly uniform in their general qualities, yet it is impossible 
 to look at these fowls in a hot summer day, without noticing this pe- 
 culiarity, which thus distinguishes the white Cochin Chirm. I have 
 seen this bird for hours, with hia wing thus doubled up, as if to enjoy 
 the influence of a passing breeze. This has not been noticed in the 
 white Shanghae, One writer asserts, that this is peculiar to the bird 
 only in winter, and for the purpose of securing warmth, whereas, in my 
 fowls, it is more particularly noticeable in summer, and, as I conceive, 
 for the purpose of avoiding the heat. 
 
 Apart from all this, what has been written on the value of these 
 fowls, we may receive as correct. No one who has had trial of this 
 breed, can speak too highly in their commendation; and I feel per- 
 suaded, that when they become generally known, they will become 
 the favorite fowl of all others. 
 
 In answer to your inquiry respecting the price of fowls, I would 
 state, that the white Shanghae and white Cochin China, are worth 
 $15 the pair ; their eggs have been sold for $4 per dozen. 
 
 With the knowledge I possess of their good qualities, I would 
 cheerfully give $25, if they could not otherwise be obtained. There 
 are but very few of this breed in this section of country. In New 
 England, they still command a good price, and no doubt will for some 
 time to come. The brown Shanghaes are not much known in this 
 neighborhood, but an interest is now being excited on the subject, 
 which will soon call them into general notice. There are many fowls 
 that pass under that name, as 1 have seen in our markets, and at some 
 of our fairs, which might as well go under any other name. 
 
 With regard to the Dorking fowl, I can say but little. I know of 
 no one around me that has the pure breed. What generally passes 
 for the Dorking in this section of country, is, in the opinion 01 good 
 judges a mongrel breed. 
 
 I have a splendid fowl of the black Shanghae variety, which I 
 regard highly. They are heavily feathered on the legs, and some 
 have five toes. They lay a very brown ogg, and are most excellent 
 nurses to the young chicks. They are a noble fowl. 
 
 S. A. B. 
 
76 
 
 SHANGHAI FOWL6. 
 
 WHITE SIIANGHAE COCK. 
 
 Dear Sir, Tne cuts representing the white Slmngb.no fowls, which 
 I send you, were drawn before they had attained their full size, and 
 consequently are not so perfect, in some respects, as if taken at a later 
 period ; but it is a fair representation, being a little below, rather than 
 above their real appearance, which I do not regret. They are large 
 and compact, perfectly white, with yellow legs, very docile when well 
 treated, lively, exceedingly healthy, very handsome, and noble-look- 
 ing. I have never known them to fight, unless provoked in some 
 way, when they battle with a good share of energy. As we judge of 
 value by comparison, I will state, that I have tried many of the breeds 
 now in vogue, including the black Spanish, red and "buff Slmnghnes, 
 
SHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 77 
 
 WHITE SHANGHAE HEN. 
 
 Cochin Chinas, and a number of others, too numerous to mention. I 
 am well aware, that the dark-colored Chinese fowls have had, and 
 still hold, to a great extent, the reputation of being the largest and 
 best ; but on a fair trial, all being kept in the same coops together, 
 from first- to last, the result was in favor of the white Shanghaes, 
 somewhat contrary to my expectations. Their growth is slower than 
 many other breeds, not reaching their full size until the second year, and 
 generally weighing, at the expiration of the first, about two-thirds 
 as much as when fully grown. To enable you to imagine how the 
 chickens look, I weighed a number this morning, being just six months 
 since they were hatched. The cocks drew seven pounds, the pullets 
 Jive pounds and six ounces. There may be, and no doubt are, many 
 other fowls, larger at this age ; but these, when grown, will weigh 
 from eighteen to twenty pounds per pair. This is speaking within 
 bounds. As regards their laying, I have pullets (in fact, all I have of 
 this breed,) that have laid constantly, from the first of last February, 
 until the present time. The inclination to lay commences when from 
 six to seven months old. If for no other motive, I should keep a few 
 of this breed for sitters and nurses, for, in my estimation, it would 
 be far better than to employ any others, if we except the Dorking. 
 
78 6UANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 "When I wish to " set a clutch of eggs," I proceed to the poultry house, 
 take one that " has the fever on," place her on the nest, provide her 
 with corn and water, note the time, and as there is not the least dis- 
 position to "flare up" under this treatment, if placed in a new loca- 
 tion, it is not necessary to give her any more of your time or 
 attention. To break up the inclination for incubating, shut the fowl 
 up in a dark place, with a sparing diet of corn, but plenty of water, 
 for a few days, when the fever will abate, and she will commence 
 laying. For the table, if well fatted, when about ten or twelve 
 months old, those competent to judge, pronounce the flesh of these 
 fowls very fine ; but, like many others of the Chinese race, if killed 
 when too young, will be found "dry and stringy," it being hard to 
 make them fat when very young. The game fowls will " flesh up " 
 at almost any age. For this information, I am indebted to others, as 
 I am no fancier of flesh in any form. For feed, give millet and wheat ; 
 when very young, dry rice, with crumbs of bread, and cooked beef, 
 or angle worms. Laying hens do better on wheat, as it affords suffi- 
 cient nutriment, and will not incline them to fatten. Millet is very 
 good for growing chicks, as it has a beneficial effect on the feathering. 
 Burnt oyster shells will be eaten at almost any period, but particularly 
 when laying. Some writers object to the use of Cayenne pepper, 
 others recommend a judicious use of it. One fact is certain, fowls 
 running at large will devour green peppers, when found within their 
 reach ; from this we infer, that it is a natural desire on their part to 
 eat vegetables of this class. On trial, I have found it to prove very 
 beneficial, in all cases. You will undoubtedly receive contributions 
 from others, respecting this breed of fowls, and a short explanation 
 will be due to you and your readers. Those in my possession were 
 bred from the first progeny of one importation, united with a cock of 
 this year's import, gaining by this, an improvement in size and model, 
 and being entirely free from the clumsy gait of many others, an 
 objection that I have removed. .As this communication is now some- 
 what longer, than I at first intended it to be, it will be necessary for 
 me to draw it to a close very soon, but I cannot do so without giving 
 due credit to the gentleman who imported the stock from which 
 those in my possession were bred, as I know Dr. Wight to be a fowl 
 fancier of the first order, and one that pursues it for the sake of 
 science, rather than for the profit he might gain by it, if he were so 
 disposed. Hoping this sketch of the management and peculiarities of 
 the above mentioned breed, will be of service to you in making up 
 your forthcoming work on poultry, and promising to communicate for 
 your periodical, the result of many experiments in breeding I now 
 have under way, and many I intend to try as soon as time will permit, 
 I am respectfully yours, in the cause 
 
 of this branch of natural science, 
 
 JOSEPH S. HlLDRETH, 
 
 No. 61 Court st, Boston. 
 To T. B. MIXER, Esq. 
 
BHANGHAE FOWLS. 
 
 P. MELLEXDYS WHITE SHANGHAE8. 
 
 MOUNT HEALTHY, Hamilton Co., Ohio. 
 
 This fowl is entirely white, and differs in no material respect from 
 the red, yellow, and dominique, except in color. They are broad on 
 the back and breast, with a body well rounded up, the plumage white, 
 with a downy softness much like the feathering of the Bremen 
 goose in this respect ; the tail feathers short and full; the head small, 
 surmounted by a small, single, serrated comb ; wattles long and wide, 
 overlaying the eheek-piece ; the legs are of a yellow hue, approaching 
 a flesh-color, and featherless. The eggs are larger, and the hens more 
 prolific than those of other colors. 
 
 P. MELLENDT. 
 
 This breed of fowls is very popular. I have a very fine pair, 
 perhaps the best in the State, and shall have a few pairs to dis- 
 pose of in the fall. It costs no more to keep a good fowl than 
 a poor one, and the original cost never deters me from procur- 
 ing the best breeds in the country ; and if I have an indifferent 
 breed, that I cannot truly recommend, they go into the pot, 
 whatever their cost may have been. These fowls now sell at 
 $10 a pair, for good specimens, six months old, and eggs from 
 $3 to $4 a dozen. I refer to the best modeled fowls. There 
 are some that are not worthy taking as a gift. 
 
80 
 
 COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. 
 
 COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. 
 
 This drawing represents a fine group of domestic fowls, 
 known as the " Cochin China ; " a race of birds belonging to 
 the great tribe of Chinese, or Eastern poultry, and comprised 
 in the gallus giyanteus of modern ornithologists. The two 
 samples above delineated, were selected from the stock of Geo. 
 P. Burnham, Esq., of Boston, Mass., who has imported several 
 lots of these fowls from England and China, and were drawn 
 from life, and engraved accurately from the originals. 
 
 Notwithstanding what has been written in reference to this 
 breed, there remains little doubt in the minds of experienced 
 
COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. 81 
 
 i 
 
 breeders, that the " Cochin China " (so called,) and the red 
 " Shanghae " fowl, are identical, or very nearly so that is, that 
 both originate from the same parentage in China. Some of 
 these both the Cochin and the Shanghae are smooth-legged, 
 and others are feathered on the legs, while the other general 
 characteristics are very similar in both. Be this as it may, either 
 of these breeds when well-selected and properly cared for, is 
 considered by many as good enough for all useful purposes. 
 
 The following general remarks, by Mr. Burnham, describe 
 his imported specimens which samples are adjudged by some 
 of our best breeders, to be among the choicest domestic fowls 
 in America. He says : 
 
 " A variety of opinions has been given, and a great difference of 
 opinion still exists, among fanciers, in regard to what is, really, the 
 true ' Cochin China' fowl. The first bird of this noble variety, which 
 the public were ever made acquainted with, however, were those 
 sent to Queen Victoria, a few years ago, as a present from China, by 
 one of her foreign ministers. This lot comprised two cocks and four 
 hens, and upon their arrival in England, they were pronounced ' most 
 extraordinary specimens of poultry.' 
 
 " An illustration, comprising portraits of a group of these birds, 
 Boon afterwards appeared ' by permission of the Queen ' in the ' Lon- 
 don Illustrated News ; ' and these birds were set down, at once, by all 
 who saw them, and who were at all acquainted with poultry, as 
 decidedly the finest samples of domestic fowls ever brought into Eng- 
 land." 
 
 A pair were presented to Lord Heytesbury at Dublin, by her 
 Majesty, and afterwards were bred by Mr. Xolan. Mr. Burn- 
 ham obtained his fowls direct from that gentleman, at a high 
 cost. There were six chickens in that lot, brought over to 
 America in the winter of '49 and '50. A rooster and pullet 
 of this importation is portrayed in the preceding cut, which was 
 taken from life, by Mr. Brown, of Boston, soon after their arrival 
 in America. 
 
 These fowls were, generally, smooth-legged. One of these 
 imported cocks exhibited a very slight germ of feathering upon 
 the leg but four-fifths of the progeny of this importation 
 come without any feathering upon the legs. Their general 
 color is a rich, glossy brown ; the comb is a medium size, ser- 
 rated, but not deeply so, and the wattles are double. Besides 
 their size, however, these fowls possess other distinctive charac- 
 teristics. The flesh is white and delicate. The eggs laid by 
 the hen of this breed, are of a salmon, and sometimes of a 
 chocolate color, and possess a very delicate flavor. 
 4* * 
 
82 COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. 
 
 The Queen's fowls, said to be received from Cochin China, 
 were smooth-legged ; but of a subsequent importation by Mr. 
 Burnham, direct from Canton, five were smooth, and one was 
 feathered on the legs. These last fowls proved of extraordinary 
 weight at two years old ; and up to this time, the stock has been 
 bred together by Mr. B., with very excellent success. In the past 
 year's product, perhaps one-fourth of all the chicks show more 
 or less feathering upon the legs, though Mr. B. selects his breed- 
 ing stock, invariably, with the smooth limb. All the other 
 characteristics remain unchanged from the original, in this 
 stock. The size, color, form, invariable single comb, and aver- 
 age weight all, are like the parent stock. 
 
 The full grown cocks of this breed, will weigh, at twenty to 
 twenty-four months of age, from nine and a half to ten and a 
 half pounds; the hens, at the same age, will draw seven to 
 eight pounds ; year old cocks will draw eight to nine pounds ; 
 and the finest year old pullets, from six to seven pounds each. 
 This is the extent of their weights, generally, but in some cases, 
 they exceed these weights. 
 
 We consider these fowls to be a good breed, but not equal to 
 some other kinds now among us, nor are they selling at so high 
 rates generally, as several other breeds that w T e can mention. 
 
 Those fanciers, however, who desire to purchase "Cochin 
 China " fowls, will find the best specimens in possession of Mr. 
 Burnham, who has probably had more experience in raising and 
 dealing in this breed, than any other person in this country. 
 
 Mr. Burnham is correct when he says, that there is a differ- 
 erence of opinion among fanciers, in regard to what is the true 
 Cochin China fowl. The following communication shows that 
 these fowls are not entitled to the name they have hitherto 
 received : 
 
 TAUNTOX, March 20th, 1851. 
 
 Dear Sir, I believe it was in October, 1849, that I sent yon some 
 China fowls, which were erroneously called " Cochin China " biit 
 their true name was Shanghae and they never should have had any 
 other name, as that was their native place, arid so, of course, should 
 have been their legitimate name. And who first gave the name o'f 
 Cochin China to this particular breed, I never could ascertain neither 
 could I arrest its progress after it had started. 
 
 I received from my nephew, Nicholas Baylies, in July, 1846, from 
 Shanghae, in China, two pairs of fowls, which he recommended as a 
 superior breed for the table, and very large. Some of this importa- 
 tion were sent to Plymouth, and about Plymouth county, where they 
 were well received, and some one gave them the imposing name 
 
COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. 83 
 
 of Cochin China. I had heard 60 much of Cochin China, and Royal 
 Cochin China, that I took pains, in February, 1850, to write to Nich- 
 olas Baylies, of Shanghae, China, to procure a pair of this breed, if 
 they were superior to the variety that he had already sent me. And 
 in September, 1850, I received his answer, to this effect that he had 
 a friend in Cochin China, who was a missionary, and from him he 
 could get all the information required. 
 
 February 10th, I received from the same kind friend, a beautiful pair 
 of Shanghae fowls, the cock weighing eight and a half pounds, and 
 the hen seven pounds, and with them the reply to his inquiry, from 
 his friend, the Rev. "W. Dean, a Baptist Missionary, which is as follows : 
 
 HONG KOXG, 25th Oct., 1850. 
 
 My Dear Mr. Baylies, I have just returned from Siam and Cochin 
 China, bxit in answer to the inquiry of your note of July, I can only 
 state, that while in Cochin China, I saw the fowls in the market, and 
 in the villages, and we bought them for use on ship-board, but I saw 
 none but the common small fowl, and none to be compared to the 
 Shanghae fowl. Neither in Cochin China, nor Siam, nor elsewhere, 
 have I seen so large fowls as those from Shanghae, neither have I 
 heard of such, at any other place. 
 
 As I have twice visited Cochin China, and been in their markets 
 and villages, I think I am safe in saying that they have not the large 
 fowl you speak of. 
 
 I am happy to report my health as very good, and have had a 
 pleasant visit at our mission station in Siam. 
 
 With kind regards to Mrs. Baylies, 
 
 I am very sincerely yours. 
 
 W. DEAN. 
 
 The above note from the Rev. Mr. Dean, puts a quietus to the 
 " Cochin China " variety. 
 
 I am well satisfied with the Shanghae variety, and if there are 
 larger varieties, there are none better, in my opinion, than the 
 Shanghae. They certainly improve very much in size and form when 
 bred among us, from those imported ; and the reason is obvious. 
 Fowls of four or five months old, put on board of ship in China, and 
 subjected to a voyage of five months, with scanty fare, and cooped up 
 without much exercise, must of necessity get sadly cramped in form 
 and size and I have good authority for such opinion. A letter from 
 Nicholas Baylies, of June, 1850, says, among bis fowls, he frequently 
 has chickens of seven months old, that stand two feet ana eight 
 inches. Allowing this to be truth, which I doubt not, what may we 
 not expect when they are full grown. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 ALF. BAYLIES. 
 
 JosEph A. SAMPSON, Esq., Boston. 
 
 Thus it appears, that our so-called " Cochin China " fowls, 
 may have originated in the vicinity of the city of Shanghae, or 
 in any other part of China, except " Cochin China" Mr. 
 Burnham admits, himself, that this breed is identical with red 
 
84: COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. 
 
 Shanghaes, and in truth, they all ought to l>e classed under one 
 and the same name. 
 
 My own candid opinion in regard to the " Cochin China " 
 fowls is, that they do not equal the best Shanghaes in the 
 valuable qualities that constitute a good fowl. They are gene- 
 rally less compact in form, have longer legs, and lay smaller 
 eggs. Such is my experience, and the opinions of breeders 
 with whom I have conversed on the subject, or from whom I 
 have received written correspondence. I have none of the 
 warm, enthusiastic eulogy that appears in favor of Shanghaes, 
 to offer my readers in praise of " Cochin Chinas," for the reason, 
 that it has not been sent to me, and has not appeared in the 
 public journals, anywhere, to my knowledge; and I have 
 access to about all of an agricultural character, and many 
 besides. It is true, that glowing accounts of these birds have 
 appeared in some of our late works on domestic poultry, but 
 these descriptions are mere echoes of foreign authors; and 
 when our works on domestic poultry were written, the 
 "Cochin China" fowls were almost entirely unknown in this 
 country ; consequently, the descriptions given in those works 
 could not have been from any actual experience of their authors ; 
 but they were compelled to resort to foreign authorities, which 
 are incorrect in many particulars, as has been demonstrated. 
 
 Nolan, an Irish fancier, thus speaks of this breed, in his 
 treatise on ornamental and aquatic fowls : 
 
 "Full-grown cocks, from one and a half to two years old, average 
 a weight of from ten to twelve pounds; the hens, from eight to nine 
 pounds. The male bird stands about two feet high ; the female, about 
 twenty-two inches. The plumage of the cock is black-breasted red ; 
 they are brown-breasted, and sometimes of a lighter color; the hens 
 are generally of a I'ufus yellow, or incline to a rufus bro;vn, some- 
 times speckled, and are wide on the breast and back ; the cock's 
 comb is usually single, serrated, and erect, of a brilliant scarlet, but 
 not always single ; I have had both single and double combs in the 
 Bame clutch ; the wattles are large ; they are quite free from top-knot ; 
 the hackles on the neck and hips, yellowish brown; the tail, black, 
 with metalic luster, and when fully furnished, presents the usual 
 cock's plume ; the legs vary from a flesh-color to an orange yellow, 
 and are not so long as in the Malay ; the eggs are generally buff-col- 
 ored, of large size, and blunt at the ends ; the chickens progress rap- 
 idly in size, but feather slowly, so that an early clutch would be most 
 valuable, as passing through the milder summer months. I cannot 
 discover the doubling of the wings, or horse-shoe markings, described 
 by some writers, in any of my stock ; I think, if it did "exist, it was 
 purely accidental." 
 
COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. 85 
 
 Here you have about all that can be said of importance, in 
 regard to the " Cochin Chinas." The testimony is in rendei 
 your own verdict These fowls sell at all prices, from $3 up, 
 and it is said that Mr. Burnham paid $100 for the pair of pre- 
 mium " Cochin China " fowls at the poultry fair in Boston, 
 November, 1852 ! 
 
 They have some good specimens in England, as appears from 
 the following extract from the London " Mark Lane Express " : 
 
 " One of the most interesting sales we have ever witnessed, came 
 off under the able auspices of Mr. Strafford, auctioneer, at the Bazaar 
 in Baker street ; and we hope it is a prelude to something better, for 
 with the growing feeling in favor of poultry, both as an amusement, 
 and an important feature in our domestic economy, we must have a 
 metropolitan show of poultry, and no longer oblige their admirers to 
 travel far into the country for an opportunity to compare their speci- 
 mens. We are led to the foregoing observations from noticing what has 
 taken place at the above yard in November last, in the sale of Mr. 
 Sturgeon's Cochin China fowls, and again on Thursday and Friday in 
 last week ; there cannot be a second opinion but that the Bazaar is the 
 best place for such an exhibition. At the sale of Mr. Sturgeon's splen- 
 did fowls, wet as the day was, the place was filled, and all were much 
 delighted with the sight as a show, and a first-rate one too, and sur- 
 prised that 170 almost faultless specimens could be produced in one 
 yard. 
 
 " Of the sale itself, there seemed to be but one opinion admiration 
 of the fowls, and among the uninitiated, surprise at the prices ; and 
 certainly we must consider it one of the most extraordinary sales that 
 ever took place, and there must have been much confidence in the 
 breeder, quality in the birds, and emulation amongst those in attend- 
 ance, to have produced 609 for 170 chickens! It is true that Mr. 
 Sturgeon's breed stands at present unrivalled ; but superior as his 
 birds unquestionably are, an average of 3 11s. is what we were not 
 prepared for. Aradhgst those present, we noticed Lord Ducie, Mr. 
 Wakeley, Sir Eneas M'Donald, Messrs. Punchard, Johnson, Gilbert, 
 Steggal, Fletcher, Catlin, Ambler, Reynolds, <fec., <fcc. A curious fact 
 occurred at the. sale of lot 12; when the hammer fell at 7 ; a foreign 
 gentleman present exclaimed, " Seven pounds can that be for v on 
 hen?" The highest price was 12 10s., gi'ven by Mr. Hodginson for 
 a cockerel by "Jerry," hatched the first week in April last." 
 
 CHITTAGONGS. 
 
 A few individuals who are raising this breed of fowls, would 
 make it appear that they are identical with the BRAHMA Poo- 
 TRAS. The Brahmas selling at so much higher rates than the 
 Chittagongs, renders it to the interest of these gentlemen to 
 merge the two breeds in one ; but I shall block that game at 
 the outset. Mr. G. P. Burnham, of Mass., who is laboring to 
 
80 CHITTAGONG FOWLS. 
 
 show that they are identical with Chittngongs, and Chittagongs 
 with grey Shanghaes, thus described this breed in Dr. Bennett's 
 Poultry Book, in 1850: 
 
 " The Chittagong is a very superior bird, showy in plumage, coura- 
 geous, and exceedingly hardy. The color of mine is grey, generally, 
 interspersed with lightish yellow and white feathers, upon the pullets. 
 The rooster is grey body; the wings, hackles, back and rump feathers, 
 a silvery yellow, tinted with stray light brown and white ; the tail and 
 breast are nearly black. 
 
 "The legs of this fowl are of a reddish flesh-color; the meat is deli- 
 cately white; the combs, large and single; wattles, very full; wings, 
 good size. The legs are more or less feathered ; the model is graceful ; 
 carriage, proud and easy ; action, prompt and determined." 
 
 Here we have a true description of the Chittagongs. The 
 reader will please note the colors, " grey" " yelloiv" " brown" 
 and " black" and then turn to the description of the Brahma 
 Pootras, by the same gentlemen, in this work, written in 1852, 
 in which not one word in regard to "brown" "yellow" and 
 " black" appears, and he can judge the merits of the case 
 without any comment of mine. The truth is, the Chittagongs 
 are a large, clumsy fowl, with no other merit, except size, when 
 compared with our best breeds. Geo. A. Smith, Esq., of Geo., 
 in speaking of various breeds of fowls, in a communication to 
 me, says : 
 
 " They are a large, lazy fowl. I think them poor layers and bad 
 sitters, and are pretty sure to have the gout. I should not advise any 
 one to have them." 
 
 The size of these fowls is nearly equal to our largest breeds, 
 weighing from eighteen to twenty pounds per pair, when 
 eighteen months old. Dr. Kerr says, in his work : 
 
 "In and around Philadelphia, we have a large fowl, to which the 
 above name has been incorrectly given, as, on further acquaintance, it 
 has proved to be a mongrel, and like most mongrels, comparatively 
 worthless. Until within a short time, it went under various names, 
 as Ostrich Fowl, the Turkey breed, the Big breed, the Booby, the 
 Bucks County Fowl, and even the Malay. It is difficult to trace its 
 history. Some forty years ago, several large fowls were brought hither 
 from different parts of China, the East Indies, and the adjacent isles ; 
 subsequently, and within a few years, others were added. These all, 
 except in a very few cases, have been mixed, and breed indiscrimi- 
 nately ; and the result is the fowl to which, a cording to the caprice 
 of the people, the above names have been applied. It is of all colors, 
 from black to white, frequently speckled, sometimes red and black, and 
 again dun. When bred, it will generally produce its like in point of size, 
 but rarely in point of color, showing it, unquestionably, to be a mixture 
 of several original breeds. They are not very good layers, though their 
 
CHITTAGONG FOWLS. 87 
 
 eggs are very large and rich. Their legs are sometimes lightly feath- 
 ered, not always, and vary in color from yellow to a dark or bluish hue. 
 I once had a pullet of this kind, which weighed eleven and a quarter 
 pounds ; the usual weight for full grown males, is from ten pounda 
 and a half to twelve pounds; females, from eight to ten pounds. 
 They are generally quite leggy, standing some twenty -six inches high, 
 and the hens twenty-two inches. A first cross with the Shanghae 
 would make a very large and valuable bird for the table, not for breed- 
 ing from." 
 
 Nolan, in his wort on poultry, published in Dublin, says : 
 
 " The Chittagongs is another eastern variety, frequently confounded 
 with the Malay ; there is no doubt of its being a distinct species ; the 
 color is uniform, or nearly so ; not so with the Malay ; they are large 
 in the body, and short on the legs. They do not stand so high as 
 either the Cochin China or Malay; the cock stands, in his ordinary 
 way, about twenty-two inches in height, and the hens about twenty 
 inches ; the weight of the cock is from eight to ten pounds, and the 
 hens from six to seven pounds ; the plumage is uniformly speckled 
 grey, or what some understand as cuckoo-colored, with large comb, 
 free from top-knot, with ordinary sized wattles ; hackles partaking of 
 the same mottled grey of the rest of the plumage; the tail is small in 
 proportion to their size ; the legs vary, being occasionally white, blue, 
 or yellow ; the eggs are large and abundant ; the early chickena 
 advance in size and plumage with as much rapidity as our common 
 poultry. There is no doubt of their being crossed on the Dorking, 
 which fowl they much resemble in shape, and then produce what ia 
 denominated the grey Dorking ; they are a large sized, hardy, and 
 very valuable bird." 
 
83 
 
 HONG KONG FOWLS. 
 
 HONG KONG FOWLS. 
 
 This cut represents a pair of Hong Kong fowls owned and 
 bred by C. C. Plaisted, Esq., of Great Falls, N. H. Mr. P. 
 writes me as follows : 
 
 This mammoth breed of fowls was imported from, Canton in the 
 year 1849, by Capt. D. S. Fuller, of the ship Vancouver. The name 
 "Hong Kong," has been bestowed on them as a convenient appellation 
 to distinguish them from other Chinese fowls. For size and beauty, 
 they equal any other breed of fowls in New England. The portraits 
 at the head of this article were drawn from life a pair in my pos- 
 session. I weighed the imported hen, and a cock from her, on the 
 third of April last, and found their weight to be twenty-three pounds 
 and nine ounces. The hen's weight was twelve pounds and one ounce, 
 and the cock weighed eleven and a half pounds. He was only ten 
 months old at the time. The prevailing shade of his plumage is a 
 glossy black on the breast, sides and legs ; the hackles, back and rump 
 feathers are a bright red ; his tail is a rich, glossy, greenish black 
 
HONG KONG FOWLS. 89 
 
 wattles, heavy ; eyee, very large ; prominent comb, and dark, smooth 
 legs. The hen is a perfect match for the cock in color and general 
 appearance ; black, save her neck hackles, which are penciled with 
 red. She is a good layer, and her eggs are quite as large as those of 
 the domestic turkey. I am indebted to Dr. J. C. Bennett, of this place, 
 for this noble pair, as a present. Dr. Elihu Halladay, in a letter to 
 Dr. Bennett, says : " the eggs, as far as I could judge, are fine spec- 
 imens. The Hong Kong's eggs from your great imported hen, are 
 different from anything I ever saw or heard of being produced by any 
 breed of hens. They have a resemblance to the turkey's egg, except 
 in form, which is quite different. I feel quite as anxious to raise Hong 
 Kongs as Brahma Pootras." 
 
 For this hen, and a very excellent cockerel, Dr. Eben Wight, of 
 Boston, the former owner, refused fifty dollars, and was repeatedly 
 offered twenty-five dollars for the hen alone. 
 
 The fowls which are delineated at the head of this article, could 
 not be purchased at a similar price. 
 
 There are a great many fowls that are called Hong Kongs, with 
 double combs and feathered legs, and of all colors, but all such fowls 
 are a cross breed. It is generally believed that these fowls were pro- 
 duced by a cross in this country. This is a great mistake. In form 
 and color they breed the most perfect of any fowls I have ever seen. 
 They always have large, single combs, dark, smooth legs, with yellow 
 bottoms to their feet. Any one well acquainted with this breed, 
 would know them by their large, dark-grey eye, not running in cir- 
 cles around the eye, as is generally seen in other breeds, but in spots 
 all over the eye, which gives them a very singular look. I have 
 hatched a large number of chickens this season, from them, and have 
 found them to breed perfect in every respect. 
 
 C. C. P. 
 
 I recently procured a pair of these fine fowls from Mr. 
 Plaisted's stock, and a fine pair of fowls they are. The portraits 
 here presented do not do them justice. They are far superior 
 in form and general appearance to those delineated in the cut. 
 Mr. Plaisted has given them a very fair description. I shall 
 breed them the coming season, and shall then give my views of 
 their merits more in detail, in the Northern Farmer. The 
 premium pair of Hong Kongs at the poultry show in Boston, 
 November, 1852, sold for $40. 
 
 Dr. Bennett speaks of these fowls as follows : 
 
 "This fowl resembles the Imperial Chinese in almost every respect, 
 except color. There is, however, a marked difference in the legs. The 
 Imperial Chinese generally have yellow legs, frequently very heavily 
 feathered, whereas the Hong Kongs usually have dark legs, and almost 
 always smooth. They possess the same excellencies, are equal in size, 
 and are superior in beauty of plumage. The original importation was 
 made from Canton and Shanghae, in the year 1849. The name Hong 
 
00 HONG KONG FOWLS. 
 
 Kong, has been bestowed on them as a convenient appellation to dis- 
 cfnguish them from other Chinese fowls. They are the Mandarin Fowl 
 of China. 
 
 " The importer thus describes the pair now referred to : 
 
 * ' The cock is one of six fowls of my own importation, direct from " 
 Canton, early in the present season. His color is quite dark, the pre- 
 vailing shade of plumage being a rich, glossy, greenish black, on the 
 breast, sides, and legs ; the hackles, wings, back, and rump feathers 
 are a bright red ; his legs are dark ; wattles, heavy ; eye, very large ; 
 prominent comb, and very short tail. He is a splendid bird, not ten 
 months old. His weight this day is ten and a quarter pounds. 
 
 " ' The hen is a perfect match for the cock in color and general ap- 
 pearance dark plumage, (black, saving her neck-hackles,) of a very 
 fine form, and one of the rarest birds I have ever yet seen. She is 
 also imported directly from Canton, and was sent me by a gentleman 
 fancier, who chanced to see ray crower, and who considered him a 
 fitting mate for such a fowl. I weighed this hen on the 27th of May 
 she drew ten pounds, strong, though she had just come from the sitting- 
 coop, and was not so heavy by half to three-quarters of a pound, 
 probably, as she will be in fair laying condition. A few of her 
 chickens, hatched this spring, have proved rare specimens, for domestic 
 birds.' 
 
 "In size and weight, these fowls are well ranked among the best 
 specimens of their race. Their laying qualities are also equal to the 
 best. 
 
 "The hen here described, laid almost daily for six months, when 
 owned by Dr. Wight, and she has, since she came into my possession, 
 laid well. Her eggs are very peculiar. 
 
 "There are very few of these fowls in this country, owing to the 
 fact that the original co-ck was slain in battle, soon after his arrival in 
 America. A coop containing Royal Cochins happened to be in such 
 proximity, that the fowls in each, beholding each other, became 
 excited, and burst forth from their prisons and came in conflict. 
 
 " The encounter was a severe one, and resulted in the death of both. 
 One was killed on the spot, and the other died shortly after." 
 
 J. C. B. 
 
 The Hong Kong fowl, in my opinion, surpasses any other known 
 breed in New England. For beauty and laying qualities, I am certain 
 they will stand in the foremost ranks. I have tried the different 
 breeds that are now attracting so much attention in this section. 
 Some I have found very good, but concluded on the whole, that many 
 overrated their fowls. A friend, (Dr. J. C. Bennett, Great Falls, N. 
 11.,) sent me a pair of Hong Kongs. I have bred them for two years, 
 and they have far exceeded my expectations. Of twenty-five chickens 
 
 1 have bred this season, not one was imperfect. They bred to the 
 feather, and resemble the old fowl perfectly. I do not hesitate in 
 saying, the Hong Kongs are THE FOWLS. 
 
 H. H. HUNTRESS, 
 
 Biddeford, Me. 
 
HONG KONG FOWLS. 
 
 91 
 
 ENGLISH HONG KONG FOWLS. 
 
 Since the foregoing matter was prepared on Hong Kong 
 fowls, C. C. Plaisted, Esq., of Great Falls, N. II., lias imported 
 some very choice stock of this breed, from England, a pair of 
 which the above cut represents, and which I have received 
 from Mr. Plaisted. They cost $35 in England. These fowls 
 possess all the main characteristics of those I received from H. 
 H. Huntress, Esq., of Biddeford, Me., whose fowls have been so 
 much admired; but they are larger and more sinewy; legs, 
 large and strong the real English points of a choice fowl. 
 The color of the cock is a chesnut-color, intermixed with darker 
 shades. The pullet is nearly black, rather more so than our 
 American bred Hong Kongs. There has been no cross in the 
 blood of this breed of fowls, and they will breed to the feather. 
 The above pair, when mature, will probably weigh about twen- 
 ty-one pounds, and they are truly a magnificent breed. I learn 
 that Mr. Plaisted will breed extensively from his stock of Hong 
 Kongs. 
 
92 HOANG HO FOWLS. 
 
 The following letter was received with the fowls. My 
 readers will please to note that Dr. Bennett goes to Fort des 
 Moines, Iowa, as soon as navigation opens, to reside perma- 
 nently, and all communications to be addressed to him at that 
 place : 
 
 . GREAT FALLS, K H., Jan. 31, 1853. 
 
 Friend Miner, I have only time to say that I forward you a pair 
 of Imported Hong Konrts, just from England, as a present from Charles 
 C. Plaistecl, Esq., of this place. They are splendid birds, and the only 
 pair ever imported FROM ENGLAND. They are PERFECTLY IDENTICAL 
 with Mr. Plaisted's stock he had of me, as to color and every general 
 characteristic. I took them out of the coop they came in, as they 
 were too much cramped for room, and are suffering for liberty. 
 
 In the other end of the coop, I send you three Wild Indian Moun- 
 tain Fowls, a cock, (yellowish,) and two hens, (black,) and they are 
 one of the best breeds in the world. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 J. C. BENNETT. 
 
 HOANG HO FOWLS. 
 
 This is a variety of fowls of great merit. It has been 
 asserted that these fowls originated in a cross between a Hong 
 Kong cock, and a black Shanghae hen, but Dr. Bennett affirms 
 that he imported them, and that they do not possess a particle 
 of Hong Kong or Shanghae blood. Be that as it may, they 
 are a fine fowl. They may be described as follows : Cocks, a 
 bright chestnut color ; short legs, sometimes feathered, and fre- 
 quently smooth ; head, erect ; comb, single and serrated ; eye, 
 large, and very dark, with little or no visible iris ; weight of best 
 samples at two years old, twelve pounds ; a peculiar crow, 
 advancing in the act, and continuing the sound longer than is 
 natural in other fowls. 
 
 The pullets are uniformly either a rich, glossy black not a 
 perfect jet with a slight penciling of chestnut neck hackles, 
 or a variegated, penciled brown ; form, that of the best mod- 
 eled Shanghaes ; compact, short legs, dark color, feathered 
 generally, but not always , short tail ; eye dark, of a snaky 
 look, with no perceptible iris (outer ring usually red,) at a few 
 feet distance. The pullets are larger, in proportion to cocks 
 generally, than other breeds, frequently drawing ten pounds. I 
 have six pullets of this breed, that were hatched in June last, 
 
HOANG HO FOWLS. 93 
 
 now eight months old, that average about eight pounds each, 
 and the old cock weighs only eleven pounds. They equal the 
 best Shanghaes for laying, seldom missing a day, unless it be 
 between litters. These fowls have a peculiar penchant for fresh 
 meat, and they will devour mice and birds with great gusto, 
 and even catch them. A pullet in my possession, three months 
 old, caught a young bird, and devoured it, feathers and all. 
 
 This variety of fowls is very hardy, their progenitors having 
 come from a severe climate, and they stand our severe winters 
 much better than our native fowls. The chicks are also very 
 hardy, and are protected by a coat of fur while young, almost 
 impervious to water ; and while our common breeds are droop- 
 ing and chilled, the Hoang Ho chicks run about in the sleet, 
 snow, or rain, as happy as in midsummer, chirping a merry 
 
 SOHg. 
 
 The cocks of this variety, when crossed with our good com- 
 mon fowls, of any breed, make a very fine cross one that 
 excites the admiration of all who see them. This I know from 
 experience, having disposed of eggs of this half breed to various 
 gentlemen, who are rapturous in the praise of them, without 
 an exception ; and the cocks of such crosses have been sold 
 as high as $5 each. The size of such a cross is but little 
 diminished from that of the pure Hoang Hos, and the fowls 
 are beautiful, surpassing the parentage in all cases. The 
 crossed cocks are generally of the same bright chestnut color 
 of the Hoang Ho cocks, and much exceed them in their grace- 
 ful proportions. Some of the pullets resemble the pure fowls 
 so much, as not to be distinguished, except by one well 
 acquainted with them. 
 
 The other, and general characteristics of the Hoang Ho fowls, 
 are similar to our best Asiatic breeds. They are confined by 
 fences three feet high. I have furnished n-o portraits of them 
 in consequence of a press of other business, but shall have 
 them executed at the earliest period, for insertion in the 
 " Farmer." 
 
 There are but three or four individuals in the United States, 
 who have this breed at present. Wm. O. Leslie, Esq., of Pa., 
 writes me under date of Jan. 20th, 1853, as follows : 
 
 " In your editorials on Poultry, you have thus far overlooked the 
 great Hoang Hos, a breed which I consider the largest of any we 
 have. I have a pullet a little over six months old, which weighs six 
 pounds full. She lays almost daily. She is from Dr. Bennett's 
 stock." 
 
94 
 
 BLACK CHINA FOWLS. 
 
 BLACK CHINA FOWLS. 
 
 The above cut represents a somewhat rare, but very excellent des- 
 cription of fowls, which have been bred in Norfolk county, Massachu- 
 setts. 
 
 The fowls from which the Black China breed had its origin, were 
 imported into this country in the spring of 1848, in the ship Vancou- 
 ver, from China, and came into the possession of Dr. Eben Wight, of 
 Dedham, Mass. At the time he received them, the hen weighed nine 
 pounds. She ultimately proved to be a good layer, and, as her form 
 oecame maturely developed, showed points which denoted the best 
 requirements of the class to which she belonged. She was short in 
 the legs very much so; round and full in the body and breast; the 
 plumage of the body dark green, with yellow hackles on a black 
 ground. The chicks of the first brood were all males the number 
 being six. At six months old, the heaviest of this brood weighed ten 
 and a half pounds, and the lightest one ten and a quarter pounds. 
 The color of the males is black, with reddish, or gold-colored neck 
 and back feathers. They stand erect, and are majestic in their 
 demeanor. The comb and wattles of the stock from those originally 
 imported, are very small, a feature that is not found in any other 
 variety of Black China fowls. The combs, on both cocks and 
 hens, are single in all pure specimens, and, on no account, can they 
 be considered large ; if otherwise, the purity of the fowl may be 
 
BLACK CHINA FOWLS. 95 
 
 impeachable. What the weight of the male member of the originally 
 imported pair was, I cannot state; but, at ten months old, the produce 
 above specified, weighed the heaviest of the six twelve ana a half 
 pounds; the others were little inferior to him in weight. Their 
 plumage was uniform with their parentage a distinction that has 
 been kept up by every brood hatched from the same stock. I speak 
 within the mark, when I say, that the males of this breed, one year 
 old, will weigh from nine to ten pounds each, and the hens from seven 
 to eight pounds. The hen originally imported, a few weeks ago 
 weighed twelve and a half pounds, and is, perhaps, the weightiest 
 fowl of her class in the Union. The Black China fowls are excellent 
 layers, as I have very good reason to know. The old hen referred to, 
 laid 163 eggs in 169 days, and her being kept separate from all others 
 during that period, and laying apart, left me no room to question the 
 number of eggs produced. 
 
 In every respect, whether for laying properties, or as a table fowl, 
 I know of no description more eligible than the Black Chinas. They 
 are hardy and healthy in this northern latitude, and I have no doubt 
 would attain to a much greater weight under a more mild climate, 
 south or west. In productive qualities, the Black Chinas, could not 
 improve anywhere, south or west, so as to eclipse their reputation here. 
 
 The cut 1 send you, (that at the head of this article,) is a very good 
 representation of my fowls, and illustrates their proportions in a very 
 correct manner. 
 
 I am yours, <fec., 
 
 A. WHITE. 
 
 East Randolph, Mass., 13th Dec., 1852. 
 
 Mr. "White gives us a pretty good account of his fowls in 
 regard to weight and laying qualities, which cannot be true of 
 the breed generally ; yet I have no reason to doubt his word in 
 his own particular case. What the difference is between the 
 " Black China " fowls, and the black Shanghaes, I am unable 
 to understand. Both are from China, and should go by one 
 and the same name. I am decidedly opposed to a useless 
 multiplication of names, when there is no good reason for them, 
 and the public should set their faces against such things ; if 
 not, every new importation, and every new cross, will be dubbed 
 a new name, till we shall have become bewildered with the 
 endless varieties that will be introduced. The following is from 
 D. P. Newell, Esq., of Rochester, who gives this breed the name 
 of " 
 
 " The Cantons were imported from China, and are a large, glossy, 
 black fowl, lively and spirited in appearance, with short legs, and 
 large, plump bodies. They were much admired at the late State Fair 
 at Utica, and they are a great acquisition to a poultry yard. For 
 laying, they will compare favorably with any other fowl that I ever 
 kept. They lay a large white egg, much larger than the eggs of Co- 
 
GREAT MALAY FOWLS. 
 
 chin Chinas, or Shanghaes. They are hardy, and their young are 
 strong and vigorous, and easily reared. Those who fancy a black 
 fowl, cannot do better than to obtain the Cantons, for they are a bet- 
 ter and more profitable fowl than the black Spanish, black Shanghae, 
 or great Java fowls. They mature young, and have most of the good 
 qualities of the Dorking fowL" 
 
 GREAT JAVA FOWL. 
 
 This is a breed similar in some respects to the Black China 
 fowls. They were introduced into this country some years 
 previous to the advent of the majority of the Asiatic fowls, and 
 at the time, considerable noise was made in regard to their 
 qualities, but little or nothing is now said about them. I kept 
 them on Long Island, some years ago, but did not like them. 
 They have no merit except size. Dr. Bennett, in his Treatise 
 on Poultry, says : 
 
 " These, like all other pure Java fowls, are of a black, or dark auburn 
 color, with very large black legs, single comb and wattles. They are 
 good layers, and their eggs are very large and well-flavored. Their 
 gait is slow and majestic. They are, in fact, amongst the most valua- 
 ble fowls in the country, and are frequently described in the books as 
 " Spanish fowls," than which nothing is more erroneous. They are as 
 distinctly an original breed as the pure blooded Great Malay, and 
 possess about the same qualities as to excellence, but falling rather 
 short as to beauty. This, however, is a matter of taste, and some 
 consider the pure Java superior to all other large fowls, BO far as 
 beauty is concerned. Their plumage is decidedly rich." 
 
 GREAT MALAY FOWL. 
 
 This breed, as well as the Great Javas, are well represented 
 by the portraits of Black China fowls, previously shown in 
 this work. The Great Malays were brought originally from 
 the peninsula of that name, at the southern extremity of Asia. 
 Richardson says : 
 
 " The Malay fowl stands very high on the legs, is long-necked, 
 serpent-headed, and is in color, usually, a dark brown, streaked with 
 yellow ; sometimes, however, with white. His form and appearance 
 are grand and striking in the extreme, and he is no small embellish- 
 ment to the poultry yard. This fowl is also frequently, but erroneously, 
 called the Chittagong. The Malay fowls, however, that were origin- 
 ally imported, were by no means such birds as I could recommend to 
 the notice of the breeder, their size possessing too much offal, aa 
 neck,legs, and thighs, and the flesh being dark-colored and oily." 
 
- '. 
 
 JERSEY BUTE FOWLS. 97 
 
 It is useless to give further de.tails of these fowls, as they are 
 not popular, and the less we have to do with them the better, 
 when other breeds of much more value are within our reach, 
 at very moderate prices. It appears that a large red fowl is 
 called " Malay," at the south, as will be seen by the following 
 extract : 
 
 The Malays do very well in this climate, (Ga.) ; lay large eggs, and 
 about fifteen at a litter ; may easily be prevented from sitting, and 
 are otherwise easily managed. The chickens are strong when hatched, 
 grow fast, and feather sooner than most of the large birds ; color, red. 
 
 GEO. A. SMITH. 
 Macon, Ga. 
 
 JERSEY BLUE FOWLS. 
 
 This breed was once much in vogue, but are not popular at 
 the present time. They originated in New Jersey, from a cross 
 of some of the Great Malay with some of our native breeds. 
 Dr. Kerr, in his " Ornamental and Domestic Poultry," says : 
 
 " The color of this variety is light-blue, sometimes approaching to 
 dun ; the tail and wings rather shorter than those of the common 
 fowl ; its legs are of various colors, generally dark, sometimes lightly 
 feathered. Of superior specimens, the cocks weigh from seven to nine 
 pounds, and the hens from six to eight pounds. They are evidently 
 mongrels ; and though once a good deal thought of, yet, since the 
 purer breeds, as the Shanghaes and Cochin Chinas, have been intro- 
 duced, they begin to be neglected, as indeed all mongrels should be, 
 BO far as breeding from them is concerned." 
 5 
 
98 
 
 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 SUMATRA PHEASANT GAME FOWLS. 
 
 I now introduce the most celebrated Game fowls known. I 
 am not in favor of cock-fighting, by any means ; but as I have 
 undertaken to furnish a truthful history of the gallinaceous 
 tribes at least, those of the most important and valuable 
 breeds, I should fail to do justice to my subject, if I omitted 
 the Games. In some sections of our country, the rearing of 
 fowls for the " pit " is quite extensive, especially at the south ; 
 and the repugnance of the people in those sections to the prac- 
 
GAME FOWLS. 99 
 
 tice of pitting them, is much less than at the north. The 
 indomitable perseverance and courage of the Sumatra Pheasant 
 Games, is worthy our admiration. They will fight as long as 
 enough of their body hangs together to retain the vital spark, 
 and they yield to nothing but death. Dr. Bennett does not 
 overrate them, as I have much corroborative evidence of their 
 enduring powers and unflinching courage when pitted, and I 
 have had personal experience of their courage, having procured 
 a pair from Dr. Bennett's stock. The cock in my possession 
 has whipped every other rooster I own, and without spurs, 
 being too young to have them grown, if this breed does ever 
 have them, which I think doubtful, from present appear- 
 ances. They are probably pitted with steel gafts, usually. No 
 other fowl can compare with them in beauty of plumage that 
 beautiful green metalic lustre for which they are noted, and 
 with which they are invariably bred by Dr. Bennett. The por- 
 traits here given, are true to life. The following is Dr. Bennett's 
 description of them. Dr. B. was one of the first breeders, and 
 the principle breeder of these Games in this country : 
 
 These fowls are called " Pheasants " by the natives of Sumatra, from 
 their strong resemblance to that bird in the length of their tail, and 
 the manner of carrying it, which is horizontal, or in a line with their 
 body, and not erect, like other Games. The magnificent plume-feathers 
 of the cock's tail frequently sweep the ground, and the tail of the hen 
 is fan-shaped. The cervical contour, likewise, strikingly resembles 
 that of the wild pheasant, and the general aspect of the Sumatra 
 Pheasant Game is symmetrical and unique in the extreme. In this 
 country we adopt the name of "Pheasant" Game, to designate this 
 particular breed, and to distinguish it from another excellent breed of 
 Games, imported from Sumatra by Capt. Silver, and known as "Silver 
 Games," but which are designated "Sumatra Games," in the late 
 report of the New England Poultry Society. These "Sumatra Games " 
 are larger, and carry their tail decidedly more erect man the " Suma- 
 tra Pheasant Games," and the two breeds differ materially in general 
 contour and brilliancy of plumage, though both breeds are GAME to 
 the death. 
 
 The Sumatra Pheasant Games maybe thus described : Head, small, 
 with a powerful beak ; eyes, lustrous, quick, and fiery ; the comb is 
 what is known to cockers as a " pea-comb," from its resemblance to a 
 pea-blossom ; that is, it is a small, serrated comb, studded upon either 
 side by a smaller comb, giving it the app-earance of three combs; but 
 some of this breed have single combs ; wattles, small, with a very 
 small, dew-lap; hackles of the neck and loins, very long and bril- 
 liant ; tail, long and drooping, or horizontal, with abundant plume- 
 feathers, sweeping the ground ; body, slim, and very symmetrical ; 
 legs, sinewy, with a powerful and muscular thigh ; bottom of the feet 
 and skin 01 the body, of a bright yellow ; color of plumage, variable, 
 
100 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 but I generally prefer to breed the black, or very dark, as a matter of 
 fancy. 
 
 The Sumatra Pheasant Games are among the very finest of the 
 Wild Indian bloods, and compare favorably with any of the game 
 race. Like all well bred Games, they never cringe they never cower 
 before the steel, nor quail at the terrors of the bloody pit They 
 were imported into Boston, from the island of Sumatra, by Mr. J. A. 
 
 C. Butters and Mr. Joseph Muncreeff, and closely resemble the Ben- 
 gal Games in general contoui', with the exception of the length of the 
 neck, which is usually shorter. The small pea-comb and tiny wattles 
 of this breed of Games, require but little trimming to fit them for 
 the pit. 
 
 The males have a small dew-lap, like the Wild Indian Mountain 
 Fowl, but never have the muffler which is always to be found in that 
 unique bird. They are fast and indomitable fighters, and their other 
 qualities are the same as other high bred Games. Their plumage is 
 usually brilliant, and their symmetry unsurpassed ; in fact, I should 
 not consider my Game stock complete without the beautiful Sumatras. 
 
 Mr. J. A. C. Butters, the importer, from whom I obtained my stock, 
 in a letter to the writer, of March 20th, 1851, observes: 
 
 "As to the history of the Sumatra Pheasant Games, I can only 
 say I received two hens and one cock o*f this breed, direct from 
 Anger's Point, Island of Sumatra, India, April, 1847. These fowls 
 are found there in flocks of twenty or mone, and fly across from the 
 Island of Sumatra to the Island of Java ; the natives call them Pheas- 
 ants, and are very choice of those they capture and breed. They are 
 kept almost exclusively for fighting there. The natives get them very 
 domestic. I have spent considerable time in finding some history of 
 them in print, but have not, as they are distinctly from the Bankiva 
 cock, that being quite small, and carries the tail erect, like the Sea- 
 bright Bantam. There is the skin of one of the same at Washington, 
 
 D. C., in the collection of the U. S. Exploring Expedition, I took a 
 drawing of it last fall, when there it is the same fowl. It was in a 
 cabinet of birds from the East Indies. At that time they were num- 
 bered, but no account had been then printed. These fowls have proved 
 to be most excellent layers. I do not exaggerate when I say that they 
 will Jay a greaterweight of eggs than any other breed, in the same 
 time, I say weight, because there is so much said about the large size 
 of the Cochin Chinas, Shanghaes, &c., <fcc. The Game eggs appear 
 small, but, like the fowl, are of extra weight ; the flesh is unsurpassed 
 by any domestic breed ; they are small eaters ; very quiet when 
 acquainted with each other, and do not quarrel as much as DUNG-HILLS, 
 but when opposed by a strang'er, their tenacity of purpose and courage, 
 is unequalled by any bird. They do not come to maturity before the 
 end of a year. If you will examine the spur of those sent, you will 
 see that it is not set firm. They ought never to strike a blow until 
 the spur is firmly set to the leg. I have but one breed of fowls, and 
 have had no other for nearly four years ; I have bred GAME FOWLS 
 for over eight years, (for sportsmen mostly.) The superiority of the 
 Sumatra over all other Game breeds, is the natural strength, com- 
 pactness of body and feathers, and unusual intelligence, and natural 
 
GAME FOWLS. 101 
 
 willingness to be handled, and when trained, are perfectly at home in 
 any place. They can be made Generals in a short time. The Java 
 Games are too slow and lack courage, as I have seen a number start 
 at the first puncture of the STEEL. Sportsmen have to come for 
 Sumatra Pheasant Games on all important occasions." 
 
 Game eggs are not only of extra weight, as Mr. Butters truly 
 remarks, but they are decidedly richer than any other eggs. One 
 Game egg is worth two co-mmon eggs of the same size, either for eat- 
 ing or culinary purposes so far do the Game eggs excel all others, both 
 as to flavor and nutritious qualities. The specific gravity of an egg, 
 as well a-s a fowl, determines its relative qualities. 
 
 No better fowls, either for the " spit," or the " pit," than the 
 Sumatra Pheasant Games, are to be found. A larger breed of Games 
 is produced by crossing the Sumatra Pheasant Game cock, with the 
 Wild Indian Game hen, or vice versa. They are called, and very 
 appropriately, "The Game Cock of the Wilderness," and are of 
 exquisite beauty and indomitable courage. 
 
 With regard to the Java Games, I must beg leave to differ from my 
 friend Butters. The PURE Java Games, are likewise "Pheasant" 
 Games, having a head and tail like the Suroatras, and only differ in 
 size and color. The Javas, as well as the Sumatras, are fast and stal- 
 wort fighters in fact, the Javas are only a VARIETY of the Sumatras 
 the BREED is the same. 
 
 JOHN C. BENNETT. 
 
 Fort des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa. 
 
 The following letter is from Geo. A. Smith, Esq., of Geo., 
 one of the most extensive fowl fanciers of the South : 
 
 , Geo., April 19, 1852. 
 
 I hope you will not think me fickle when I tell you that I recant 
 my former opinion in regard to the fighting qualities of the Sumatra 
 Pheasant Games. I saw my blue cock tried, and pass through the 
 'fiery ordeal' that happens to the lot of few cocks to pass through. 
 He fought a cock that I will not say was the best in Georgia, but he 
 was more than an average, and one that could make a good fight any 
 time. He was two and a half years old, and in good righting order, 
 and was a very fast fighter. The Sumatra got a bad cut on the hip 
 before they had exchanged a half-dozen blows, which made him stag- 
 ger, and he could not stand firm on his feet. The next cut was in the 
 wing, that did not injure him much. The next was in the neck, but 
 not very deep. The next in the body. All this time his antagonist 
 had not received a scratch, and was thumping him away on all sides, 
 and at every pass doing the Sumatra some damage, which now showed 
 signs of being worsted, and when pitted, would make an attempt to 
 get to the other cock, and fall. The Georgia cock would then go and 
 stand upon him sometimes on his neck, for five minutes at a time. 
 The Sumatra would get from tinder him, exchange a few blows, then 
 fall again. At this crisis the Sumatra got a cut at the lower edge of 
 the right eye, and ranging towards the neck. It was with a & 
 gaff, and went more than half the length in, and being so fast that the 
 point bent in pulling it out. I thought it was all over with him, but 
 
102 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 he then appeared to fight better, and with more determination than 
 before. He now received a cut in his left wing, entering the first 
 ioint, and ranging up towards the butt, cutting the large artery, I 
 presume, fro-m the quantity of blood that flowed. The next cut was 
 in the back part of the head, ranging down. He received several 
 other cuts in the neck, but not very deep. He was now blind in the 
 right eye, lame in one hip, and the blood dripping from him. His 
 left eye was half closed, and he could scarcely see his opponent, but 
 was eager to get at him. The Georgia cock now began to tire, but 
 kept fighting. The Sumatra finally got to him, and gave him a despe- 
 rate blow, cutting him in the breast The gaff did not hang, and ho 
 was knocked three feet. He was brought to the pit again, and the 
 Sumatra cut, him through the right eye and into the head, which closed 
 the battle. The cock died in a short time. The Sumatra was com- 
 pletely cut up, and I never before saw a cock stand one-half the cut- 
 ting and fatigue that he did. 
 
 It appears that the Sumatra Pheasant hens are as pugnacious 
 as the cocks. Mr. J. A. C. Butters, the original importer of 
 this breed, in speaking of one of them sold to Dr. Bennett, 
 says : 
 
 " I would fight her with gaffs against any hen in the world of her 
 own weight. She never, to my knowledge, was whipped but once, and 
 then by her mother. On one occasion, she fought her way through a 
 flock of thirty Cochins and Shanghaes, whipping both cocks and 
 hens," 
 
 The following extracts from the most distinguished fowl fan- 
 ciers in this country, will give further proofs of the estimation 
 in which they are held : 
 
 PROVIDENCE, Oct. 8th, 1852. 
 
 Friend Bennett, The Sumatra Games came safe to hand, and I am 
 compelled to say, that I never saw such beautiful and ornamental 
 Game fowls, and I think I hafte seen nearly all varieties. That splen- 
 did, rich, dark, green bronze color, I never saw on any fowl before. 
 No amateur ought to be without those truly splendid and ornamental 
 birds. For my taste, they cast all other Games, for beauty of plumage, 
 far in the shade. If you can spare me another pullet I shall be pleased. 
 Yours truly, JOHX GILES. 
 
 These, I think, are among the best of all the Games, for fighting 
 purposes. They have strength, activity, fleetness, perseverance, and 
 endurance ; are also desperate, as no cutting from a gaff will make 
 them flinch. They are kind to human species, but the death to 
 all fowl kind. Cocks, hens and chicks, all fight. I think them the 
 handsomest of all the fowl kind. They have a wild look, brilliant 
 plumage, and the neatest build imaginable. The hens are blue, with 
 bills and legs the same color as the cocks. Are an excellent fowl for 
 the table, their flesh being delicately white. Their laying qualities 
 are good, and their sitting and nursing, faultless. Their egg?, though 
 Binall, are a$ heavy as those of the larger kinds of hens. The shell is 
 
GAME FOWLS. 103 
 
 mahogany color. They are restless, and cannot be confined, and can 
 out-scratch any fowl I ever saw. They came from Angler Point, 
 Sumatra the imported ones being from wild ones, caught in the 
 woods. I think they will not degenerate by in-and-in breeding. In 
 weight, they vary from four and a half to six pounds, and are so 
 compactly built, as to deceive any one not acquainted with their make. 
 
 GEO. A. SMITH. 
 
 The peculiarities of Sumatra Game fowls, are as follows: They 
 have no wattles, and scarcely any comb, and require little or no trim- 
 ming, to fit them for the pit. The cock in my yard, which is now six 
 months old, stands and carries himself loftier than most chickens at 
 eighteen months old, all the time watching, as if alarmed. His gene- 
 ral appearance is wild. The hen, (an imported one,) is a perfect 
 beauty. All who have seen the Sumatra Games, consider them the 
 handsomest and most desirable ones they have ever seen. 
 
 As to their laying qualities, I would say the very day I received 
 the hen, July 3d, she began to lay, and continued, until she had laid 
 twenty eggs, without missing a day ; I then allowed her to sit. She 
 raised me eleven chickens, and proved herself a good sitter and nurse. 
 As fighters, they stand unrivaled, allowing themselves, (as I am credi- 
 bly informed,) to be cut in pieces, without yielding. They are also 
 fast fighters. 
 
 ALBERTUS WmcH. 
 
 , Penn. 
 
 I received a pair of Sumatra Pheasant Game fowls, from Dr. Ben- 
 nett, both young and promising, which, for symmetry of form and 
 brilliancy of plumage, cannot be surpassed. The color of a dark, 
 glossy green ; the feathers on the neck of the pullet, of a bronze hue; 
 their eyes, remarkably brilliant and piercing ; necks, long and serpen- 
 tine ; comb, serrated, and scarcely any wattles ; legs and bills, black ; 
 body, firm and compact. The carriage of mine is noble and majestic. 
 I have found them to be very small eaters, and much attached to each 
 other, but on the introduction of a strange cock into their yard, they 
 will attack and fight fowls thrice their size, and weight. I do not 
 allow mine to fight, however, as they are too young. I am much 
 pleased with them, and would not part with them for any considera- 
 tion. _ 
 
 JOHN K A, KOBE. 
 
 , Penn. 
 
 The principal breeders of the Sumatra Pheasant Game fowls 
 in this country, at present, are J. C. Bennett, Fort des Moines, 
 Iowa, Richard Blaisdell, Esq., Great Falls, N. H., and myself. 
 
104 
 
 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 SUMATRA GAMES. 
 
 This io a breed much resembling the Sumatra Pheasant 
 Games, yet having distinct characteristics, and known simply 
 as the " Sumatra Games," without the term " Pheasant." 
 They are not considered equal in the qualities that constitute a 
 good Game fowl, to the Sumatra Pheasant Games. The fol- 
 lowing description of them, by Mr. S. B. Morse, Jr., is taken 
 from the " New England Farmer : " 
 
 " The progenitors of this race of fowls were, several years since, 
 brought from the Island of Sumatra. The utmost care has been used 
 to prevent the possibility of a cross in this stock. 
 
 This breed of Game fowls is, in my opinion, equal, if not superior 
 
GAME FOWLS. 105 
 
 to any other in the IS T ew England States. The hens are good sitters 
 and nurses, and, for the size of the fowls, produce large eggs. The 
 cocks have a brilliant plumage, and the hackles on the neck are very 
 long and full-feathered, making a " perfect shawl." The body is round 
 and plump ; the neck is long and powerful ; the breast, full ; the 
 wings are long, and cover the thighs ; the beak is hooked and stout ; 
 the thighs are large and sinewy, and well set to the body ; the legs 
 are dark-colored and long; and the claws are strong, and, with the 
 legs, exhibit great muscular power. The belly is compact, so as not 
 to interfere with the agility of the fowls, which they possess to 
 a remarkable degree. The tail is very long, and by its beauty adds 
 much to the appearance of these birds. The chickens are easily 
 reared, and bear the climate of New England as well as those pro- 
 duced by any other stock. 
 
 The flesh of the Game fowl is considered by all persons who have 
 eaten it, as equal, if not superior, to that of other breeds, and, for the 
 size of the fowl, there is less offal than in any other. 
 
 For the incubation of eggs of rare and valuable breeds of fowls, 
 Game hens are to be preferred to all others. Amateurs and fanciers 
 will find it much to their advantage to employ Game hens as incuba- 
 tors of the eggs of the different breeds of Bantam fowls, as they are 
 not so heavy or so clumsy as to break the eggs, and, at the same time, 
 are most careful mothers, rarely or never injuring their chicks by their 
 impetuosity, as hens of other breeds sometimes do. Game hens will 
 most fearlessly attack cats and dogs in defence of their chicks ; and I 
 have known instances where full-grown rats have been killed by them. 
 
 Many persons are deterred from keeping Game fowls by the reputa- 
 tion the cocks have acquired, unjustly, I think, of being quarrelsome. 
 The true bred Game cock is not, my experience teaches me, quarrel- 
 some or vindictive. He resents the interference of any cock with his 
 vested rights and privileges, and requires an instantaneous apology 
 for an insult, and, if his antagonist demurs, a battle is commenced 
 without the least delay. If the opposing cock retreats, the true Game 
 does not follow, but with a loud, exulting, and derisive crow, expresses 
 his triumph ; but when Game meets Game, death to one or both is 
 inevitable, as true Game " never retreats." This often occurs at the 
 first flirt. I have known an instance where both cocks were instantly 
 killed by a " brain stroke." 
 
 For the rearing of chickens, a constant and regular supply of small 
 grains is required. The best kind is wheat, being preferable to barley 
 or buckwheat. Indian corn, of course, is not to be used, on account 
 of its great size. I do not approve of giving to chicks any moist food, 
 particularly Indian meal, as it w T ill ferment in a short time, and become 
 sour. Chicks should not be compelled to fast. Their crops are small, 
 and the power of digestion is so great, that, if the food is not con- 
 stantly within their reach, they are soon exhausted by the growth of 
 feathers and bone, lose their strength, and death is the result. I have 
 used the "screenings" of wheat for feeding chicks, and find them 
 quite as good as wheat, although costing much less. 
 5* 
 
106 
 
 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 SUMATRA EBON GAMES. 
 
 The Sumatra Ebon Game fowls are very nearly allied to 
 the Pheasant Games, I presume, from the description given ; 
 and what the particular difference is, I leave for Dr. Bennett to 
 explain. 
 
 These celebrated Games being in possession of Dr. Bennett 
 only, in this country, we must, of course, look entirely to him 
 for their history, not being described in any of the works on 
 
GAiLE FOWLS. 107 
 
 poultry, either in the United States or in Europe. Cavillers 
 may say, that the descriptions often given of particular breeds 
 of fowls, are mere advertisements of them got up to sell them. 
 Very well, suppose that they are. How are we to get desciip- 
 tions of fowls unless we get them from those, who have bred 
 them ? Every work on poultry hitherto published, is filled with 
 descriptions by interested parties, in a great degree; -yet it 
 should be the duty of authors to state their own views and 
 opinions, when they are in contradiction to the opinions and 
 descriptions furnished for their works, and I shall do so. The 
 most authentic information an author can produce, is the opinions 
 of various parties not exclusively his own, however well 
 informed or experienced he may be. It is presumed that gen- 
 tlemen of reputation and honor will adhere to the truth, giving 
 the bright side, of course, being interested, and the public must 
 be the jury to give a verdict after hearing the testimony. 
 
 As to my friend, Dr. Bennett, he is an enthusiastic admirer 
 of the feathered tribes. Breeding them is his element, and he 
 is just the man to detect their faults, and to discover their good 
 qualities. He may use superlatives, on some occasions, rather 
 freely, but not for the purpose of gain, for the Doctor does not 
 breed fowls for profit for filthy lucre ; it is a passion with him ; 
 and when be has a fine breed, he oftener presents them to his 
 friends than sells them to his customers, and if the truth were 
 known, we believe he has given away more .valuable fowls 
 within the last five years, than all other fanciers in the United 
 States together. 
 
 Hear what he says of these Games : 
 
 The portrait at the head of this article, was delineated and engraved 
 by J. C. Thompson, Jr., of Providence, B. I., and is an accurate like- 
 ness. 
 
 These fowls were imported direct from the Island of Sumatra, and 
 are materially different from any other variety of Game fowl ever 
 introduced into this country. 
 
 The Sumatra Ebon Games answer to the following description : 
 Head, very broad, with a powerful beak ; eyes, small, fiery, and snaky, 
 with a red iris, and jet black pupil; comb, very large, single, deeply 
 serrated, and erect, extending much farther back on the head thau 
 that of the Pheasant Games, and much resembling that of the Black 
 Spanish ; wattles, large and pendulous ; hackles of the loins and 
 neck, very long, and exceedingly brittle * tail, very long and flowing, 
 with abundant plume and sickle feathers sweeping the ground, and in 
 this respect more closely resembling the Bird of Paradise than any 
 other of the gallinaceous race ; body, compact, and unusually sym- 
 metrical ; color, black, or a greenish black, of a metal luster ; legs, 
 
108 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 sinewy, with a powerful thigh, like the Pheasant Games, and frequently 
 a pea comb, like other well bred Games. In further describing these 
 rare birds, I will introduce some extracts from letters, and other 
 notices. 
 Dr. Eben. Wight writes me as follows : 
 
 "BOSTON, Mass., April 30, 1852. 
 
 "Dear Doct., I have been down to the ship Propontis, Lewis 
 Wharf, and have seen the Sumatra Ebon Game fowls. Captain Bar- 
 stow, brother to the one who wrote you, says he took about fifty 
 cocks on board at starting, and always kept the one that beat, till all 
 are dead except this fellow ; he finished, or nearly finished, all of 
 them, when they were handed over to the cook. He was regularly 
 gaffed for battle. The cock and hen are both quite young. Plumage 
 of the cock, dark-red hackles, and a few dark-red feathers over the 
 back ; body, black, or greenish black ; tail feathers, very long and 
 greea ; legs, dark. The hen is black, and of good plumage, with dark 
 legs. 
 
 " In haste, truly yours, E. WIGHT." 
 
 Mr. Barstow, brother of the Captain, says : 
 
 BOSTON, May 1st, 1852. 
 
 " Dr. Bennett, Dr. Eben Wight will give you a description of the 
 Games, which he can do better than myself. 
 
 "They were imported in the ship Propontis, Captain Barstow, 
 which arrived last week, and were bought at the west coast of Sumatra, 
 by the Captain. 
 
 " There cannot be any doubt as to the breed of the fowls, as they 
 were hatched on the coast, bought there by the present owner, and 
 brought from there in the ship Propontis, from which they were taken 
 this morning, by Wentworth's Express, for you. 
 
 " Yours, <fec., GEO. T. BARSTOW." 
 
 Mr. Balch writes as follows : 
 
 "DEDHAM, Mass., July 6,1852. 
 
 " J. C. BENNETT, M. D. Dear Sir : My present engagements are such 
 that it is impossible for me to give you a detailed account of the Game 
 fowls you purchased of Captain Barstow. I saw them on board the 
 ship Propontis, and offered a large price for them, but was informed 
 that they were under refusal for you ; he, therefore, could not part 
 with them till he should hear from you. 
 
 "From \he history my friend, Captain Barstow, gave me of the 
 birds, I am inclined to think they are the best Games imported for 
 many a day. 
 
 " I rather rejoice that you were the successful purchaser, for they 
 will now be fully distributed. Had I been so fortunate as to have 
 secured them, I should have presented them to a friend at the South, 
 where I am sure they would have out-shone any they have. 
 
 " Yours, truly, B. W. BALCII. 
 
 The Great Falls Journal, of May 6th, in speaking of the Sumatra 
 Ebon Game fowl, observes : 
 
GAME FOWLS. 109 
 
 " We have this week been shown a pair of these fowls, which were 
 brought direct from the Island of Sumatra, India, in the ship Propontis, 
 Captain Barstow, and were purchased by Dr. J. C. Bennett, at a great 
 price. The plumage of these fowls is elegant, that of the cock being 
 a greenish black, with long, green tail feathers, and a few dark red 
 feathers over the back. The tail feathers of this bird now drag upon 
 the ground when he stands erect, notwithstanding he has undergone 
 the hardships of a seven months' voyage, which is every way calcu- 
 lated to strip him of his plumage. He, according to the testimony of 
 the Captain, actually fought and killed fifty cocks while on his pas- 
 sage from Sumatra to Boston. He was regularly gaffed for the battle, 
 and always cut down his antagonist, though many a victory was 
 hardly contested at the point of the steel. The hen is of good 
 plumage, and has laid from the time of her embarkation at Sumatra, 
 up to the present, with short intervals. These birds are said, by 
 excellent judges, to be the 'FASTEST' Game fowls now known, and 
 evidently STAND AT THE HEAD OF THE GAME RACE as to beauty, strength, 
 power of endurance, prowess, and speed. They never prove craven, 
 or cower at the steel cut of the enemy." 
 
 The editor of the New En'gland Cultivator, in an article in that 
 paper, says: 
 
 "We had an opportunity, a few days since, to examine the fine 
 Game birds of Dr. J. C. Bennett, of Great Falls, N. H., and we were 
 highly pleased with his stock, which is the choicest, probably, in its 
 way, now to be found in the Northern States. 
 
 " Dr. B. is an enthusiastic fancier, and has bred his fowls, experi- 
 mentally and scientifically, for several years. He has appended some 
 names to his birds, for the purpose of distinguishing one importation 
 from another, which we do not fancy altogether ; but that he has 
 some superb specimens of Game fowls, there is no question. 
 
 " His Sumatra Games comprising the 'Pheasant' Game, and the 
 ' Ebon ' Game are among the most graceful and beautiful of all the 
 domestic fowls we ever yet saw, and we do not doubt that they are 
 all that they are represented. He claims that they are ' fast ' fighters, 
 and of sure endurance and bottom. 
 
 "Two old breeders (imported,) that he showed us, were p-- ' " n ~ 
 fine and promise to be a superb variety of dark, rich plum^ e -, / 
 carriage, large armed, and exceedingly e"rect and spirited. 
 
 " Dr. B. has bred the Games very extensively during the last and 
 present season, and our Southern friends who desire such birds for 
 ' pit or spit,' can obtain choice ones on application as above." 
 
 If my friend will inform me how to distinguish one breed from 
 another, (not one importation from another,) without "names" I will 
 be under many obligations. I do not wish to multiply " names" but 
 when new breeds are imported, they must be NAMED, or they cannot 
 be identified with sufficient precision. 
 
 The opinion of such men as Dr. Wight and Mr. Balch, is always 
 entitled to respectful consideration, for though they may occasionally 
 err in judgment, like other men, yet it is admitted on all hands they 
 are able, competent, and most excellent judges. 
 
HO GAME FOWLS. 
 
 The Ebon Games are called by the natives of Sumatra, " Malay- 
 Games," the best samples of which are found at Palembang, Padang, 
 and Bencoolen ; likewise, at Samarang and Bally, in Java; and 
 Singapore, in Malacca. 
 
 The cross between the Sumatra Ebon Games, and the Sumatra 
 Pheasant Games, is beautiful in the extreme; and either of the 
 Sumatra breeds the Pheasant or the Ebon cross admirably with the 
 English, Irish, or Chinese Games, adding greatly to the beauty and 
 strength of the three latter breeds, and to the SIZE of the two former. 
 
 As the " SIAMESE PENCILED GAMES " are perfectly represented by 
 the above engraving of the Sumatra Ebon Games, and differ from 
 them only in color of plumage and size of body and comb, it is deemed 
 more appropriate to describe them here. The Siamese Penciled 
 Games are most beautifully penciled in every feather, as if with the 
 most exquisite touch of a master painter. The coloring is equal to 
 the " Pintado " or Guinea fowl, each feather vieing with the others 
 in the surpassing beauty of its tints ; and this breed of Games might 
 with great propriety be called the " gallinaceous Pintado," for it is 
 really such. 
 
 The Siamese Penciled Game cock is from a pound to a pound and 
 a half heavier than the Sumatra Ebon Game cock, and has a much 
 smaller comb ; in all other respects, excepting color, they exactly 
 resemble each other. 
 
 These fowls are obtained at Concoa and Convot, on the Gulf of 
 Siam, and are highly valued for their beauty and intrinsic worth. 
 
 I should not consider my Game stock complete without this valuable 
 and unique breed. As yet, there are but few in the country. 
 
 J. C. BENNETT. 
 
 JAVA PHEASANT GAMES. 
 
 The besfc stock of these beautiful Game birds was imported by 
 Capt. Palmer. One of the imported cocks was of a silver-grey color, 
 with white legs, and weighed between eight and nine pounds ; the 
 other imported cock was of a blood-red color, with yellow legs, and 
 weighed between seven an<J eight pounds. Some of the hens were 
 speckled, others of a quail-color, or exquisitely penciled, like the 
 Imperial Chinese fowls of the 1848 importation; and others were 
 blue, and some of a dun color. They have the pea-comb, and in 
 general aspect, exactly resemble the Sumatra Pheasant Games, and 
 are well represented by the same engraving. Iso Game fowls in this 
 country were able to stand before these two imported Java cocks 
 fast, wary and unyielding ; the longer they fought, the better they 
 fought, and with constantly increasing ferocity. My stock is from 
 both of the above named imported cocks, and the imported hens, pro- 
 cured for me by Solomon H. Austin, Esq., from whom I have the fore- 
 going facts. Mr. Austin is an acquaintance of Capt. Palmer's, and 
 was enabled to obtain the best of this blood for me. 
 
 In New England we were never able to obtain fowls of the size or 
 
GAME FOWLS. Ill 
 
 weight of the imported stock, in consequence of the rigor of "the 
 climate, but at Fort des Moines, Iowa, 1 hope to get the size, as well 
 as the courage, and I am positive it can be done in the balmy climate 
 of the South. I shall take the first opportunity to supply my friend 
 T. B. Miner, Esq., of Clinton, N. Y., with some of the best of thia 
 stock to add to his most magnificent collection of the gallinaceous race. 
 
 The hucksters of Boston have injured the reputation of these superb 
 Games, in some sections, by palming off half-bloods for the genuine 
 stock ; but the pure bloods never fail to give perfect satisfaction, both 
 as to beauty of plumage and stalwart Game qualities. They are 
 equal to any Games in the world, either for the "pit" or the "spit." 
 
 J. C. BENNETT. 
 
 Fort des Moines, Iowa. 
 
 The following is an extract from a letter from from S. H. 
 Austin, Esq., of 'Great Falls, N. H. : 
 
 Capt. Palmer imported some of the largest Java Game fowls I ever 
 saw. I will mention one. afterwards owned by Mr. Henry Angel, 
 that weighed from eight and a half to nine pounds. He won 
 more than seventy-five battles, to my knowledge, and was never 
 whipped, but at last got both his eyes cut out. He was taken from 
 the pit, and kept blind for some time, and afterwards they killed him 
 and stuffed his skin. 
 
112 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 WILD INDIAN MOUNTAIN FOWL. 
 
 I have recently received a trio of these beautiful semi-Game 
 fowls from Dr. Bennett's splendid stock, and have given them 
 out to be bred for me, not having room for them, so extensive 
 is my collection of the various breeds. The gentleman having 
 them in charge, reports them to be excellent layers. He says 
 I may " crack them up " as equal to anything in the world : 
 
 WILD INDIAN MOUNTAIN FOWL. 
 
 The fowls portrayed in this engraving, are owned by A. Yerloin de 
 Gruy, Esq., of New Orleans, and are accurate likenesses from life. 
 They were imported and introduced into the United States by Capt. 
 Thompson and Mr. Stockbridge, for Bower and Estes, of whom I had 
 my original stock. My own stock, as well as that of T. B. Miner, 
 Esq., of Clinton, N. T., is identical with that of Mr. De Gruy. 
 
 These are a very rare kind of Indian fowl, and command admira- 
 tion from all who behold them. They very closely resemble the 
 
GAME FOWLS 113 
 
 Wild Indian Game fowl in most respects a noticeable difference is, 
 however, observed, in their being heavily muffled, and of a larger size. 
 With these exceptions, they appear to be precisely the same fowls. 
 The hen of my imported stock weighed seven pounds when one year 
 old, but the cock, though not^weighed by me, I should judge did not 
 exceed a pound and a half more. 
 
 The plumage of these birds is dark and glossy, and the feathers lay 
 remarkably close to the body, and they, like the Wild Indian Games, 
 appear to be much smaller than is indicated by the actual weight. 
 The head of the male bird is generally ornamented with a comb exactly 
 resembling a ripe strawberry, transversely fixed, though occasionally 
 the comb is "roseate;" some have pea-combs. The wattles are want- 
 ing, but in lieu, between where the wattles appear in other breeds, is to 
 be found a small dew-lap, covered by the muffler. The females have 
 rose-combs and verv small wattles. The neck is long and serpent-like, 
 the eyes are large, and in fact, the whole head is above the ordinary size. 
 The beak is of extraordinary strength, and hooked like that of the 
 Eagle the upper mandible projecting and curving over the lower ; 
 indeed, the beak and cervical contour so remarkably resemble that 
 noble bird, that they are frequently called "The Great Indian Eagle 
 Fowl." They were imported via Calcutta, and were originally a wild 
 fowl from the Himmalaya mountains, in India hence their name 
 "The Wild Indian Mountain Fowl." 
 
 The wings are short, like most of the large Asiatic fowls, and the 
 hackles and general plumage are unusually brilliant. They are semi- 
 fan-tailed, but their plume feathers are shorter than is usual for Game 
 fowls. Their legs are dark and smooth, and the under part of the 
 foot is yellow. The flesh of these birds is white and succulent, and 
 the fibre is much finer than in any other large fowl much like that 
 of the partridge. 
 
 For the table, they are the fowls, by far surpassing every other 
 large breed in the savory quality of their flesh. 
 
 These birds are remarkable for their belligerent and semi-game 
 qualities. The cocks are ferocious in aspect and disposition, and the 
 hens seem to share in their propensities for battle. For power and 
 prowess they are unsurpassed, but they are not what cockers call 
 " fast fighters." Ordinarily, however, they are both very peaceable 
 inhabitants of the barn-yard, but on the introduction of strange fowls 
 to the roost, they are aroused to a fearful pitch of excitement. 
 
 The Wild Indian Mountain fowls are not Game, as some suppose, 
 though at mature age they fight ferociously, but it is for the " spit," 
 and not for the " pit," that these birds are sp eagerly sought ; and it 
 is certain that there is no more desirable Asiatic bird for the poultry 
 yard than these. Extra fine fleshed, good layers, remarkably unique, 
 and surpassingly beautiful. 
 
 Occasionally these most magnificent fowls are variegated in color. 
 
 A. Verloin de Gruy, Esq., of New Orleans, La., T. B. Miner, Esq., 
 of Clinton, N. Y., and Rev. N. S. Smith, of Buffalo, N. Y., who have 
 these birds in perfection, are all very careful breeders, and may be 
 relied upon for the genuine stock in its purity, 
 
 J. C. BENNETT. 
 
 Fort des Moines. Iowa. 
 
114 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 Mr. De Gruy, of New Orleans, has, it is said, the most 
 extensive and valuable stock of poultry that is kept at the 
 South, and my correspondents from New Orleans speak in the 
 most extravagant terms of the beauty and size of his different 
 breeds, the most of which he had from Dr. Bennett, or through 
 his agency, having previously been very severely " taken in," 
 by unprincipled breeders at the North, some of whom may be 
 
 very properly termed never mind, the term is rather 
 
 severe, and I will spare them. 
 
GAME FOWLS. 
 
 115 
 
 CHINESE ALBIN GAMES. 
 
 This is a new breed among us. The fowls represented in 
 the portraits are owned by Col. Mark Noble, of Great Falls, N. 
 H., a gentleman who has devoted much time to raising improved 
 breeds of poultry. Dr. Bennett recently imported a pair of 
 this breed, of which he says : 
 
 friend Miner, I have this evening [Thursday, the 18th of Nov. 
 1852,] received ray new importation of Chinese Albin Games, from 
 China, via San Francisco. They are unique, and as white as alabaster. 
 The engravings taken of those belonging to Col. Noble and myself, at 
 the head of this article, are exact likenesses of those of this importa- 
 tion. All these have the snake-head and pea-comb, the fiery eye and 
 
116 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 the sinewy leg, erect tail, and rapid motion. The importer, in a letter 
 to me of November 9th, says: "I forward yon, by express, the white 
 Games imported from China, via San Francisco. I send all I have, 
 and you will be sole possessor of this importation. They are the only 
 pure white fowls I have ever seen, and they are good and TRUE TO THE 
 DEATH, and you can rely upon them confidently. I was loth to part 
 with these beautiful whites, but when I make a promise, I always 
 stick to it." All of these fowls have yellow beaks, and a part of them 
 have yellow legs, and a part yellowish green legs. The head, comb, 
 and wattles are all smaller than those of any other Game fowl. They 
 form a beautiful contrast with the Sumatra Games the one an alabas- 
 ter, or snow white, the other a blue black, with green metalic lustre. 
 
 As gladiatorial fowls, these whites are as fine a breed as were ever 
 viewed from the plaza de gallos. A celebrated English writer says of 
 them, (see Dixon, 334,) "The white Game fowls are, in the opinion of 
 some, the most chaste and beautiful variety of all, and are highly 
 prized by thope who keep them." 
 
 In a letter of Dr. B. F. Griggs, of Columbus, Ga., dated Sept. llth, 
 1850, to me, these fowls are described as follows: 
 
 "My favorite cock is, perhaps, as fine a Game as lives. He was 
 presented to me by destine Pryor, Esq., of this city, (Columbus, Ga.,) 
 and is of the White Chinese Game stock, imported by Bradford 
 Thompson, the most successful cock-fighter ever known in the United 
 States. His stock has been kept entirely pure and uncontaminated. 
 These fowls are very fine, and are the ' fastest ' fighters known. This 
 one of mine is the most beautiful bird I ever saw. He is pure white, 
 with yellow legs and bill ; eyes perfectly red. He is proud, majestic, 
 and eager for the fight. I propose to take the "Wild Indian Game hen 
 on the terms you propose one hundred and twenty dollars and 
 shall breed her with this cock. If you are willing to do this, I shall 
 want the hen to start for Columbus, next month, by way of Macon, to 
 the care of my friend, Geo. A. Smith, of that city. 
 
 Respectfully, B. F. GEIGGS." 
 
 To the above extract, Dr. Griggs appends the following : 
 
 "COLUMBUS, Sept.' 11, 1850. 
 
 "Da. BENNETT Sir: Being requested by our friend Griggs to state 
 to you what we may know of the above described Game cock, we 
 take pleasure in recommending him as being one of the very finest 
 Game fowls we have ever seen, and think there cannot be a fsaer or a 
 better one. We are well acquainted with him, having seen him 
 victorious in two battles, against very fine cocks ; in one of these 
 battles he killed one of our finest Southern cocks ; in the other, he 
 killed a fine Baltimore cock, over his weight. He is a beautiful bird, 
 weighing five pounds, and we think able to whip any other of that 
 weight to be produced. 
 
 " Respectfully, " PHILIP PRYOE, Columbus, 
 
 "JAMES REEVES, " 
 " W. B. WHITHUST, Alabama." 
 
 The Albin cock here portrayed was presented to me by my esteemed 
 friend, George A. Smith, of Macon, Ga., and the hen is one of four 
 
GAME FOWLS. 117 
 
 which Col. Mark Noble and myself purchased in the east. Col. 
 Noble, of this place, has some very fine stock of the Chinese Albin 
 Games. 
 
 J. A. C. Butters, in speaking of these fowls, in a letter dated West 
 Roxbury, April 20th, 1852, says: "I think you have, this season, 
 bettor hens than they have in Georgia far better." In another letter 
 of April 23d, Mr. Butters says: "These are the most thorough Game 
 of any breed in this country, and you are very fortunate to possess 
 them, as you will have a distinct breed of fowls which will breed 
 'in-and-in' and never change a feather, and as to Game, it will be. 
 unsurpassed." Mr. Butters is an amateur breeder, and an excellent 
 judge of Games. 
 
 My friend, Col. Allen G. Summer, of Pomaria, S. C., has lately 
 received some splendid specimens of Albin Games, relative to which, 
 in a letter of June 8th, 1852, he says: "I am breeding some snow 
 white Game fowls the stock imported from China through California. 
 They are the most beautiful birds in the world, and extremely pug- 
 nacious." 
 
 Mr. George P. Burnham, the editor of the New England Cultiva- 
 tor, in his July number, page 209, in speaking of my Albin Games, 
 remarks : " His White Chinese Games, are also a superb variety, and 
 he claims that they are ' fast' fighters, and of sure endurance and bot- 
 tom." 
 
 The favorable opinion of such respectable men as Summer, Griggs, 
 Smith, and Butters, is enough to establish the character of any breed 
 of Games ; and I think those who fancy white fowls can find no better 
 bloods than the Chinese Albin Games. 
 
 JOHN C. BENNETT. 
 
 SPANISH GAME FOWL. 
 
 This fowl is thus described in the " Poultry Book," by Dr. 
 Bennett : 
 
 "The specimens exhibited at our late Fowl Fair, were deemed the 
 handsomest of the kind on the ground. 
 
 " The cock weighs five and a quarter pounds, and the hen, his mate> 
 three pounds and fourteen ounces. 
 
 " This is the kind called the English fowl by Buffon and the French 
 writers ; it is more slender in the body, the neck, the bill, and the 
 legs, than the other sorts, and the colors, particularly of the cock, 
 arc very bright and showy. The flesh is white, tender and delicate, 
 and on this account, marketable. The plumage is very beautiful a 
 clear dark red, very bright, extending from the back to the extremi- 
 ties, while the breast is beautifully black. The upper convex side of 
 the wing is equally red and black, and the whole of the tail-feathers 
 black. The beak is black, and the legs are black also. The eyes 
 resemble jet beads, very full and brilliant, and the whole contour of 
 the head gives a most ferocious expression. 
 
 The flesh of this fowl is remarkably fine ; the egga are small, and 
 extremely delicate." 
 
118 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 MEXICAN GAME FOWL. 
 
 The description of these Game fowls is taken from the " Old 
 Colony Memorial," a paper published at Plymouth, Mass. It is 
 from the pen of Dr. Bennett: 
 
 " These fowls are in many respects remarkable. The Spanish name 
 'Gallus Gallenos,' or 'hen-cock,' (Latin Gallus Gallinaceous,) at 
 once introduces us to their principal peculiarity. The cocks, to all 
 intents and purposes, resemble ordinary hens the only marked dif- 
 ference being in the size of the comb and wattles. They are compar- 
 atively destitute of neck and rump hackles. The color is usually 
 similar to that of a partridge ; the legs are dark and smooth, the eyes 
 lustrous, and the plume feathers are shorter and less brilliant than 
 those of other fowls. 
 
 " In size, they compare favorably with other Game fowls. Their 
 general aspect is ferocious, and their movements are lively and grace- 
 ful. They are what 'cockers' call fast fighters. The particular 
 fowls here described; are those obtained by me from John Giles, Esq., 
 of Providence, and Dr. Eben Wight, of Dedham, and are now owned 
 by C. W. Mead, of Chiccopee, and Samuel Parker, of Worcester. 
 
 "The cock has been subjected to the severest tests, by Mr. Mead, and 
 found to evince unflinching courage before the steel. When first 
 imported to the north, he would not breast the large breeds would 
 run, though not cower but now in condition, and acclimated, he will 
 stand the steel of his antagonist, without even being himself ' heeled.' 
 He now, like the Sumatra and Wild Indian Games, will stand to be 
 cut down, without in the least flinching. I should never desire fowls 
 for fighting purposes, but fowls that will fight, always have remarkably 
 fine and savory flesh, and are superior to all others for the ' spit' as 
 well as for the 'pit.' In fact, it is for beauty, and the table, that most 
 people prefer the Game breeds. 
 
 " Wm. Johnson, Esq., of Ky., a very screntinc breeder of Game 
 fowls, in writing to me, on this subject, observes, ' I am no cock- 
 fighter, but I like a good horse, a good gun and dog, and a pretty 
 Game bird. For the table, they have no equal among the domestic 
 fowls.' 
 
 "In speaking of the Mexican Games, in a letter of the 12th of 
 December, 1850, Mr. Johnson further remarks: 
 
 " 'I read Gen. Waddy Thompson's 'Recollections of Mexico,' when 
 it was first published, and recollect his speaking of the Game cock 
 Gen. Santa Anna gave him. Some of our Mexican soldiers brought 
 home some cocks from Mexico, but they won't do. They, however, 
 differ from the cock described of Waddy Thompson's. The great 
 requisites in Game cocks, are, first, courage, and next, to ~befast. ' The 
 battle is not so nrach to the strong as to the swift.' 
 
 " The hen is an imported Cuban Game fowl, now owned by Mr. 
 Mead. 
 
 " This breed are perfectly black, and have all the points of the 
 best sorts of Game fowls. Their prowess is wonderful, and it is rarely 
 the case that one of them survives a defeat. 
 
GAME FOWLS. 119 
 
 " The following letter from Col. Adam G. Summer, of S. C., to the 
 author, gives so ample and beautiful a description of this fowl, that 
 further comment here is unnecessary : 
 
 " 'This unique variety was introduced in 1844, by Gen. "Waddy 
 Thompson, of this State, on his return from Mexico. It is a favorite 
 variety with the Mexicans, and their Mexican name is ' Gallus Galle- 
 nos' cock-hens from the fact that the male birds have short, broad 
 tails, and, in color and plumage, the appearance of the hens of the 
 same variety, differing only in the combs, which are very large and 
 erect in the cocks, and small in the hens. 
 
 " ' In Mexico they are fought without trimming, and the common 
 Game cock will not attack these hen-looking cocks. The Mexican 
 cock is generally pheasant-colored, with occasional changes in plumage 
 from a light yellow to a dark grey, and recently, in the stock in Car- 
 olina, there has been a tendency to black tail feathers and breast, as 
 well as an inclination to grey and light yellow, and with a slight 
 approximation to red hackles in some rare instances. 
 
 " ' The majority of the whole stock, however, preserves the original 
 pheasant-color. This variety has a strong frame, and the largest and 
 most muscular thighs of any fowl I have as yet seen. This gives 
 quick power to fierce action in fight, and if not killed immediately, 
 he is sure to be victorious. I do not know whether they will fight 
 well in a cold climate like yours The cocks are distinguished by 
 large upright combs, strong bills, and very lustrous eyes. Their legs 
 vary from a dirty to a dark green color. The hens differ so little 
 from the cocks that a description is unnecessary. 
 
 " ' They are as good layers and setters as any other Game breed, and 
 are good nurses. The cock which was the progenitor of all the stock 
 now in the United States, was presented to Gen. Thompson by Gen. 
 Santa Anna, just before he closed his official career as Minister to 
 Mexico, and was victorioxis in a large main, fought by the famous 
 cock-fighting Mexicans. Gen. Thompson sent to Queretaro for some 
 hens, and thence sprang all the true cock -hens now in this country. 
 Those sent by my brother, Wm. Summer, to Mr. Giles, Dr. Wight, 
 and Mr. Buxton, are from a pair presented to him by Gen. Thomp- 
 son, out of the original stock. 
 
 " ' Their crosses on other Game breeds are highly esteemed here as 
 fighting fowls, and their muscular forms adapt ^them as well for the 
 spit as for the pit. "Wm. Summer breeds them in their purest state, 
 and regards them as a valuable fowl for domestic purposes. 
 
 " 'A. G. SUMMER.' 
 
 " Mr. "William Summer, in a letter to the writer, dated July 23d, 
 1850, in speaking of these fowls, says: 
 
 " ' I had concluded to send you a hen of mine to make out the pair, 
 one that Gen. Thompson sent me as particularly fine; though I say, 
 in all sincerity of heart, that the pair sent by me to Mr. John Giles, 
 was the best pair I have ever bred. You are fortunate in securing 
 them from him, as they will give the very best representation of the 
 breed when in full feather. Mr. Giles, in a recent letter, informed me 
 that the cock had improved very much.' 
 
120 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 "CoL Summer, in a letter of July 8th, 1850, observes: 
 
 " ' Santa Anna, or properly ' hen-cock,' (Gallus Gallenos Spanish) 
 was brought from Queretaro by Hon. Waddy Thompson, and a pair 
 presented to us by him, has been bred pure. I have their history 
 from Gen. Thompson.' 
 
 " Again, in the eame letter, he remarks : 
 
 " 'I am no cock-fighter, but keep a few kinds, just to have them. I 
 never saw a cock-tight with gaffs, or one on which they were pitted. 
 I have a friend who, in a gentlemanly way, participates in the sport 
 held in our towns and cities. It prevails to considerable extent in the 
 South, and I regret it much. No bird of mine shall ever enter a 
 sportsman's hands.' 
 
 " I regard these fowls as excellent for the ' spit,' and they are as 
 prolific as the generality of Games." 
 
 There are Game fowls known as " Yankee Games" " Ben- 
 gal Mountain Games" and a variety of others, hybrids, or 
 otherwise, that I do not consider worthy of- a particular notice, 
 especially those that originated by crossing. There is a white 
 Game fowl bred in Geo., which Geo. A. Smith, Esq., describes 
 as follows : 
 
 " This fowl, (on good authority,) is said to have been imported from 
 China, for Thompson, a celebrated cock-fighter of this State, (Ga.) 
 
 "Their color is snow white; legs and bills, yellow; and eyes, blood 
 red. Their general appearance is very ferocious. Their weight^ is 
 from four and a half to five and a half pounds none larger ; their 
 wings, large ; tails, full and flowing ; their walk, proud, and their dis- 
 position, bad. They will even fight men, dogs, cats and hogs, or any- 
 thing that comes in their way. The cocks cannot be kept in hearing 
 distance of each other, as they are sure to meet and engage in conflict 
 
 " They are quick and sure fighters, and frequently gain the back of 
 their antagonist, and never yield till separated. They are very scarce, 
 those having them not being willing to part with them." 
 
 Mr. Smith says of a cross of the India Game fowls : 
 
 " A cross of these with any other Games, make the best fowl for 
 eating purposes, that I have ever seen, and I challenge any one to show 
 as fine flesh of other breeds, as I can of these. They grow rapidly 
 also when young. 
 
 " I weighed one peir when four months old. The cock drew four 
 pounds and three quarters, the pullet two pounds and a half, making 
 seven pounds and a quarter. 
 
 " The above fowls were from a cock five months old, and a hen' 
 eleven months old ; and chickens from young fowls, I believe, are 
 allowed to be smaller than from older ones." 
 
 I). Taggart, Esq., of Northumberland, Pa., thus writes me 
 on Games in general : 
 
 " The Game ftrwls have some points that are -well deserving of con 
 
GAME FOWLS. 121 
 
 sidcration. Brilliant in plumage, elegant in figure, active, powerful 
 and courageous, it is no wonder that for some hundreds of years they 
 have found patrons among all orders of men, from the prince to the 
 pickpocket. The ' Artful Dodger ' who shares his garret with a 
 favorite fighting cock, is not more proud or careful of him, than Prince 
 Albert of his pet bird, that picks gilt oats out of a golden hopper. 
 
 "As well to the cook as the cock-fighter, do these fine fowls offer 
 inducements. In the whole genus ' gallus,' there is no variety so 
 well formed, so full-breasted, and so finely fleshed. So remarkable are 
 they for symmetry and close-grained muscle, that a Game cock of four 
 or five pounds weight, can strike a much harder blow than a Chittagong 
 or Shanghae of ten or twelve pounds. I have turned my back on a 
 contest of this kind, and could tell when the Game-cock struck, by the 
 severity, as well as the quick repeated frequency of the blows." 
 
 The following is from the Secretary of the " South Carolina 
 Poultry Society : 
 
 CHARLESTON, S. C., 6th Sept. 1851. 
 
 Dear Sir, On your request of a few brief facts in regard to any 
 valuable breeds of fowls in my possession, with my opinion of their 
 merits, I will first commence with the Game fowl, which is considered 
 by every one to be the most symmetrical, with their various hues of 
 plumage, the most beautiful and brilliant of all the gallinaceous tribe. 
 I have several varieties of this breed, but in my opinion the Sumatra 
 excels them all in brilliancy of plumage, and in symmetry cannot be 
 surpassed. They have a very peculiar, majestic gait, and when seen 
 tipping along, they look as if they were swung upon springs. They 
 are the handsomest fowls I have ever seen. The hen in my possession 
 is very tame, and of a very good disposition ; a good layer and sitter, 
 and one of the best of mothers, having already raised this season two 
 broods of eleven chicks each, and all of them are remarkably healthy, 
 not having lost one, as yet, by disease. From the first brood, now four 
 and a half months old, I have seven pullets, and four cockerels, one 
 of which is selected to breed from, on account of his beautiful plumage 
 and fine form, his breast and lower extremities being of a beautiful 
 shining black, with black bill, and legs of a greenish yellow ; neck 
 and rump hackles of a dark, shining green, with golden-colored mar- 
 gins, the upper convex side of the wing, being of a very dark red, 
 approaching to purple ; also marginated with bright golden yellow tail 
 feathers, black, with clear, dark green plumes, very long, almost 
 hiding the tail. The pullet selected for him, is in proportion equally 
 beautiful, every feather being marginated, but not of so bright a color. 
 
 With regard to the fighting qualities of this variety, I know noth- 
 ing farther than what the gentleman says who imported the progeni- 
 tors of this stock. 
 
 In April, 1847, he imported a cock and two hens, direct from 
 Anger's Point, Island of Sumatra, India. They are from wild stock, 
 and the natives call them Pheasants, and are very choice of those 
 they capture and breed. They get them very domestic, and keep 
 them almost exclusively for fighting. He has never known them, 
 6 
 
122 GAME FOWL*. 
 
 sick or well, to cower before the steel, or quail at the terrors of the 
 pit. They are fast fighters, and their other qualities are the same aa 
 other high bred Games. 
 
 My Yankee Game, from the stock of John C. Bennett, of Plymouth, 
 Mass., are out of the Wild Indian Game hen, and the Spanish Game 
 cock. They have a very bold, lofty carriage ; compact and neat in 
 appearance ; close and short feathered, and semi-fan-tailed, with a 
 small comb, and scarcely any wattles, but their wings and tail are 
 not so long as in some other varieties; the plumage is bright, showy, 
 and captivating in appearance. They are considered by many to be 
 equal, if not superior to the Sumatra, which difference of opinion 
 sustains their comparative excellencies. These, and the Irish grey, 
 (of which I have also some very fine ones,) being pronounced the 
 finest specimens of the Game variety, by all who have seen them. 
 The chicks feather slowly, are healthy, and easy raised, if hatched 
 eoon in the season. In hatching the eggs of this variety, it is neces- 
 sary to watch them closely after the eighteenth day, at which time, I 
 have seen the shell entirely broke off, and the chick completely 
 enclosed in the membrane which lines it; so much so, that it could 
 not be released until it was cut with a pair of scissors. The chick in 
 this case was not adhering to the membrane, but was perfectly free, 
 using every effort to get out, and had stripped it longitudinally in 
 several places, with the claws. 
 
 My Bengal Mountain Game, is also from the stock of Dr. Bennett, 
 out of the Wild Indian Game hen, and an imported Bengal Mountain 
 Game cock; he weighing eight and a quarter pounds, being one of the 
 largest of that species. They are of a beautiful, bright, shining 
 plumage, and in that respect nearly equal to the Sumatra ; very close 
 and short feathered, and almost entirely destitute of comb or wattles ; 
 the eyes, very brilliant; the bill, one of the most powerful I have 
 ever seen ; the neck is long, and of great strength, with large, long 
 legs, which are rather out of proportion to the size of the body, which 
 is small in comparison to the height, and in some measure make them 
 resemble the Malay; they are, however, very heavy in proportion to 
 their size ; (the specific gravity of a fowl always determines its fine- 
 ness and juiciness of flesh, and on which account they are preferred 
 as being the best for table use.) 
 
 Dr. B. says, these are fast and unyielding fighters, and when the 
 cock I now own was only two months old, he fought, on two several 
 occasions, for three hours, and his ardor could only be cooled after 
 these long contests, by immersing him in cold water. They may be 
 unyielding fighters, but in my opinion, (I have not, however, tried 
 them,) they are too slow ; their legs being very large and heavy, 
 they lack the agility of the other Games. A smart, well trained 
 Game cock, would kill them, while they are studying where to hit. 
 1 have a cross produced from this variety with other Game hens, 
 which are much improved in symmetry, the plumage being equally 
 fine, and their motions greatly accelerated. 
 
 It is stated in many of the works on poultry, that the Game breed 
 are not the fowls for the farmer, or those that breed for the market, 
 on account of their quarrelsome, pugnacious disposition, being mani- 
 
GAME FOWLS. 123 
 
 fested at a very early age, on which account but few can be rearod, 
 and that the same disposition, to a certain degree, prevails in the half- 
 breed. 
 
 I admit this, in regard to the half-breed, but not so with the pure 
 bred Game fowl, having raised them for several years, principally for 
 my own table use, and on account of .their beautiful plumage and 
 symmetry. I have now in view, while writing this, eighteen stags, 
 now about six months old, all running together in perfect harmony, 
 never having fought ; but it will not continue so long ; they ai - e now 
 large enough for market, some of them weighing between five and 
 six pounds, and must either be sent there, turned over to the cook, or 
 separated very soon. 
 
 I have often been asked what I do with these fowls. My reply is, 
 I eat them. They seem astonished at the answer, it being the opinion 
 of many that they are only raised for fighting, or that they are too 
 valuable to eat. 
 
 I would not exchange a fine, fat Game pullet, well roasted, for any 
 other dish of the feathered tribe. The eggs are also far superior, two 
 of which are worth three common eggs of the same size, cither for 
 eating or culinary purposes ; and these two are equal in weight to the 
 the three. The specific gravity in this case, as in the fowl, determines 
 its relative quality. 
 
 Yours truly, A. C. PHIN. 
 
 The following graphic description of a cock fight, is from % 
 Nolan's work : 
 
 The only persons allowed on the platform, are the setters-to. The 
 first I shall name Nash, the younger; he was followed by a stout, 
 plump, old, ostler-looking man, named Nash, the elder. This person 
 carried a white bag, containing one of the brave birds for the battle. 
 The two men stepped upon the mat ; the hubbub is instantaneous 
 "Two to one on ISTashl" "A guinea on Nash" Nash a crown!" 
 The bets are laid on the setter-to. From the opposite side of the pit, 
 a similar procession entered; the setter-to, Fleming, byname, did not 
 appear so great a favorite as young Nash. The chuckle of the cock 
 in his bag, was answered deeply and savagely from the other, and the 
 straw seemed spurned in the narrow cell. 
 
 Nash's bag was carefully untied, and Nash himself took out one of 
 the handsomest birds I think I ever beheld ; he was a red and black 
 bird ; slim, masculine, trimmed, yet with feathers glossy, as though 
 the sun shone only on his nervous wings ; his neck arose out of the 
 bag, snake-like terrible as if it woiild stretch upwards to the ceil- 
 ing ; his body followed compact, strong and beautiful ; and his long, 
 dark-blue, sinewy legs came forth clean, handsome, shapely, deter- 
 mined, iron-like ! The silver spur was on each heel, of an inch and a 
 half in length, tied on in the most delicate and neat manner ; hia 
 large, vigorous beak, showed aquiline, eagle-like; and his black, 
 dilating eyes, took in all around him, and shone so intensely brilliant, 
 that they looked like jewels ; their light was that of thoughtful, 
 sedate, and savage courage ; his comb was cut close ; his neck trim- 
 med ; his wings clipped, pointed and strong ; the feathers on his back 
 
124 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 were of the very glossiest red, and appeared to be the only ones 
 which were left untouched ; the tail was docked triangle- ways, like a 
 hunter's. The gallant bird clucked defiance, and looked as if "he had 
 in him something dangerous ! " Nash gave him to Fleming, who held 
 him up above his head, examined his beak, his wings, his legs, while 
 a person read to him a description of the bird from paper ; and, upon 
 finding all correct, he delivered the rich, feathered warrior back to 
 Nash, and proceeded to produce his own bird for a similar examination. 
 
 But I must speak of the senior Nash, the old man, the feeder. 
 When again may I have an opportunity of describing him? and what 
 ought a paper upon cocking be accounted worth, if it fail to contain 
 some sketch, however slight, of old Nash ? He wore a smock-frock, 
 and was clumsily, though potently built, his shoulders being ample, 
 and of a rotundity resembling a wool-pack ; his legs were not equal 
 to his bulk ; he was unconversational, almost to a fault, and never 
 made even the slightest remark that did not appertain to cocks or 
 cocking ; his narrow, damp, colorless eye, twinkled a cold satisfaction 
 when a bird of promise made good work on the mat and sometimes, 
 though seldom, he was elevated into the proffer of a moderate bet ; but 
 generally he leaned over the rails of a small gallery, running parallel 
 with the coop, and stooping attentively towards the pit, watched the 
 progress of the battle. I remarked he was extremely like a cock old 
 Nash's beaked nose, drawn close down, over his mouth ; his red forehead 
 and gills ; his round body ; and blue thin legs ; and his silver-grey, 
 scanty, feathery hair lying like a plume all over his head, all proved him 
 cock-like. This man, thought I, has been cooped up in pens, or penned 
 up in coops, until he has become shaped, colored, mannered, like the 
 bird he has been feeding. I should scarcely have been surprised, if told 
 that old Nash crowed when the light first dawned of a summer's morn- 
 ing. I warrant he pecked bread and milk to some tune, and, perhaps, 
 slept upon a perch ! But Fleming lifted his bird from the bag, and my 
 whole mind was directed his way. This was a yellow-bodied, 
 black-winged handsome, cock, seemingly rather slight, but elastic and 
 muscular; he was restless at the sight of his antagonist, but quite 
 silent ; and old Nash examined him most carefully by the paper, and 
 delivered it up to Fleming, upon finding him answer to his description. 
 The setters-te then smoothed their birds and handled them, wetted 
 their fingers, and moistened their bandaged ankles, where the spurs 
 were fastened, held them up opposite to each other, and then pam- 
 pered their courage, and prepared them for combat. 
 
 The mat was cleared of all persons except Fleming and young 
 Nash ; the betting went on vociferously ; the setters-to taunted the 
 birds with each other's presence allowed them to strike at each 
 other at a distance put them on the mat facing each other encour- 
 aged and fed their crowing and mantling, until they were nearly 
 dangerous to hold, and then loosened them against each other, for the 
 fatal fight. 
 
 The first terrific dart into attitude, was, indeed strikingly grand 
 and beautiful ; and the wary sparring, watching, dodging for the first 
 cut, was extremely curious. They were beak-point to beak-point, 
 until they dashed up into one tremendous flirt, mingling their power- 
 
GAME FOWLS. 125 
 
 ful, rustling wings, and nervous heels, in one furious, confused mass. 
 The leap, the fire, the passion of strength, the certaminis gaudia, were 
 fierce and loud ; the parting was another kind of thing, every way. 
 I can compare the sound of the first flight to nothing less than that of 
 a wet umbrella forced suddenly open. The separation was death- 
 like ; the yellow, or rather the ginger bird, staggered out of the 
 close, drooping, dismantled, bleeding ; he was struck. 
 
 Fleming and J^ash severally took their birds, examined them for a 
 moment, and then set them again opposite to each other. The hand- 
 ling of the cocks was as delicate as if they had been made of foam, 
 froth, or any other most perishable matter. Fleming's bird staggered 
 towards his opponent, but he was hit dreadfully, and ran like a 
 drunken man tottering on his breast, sinking back on his tail while 
 Nash's, full of fire and irritated courage, gave the finishing stroke, 
 that clove every particle of life in twain. The brave bird thus killed, 
 dropped at once from the "gallant bearing and proud mien," to the 
 relaxed, draggled, motionless object, that lay in bleeding ruin on the 
 mat. I sighed and looked thoughtful, when the tumult of the betters 
 startled me into a consciousness of the scene at which I was present. 
 
 The victor cock was carried by me in all his pride, slightly scarred, 
 but evidently made doubly fierce and muscular by the short encoun- 
 ter he had been engaged in. He seemed to have grown double the 
 size; his eves were larger. 
 
 The paying backward and forward of money, won and lost, occu- 
 pied the time until the two Nashes again descended with another cock. 
 
 Sometimes the first blow was fatal ; at another time the contest 
 was long and doubtful, and the cocks showed all the obstinate courage, 
 weariness, distress, and breathlessness which marks the struggle of 
 experienced pugilists. I saw the beak open, the tongue palpitate, 
 the wing drag on the mat; I noticed the legs tremble, and the body 
 topple over upon the breast ; the eye grow dim, and even a perspira- 
 tion break out upon the feathers of the back. When the battle lasted 
 long, and the cocks lay helpless near or upon each other, one of the 
 feeders counted ten, and the birds were separated and set-to at the 
 chalk. If the beaten bird does not fight while forty is counted, and 
 the other pecks, or shows signs of battle, the former is declared con- 
 quered. 
 
 The cocks were the next object of curiosity. A covering was hung 
 before each pen, so that I heard, rather than saw the cocks ; but it 
 was feeding time, and I beheld innumerable rocky beaks and spark- 
 ling eyes at work in the troughs ; and the stroke of the beak, in 
 taking up the barley, was like the knock of a manly kmickle on the 
 table. Old N"ash WM mixing bread and milk for his feathered family. 
 
126 
 
 GAME FOWLS. 
 
 MALACCA GAME FOWLS. 
 
 When I penned my remarks on the SUMATRA PHEASANT 
 G-AMES, I was not aware that any other breed of Games in the 
 world could be compared with them for unflinching courage 
 and beauty ; but the Malacca Games, a very recent importation, 
 bid fair to be equal, if not superior to them. No person in the 
 world, in my opinion, has spent so much money to search out 
 the best breeds of fowls from the most distant parts of the 
 world, as Dr. Bennett. The expense of sending an agent 
 especially to Malacca, to procure this breed, has been enormous. 
 He has also just imported by the British Royal Mail Steamer 
 " Europa," some of the finest Game fowls, of other breeds, in 
 England. They were purchased for him at the great Birming- 
 ham Fair, by Mrs. Hosier Williams, of Eaton Mascott, near 
 Shrewsbury, and Wm. Oust Gwynne, M. D., of Sandbacb, 
 Cheshire. They were pronounced the best blood in England, 
 and Dr. B. now has, without doubt, the best stock of Games in 
 the world. The following is the Doctor's description of the 
 Malacca Games : 
 
GAME FOWLS. 127 
 
 The magnificent fowls which are portrayed in this cut, and which 
 are at my place of residence Fort des Moines, Iowa were imported 
 from Malacca, India, by Capt. Palmer. This stock was selected, per- 
 sonally, by a friend of mine, and the likenesses at the head of this 
 article, are accurate and life-like. 
 
 No Game fowl ever viewed from the plaza de gallos, can equal the 
 Malacca Games for SIZE and POWER; and as to prowess and beauty, none 
 excel them. This bird is the "Magnus Apollo" of the Game race. It 
 is very seldom that a cock of any other breed of Games, can stand 
 before a ken of the Malacca Games. I lately imported some Games 
 from England, relative to which, the person who selected them, says : 
 "The Games I send are from the best blood in England, and it is a 
 great favor to obtain them, as he will not sell them to any one in this 
 country." I also imported from Londonderry, some Irish Games, 
 relative to which the person who made the selection, writes : "I have 
 purchased you some of the best Irish Games in the world, as I think." 
 Now both these English and Irish Games were whipped by the Malacca 
 hens, and it was with great difficulty that my best Sumatra Game 
 cocks could master them, after half an hour hard fighting. I am fully 
 satisfied that there are no Game fowls equal to the Malaccas, for the 
 pit. They are what cockers call " Dead Game," and their great size 
 gives them a decided advantage over any other breed of Games. 
 
 They will answer to the following description : Head, broad, but 
 small, comparatively ; eyes, rather large, with a red iris, and black 
 pupil; comb, almost invariably what is called a pea-comb; wattles, 
 small ; hackles, of the neck and loins, long and brilliant ; tail, very 
 long and flowing, with abundant plume and sickle feathers, sweeping 
 the ground, though not so horizontal as the Sumatra or Java Games ; 
 body, well proportioned, compact, and symmetrical ; color, dark 
 bronze, or mahogany, and as brilliant as the Sumatra Games ; legs, 
 dark, and sinewy. Nothing can equal the Malaccas in the richness 
 and lustre of their plumage, except the Sumatras. 
 
 The Malacca Game cocks weigh from seven to nine and a half 
 pounds, each ; and the hens from five and a half to six and a half 
 pounds, each. 
 
 They are excellent layers, and their flesh is fine and succulent ; and 
 in fact, there is no fowl of their weight, the flesh of which is as savory. 
 For table use, therefore, they are unsurpassed. 
 
 My southern and eastern friends, who desire to see these fowls, can 
 do so by calling on A. Verloin de Gruy, Esq., of New Orleans, La., 
 Jas. McClintock, M. IX, Phila., and T. B. Miner, Esq., of Clinton, N. 
 Y., whom I shall supply at my earliest convenience. 
 
 JOHN C. BENNETT. 
 
 Fort des Moines, Iowa. 
 
328 
 
 RUSSIAN FOWLS. 
 
 RUSSIAN FOWLS. 
 
 The above portraits represent a splendid pair of Russian 
 fowls, in possession of A. Verloin de Gruy, Esq., No. 28, Conti 
 street, New Orleans, who has, on his plantation, near the city, 
 the best stock of imported fowls at the South, as before stated. 
 
 This breed is said to be very hardy, and prolific layers. 
 They are very scarce, and cannot be had, at present, of any of 
 the fowl fanciers, to my knowledge. 
 
 Dr. Bennett describes them as follows, having been interested 
 with Mr. de Gruy in their importation. He will take specimens 
 to Iowa, as breeders : 
 
 The above portraits accurately represent the beautiful black Rus- 
 sian fowls, from the stock of A. Ver]oin de Gruy, Esq., of New 
 Orleans, La. They are by some authors called Siberian fowl, and are 
 alluded to by Dixon and by Kerr, but their descriptions are inaccurate. 
 
 These fowls are perfectly black, with dark legs. They are what 
 
RUSSIAN FOWLS. 129 
 
 are called muffed fowls ; that is, they have a muff of feathers under 
 the throat, and at the sides of the head, like whiskers ; but are nofc 
 tutted or crested fowls; that is, they are destitute of a top-knot. 
 The comb is single, serrated, and small, and the wattles are of dimin- 
 utive size. 
 
 The Russian, or Siberian fowls, are about the size of Black Shang- 
 haes, and are equally prolific, and m-uch more brilliant in plumage. 
 They are not so feathery as the Shanghaee, and consequently are of 
 greater specific gravity a sure indication of fineness of flesh. 
 
 Some breeders call the Bavarian fowl the Siberian fowl, but this is 
 an error ; for the Siberian and Russian fowl are identical, and this 
 stock was imported direct from Russia. Mr. De Gruy has them in 
 great perfection. 
 
 Dr. B. has placed at my disposal a letter from E. L. Hyde, 
 Esq., of Mystic, Conn., from which I make the following extract : 
 
 "Supposing that information of any new breed of fowls would be 
 interesting to you, I will inform you of a breed that has lately fallen 
 under my observation, in this vicinity. The first were brought here 
 some two years since, but where they originated, or by whom imported, 
 I have not been able to learn. They are called the Russian Fowl, and 
 I do not see them mentioned in your book, nor in any other that I 
 have obtained, and it is very singular how so valuable a fowl for this 
 climate should have escaped your notice. They weigh from fifteen to 
 seventeen pounds the pair, and the stags stand from twenty-eight to 
 thirty inches high. They have large, single combs, small wattles, and 
 large black whiskers, and a ruff at the throat ; small, tucked-up wings, 
 large, long, body, wide breast and back, and very deep in the quarter ; 
 legs, not long, but black, except the under part of the foot, which is 
 a deep yellow. They are of a uniform color, being a beautiful green- 
 ish black, like the feathers of a Wood Duck, with the exceptic-n that 
 the stags have dark red hackles, with a delicate penciling of black 
 through the middle of each, on the neck, and a very few near the 
 root of the tail, which is even shorter than that of the Cochin Chinas. 
 They seem particularly adapted to this cold climate, as they lay almost 
 constantly, without a warm shelter or extra feed. One man assured 
 me, and I have no cause to doubt his word, as he is known to be a 
 man of truth and veracity that one of his pullets laid 335 eggs in a 
 year, and that other hens did nearly as well. All who have these 
 fowls, are getting eggs every day, while those that have any other 
 variety, get none. The eggs are a dark buff color, and are blunt at 
 both ends, like the Cochin Chinas. I understand that they were 
 brought from the north of Europe by a New London whaler." 
 6* 
 
130 
 
 ENGLISH RED-CAP FOWLS. 
 
 ENGLISH RED-CAPS. 
 
 This is a newly imported breed from England. Their first 
 public introduction in this country, was at the Poultry Fair of 
 the New England Society, in September, 1852, at Boston. 
 They were highly spoken of at that exhibition. 
 
 Dr. J. C. Bennett, of Fort des Moines, Iowa, purchased sev- 
 eral pairs of the importer, Geo. Smith, Esq., of Valley Falls, 
 R. I., who writes to Dr. B. as follows : 
 
 "The old pair commenced laying in December, and have laid up to 
 last week, (Oct. 19, 1852.) They are now moulting. I sell the 
 chickens at $15 per pair. They are a very extra fowl, unquestionably, 
 and this importation is the only one of this breed in the United 
 States. The old fowls are very beautiful, but you can form no idea 
 of their beauty until one year old, o.r iintil after the second moulting, 
 after which their whole appearance is changed, and their plumage 
 becomes very brilliant a bright gold color and black most beautifully 
 intermixed and exquisitely shaded." 
 
 Dr. Bennett sent a part of his purchase to A. Verloin de Gruy, 
 Esq., New Orleans, a pair of which are represented by the 
 above portraits, taken from life. Mr. De Gruy will be able to 
 supply his southern friends with these fowls in due season. 
 
WHITE CALCUTTA FOWLS. 
 
 131 
 
 WHITE CALCUTTA FOWLS. 
 
 Here we have an entirely new breed to American fowl fan- 
 ciers. We have engaged a fine pair from Mr. Roberts, the 
 importer, whose letter is appended, at a price that would 
 frighten our farmers, generally, out of their wits, if they had 
 to pay such sums for fowls. We will let Dr. Bennett describe 
 them, he having a hand in all the new importations : 
 
 The fowls portrayed above were imported direct from Calcutta, 
 India, by Captain Sparkes. They are perfectly white, and about the 
 size of the white Shanghaes, from which, however, they materially 
 differ, by having longer legs, and perfectly smooth, or " clean legged," 
 as it is called, with long tails, long necks, etc., etc., thus being essen- 
 tially different from any of the white Chinese breeds. All of this 
 excellent stock, (except three owned by Mr. George Roberts, Jr.,) now 
 in the United States, belongs to A. Verloin de Gruy, Esq., of the firm 
 of Henry Tete & Co., Commission Merchants, No. 28 Conti street, 
 
132 WHITE CALCUTTA FOWLS. 
 
 New Orleans, La. In physical contour, these White Calcutta fowls of 
 Mr. De Gruy, very closely resemble the beautiful Hoang Ho fowls of 
 George Haig, Esq., of Mobile, Ala. I think this decidedly the best 
 importation of large white fowls ever made. They are very extra, 
 and highly ornamental birds. Mr. Roberts' letter, annexed, is a 
 further description of this importation. 
 
 JOHN C. BENNETT. 
 
 GREAT FALLS, Feb. 2d, 1853. 
 
 Friend Bennett, As you wish information concerning these white 
 fowls, I will just say : They were imported from Calcutta by Capt. 
 Sparkes, a year since, and presented to me. In regard to the size, 
 beauty, &c., of these fowls, I shall allow you to be the best judge; 
 but my opinion is, there are no better fowls in the country. Mr. 
 Lord, who bred them this season, says he has no better layers. One 
 of the pullets, hatched last June, commenced laying the first of 
 January, and has laid 23 eggs during the month. I think that is doing 
 well for this season. There have been some persons trying to prove 
 the white Shanghaes and Calcutta fowls to be one and the same 
 breed ; but they are a perfectly distinct and different breed. "While 
 the Shanghaes have short necks and short tails, the Calcutta fowls 
 stand very tall, with a long, heavy tail, and smooth, yellow le -. 
 There are no fowls of this stock, of pure breed, except those owned 
 by Mr. De Gruy and myself. 
 
 Yours, <fec., GEORGE ROBERTS, Jr. 
 
BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 
 
 133 
 
 
 J. P. CHILDS BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 
 
 The above cut represents a Black Spanish cock owned by J. 
 P. Childs, Esq., Woonsocket, R. I. This breed of fowls is very 
 popular as layers. They seldom desire to set, consequently, 
 their eggs must be hatched by other fowls. Mr. Childs writes 
 me as follows : 
 
 "WOONSOCKET, Sept. 20th, 1852. 
 
 MR. T. B. MINER -.Dear Sir: The Black Spanish fowls, which this 
 cut represents, were imported late in the summer of 1850, by Mr. J. 
 Tucker, of "Waterford, through hia father, then a resident of England, 
 
134 
 
 BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 
 
 BLACK SPANISH HEN. 
 
 who states that he has bred the Spanish fowl for upwards of twenty 
 years, and being thoroughly acquainted with the breed, he says he 
 never saw finer specimens of the Spanish stock. 
 
 Last spring I became so well satisfied of the superiority of this 
 stock over all other importations with which I am acquainted, (which 
 embraces nearly all in New England,) that I obtained the entire stock, 
 consisting of a cock and three hens, and have bred from them with 
 very good success the past season. The difference between them and 
 others of this breed, consists in their greater size, brilliancy of 
 plumage, which is black, changing in the sun to a purplish green, ear 
 lobes more fully developed, and of a pearly whiteness. The comb is 
 also larger, and drooping on the cocks, as on the hens, and very deeply 
 serrated. The legs are of a leaden color, and there is not the slightest 
 variation, in this respect, in fifty chickens bred this season. They run 
 as near alike as partridges. They are a pure breed. As layers, they 
 have no equal, whether the size, number, or richness of the eggs is 
 considered. I have a pullet eleven months old now, (Sept. 20th,) 
 which has layed 150 eggs, and is still laying, having missed but one 
 week since she commenced. 
 
 Respectfully yours, . J. P. CmLD8. 
 
BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 135 
 
 There have been several very fine lots of Black Spanish 
 fowls recently imported by Dr. J. C. Bennett, Dr. Wight, and 
 Jno. Giles, Esq., the portraits of which are here shown. I have 
 not procured this breed, for the reason, that they do not thrive 
 so well in a very cold climate, as in a moderate one, and besides 
 being less hardy than some other breeds, their combs are 
 more liable to freeze. I shall, however, procure the breed, 
 and construct warm quarters for them. As a market, or table 
 fowl, I cannot recommend them, because it is a generally 
 admitted fact, that all black fowls, of the smaller gallinaceous 
 tribes, are hard to fatten, and their flesh not as finely flavored 
 as that of light-colored fowls. This rule, however, does not 
 apply with equal force to some of the large Asiatic black fowls. 
 As layers, I will admit that the Black Spanish fowls are truly 
 valuable, but beyond this, judging from analogy and other con- 
 siderations, I must say that here their main worth rests. 
 
 Mr. Dimon, the writer of the following letter, says, that they 
 are very hardy ; but I must have evidence of that fact from 
 personal experience, before I shall believe that their hardiness 
 will compare with our large Chinese or Asiatic breeds of fowls ; 
 but at the same time, Mr. Dimon may be correct in calling 
 them hardy, to a certain extent. 
 
 WAKEFIELD, R. I, Sept. 27, 1852. 
 
 ME. T. B. MINER Dear Sir : As yon request me to write an article 
 concerning the Black Spanish fowls which I own, I will endeavor to 
 do so. The parents of my fowls were imported from England in May, 
 1850, at a great expense. And they are the handsomest specimens of 
 the Spanish stock 1 have ever seen. And at our State Fair last fall, 
 they took the only premium awarded on Spanish fowls, although Mr. 
 J. P. Child s' fowls were there. 
 
 I have for several years been more or less engaged in keeping and 
 breeding fowls, and formerly more for pleasure than profit ; but now, 
 my object is to keep fowls for profit ; and after impartially trying 
 nearly all kinds common to this country, I have come to this conclusion 
 that if eggs be your object, keep the Spanish fowls in preference to 
 any others of my acquaintance. But if raising chickens for market 
 be your object, I would advise a cross between the Spanish and 
 Shanghae or some other large fowl. I have been very successful in 
 crossing the Spanish with the red Shanghaes for raising chickens for 
 the market, as chickens from this cross grow larger than the clear 
 Spanish, and also come to maturity much sooner than the Shanghaes, 
 thereby producing good sized fowls for the market, of excellent flesh, 
 that are not forever growing. The Spanish fowls of my stock are of 
 a medium size, averaging about six pounds in weight, of a glossy 
 black plumage, changing in the sun to a greenish hue. Their legs are 
 of a leaden color ; the solea of their feet are of a dirty flesh color, 
 
136 BLACK SPANISH JTOVVLS. 
 
 with four toes on each foot ; their combs are uncommonly high, deeply 
 serrated, and of a very brilliant red, almost bordering on a scarlet ; 
 their wattles are very long, and of the same color ; their ear lobes are 
 of a pearly whiteness, contrasting very favorably with the plumage 
 of the bird, which stands very erect, thereby making a very imposing 
 appearance in the poultry yard. Some might suppose, as these birds 
 have leaden-colored legs, their flesh would look blue, but instead of 
 that, it is very white and delicate. My old hen commonly lays from 
 thirty to sixty eggs to a litter, and then is inclined to incubate, but on 
 being broken up, soon commences again ; or if set, she is a good 
 sitter and most excellent nurse. 
 
 The eggs of these fowls are very large and highly flavored. I have 
 a pullet of this breed, raised last year, which commenced laying in 
 February last, and has never wanted to set, bi>t has layed almost con- 
 stantly, and is still laying. The cocks of this breed, besides being 
 very beautiful, are also very peaceable. I rarely ever saw two of 
 them fighting together, but when insulted by other fowls, they can 
 and will fight, with courage truly commendable. I have seen a single 
 cock of this breed whip five full grown turkeys, en masse. 
 
 Above you have my honest, impartial views concerning the Black 
 Spanish fowls. I live with a mind open to conviction. If any one 
 can convince me that there is a breed of fowls superior to these for 
 the purposes above stated, I will certainly try them. I would also 
 add, the above breed of fowls are very hardy and easy to keep. 
 
 Yours truly, JOHN DIMON. 
 
BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 
 
 137 
 
 DR. EBEN WIGHT'S BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 
 
 Dr. Eben Wight, of Dedham, Mass., (business, No. 7, Cus- 
 tom House street, Boston,) lias probably done as much to 
 improve our foreign and native fowls, and in importing choice 
 stock, as any other man in Massachusetts. His Black Spanish 
 fowls, as here represented, are the identical pair that was 
 awarded the first premium at the great Poultry Fair in Eng- 
 land, in 1851, which he procured at a very heavy cost; but I 
 will allow the Doctor to tell his own story. Dr. W. took the 
 first premium for the best pair of these fowls, at the Poultry 
 Fair in Boston, Sept. 1852, and Jno. Giles, Esq., took a premium 
 for the best trio of this breed. 
 
 BOSTON, July 20th, 1852. 
 
 T. B. MINEB, ESQ. Dear Sir : Agreeable with your request, I send 
 you by the express of to-day, an electrotype cut of my pair of imported 
 Black Spanish fowls. 
 
1138 
 
 BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 
 
 BLACK SPANISH HEN. 
 
 The drawing was made by one of our best artists, and is considered 
 a faithful likeness by all those who have seen the fowls. They are 
 the identical pair which took the FIRST PRIZE as the best pair, at the 
 Birmingham or "all England Show," held December, 1851. They 
 arrived at Boston, in March, 1852, and were sent immediately out to 
 my farm in Dedham, where they can be seen. All the fancy who 
 have seen them, are unqualified in their expression that these are a 
 true type of this breed. 
 
 Mr. Peck, the gentleman of whom I procured this pair, was the 
 winner of the FIRST PRIZE for the best pair, the FIRST PRIZE for the 
 best three, and the FIRST PRIZE for the best six thus carrying off the 
 palm on the whole list of Black Spanish. 
 
 It is no easy matter for a person to take the highest prize on poul- 
 try, in England, where competition is open to all ; and where such 
 jealous care is used in breeding, from the hnmble cottager, to the 
 nobility, who possess ample means for the procuring and the breeding 
 of choice poultry. 
 
 Both cock and hen have the plumage of an entire black, hackles 
 and all ; and being in fine condition, there is a greenish, metalic, 
 lustral hue, pervading the whole feathering, contrasting beautifully 
 with the white face and cheek pieces of both cock and hen ; the 
 
BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 139 
 
 cheek piece of the cock extending well down on the neck. The cock 
 has an upright single comb, of a very large size, and deeply serrated ; 
 that of the hen is proportionally as large, drooping over on one side; 
 the wattles of the cock are on the same liberal scale as is his comb ; 
 the legs are blue, or rather of a dark, leaden color. 
 
 A breed of handsome feathering, contrasting favorably with the 
 bright scarlet of comb and wattles, and white cheek pieces and face, 
 of the same texture, renders them one of the most ornamental of any 
 ci the poultry kind. Added to the ornamental, you have an everlast- 
 ing layer of the largest sized, clear white eggs, and when the fowl is 
 served at table, it is of white meat and skin, juicy, and of a short and 
 tine fibre. 
 
 The cock is known by the name of "Impudence" and the hen by 
 the name of " Betty" to breeders in England. 
 
 In breeding the Black Spanish, one mast make use of other hens 
 for hatching the eggs, since this breed are not disposed to be broody, 
 a quality which can easily be dispensed with, and is sometimes very 
 annoying in valuable fowls, being a duty which any common barn- 
 yard hen is ever ready to take upon herself at the proper season of 
 the year. 
 
 In this climate, the chicks have feathered early, and from the shell 
 upward have been strong and healthy. On first leaving the shell, 
 they are of a siz-e such as might be expected from extra sized eggs. 
 Each chick has a pinafore of white, which gradually diminishes as 
 they grow, till, at the expiration of a few weeks, they are found to be 
 in sable plumage. 
 
 So soon as the hen got over the effect of the voyage, she commenced 
 laying, and has uninterruptedly continued to "shell out," so that I 
 have a good stock of her chickens on hand. 
 
 Yours, &c., EBEN WIGHT. 
 
 Martin, Dixon, and others, accord the highest praise to the Black 
 Spanish fowl. Martin says : " The cock is a noble and stately bird, 
 remarkable for size and height ; is, in fact, superior to all our domestic 
 races, if we except the Kuhlm fowl, and at the same time it possesses, 
 excellent symmetry. The hen is also of a large size and good figure. 
 Brought originally, as it is believed, from Spain, this breed is never- 
 theless very hardy, and well adapted to our climate, and is reared as 
 easily aa any. of inferior importance. To those who breed fowls for 
 the sake of flesh and eggs, this fine variety cannot be too strongly 
 recommended. The flesh is delicately white, tender and juicy, and the 
 hens are free layers." 
 
 Dixon, in speaking of this breed, says : " It is a noble race of fowls, 
 possessing many great merits ; of spirited and animated appearance, 
 of considerable size, excellent for the table, both in whiteness of flesh 
 and skin, and also in flavor, laying exceedingly large eggs in consid- 
 erable numbers. 
 
 " Among birds of its own breed, it is not deficient in courage, though 
 it yields, without showing much fight, to those which have a dash of 
 Game in their veins. 
 
 " Thorough bred birds of the fancy should be entirely black, as far 
 
140 BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 
 
 as feathers are concerned, and, when in high condition, display a 
 greenish, metalic lustre. The comb of both cock and hen is exceed- 
 ingly large, and of a vivid scarlet ; that of the hen droops over on 
 one side. 
 
 " The most singular feature, is a large white patch, or ear-lobe, on 
 the cheek, which, in some species, extends over a great part of the 
 face, of fleshy substance, similar to the wattle ; it is small in the hens, 
 but large and very conspicuous in the cock. This marked contrast of 
 black, bright red, and white, makes the head of the Spanish cock as 
 handsome as that of any variety we have ; and in the genuine breed 
 the whole form is equally good ; but the scraggy, long-legged, mis- 
 shapen mongrels one often sees in the poorer quarters of a town, are 
 enough to throw discredit on the whole race." 
 
 E. W. 
 
BLACK SPANISH POWLS. 
 
 141 
 
 JOHN GILES 7 BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 
 
 These fowls, and those belonging to Dr. Wight, and Dr. J. 
 C. Bennett, Fort des Moines, Iowa, are very nearly identical, 
 and the difference in the appearance of the portraits of the 
 above, and Dr. Wight's, is owing more to the model given to 
 them by their respective draughtsmen, than to any real differ- 
 ence in shape existing in the fowls, though there is some little 
 difference, without doubt. Mr. Giles' fowls, or the above crower, 
 is evidently made to appear taller than he really is, and with 
 longer legs than he actually possesses. 
 
142 
 
 BLACK SPANISH FOWLS 
 
 BLACK SPANISH HEN. 
 
 Mr. Giles is the most extensive fowl fancier, for pleasure 
 merely, in New England, and his opinion may be taken as the 
 result of a long experience. In a communication to me, pre- 
 vious to that which is here annexed, he said : " If I were asked 
 what fowls are best, if your object be eggs, I would recommend, 
 in all candor, the Black Spanish as preferable to all other breeds." 
 It may be proper, however, to add, that Mr. Giles is no friend 
 to the Asiatic breeds, and I think had not, at the time of writing 
 the above, ever kept any of the now reputed best large breeds, 
 as layers. 
 
 PBOVTDENCE, May 8, 1852. 
 
 T. B. 3ftner, Esq., Herewith please receive casts from my cuts of 
 fowls, as by your request. As you are about publishing a treatise on 
 poultry, I suppose that you are pretty well posted up in all matters 
 pertaining to it, and I will therefore venture but few remarks. 
 
 There is a standard, you know, for fowls of pure blood, precisely as 
 there is for neat stock. This standard is that recognized by the Lon- 
 don Zoological Society, and is founded on close and continued obser- 
 
BLACK SPANISH FOWLS. 143 
 
 rations by the distinguished naturalists, breeders and fanciers, who 
 belong to that enterprising and eminent society. No better, nor any 
 so good, can be shown ; nor do I know that, among enlightened men, 
 there is any other. I have therefore adopted this standard as my 
 guide in selecting and breeding domestic poultry, and aquatic and 
 other fowls, of which I now have, in all, over fifty varieties. 
 
 31y object is not to puff my fowls, for I have no desire to make 
 money out of them, (I would prefer to exchange for such varieties as 
 1 do not possess,) but to use my exertions to introduce here another, 
 and a more consistent and reliable standard, than mere opinion and 
 guess work ; and also to breed for myself none other than the pure 
 blood, of whatever breed. 
 
 After forty years' experience in the breeding of fowls, both here 
 and in England, and having, in that long space of time, owned and 
 bred every known variety, it will scarcely be deemed presumptuous 
 in me to have an opinion of my own. 
 
 The drawings of Black Spanish fowls, copies of which I send you, 
 were taken in my yard, from life. The cock is under eleven months 
 old, and is not, of course, fully matured. 
 
 Of all domestic fowls, the Black Spanish rank first, in my estima- 
 tion, for beauty and utility. Their plumage is a beautiful glossy 
 black. The comb is large and serrated, and of a vivid scarlet. The 
 w r attles are long ; the cheek, white ; ear-lobes, large and white ; mak- 
 ing a pretty contrast with the sable hue of their plumage, and the 
 scarlet of the comb and wattles. Their legs are always blue. Their 
 flesh is white and juicy, and of the first quality for table use. They 
 are great layers, but rather disinclined to sit, and their eggs are large 
 and white. 
 
 A full grown cock will weigh from seven to eight pounds. A hen, 
 from five to seven pounds. 
 
 The comb of this breed, from its great size, is apt to freeze ; but 
 this can be easily prevented by a little care and caution during severe 
 weather. 
 
 At this present time, there are many black fowls, with large combs, 
 that are ignorantly or designedly sold for "pure Black Spanish," that 
 lack many of the distinguishing marks of the pure breed. Purchasers 
 will find to their sorrow, that they pay for bastards. 
 
 I am yours, respectfully, JOHN GILES. 
 
144 
 
 BLACK POLAND FOWLS. 
 
 BLACK POLAND FOWLS. 
 
 This breed is somewhat akin to the Black Spanish fowls, 
 being non-incubators, like that breed. Their characteristics 
 are similar to the Bla*ck Spanish fowls in nearly all respects, 
 being about the same size, same color, same prolific layers, -or 
 perhaps, not quite equal to the former breed in that respect, 
 but they are prolific layers in general, and when that is said, all 
 is said that can be in their favor. They are delicate and tender 
 in a great degree more so, probably, than the Black Spanish 
 fowls, and it is only a vexation to attempt to raise their young. 
 They are not adapted to severe climates, being more or less 
 affected with a snuffling, cold, or roupe, during the cold season. 
 I speak understanding^, having bred these fowls extensively 
 on Long Island some years ago. 
 
BLACK POLAND FOWLS. 145 
 
 The pure breed of Black Polands should be black to a 
 feather, except the tuft, or top-knot, which is a pure white. 
 When the tufts are intermixed with black, or other colored 
 feathers, it is a sure indication that the fowls are not pure. 
 
 The tufts on the hens are of an oval, round shape, and very 
 beautiful, but those of the cocks, in the pure blood fowls, curve 
 over, like the branches of the weeping willow, on either side, 
 leaving the upper part of the tuft more depressed than in hens. 
 Very few pure fowls of this breed are now to be had, being 
 generally tinctured, more or less, with the blood of our native 
 fowls, as their tufts of various hues indicate, and also the stray 
 white, or light-colored feathers so frequently seen on their 
 bodies. 
 
 I have crossed this breed with our native dominique fowls 
 the blue-spotted fowl with good success. I placed a Poland 
 cock with several pullets of the latter breed, and the result of 
 this cross, was a pure black fowl, with a black tufy in all cases, 
 in pullets ; but the cocks were both variegated in the plumage 
 of the body and tuft, which is a little curious in showing cer- 
 tain principles of cross-breeding. The following is from a 
 correspondent of the Northern Farmer : 
 
 A year ago I gave the result of my operations with a small lot of 
 Black Poland hens. Having done better the year past, with the same 
 breed, I have thought it might be beneficial to some of the patrons 
 of the " Farmer " who keep but few fowls, to know how well I have 
 done, and how I did it. I reckon from the first of February, at which 
 time early pullets begin to lay, if they have ordinary care. 
 
 The number of hens was ten, and one male. The whole number 
 of eggs sold and used in the family, up to January first, (eleven 
 months,) was sixty-eight dozens. Those sold brought the following 
 prices, viz: 
 
 10 doz., at 14 cts. per doz. $1 40 
 
 50 " 124 " " 6 25 
 
 8 " used, say 12 cts. per doz. 1 00 
 
 Sold from same hens, 42 chickens, 13 cts. each 5 46 
 
 Total proceeds $14 11 
 
 Deduct for feed, 5 bu. corn, at 56 cts. per bu.. .$2 80 
 
 " " 6 bu. oats, at 38 cts. per bu 2 28 6 08 
 
 Profits $903 
 
 The fowls were not confined at all, but had free access to the dung- 
 hill and a quarter acre of plowed ground ; and no attention was paid 
 them but to feed them regularly twice a day, the corn in the winter 
 and spring, the oats in the summer and fall. Valuing the hens at 
 twenty-five cents each, the above shows a profit of nearly three hun- 
 7 
 
146 SPANGLED POLAND FOWLS. 
 
 dred per cent on the capital invested, and may be easily secured by 
 any family living in the open country. A dozen hens may run at large, 
 except in seeding and harvest time, if well fed, without doing much 
 damage. Experience proves that this kind of fowl are able to supply 
 themselves with what they require for constant laying, except food, if 
 allowed their liberty on broken ground; but if confined, they must 
 be furnished with all they can consume of grain, water, lime, gravel, 
 and a little meat or fat, once a day to do well. 
 
 W. 
 
 The following is selected from one of the Agricultural jour- 
 nals : 
 
 "My fowls are of the Poland variety, full-blooded, jet black, except 
 the top-knot, and sometimes two partly white feathers in the tail of 
 the cock. I have eight hens. They have laid between six and seven 
 hundred eggs, from March 1st to September, and raised twenty-four 
 chickens. Being engaged in building an addition to my house, my 
 poultry record was lost for a time in August, so I cannot give the 
 exact mimber of eggs. But it will be within the bounds of truth, to 
 say that the seven hens, laid six hundred eggs between March and 
 September, and raised twenty-four chickens. The early chickens 
 commenced laying in November, and have continued to lay until the 
 present time, with the exception of about five weeks in the coldest 
 weather. Early chickens, at maturity, make much larger fowls than 
 late ones. 
 
 " The cost of keeping my hens has been forty cents per year, each. 
 Living in a village, I keep them housed until four o'clock in the after- 
 noon, when they have the run of a yard, and are shut up at night. I 
 usually feed screenings, at twenty five cents per bushel, and corn at 
 forty-five to fifty cents. My early spring chickens weigh from three 
 to three and a half pounds in the fall, when dressed. I have now 
 twenty-four hens, and expect to revel in fat eggs all the year." 
 
 SPANGLED POLAND FOWLS. 
 
 This is a beautiful variety of ornamental fowls. Richardson 
 speaks of them as follows : 
 
 "The Spangled Polands are a bird of extraordinary beauty, 
 extremely scarce, and very difficult to be procured. This fowl presents 
 a symmetrical and regular combination of the following colors, viz: 
 A bright orange, a clear white, a brilliant green, and a jetty black, 
 softened down with a rich and pure brown, every feather being tipped 
 with white, so as to produce the effect whence has been derived the 
 term of SPANGLED. The color of the hen is a prevailing golden yellow, 
 with white spangles, like the cock. In the cock, the thighs are black, 
 and are, likewise, though in a less degree, marked and spangled with 
 black, and golden yellow. The hinder end of the body is furnished 
 with green and orange-brown hackles, and the tail is carried well up. 
 
SPANGLED POLAND FOWLS. 147 
 
 The flesh of these birds is of good quality, and they are very prolific. 
 They also fatten quickly, and have, by some, been compared to the 
 Dorking for similarity of flesh, and other excellencies of quality. I, 
 however, must unequivocally award the preference to the latter bird, 
 independent of the enhanced price occasioned by the far greater 
 scarcity of the former. 
 
 Dr. Bennett says in his work on Domestic Poultry, that the 
 fowls known as Golden Pheasants, are a hybrid, bred from the 
 Spangled Pol'and and Black Poland fowls. It is said that a 
 variety of white Poland fowls exists, with black tufts, but they 
 are very scarce, if they exist. I have never seen any, but I 
 believe that some specimens of this variety were exhibited at 
 the Poultry Fair in Boston, in 1852. There are also some other 
 varieties that are called Poland fowls, but their reputation does 
 not demand a particular notice in a practical work like this. 
 
148 
 
 SPANGLED HAMBURGH FOWLS. 
 
 SPANGLED HAMBURGH FOWLS. 
 
 This breed, though beautiful, are scarce, and but little is said 
 about them in the journals of the day. There are two varieties 
 of these fowls, the silver and golden Spangled. They are said 
 to be similar in size and form, and differ in color only. Nolan 
 thus describes these fowls : 
 
 They are a very beautiful variety of poultry, distinguishable 
 from Spangled Poland fowls by their large top-knot being colored, 
 instead of white, and their black and conspicuous ruff on their throat, 
 and under their beak ; they approach so nearly to them that they are 
 frequently confounded with each other, and even bred together, as the 
 same, which has caused the Hamburgh so frequently to show the 
 white feathers in their top-knot, and the Spangled Polish the dark 
 coloring in theirs ; but still the ruff at the throat distinguishes the 
 
SPANGLED HAMBURGH FOWLS. ]49 
 
 fowl ; the chickens, though of the same clutch, sometimes have the 
 ruff at the throat, and some of the same may be without it, but the 
 breeders designate them Spangled Polish, if without the ruff, and 
 Spangled Hamburgh, if they happen to possess it. Perfectly pure-bred 
 birds, of either variety, are easily distinguished from each other, but 
 are difficult to procure. The ground and coloring of the feathers 
 differ as well as the ruff and top-knot. The Spangled Polish, and 
 perhaps the best Spangled Hamburghs I ever imported, were shipped 
 to me at Rotterdam and turned out very superior birds. Part of the 
 lot I disposed of to Arthur Haffield, Esq., of the Treasury, Dublin 
 Castle, and another part to R. P. Williams, Esq, of Drumcondra 
 Castle. Both these gentlemen have carefully preserved the breed, 
 and I venture to say, their experience, for years, lias not found a bet- 
 ter. So superior were they in carriage and plumage, that the latter 
 gentleman has forwarded some specimens to the London Zoological 
 Society's show, to compete with all England. Their weight is as near 
 as possible the Black and Spangled Polish, or perhaps, a little more 
 say six and a half pounds for the cock, and about five and a half 
 pounds for the hen ; the cock stands about twenty-one inches, and the 
 hen nineteen. Jf even pure-bred, this bird is subdivided into golden 
 and silver spangled, the ground of the feathers of the golden spangled- 
 being a rich yellow, approaching to an orange red, with black spot or 
 spangle ; the silver spangled differs from the preceding, by the ground 
 of the feathers being a silvery white ; both are frequently obtainable 
 in the same clutch. The comb, as in other highly crested fowls, is 
 diminutive ; wattles, small ; hackles, gold or silver spangled, according 
 to plumage ; tail, beautifully plumed ; legs, blue or white ; skin, 
 white; flesh, white and juicy; eggs, a moderate size, and abundant; 
 chickens, easily reared. I should wish, from their superior beauty 
 and usefulness as layers, they were more abundant. The slightest 
 cross deteriorates their value ; they may be truly said to be both use- 
 ful and ornamental ; they are just such birds as a lady of good taste 
 would wish to see about her lawn ; and she would not be disappointed 
 if she wished for a fresh egg, or omelet daily. 
 
150 
 
 SPANGLED HAMBURGH FOWLS. 
 
 E. ABORN'S HAMBURGH FOWLS. 
 
 The above portraits represent fowls owned by Mr. Edward 
 Aborn, No. 30 South Water street, Providence, R. I. They 
 are identical with the breed, the portraits of which precede 
 these, but are drawn on a smaller scale. Mr. Aborn writes rue 
 as follows : 
 
 The Silver Spangled Hamburgh fowls are very beautifuL The 
 ground color is a pure white spangled with black on each feather, 
 which, in the rays of the sun, has a very handsome green appearance. 
 The neck and saddle hackles of the cock, are striped down the center 
 with black, and the margin is a pure white. The tail feathers are 
 mottled with black and white. On the crest, immediately above the 
 beak, are two small fleshy horns. They have white ear lobes, and in 
 place of a comb, they have a very large black and white tuft, or top- 
 knot. Under the head is a dark-colored tuft, like a beard. Their legs 
 are blue. They are very good layers, but are seldom inclined to sit. 
 
BOLTON GREY FOWLS. 
 
 151 
 
 BOLTON GREY, OR CREOLE FOWLS. 
 
 These portraits are intended to represent fowls owned by Mr. 
 John F. Brown, of Woonsocket, R. L, but as these are a small 
 fowl, the cuts give an impression that they are larger than they 
 really are. It is not an easy matter to produce portraits that 
 shall always give a true idea of the relative size of fowls. 
 
 This breed of fowls are great favorites, wherever known. 
 They are truly beautiful, especially the chickens, when quite 
 young. They attain their natural shape at an early age, and 
 have the appearance of Bantams, when half grown. 
 
 These fowls are celebrated as layers, above all other qualities. 
 John N. A. Kobb, Esq., of Pa., thus writes me : 
 
 The Bolton Grey, or Creole fowl, is a great favorite in this State, 
 the hens of which are noted as being constant layers. They are 
 small in size, and plumply made ; their legs are short, and of a bluish 
 color ; feathers of the genuine breed are white on the neck ; the body, 
 white, thickly spotted with black; comb, very large and double; 
 wattles, also large. They are good layers, but very^ poor nurses. I 
 have a favorite hen of this species, six years old, which never mani- 
 fested a desire to set for a greater length of time than two or three 
 days, aiid then has left her nest entirely. These fowls are not as 
 
152 
 
 BOLTON GREY FOWLS. 
 
 BO L TON GREY HEN. 
 
 hardy as many of our other breeds, nor are they as highly esteemed 
 for table use. Their principal recommendation is their laying qualities. 
 
 D. Taggart, Esq., of Northumberland, Pa., in a letter to me, 
 says: 
 
 For continued laying, uninterrupted by the desire to sit. the pure 
 Creoles, or Bolton Greys, have no superiors. I have known some of 
 the hens to live seven or eight years without evincing the slightest 
 disposition to incubate. From 180 to 200 eggs, is no uncommon yield 
 for a hen of this breed, the first year. With every subsequent year, 
 however, the number diminishes, until entire barrenness supervenes. 
 This occurs generally about the sixth or seventh year, in hens like the 
 Polish and Creoles, whose ovaries are seldom rested by incubation, and 
 later, of course in those that are allowed to sit whenever they have 
 a desire, producing only 70 or 80 eggs a year. 
 
 The Creoles are rather below the medium size, weighing from three 
 to four and a half pounds. For uniformity of size, shape and color, I 
 have never known their equal. They are so well described in the 
 books, as to need no further description from me. 
 
BOLTON GREY FOWLS. 153 
 
 BOLTON GREYS. 
 
 The fowls here portrayed are identical with the breed owned 
 by Mr. Brown, and fully as large. They are said to be some 
 of the choicest stock of Bolton Greys to be found in New Eng- 
 land. Mr. Aborn says : 
 
 This is a beautiful little breed, plump in their make ground color, 
 a pure white, spotted with black, and sometimes running into a grizzle. 
 The legs, blue ; tail, black ; double, or rose comb, of a bright red 
 color. The cock is mostly white ; breast and wings, slightly spotted. 
 The hen's neck is a pure white, and when she is in laying order, she 
 spreads her tail like a fan. 
 
 They are most excellent layers. Their flesh is inferior in quality to 
 other breeds. They are non-setters. To those who wish to keep a 
 few fowls, for fresh eggs, I would highly recommend this breed. They 
 are very hardy, and easily kept. 
 
 The following are selections from good authorities : 
 
 " They are a very handsome little fowl, frequently imported from 
 Holland, but seem to have made a stand in Bolton, in Lancashire, 
 from whence they are named, and where they are a strong feature 
 amongst the prize poultry, shown for feather. The ground color of 
 the Bolton Greys is pure white, beautifully and minutely touched with 
 black, originating the appellation of penciled fowl. Bolton Bays are 
 precisely the same fowl, but not so abundant the only difference 
 being the ground of the feather is a Rufus yellow ; the markings, or 
 penciling is precisely the same as in the Greys. There is not the 
 slightest distinction between the two, in any other respect. They are 
 known by provincial names, in various parts of the country. In the 
 neighborhood of London, from the frequency of their being brought 
 7* 
 
154 BOLTON GREY FOWLS. 
 
 over by the Rotterdam steamers, they are denominated 'Butch Pen- 
 ciled Fowl,' or 'Dutch Every-day LayeiV They are an entirely dis- 
 tinct fowl, both in feathering, size, shape, and markings, and cannot 
 be confounded with any other. The nearest approach to them, is the 
 Silver Pheasant fowl ; their markings are, however, decidedly different. 
 They are more generally known and longer established in England 
 than the Pheasant Fowl, and have been called by various names, in 
 the different localities through which they are dispersed; they are a 
 neat, plump-bodied fowl, healthy and hardy, very nice on the table 
 as a substitute for young chickens ; their flesh, white and juicy ; their 
 bodies, plump and round. The cock weighs about four and three 
 quarters pounds, and stands seventeen inches high : the hen, four 
 pounds, and stands fifteen and a half inches high ; the plumage, des- 
 cribed above ; the comb, double rosed, with sharp top, free from top- 
 knot; ear lobes, white; wattles, large and round; hackles, pencil- 
 touched, or white ; tail, inclined to be dark ; legs, blue or white ; eggs, 
 most abundant, but small ; chickens, handsome, and easily reared. 
 They are beautiful ladies' pets ; require but little care ; are truly 
 ornamental on a lawn or grass plot ; and if the lady be a lover of a 
 fresh egg, she will not be disappointed by the ' Dutch Every-day 
 Layers.' " Nolan. 
 
 " They are small in size, short in the leg, and plump in the make ; 
 the color of the genuine kind invariably pure white in the whole 
 lappel of the neck ; the body, white, thickly spotted with bright 
 black, sometimes running into grizzle, with one or more black bars at 
 the extremity of the tail. They are chiefly esteemed as very constant 
 layers, though their color would also mark them for good table fowls." 
 Mowbray. 
 
 " They are white, with black spots all over, except the neck, which 
 is perfectly white. Their tails are more fan-like, or displayed, during 
 laying time, and their rumps present a fuller, or more elevated appear- 
 ance, than other fowls. The ends of the tail feathers are generally 
 blackish. They are capital layers, but poor sitters." 
 
GUELDEKLAND FOWLS. 
 
 155 
 
 GUELDERLAND FOWLS. 
 
 This is a pure breed of fowls, possessing some singular 
 peculiarities. They are non-incubators, like the Black Polands 
 and Black Spanish fowls, and are of about the same size. 
 Neither the cocks nor the pullets have combs ; but they have 
 a hard, bony indentation, of a dark color, in the place of a 
 comb. They are fowls of a peculiar dignity and grace in their 
 carriage, being lofty in bearing ; and the extended dimensions 
 of their tail feathers adds much to their beauty. Their plumage 
 is of a beautiful blue-black, and bearing a brilliant gloss at 
 certain seasons. Their legs are dark-colored, and are sometimes 
 feathered ; wattles, large ; eggs, a pure white, and about equal 
 in laying qualities to the Black Poland fowls, or perhaps, the 
 Black Spanish. 
 
 I received a trio of these fowls from the yard of G. H. 
 Bacheler, Esq., Lynn', Mass., last season, and I found them to 
 be very good layers. They are truly portrayed by the engrav- 
 ings here annexed, but they never can become very popular, on 
 account of their dark-colored legs, and the same delicate nature 
 
166 GUELDERLAND FOWLS. 
 
 GUELDERLAND HEN. 
 
 that the Black Poland, and Black Spanish fowls possess ; as a 
 fowl that is not highly valued as a table or market fowl, can 
 never be held in the highest scale of public esteem, except as 
 layers or for certain other qualities of an inferior grade. 
 Geo. A. Smith, Esq., of Macon, Ga., writes me as follows : 
 
 These are a fine fowl for ornament, and very good layers and sitters. 
 I do not think them good for the table. When walking, their heads 
 and tails touch. They have no combs, bnt large gills. I think they 
 will breed in-and-in always, without degenerating. 
 
 I am indebted to H. L Devereux, Esq., of Boston, for the 
 following description of this breed : 
 
 The pure black Guelderland fowl, has never, to my knowledge, been 
 described in any of the poultry books published in England or this 
 country. They were imported from the north of Holland, in the 
 month of May, 1842, by Captain John Devereux, of Marblehead, 
 Mass., in the ship Dromo, on his voyage from Amsterdam to Boston ; 
 and since that time, they have been bred by him at his place in that 
 town, entirely distinct from any other breed. They are supposed to 
 have originated in the north part of Holland. They have no com b, 
 but a small, indented, hard, bony substance instead ; and large, red 
 wattles. Their legs are of a shining black, smooth, and without 
 feathers, except in a very few instances. Dr. B., in his work, is by 
 some means led into error. Where the legs are " heavily feathered" 
 
NATIVE DOMINIQUE FOWLS. 157 
 
 I am inclined to think they have been crossed with the dark Shanghae ; 
 such crosses I have seen. In a flock of some twenty or thirty, you 
 may, perhaps, see some two or three slightly feathered upon the legs. 
 Such is the fact with regard to those bred in our yard, from the old 
 imported fowls. Their flesh is white, tender, and juicy, making valu- 
 able poultry for the table. They are of good size, great layers, seldom 
 or never inclined to sit, bright, active birds, and are not surpassed in 
 point of beauty or utility, by any breed known in this country. The 
 uniform aspect which is observable in their progeny, is a proof of the 
 purity of the breed. 
 
 H. L. DEVEEETJX. 
 
 NATIVE DOMINIQUE FOWLS. 
 
 In this breed my readers will recognize a native race of 
 fowls, of considerable merit ; and the blood and purity of which 
 remain unadulterated in a remarkable degree. It will hardly 
 be necessary to give a detailed description of this breed, so well 
 known in almost every farm-yard in the country. They are a 
 blue-speckled, variegated, or penciled fowl, of medium size, 
 hardy, well-formed, and prolific, and may be considered as one 
 of our best native breeds. They seem to be proof 'against a 
 mixture of blood, in ordinary cases, when running in the same 
 
158 SILVER PHEASANT FOWLS. 
 
 yard with other breeds, provided both cocks and hens of this 
 breed are present. They are said to have come originally from 
 the island of Dominica. Mr. G. C. Pierce, of Danvers, Mass., 
 says : " Taken all in all, I consider them to be one of the best 
 native breeds of fowls, that we have, and I do not know any 
 breed that alters so little by in-and-in breeding. They are first 
 rate layers, and good sitters and nurses." In brief, I can say, 
 that a better native fowl will be very hard to find. 
 
 SILVER PHEASANT FOWLS. 
 
 Here we have a charming breed of little fowls perfect 
 beauties in every respect, and remarkable for great brilliancy 
 of plumage, and diversity of colors. Dr. Bennett thus describes 
 them: 
 
 On a white ground, which is usually termed silvery, there is an 
 abundance of black spots. The feathers on the upper part of the 
 head are much longer than the rest, and unite together in a tuft. 
 They have a small, double comb, and their wattles are also compara- 
 tively small. A remarkable peculiarity of the cock is, that there is a 
 spot of a blue color on the cheeks, and a range of feathers under the 
 throat, which has the appearance of a collar. 
 
 The hen is a smaller bird, with similar plumage to the cock, and at 
 a little distance seems to be covered with scales. On the head is a 
 top-knot of very large size, which droops over it on every side. These 
 are beautiful and showy birds, and are chiefly valuable as ornamental 
 appendages to the poultry-yard. 
 
FRIZZLED FOWLS. 
 
 159 
 
 FRIZZLED FOWLS. 
 
 Old Dame Nature cuts some curious freaks, as the above 
 fowls manifest. Not being content to allow all fowls to have 
 their feathers lie smoothly from head to tail, she must evince 
 her caprice by turning the feathers around on the above fowls, 
 and have them point towards the head ! The above portraits 
 are from life, and give a very correct idea of the figure of the 
 fowls. They are a curiosity, to say the least of them. They 
 are bred by a, few New England fanciers, and are sold as an 
 ornamental fowl. What their laying qualities are, I am not 
 fully prepared to say, but Nolan gives them a good character 
 for productiveness. He says : 
 
 They arc healthy, hardy, and abundant layers, good sitters, and no 
 better mothers, and the chickens easily reared, and though, to appear- 
 ance, they are exposed to the inclemency of the weather, they are not 
 so, having an abundant downy covering under their feathers, and 
 well calculated for bringing up their own, or any -other stock. I can 
 with confidence recommend them as mothers, for Game fowl, (I mean 
 Pheasants, Capercalzie, Black-cock, Ptarmigan, Grouse, or Partridge,) 
 and are just as easily kept as the commonest cottage breed ; they are 
 of all colors ; of the ordinary size of our domestic fowl ; are said to 
 be of eastern origin. The cock weighs about five pounds, and stands 
 about eighteen inches high ; the hen about four and a half pounds, 
 and stands about sixteen inches high. The plumage has a truly sin- 
 gular appearance, each feather being curled up, and projecting from 
 the bird ; the comb rather large, serrated and erect ; free from top- 
 knot ; ears and cheeks of ordinary appearance ; wattles, large and 
 rounded ; hackles, to correspond with their color ; tail, plumed as in 
 other fowls ; legs, of the various colors of the bird. 
 
1GO RUMPLESS FOWLS. 
 
 BAVARIAN FOWLS. 
 
 This breed is of the crested, or top-knot race of fowls, and 
 do not differ materially in general characteristics from the 
 Poland or Spanish fowls, except that they are good sitters and 
 nurses. They are not a common fowl in the market, and few 
 are bred in this country. I take it for granted that there is 
 nothing particularly desirable pertaining to them. Dr. Bennett 
 describes them as follows : 
 
 The plumage of this fowl is jet black, and they have also black 
 legs, frequently feathered heavily. Both cocks and hens are muffled 
 with a heavy " imperial," or " goat-beard," under the throat, and 
 usually quite a crest, or top-knot, much resembling, in all these 
 respects, the Golden Pheasant ; with this difference, however, that the 
 crest of the Bavarian is smaller, and the imperial larger, the muffler 
 being about the same in both breeds. Tails and wings longer than 
 most of the large breeds, excepting the Dorkings. 
 
 The eggs are usually large, white, and well -flavored. They are 
 among the very best layers, and are good sitters, and careful nurses. 
 The weight is generally from five to eight pounds. They come to 
 maturity very early, are more hardy than either of the two preceding 
 varieties, and the chickens are very easily raised. Although I esteem 
 the Guelderland and the Spanish fowls as pure breeds, and excellent 
 in all respects, yet I prefer these, especially on account of the size of 
 their eggs. 
 
 Occasionally one of this breed, of perfectly pure blood, may be seen 
 entirely destitute of a crest, with a large muffler, small imperial, and 
 lightly feathered legs. Those with these marks are usually the best, 
 being larger and better layers. 
 
 KUMPLESS FOWLS. 
 
 This is a breed of fowls without tails another freak of nature. 
 Several varieties of this race of fowls are bred in this country, 
 and their character is well known in many places. They pos- 
 sess the various good qualities of our common fowls, differing 
 in nowise, save in the lack of a tail. Where this breed origi- 
 nated, is not known, nor is it important to know whether they 
 came from the North pole, Si ram's hole in the center of the 
 earth, or from the tropics. Main says : 
 
 Some writers, among whom is Temminck, consider this bird a dis- 
 tinct species, rather than a variety ; the wild breed from which it 
 originated still existing, and confined to the deep forests of Ceylon. 
 Its principal characteristic is the want of a tail, hence its name, 
 Rumpless Fowl, by which it is more commonly known ; though in the 
 wild bird the comb is not indented, and the wattles are blood-colored 
 
ITALY FOWLS. 161 
 
 rather than scarlet This bird was early domesticated in this country, 
 and from the fact of their being early seen in Virginia by trayelers, Buf- 
 fon imagined they were indigenous there. One of the most singular 
 facts about this bird is its entire destitution of the gland on the rump, 
 from which it is supposed common fowls derive their stores of oil to 
 smooth their feathers and protect them from rain. As the feathers of 
 the Rumpkin are not less smooth than those of other fowls, and shed 
 rain equally well, it would seem this gland was destined to perform 
 some other office, and that the common notion on this subject had little 
 foundation in fact. In the wild breeds, the feathers are all of a dusky 
 orange, and this, on a reddish brown, seems to prevail among the 
 domesticated ones. There are, however, some instances in which the 
 common birds are finely variegated one of which is in the possession 
 of the writer. 
 
 This breed is looked upon by some to be a native of Persia. Buf- 
 fon thinks, on the contrary, that Virginia is the place whence it sprang. 
 He grounded his opinion, on the one hand, on what is reported by the 
 Philosophical Transactions of 1693, that when fowls are taken to that 
 country, they seem to lose their rumps; and on the other, on natural- 
 ists having only begun to mention fowls without tails, after the dis- 
 covery of America. I am not of that opinion, says Main, whieh 
 appears not admissible. In fact, modern travelers have not confirmed 
 the loss of the rump, which the English experience in Virginia, and it 
 is positively known, that in the other parts of America, in the hottest 
 even, this privation daes not take place. 
 
 ITALY FO WLS. 
 
 Whether the above fowls are entitled to the name of a dis- 
 tinct breed, I am unable to say. But little notoriety has been 
 given them, and the works on domestic poultry do not describe 
 them. Mr. S. Y. Clark, of K J., thus writes : 
 
 Understanding that you are going to dish us up with some sketches 
 and samples of poultry, I offer an account of a kind which is common 
 in our neighborhood. Where they came from, I do not recollect; but, 
 considering this of secondary importance, admitting them to be 
 exotics, I will proceed to describe them. 
 
 They are known here by the name of "Italy Fowls," and in appear- 
 ance differ mainly from others by their large combs, which, in some 
 of the males, are from one and a half to two inches broad, double, 
 and covering the entire crown of the head. They are about medium 
 eize, of a color varying from mottled grey to a light dun. In some 
 males, however, the predominating color is red. The full bloods, have 
 rather blue legs and skins, which, in my opinion, is their only fault. 
 But they mix freely with other breeds, and with little care, they can 
 be had with bright yellow legs and skins. The texture of their flesh 
 is fine and well flavored, and they come to perfection earlier than any 
 other breed I have ever had. I have five or six breeds of fowls, but 
 
162 TONQUIN FOWLS. 
 
 these much outdo the Polands in appearance, and are equal, if not 
 superior, in laying qualities. They also appear to be both hardy and 
 healthy. 
 
 I see, by footing up my store book from April last to December first, 
 that from forty hens, in three different locations, yet contiguous, I 
 have sold 2,940 eggs, besides using freely for cooking in my family, 
 <fcc. Two-thirds of the time, the hens were not fed, but unrestrained 
 as to roving, having the use of the barn and range of the farm. I 
 also sold last fall, $7 worth of males for killing, which grieved me to 
 see so many beautiful birds cooped up at once ; for had they been 
 scattered among farmers, they would have done an immense deal of 
 good. 
 
 I ONQUIN FOWLS. 
 
 This breed is among the undescribed fowls in the books on 
 the subject. I know nothing in regard to them, except the 
 following : 
 
 Mr. Miner, I consider Tonquins far superior to the Dorkings. 
 They are larger, and will lay nearly twice as many eggs before sitting. 
 There are two varieties white and speckled. They are muffled, and 
 generally have five toes. The cock, when grown, will weigh ten 
 pounds, the hen, six pounds. This fowl is fine for table purposes ; 
 flesh, very white. Chicks, easily raised* 
 
 GEO. A. SMITH. 
 
 Macon, Geo. 
 
 The following is selected from the " Old Colony Memorial : " 
 
 The Tonquins are very handsome fowls, and are usually five-toed, 
 tall, and well proportioned. In color, they are not uniform, being 
 sometimes white and sometimes variegated. They have a rose-comb, 
 medium wattles, and are frequently muffled, but free from top-knot. 
 The tail of these birds is shorter, and their legs are longer than those 
 of the Dorking, and they do not unfrequently resemble them in color. 
 They are surpassingly excellent table fowls, their flesh being abundant, 
 white, and juicy. They are very superior layers of large and well- 
 flavored eggs. Mr. J. J. Nolan, of Dublin, in his great work on 
 "Domestic Fowl," &c., says: "the Dorking does not come to full 
 growth till two years old," and the remark is equally true of the 
 Tonquin, and all other largo fowls, though they are fit for market at 
 six months old, frequently attaining a weight of eight pounds at that 
 age. Their usual weight at maturity, is from seven to ten pounds 
 each. Their chickens are easily reared, and they are healthy, and 
 stand this climate better than other chickens that feather at so early 
 an age. As these fowls have great abundance of flesh, and very 
 email offal, none are better calculated to add to the profits of the 
 farm-yard, and, very few surpass them in beauty. They are well 
 calculated for emasculation, and are amongst the easiest fowls fatted. 
 These are birds of unflinching courage, and eager for the combat, and 
 
SILKY FOWLS. 1G3 
 
 in this respect, and the fine and savory quality of their flesh, they 
 closely resemble the famous Sumatra Game. The imported Tonquins 
 are in my possession, but no others of this excellent breed are to be 
 found in America, except those owned by Mr. George A. Smith, of 
 Georgia, who has one of the most extensive varieties of pure 
 blooded imported fowls in the country. ' 
 
 SILKY FOWLS. 
 
 These are a singular bird, and another specimen of Nature's 
 curious freaks among the feathered races. They are covered 
 with down, somewhat resembling silk in its raw state. Mr. 
 Bement, in his Poulterer's Companion, says : 
 
 This bird by modern writers, is considered a species, rather than a 
 variety. It is of good size, and the whole body is covered with 
 feathers, the webs of which are disunited, somewhat in the manner 
 of some of the feathers of the ostrich and the peacock, and appear 
 some like hairs and glossy silk. The legs are covered on the outside 
 to the toes. Individuals of this sort differ in respect to color as in 
 other varieties ; some are pure white, and others of a dingy brown ; 
 and all of them with dark-colored legs ; nor are the legs always 
 feathered. The bird is indigenous in Japan, where it is much prized, 
 and is also found in China, where they are frequently offered in cages 
 for sale to the Europeans. The skin and bones are said to be black, 
 which gives it when cooked, an unfavorable appearance, on which 
 account it is in disrepute. 
 
 Some splendid specimens of the white Silky Fowl were 
 exhibited at the Fair of the New England Poultry Society, at 
 Boston, September 1852. 
 
1C4 BANTAM FOWLS. 
 
 SIB JOHff SEABRIGHT BANTAMS. 
 
 Having given descriptions of all the larger breeds of fowls, 
 tliat I 'consider important to the practical fowl breeder, I close 
 with the most diminutive race, the Bantams. The Seabright 
 Bantams derive their name from Sir John Seabright, the origi- 
 nal importer into England, and for beauty, are, perhaps, 
 unequaled by any other variety. They now command the 
 highest price of any Bantams in this country selling at $15 
 to $25 a pair. I do not own any, but have negociated for 
 some, to be received in 1853. There are two varieties of the 
 Seabright Bantams, the gold and the silver laced. Mr. Giles' 
 are the silver laced. So Dr. Bennett says, but none the worse 
 for that, I presume. Mr. Giles writes me as follows : 
 
 The Seabright Bantams are the meet beautiful of all the puny tribes 
 of poultry. The cocks are splendid little fellows, and will weigh 
 when full grown, about twelve to sixteen ounces ; the hens weigh 
 from eight to twelve ounces. The ground-color of their plumage is 
 cream or orange brown. Those having the orange color are called the 
 Golden Seabrights ; and the cream-colored, the Silver Seabrights. The 
 outer edge of every feather is beautifully penciled with black, with 
 the most perfect uniformity. The cock is hentailed, and free from 
 hackle. This breed is perfectly clean legged. The hens lay abun- 
 dantly, and are good sitters and mothers. 
 
BANTAM FOWLS. 
 
 165 
 
 As late as 1847, fowls of this breed were sold in England for 60 
 ($250,) per pair ; and now, in this country, they readily command $25 
 per pair. As to whether they are really worth that amount of 
 money, is a question which fanciers and anxious purchasers must 
 settle among themselves. 
 
 I am yours respectfully, JOHN GILES. 
 
 COL. MARK NOBLES BANTAMS. 
 
 The above are portraits from life of Col. Noble's Golden 
 Laced Seabright Bantams, whose stock is known to be equal, if 
 not superior to any other Bantams in this country. They are 
 of his own importing, and are said to be the best that England 
 can produce. I am to receive an importation from the same 
 English stock, previously alluded to. Gentlemen who have 
 seen these fowls in Col. Noble's yards, assure me that they 
 excel any thing in the Bantam line ever before imported. They 
 were secured through Dr. Bennett's influence, as the following 
 letter shows : 
 
 Col. Mark Noble, In giving you a history of your imported Sea- 
 bright Bantams, I cannot do better than to quote the exact language 
 of Mrs. S. H. Hosier Williams, of Eaton Mascott, W. Shrewsbury, 
 England, in a letter to me of Dec. 24th, 1852. Mrs. Williams says : 
 
 "By the same ship, I shall also send, pursuant to your orders, three 
 pairs of very first rate Seabright Bantams the golden sort as good 
 as they can possibly be had. The Silver Seabrights you asked for, 
 are at present unattainable. The breed seems extinct. There were 
 
166 BANTAM FOWLS. 
 
 only three or four very indifferent specimens shown at Birmingham, 
 but" these are the very best to be had. I had the parents of these 
 Bantams from Sir J. Seabrigkt himself, and every year I take a prize 
 for them at Birmingham, also at Halifax, and every where they haA T e 
 been shown. I sell them at 3, 3s. the pair, and have had much 
 trouble to secure these for you, so numerous are the applications for 
 them." 
 
 Thus, my dear Colonel, I have succeeded in securing some of Sir 
 John Seabright's best stock of Bantams, through the agency of Mrs. 
 S. H. Hosier Williams, one of the most successful and intelligent 
 breeders of the feathered race in England. Her stock, and that of 
 her friend, Win. Gust Gwynne, M. D., of Sandbach, Cheshire, Eng- 
 land, cannot be excelled by any in the world. The first Brahma 
 Pootra fowls I shipped to England were sent to Mrs. Williams and 
 Dr. Gwynne. Your Scab right Bantams are of the best gold laced 
 Seabrights ever imported, and equal in all respects to the celebrated 
 silver laced imported Seabrights of John Giles, Esq., of Providence. 
 One of my other pairs died on the passage over, and the other pair, 
 just like yours, I sold to George Smith, Esq., of Valley Falls, R. I. 
 Yours is the old pair, and consequently much better to breed from 
 than younger ones, as the progeny will be much more vigorous and 
 valuable. On this account I must charge you $10 more than I do 
 Mr. Smith, and shall claim from you ari extra pair from these truly 
 magnificent birds. 
 
 Yours respectfully, JOHN C. BENNETT. 
 
 Fort des Moines, Iowa. 
 
 Dixon says, in reference to tlie cocks of this breed : 
 
 His coat is of a rich, brownish yellow ; almost every feather ia 
 edged with a border of a darker hue, approaching to black. His neat, 
 slim legs, are of a light, dull lead color ; his ample tail is carried well 
 over his back. His dependent wings nearly touch the ground. He is 
 as upright as the stiffest drilled sergeant, or more so, for he appears 
 now and then as if he would fall backwards, like a horse that over- 
 rears himself. His full, rose-comb, and deep depending wattles, are 
 plump and red ; but their disproportionate size affords a most unfor- 
 tunate hold for the beak of his adversary; but he cares not for that 
 a little glory is worth a good deal of pecking and pinching, and it 
 is not a slight punishment, nor a merely occasional infliction of it, that 
 will make him give in. The great hens, too, that look down upon 
 him, and over him, think proper to battle with him on a first intro- 
 duction, though they afterwards find out that they might as well have 
 received him in a more feminine style." 
 
 A writer in one of the public journals humorously gives the 
 following description : 
 
 The hens are rather smaller in proportion to the cock, than usual 
 among the Bantams, but their plumage is nearly the same ; they are 
 good layers, -steady sitters, and most kind and affectionate mothers. 
 The chicks are dark brown when first hatched, and hardy and easily 
 raised. 
 
BANTAM FOWLS. 167 
 
 The Seabriglit Bantams may be well called the minikin of fowls. 
 Their diminutive size is really extraordinary. We have occasionally 
 seen them not much larger than a pouter pigeon. In passing an 
 aviary, not long since, where they are kept, we were quite amused 
 at the colloquy of a countryman a green arrival from Yankeedom. 
 A proud, high-spirited little fellow, perched on the top of a coop, 
 was crowing away to every passer-by, lustily, enough, " Cock-a-doo- 
 dle-du-u-e." "Why, you don't say so," said he, arrested with evident 
 surprise at the shrill, consequential challenge of Mr. Minikin. "Now, 
 du tell, will yer, my little bossy calf, whether you ra-ally be a rooster 
 or a quail ? " " Cock-a-doo-dle-doo," and a smart, proud flap of the 
 wings, with a comical wink of the eye, was the gallant Seabright's 
 prompt reply. " Oh, ho ! then you be a ra-al rooster man, hey ? 
 Why, I kinder thought, like Gineral Tom thumb, you had just cleared 
 your shell, and been stuck over with feathers, to make a show here, 
 you little winky " " Cock-a-doo-dle-doo, cur-ragh-r-r-r," with a ruffle 
 of his hackle feathers, showing fight, was Sir Bantam's bold response. 
 "What's that you say, Mr. Peppercorn? and mighty little at that," 
 continued Greeny, knocking off his hat, and stooping down, with his 
 hand on his knees, and laughing contemptuously in Seabright's face. 
 As quick as thought, the Bantam jumped and caught him by the fore- 
 top, and commenced whipping him over the eyes with his wings, 
 greatly to the countryman's annoyance, and the amusement of a 
 crowd of spectators. However, nothing daunted, Mr. Not-quite-so- 
 greeny-now, gently closed the Bantam's wings, took him in his hands, 
 and holding him up admiringly at arm's length, exclaimed, " Wai, 
 you be some in spunk, anyhow, old feller, mighty little as I took you 
 for in body. So I guess I'll buy you and wifey too; I've long wanted 
 sumthin' to clear my farm of hawks and eagles, and I guess now 
 you'll do it for me, old war hoss, and no mistake I'm sartain ye would 
 if you was oney half as stout as ye be brave." So without the slight- 
 est hesitation, he paid the high price asked for the pair, chuckling as 
 he did it, half as loud as the Bantam had crowed, and walked rapidly 
 off with his fowls, and we saw no more of him. 
 
 Nolan, the Irish author, thus describes them : 
 
 The Seabright Bantam, or Seabriglit Jungle Fowl, takes precedence 
 of the whole puny tribe for beauty of plumage, strut, demeanor, and 
 pugnacity. They are splendidly marked, the ground of the feathers 
 being either a rich, orange brown, or cream color, and each feather 
 penciled round with black, or dark brown, with the greatest uni- 
 formity. They are said to have been brought by the late Sir John 
 Seabright, M. P. for Herts, from India, and have frequently been 
 exhibited in London ; for beauty of plumage, and, indeed, if well 
 bred, and perfect in their markings, nothing can exceed them. The 
 regulations of the Society of London Amateurs, require that each 
 exhibitor shall offer his birds for sale, after the exhibition, and may 
 bid himself, and put on a prohibitory amount of purchase money. It 
 is on record that Sir John bid up one of his diminutive hens to 29, 
 and bought her in at that price. And it is recorded in the Illustrated 
 London News, of 20th February, 1847, that so late as that date, two 
 
168 BANTAM FOWLS. 
 
 hens and a cock, of these beautiful emblems of pride and consequence, 
 sold for 50 and Is., being a shilling more than the amount put on 
 them by their owner. At the sale of the late lamented baronet, the 
 golden grounded birds averaged 6 a brace, and the silver spangled 
 8 a brace ; although they are becoming comparatively abundant, 
 they still keep up a high price in the London market, if well marked. 
 There has been lately offered here, some fine specimens, from Sir 
 John's own stock, at a very low figure. I do not think anything 
 could exceed their perfection of feather. A lady near Shrewsbury 
 has procured some fine specimens of both gold and silver spangled, 
 from this neighborhood ; if she still retain them, I think she may 
 challenge England. As far as I can judge, they are quite superior to 
 those that took the prize in London. Some ladies in the Queen's 
 County, have procured fine specimens from the late baronet's stock; 
 I have no doubt but under their fostering care, the breed will be 
 kept up with as much ardor as during the lifetime of the great poultry 
 patron, Sir John, and that we will be breeding them, as in the baro- 
 net's lifetime, " to a single feather," and retain their character of the 
 " prettiest of domestic birds." The male birds should stand about 
 twelve inches high ; the standard weight being twenty -two ounces ; 
 the plumage as above described ; the rose-comb is preferred ; the 
 wattles are moderately long ; face and throat bare ; no top-knot 
 or ruff on the neck ; as free as possible from hackle ; tail, without the 
 plume, or what is called hen-tailed ; perfectly clean-legged. The hens 
 are abundant layers, and though it is said there is a difficulty in 
 rearing their chickens, my patrons have been successful in that way. 
 Both flesh and eggs are said to be of fine flavor ; although scarcely 
 ever without the birds, I have not had the good fortune to taste their 
 flesh, but have no hesitation, from the report of others, in pronouncing 
 it delicate. The Bantams take their name from a country on the 
 N. "W. coast of Java, once populous and flourishing, but now miserably 
 deserted, its commerce being transferred to Batavia. 
 
 There are several varieties of the Bantam, in addition to the above 
 the black-breasted red, black, Nankin, white, and booted. The 
 black-breasted red, if denuded of his comb and gills, is a complete 
 miniature representative of our Game cock. I had a beauty of this 
 sort, that used to put dogs and fowl to the route, and had the 
 temerity to quarrel with a Peregrine Falcon for his food, but unfortu- 
 nately, suffered decapitation for his presumption. This is the nearest 
 approach to the Bankiva Cock, or wild cock of Java, and so like, in 
 some individuals, as to be difficult to distinguish them. The black 
 variety has all the pugnacity of its congeners. The whole of the 
 clean-legged tribe are recommended as good mothers ; I have reared 
 all our usual sorts of pheasants, most successfully, by them. The 
 Nankins are those in use in the great aviary of the Earl of Derby, 
 for hatching out the various sorts of quail, partridge, and pheasants, 
 to which Mr. Thompson has added Cantelo's Incubator, and no one 
 in Britain can boast of so much success or experience, as that experi- 
 enced ornithologist The white are precisely the same as the others, 
 only varying in color. James "Walter, of Windsor, gives a rather 
 unflattering account of their destroying their eggs ; I have kept 
 them, and never discovered it. 
 
BANTAM FOWLS. 169 
 
 The Booted, or Feather-legged Bantam, should not escape our 
 notice. They are of all colors ; those with the greatest quantity of 
 feathers on the legs, are usually spotted, red, black, and -white. I 
 have seen them with feathers three inches long on their legs, BO as to 
 impede their walking. They are becoming scarce, arid even promise, 
 if not rescued, to become extinct ; the objection of the fanciers is, 
 that their boots, getting damp, are apt to addle the eggs put under 
 them for incubation. They, however, have their advantages, as they 
 seldom do an injury by scratching, and are frequently kept as orna- 
 mental pets about a garden. 
 
 BLACK SPANISH AND BANTAM COCKS. 
 
 The above are portraits of fowls owned by Mr. Edward 
 Aborn, Providence, R. I. He has coupled the two breeds in 
 the cut, and the description must consequently follow for both 
 here. He writes me : 
 
 The above cuts represent my Black Spanish and Black Bantam 
 cocks. 
 
 The Black Spanish is one of the very best fowls we have, either for 
 laying, or for their table qualities. The comb of the cock of thia 
 breed is very large, deeply serrated, and of a bright scarlet ; the wat- 
 tles long, which, with the large white ear lobes, or cheek pieces, 
 afford a beautiful contrast with their glossy, black plumage. 9 
 
 The legs of the pure Black Spanish are always blue. The comb of 
 the hen, instead of being erect like the cock's, falls over one side, and 
 the white cheek pieces are not so large. They are layers of the first 
 order, laying quite large white eggs, two being equal in weight to 
 three Shanghae eggs. They are seldom, if ever, inclined to set 
 
 The Black Bantam cock is a proud little fellow, bearing a strong 
 8 
 
170 BANTAM FOWLS. 
 
 resemblance to the Black Spanish. His plumage is jet black ; comb, 
 single and serrated ; cheeks, white ; legs smooth and blue. They are 
 first rate layers ; eggs, small, but very rich in their flavor. 
 
 The Black Bantam has quite an attractive form. His plumage, 
 distinguished for its lustre, his comb, of rosy hue, his eye, fear- 
 less and impudent, his tail, full and flowing, and his self-com- 
 placent gait, mark him as a beautiful example of a noble spirit 
 in a little body. The hens are less distinguished for their form, 
 and are inferior in capacity. Yet they have the credit of being 
 good layers, and of fulfilling their maternal ditties well. They 
 are not fond of wandering away from home, nor of mingling 
 in the company of other hens in the neighborhood. They are 
 easily kept in the range of the barn-yard, and are useful in 
 destroying numerous insects that fall in their way. The Black 
 Bantam produces eggs that are smooth, and of a buff color, 
 and are pronounced to be of better flavor, than those of larger 
 fowls. 
 
 Their chicks, when hatched, are quite small and tender ; the 
 eyes, feet, and legs, are black; but when they are full grown, 
 and covered with plumes, they are found not to be more feeble 
 and tender than those of many other breeds. The warm 
 season of summer is considered the best for raising the Ban- 
 tam chickens, as they are not at first fitted to endure the cool 
 and chilly air of spring. It is considered good policy to keep 
 the Bantam cock from mingling with other kinds of domestic 
 fowls, if one is desirous of rearing a plenty of chickens, or ot 
 securing a great quantity of eggs. 
 
 WHITE BANTAMS. 
 
 The white Bantams are somewhat larger than other varieties, 
 some being half the size of common fowls, and others being 
 nearly as small as Seabright's, and other breeds. They are a 
 pure white, and possess the general characteristics of the race 
 
 SIBERIAN BANTAMS. 
 
 This is a rare breed, having been brought, it is said, from 
 the southern border of Siberia, where the severe cold weather 
 dwindles all animal life to its smallest capacity. They must, 
 consequently, be very hardy, and able to withstand severe cold 
 
BANTAM FOWLS. l7l 
 
 weather. I have a pair of these beautiful fowls. The cock 
 weighs about one pound, and the pullet twelve ounces. The 
 cock is a brilliant chestnut hue, with double comb, fine sym- 
 metrical figure, large tail, comparatively, and he considers him- 
 self equal to any rooster I have ; and frequently I see a Hoang 
 Ho, Shanghae, or Brahma cock, large enough to swallow him 
 whole, running from him for life, and the little fel'low mounting 
 them, holding on by the neck, and paying them off with com- 
 pound interest for old grudges. 
 
 The pullet is of a dark brown, with a speckled breast, like a 
 young robin. Her form is that of a perfect hen, and her nature 
 and habits are precisely like ordinary fowls. She cackles when 
 she lays, like larger breeds, and the size of her eggs is much 
 larger, in proportion to her size, than those of any other fowl 
 known. She is not so large as a common domestic pigeon, and 
 but a very little larger than a robin. Taking them all in all, 
 they are the most fascinating little creatures I ever saw, and 
 every fowl fancier should possess them, in order to show the 
 two extremes of the gallinaceous races. I shall probably offer 
 a few pairs for sale occasionally, or may furnish eggs after the 
 year 1853. 
 
 There are some other varieties of the Bantam race the 
 Creepers are one but they are not of especial interest, and I 
 shall omit any further notice of them. 
 
172 
 
 POULTRY HOUSES. 
 
 POULTRY HOUSES. 
 
 The principal considerations in a good Poultry House, are 
 warmth, light, and ventilation. Warm in winter, because fowls 
 will require less food, will be healthier, and will lay more eggs. 
 Ventilated in summer, and in mild winter weather, because 
 fresh air is absolutely essential to all animated nature, and par- 
 ticularly to the dung-hill fowl. Well lighted, because the fowls 
 delight to be in a cheerful place, and to bask in sunshine 
 admitted through the windows of their tenements in cold 
 weather. What the best form or style is for a poultry house, 
 
POULTRY HOUSES. 173 
 
 is not, perhaps, for any one to define with unerring precision, 
 any more than to define the exact style for all family dwel- 
 lings. In the first place, the number of fowls kept should 
 decide the proper size of the building' not the number kept 
 over winter, but the number that may be kept in the fall, after 
 the young broods have matured, or grown to a marketable size. 
 The next question is how large a building is required for 
 twenty-live, fifty, or one hundred fowls ? That will depend on 
 the breed of fowls. Fifty fowls of some breeds, will require as 
 much space as one hundred of some other breed, and then the 
 question arises how close will it answer -to crowd them upon 
 their roosts ? My opinion is, that we should have as many 
 feet of perches, as we have fowls of any breed. Then comes 
 up the query can we place perches, one above the other, so 
 as to accommodate a large number of fowls in a small build- 
 ing ? I answer, yes, it can be done, but it is not very good 
 policy. I think that nothing is gained by such a course, and 
 frequently great losses will be sustained, when diseases attack 
 the fowls, of a contagious character. A building twenty feet 
 long, may very well have two perches running the entire length 
 without detriment to the health of the fowls, but more than 
 two I cannot recommend. These perches should be of the 
 same height, as fowls will always strive to gain the highest, 
 when one perch is above the other. I have used perches in the 
 shape of an inclined ladder, with five or six bars to roost on, 
 the foot perch being some six feet from the wall, and the others 
 rising at an angle, each back of its lower neighbor, so far as 
 to admit the manure voided by fowls on one perch, from drop- 
 ping on those immediately below them ; but the fowls will not, 
 in all cases, sit with their heads the same way, consequently 
 this system is objectionable on that account, and also on account 
 of the strife that will exist, to some extent, to gain the upper 
 perches. 
 
 In building a poultry house, convenience should be one of 
 your first objects. You should have it so arranged, that your 
 roosting perches shall not be near your nest boxes, and you 
 should have an apartment for grain, either in the same build- 
 ing, or in another, near at hand. You should have bins made, 
 rat proof, one for corn, one for oats, and one for buckwheat, or 
 some other grain ; and if you keep many fowls, a kettle should 
 be set to boil vegetables, to be mixed with meal for your fowls. 
 All of these may be under the same roof, if you please, to good 
 advantage, or in an adjoining building. 
 
174 POULTRY HOUSES. 
 
 Particular care should be taken to afford the utmost ventila- 
 tion of your poultry house in summer, by windows on two 
 sides, at least, to be of sufficient size to allow a perfect renova- 
 vation of the air within. Iron bars may be inserted, to protect 
 your fowls from depredators at night. I shall give the opinions 
 of several gentlemen, skilled in the science of henology, and I 
 will commence with some good suggestions from the " Journal 
 of Agriculture," which embody a description of the foregoing 
 poultry house, as here shown by the engraving : 
 
 POULTRY HOUSES. When a man is bent on matrimony, he oftentimes 
 takes it into serious consideration, whether it be the better for him 
 to build the cage first, or first to procure the singing-bird that is to 
 tenant it But if any of our readers are attacked with the symptoms 
 of hen-o-mania, we can, at once, advise them to build the cage first, 
 and they can afterwards find a fowl to their taste. 
 
 As in the management of milch kine, so with fowls, it is as neces- 
 sary to feed, and to quarter, and to care for your stock with judgment, 
 as to select with judgment. An ordinary breed of hens, well housed, 
 and well fed, will be of more profit to their owner, than a like number 
 of neglected and forlorn biddies, who may come of the best laying 
 tribe. 
 
 It becomes us, therefore, to build houses for our poultry, convenient 
 for their habits, and convenient, also, for our own ; for if the tending 
 of any kind of stock is attended with too much trouble, they will 
 oftentimes be neglected. In building, therefore, let the house be as 
 handy for the hens, and as handy for yourself, as possible ; and of the 
 two, we would say in preference, make it handy for yourself. Let 
 there be every convenience for feeding, and for cleansing and warming 
 and ventilating, as the hour, or season of each comes round. 
 
 Let the bins which contain the grain for their food, be in the 
 building, or they may, perhaps, occasionally lose a meal, when you 
 are too tired to go after it. Let the facilities for cleansing their 
 Bleeping apartments be always at hand ; or the atmosphere of their 
 dormitory may chance to be often over-charged with ammonia. For 
 the same reason, let your windows work easily. 
 
 Hens ars modest birds, and seek seclusion and privacy, while the 
 symptoms of approaching egg-labor are strong upon them. It is 
 thought by many, that the production of eggs, is, like the yielding of 
 milk in a cow, somewhat under the control of the creature; if so, it 
 becomes us to add every inducement to stimulate the instincts of 
 nature ; and coax a fowl to prolificity by consulting their tastes and 
 w T hims, and making the nests as secret as possible. 
 
 We present here a representation and description of a poultry 
 house erected by J. D. Bates, Esq., at his beautiful country seat at 
 Phillips' Beach, a very well contrived and excellent edifice. 
 
 The frame of this poiiltry house consists of only the sill-plates and 
 corner posts ; the outside being formed of plank, tongued and grooved, 
 set together with white lead. The furring is laid on the inside of the 
 plank, and plastered. The inside of the roof is also plastered, and 
 
POULTRY HOUSES. 175 
 
 the floor is laid in cement Cement is much to be preferred to brick, 
 being dryer, more close, and therefore less liable to be infected by 
 vermin. 
 
 The general dimensions of the building are twenty-four feet long, 
 thirteen feet wide, eight feet posts, and the roof is something more 
 than half pitch. 
 
 The windows of the roof slide upon rollers. The two centre win- 
 dows, in the front, slide right and left from the center, on rollers, and 
 these two form the entrance, or door into the house. The two outside 
 sashes are stationary. It will be seen that in each gable there are 
 two small windows on hinges, swinging inward, to give additional 
 ventilation when required. 
 
 The inside is divided, as shown in the ground plan, with a walk, 
 or range, four feet wide, and extends the whole length of the building. 
 
 A little more width would be preferable. The remaining part is 
 divided into four compartments or coops. The front of the coops is 
 formed of slats, extending from the roof to within two feet of the 
 floor, and these two feet finished with slats also, laid in diamonds. 
 The doors are also made in the same style, and slide up with balance 
 weights. The coops are divided with slats in the same manner. These 
 slats are but one inch and a half wide. 
 
 The laying nests consist of three ranges nine nests in each range 
 and commence two feet from the floor. There are twenty -seven nests 
 on the left hand side, and twelve on the other side. They are one 
 foot square in the clear. Behind the nests is an alley, or walk, 
 extending the whole length, from which the hens enter the nests. 
 The floors of the nests, and the walks, are made of slats, three-fourths 
 of an inch apart, to allow air to circulate, and to prevent the collec- 
 tion of dirt 
 
 One of the great troubles in constructing laying nests, is to prevent 
 the accumulation of vermin and other filth. If common American 
 tobacco, wrapped in coarse brown paper, in a compact form, is placed 
 in the nests, allowing two papers to each nest ; it will be found a 
 cheap and a sure way of preventing the propagation of vermin. 
 
 Great attention should be paid to the cleanliness of nests, and 
 fresh hay should be placed in them every two weeks, and during the 
 hot weather, oftener. These nests open in front, the door or lid, of 
 which there is one for every two nests, hung upon hinges, falling 
 downwards, with a brass catch spring to fasten, when closed. 
 
 Three of the coops have eah four roosts, made of sassafras poles, 
 and each coop is capable of comfortably containing forty fowls the 
 back one four feet from the floor, and the front one two feet The 
 other coop, on the left hand side, is appropriated to the nests, and 
 room for the fowls to get access to and from them. 
 
 The small cut represents a profile view of the laying room, showing 
 the three ranges of nest ; to the first and second of which the hens 
 mount by small fixed ladders, eight inches wide, with octagon slats 
 three inches apart From the shelf, which extends to the top of the 
 ladder, the hens may readily jump to the third range. 
 
176 
 
 POULTRY HOUSES. 
 
 Explanation of the Ground Plan. a represents the laying room 
 and alleys or ranges behind the nests ; b represents the general range 
 or walk which extends the whole length of the building ; c represents 
 the coops and roosting compartments ; d represents the sliding doors, 
 by which there is an entrance to the coops. There are sliding doors 
 to each compartment. 
 
 POULTRY HOUSES. I noticed a sketch from a correspondent, relative 
 to building hen houses contiguous to horse stables, or having hens 
 roost near horses ; which plan he disapproved of on account of his 
 horse obtaining lice from the hens, and the difficulty he experienced 
 in removing them. My experience convinces me that horses and 
 cattle will become lousy in that way. In my barn, my fowls roosted 
 where I stabled my colts and calves, and they soon became lousy, 
 while in another barn, where I stabled my work horses, not a louse 
 could be found. I searched the Rural for a remedy, and found that 
 the correspondent to whom I have referred, after trying various rem- 
 edies, washed his horse with soap suds, and made an application of 
 one gallon of rum. Not being much of a friend to rum, or any of 
 the family, whether used internally or externallv, I consulted the 
 hens for a remedy, and found that nature had furnished one, and that 
 is by wallowing in the sand in this way they rid themselves of 
 these troublesome vermin. I therefore took a quantity of sand, dried 
 it thoroughly in a stove oven, then sprinkled it freely in among the hair 
 two or three times a week, until the lice were removed. "What par- 
 ticular effect it has upon them, I cannot say, but they don't seem to 
 like having dust thrown into their eyes in this way, and they evacuate. 
 
 By the above, any farmer can see the necessity, of building a house 
 on purpose for his fowls, and if they are properly cared for, they will 
 amply compensate the expense and trouble in eggs, and the guano 
 which may be made from their droppings. While writing about fowls, 
 
POULTRY HOUSES. 177 
 
 I will state another fact that has come under my observation, viz : 
 that fowls will eat pumpkin seeds, and that it will have a singular 
 effect upon them ; they lose the use of their legs, tumble over back- 
 wards, and some will soon die, others, with proper care, lire. [There 
 must be a mistake in this assertion, I think. -AUTHOR.] This has been, 
 the case with one of my neighbor's ducks, the same with the geese of 
 another, the experience of " A Subscriber," to the contrary notwith- 
 standing. Selected. 
 
 THE HENERY. Your correspondent J. R. M., who inquires for the 
 best plan for a hen-house, is reminded, that the one given in the Cul- 
 tivator for December 18th, is merely a house for roosting and laying, 
 and that it may admit of being fumigated to destroy the vermin that 
 will be sure to infest his fowls in hot weather, however careful and 
 cleanly he might be, it must be built so as to be nearly air-tight when 
 all the apertures are closed ; and then, a small quantity of sulphur 
 and saltpetre, well mixed together, placed upon a shovel, or iron 
 plate, and ignited by a match, will be found to rid the house of all 
 the vermin that it might contain, at a blow. But after this roosting 
 and laying house, he will find it quite expedient to erect a shed or 
 house near by, as a promenade for the poultry in wet or stormy 
 weather, for they will not use the roosting-place for this purpose, if 
 any other is to be had, as they never enter such house in the day 
 time, except for the purpose of laying. And here let me perform an 
 act of justice, in saying, one of the most convenient establishments for 
 poultry that I ever saw, was at the farm of Mr. Bement, near Albany. 
 I call it an establishment, for in a comparatively small space, was 
 contained a yard, promenade, roosting and laying house, shelter, shade, 
 and dusting beds, feeding and watering troughs, <fcc., that left nothing 
 wanting. Let me try and give somewhat the dimensions. The yard, 
 of circular form say about half an acre of land was fenced about 
 with pickets six feet in height, and planted around close to the 
 fence inside with a cluster in the middle with evergreens. Here 
 the fowls resorted in hot weather, and made their dusting holes 
 amongst sand, gravel, &c., to their heart's content. And adjoining 
 this yard, was a building two stories in height, say about fourteen 
 feet square, facing the south, one-half the lower floor being devoted 
 to feeding and watering the stock, with boxes of ashes, sand, lime, 
 oyster-shells, &c., and the other fitted up as a roosting and laying 
 apartment, while the whole of the upper story, or second floor, was 
 their promenade in wet or stormy weather, with windows, either to 
 shut or open. And I remember, the house was siirmounted with 
 a cupola and vane; the latter, an excellent effigy of a rooster in full 
 crow, the whole forming the prettiest " turnout " that I ever witnessed 
 in short, just such a one as I intend to build the coming spring, for 
 my family of Shanghaes. Selected. 
 
 HENERY. One thing is, to have a well arranged henery a place 
 
 where the fowls can feel comfortable, and at home. And they like a 
 
 large yard, where they can enjoy the sun, and the air, and have fresh 
 
 earth to scratch in. And they should have plenty of pure water 
 
 8* 
 
178 POULTRY HOUSES. 
 
 every day, to drink. And too many confined in one place, will not do 
 well they will become poor and lousy. In the place where they hare 
 their nests, there should be a plenty of straw or hay, and this should 
 be frequently cleaned out, and a new supply furnished, and as the 
 fowls cannot do this for themselves, I expect the bovs will do it for 
 them. And twice a day they should be fed, plentifully, with corn, or 
 something else; and fresh lime thrown into the yard, will do them 
 good ; and fresh meat, cut fine, is very acceptable, when the ground 
 is frozen for fowls like insects and worms, and when they can get al 
 them, they are first rate, but when they can get no food of that kind, 
 they should have fresh meat, and they will pay well for it in eggs, 
 which you know, will always bring money in market. Selected. 
 
 FOWL HOUSE. Being about to erect a domicile for the accommoda- 
 tion of my golden top-knots, I have looked through the American 
 Poulterer's Companion in vain for a plan, that in all particulars 
 suited my taste and ideas of what would be most agreeable to them, 
 for I conceive taste and utility are not incompatible, even in a hen- 
 house. I have, therefore, made a plan to suit myself. 
 
 This poultry house will accommodate one hundred fowls in stormy 
 weather. It is built on the side of a bank, fronting the south. The 
 posts of the centre buildi'ng are eight feet ; those of the wings, or 
 storm-houses, six feet front, and four and a half feet rear ; the depth, 
 twelve feet, and the front of centre and wings, twelve feet each, 
 being just the length of the boards ; the whole is well thatched. 
 The roof of the nest house extends over the passage to the front, so 
 that the droppings fall into the boxes placed outside of it for that 
 purpose. The slat window in the gable is the ventilator. One, or 
 both of the wings may be omitted, depending upon the wants or 
 taste of the builder. Cost, about &25, if built of rough boards. 
 
 If not built against a bank, I would have a cellar under one of the 
 wings, for the laying hens in the winter ; and instead of contiguous 
 boxes, as is the usual practice, I am satisfied single boxes distributed 
 about the house are altogether preferable. I prefer single nests to 
 cl usters. Selected. 
 
 POULTRY HOUSE. In order to the profitable keeping of fowls, it is 
 indispensable that they should be properly lodged, and that such 
 conveniences should be provided for them, as will secure their comfort 
 and health. Every collection of poultry requires some place to be 
 provided for them, to secure these advantages. Often they are left 
 to take care of themselves, and roaming at large over the farm, or 
 about a smaller premises, they become at last burdensome to them- 
 selves, unprofitable to the proprietor, and a nuisance to the neighbor- 
 hood. A certain degree of confinement is therefore necessary for 
 fowls. Close confinement, however, will, in a degree, prevent them 
 from laying, and destroy their health. A yard or walk, connected 
 with a place for shelter and roosting, is what is required. 
 
 Care should be taken in fixing upon a situation for these accommo- 
 dations. A south or south-easterly exposure is the most proper place 
 to be chosen and a building of brick or stone is preferable to one 
 built of wood. The extent of the place should be proportioned to the 
 
POULTRY HOUSES. 179 
 
 number of fowls kept ; and if any error is to be tolerated, it might 
 better be on the side of small buildings. It is said, on good authority, 
 that infectious diseases are not to be feared, even in the case of con- 
 fined accommodations; and laying, in the winter season, is rather 
 promoted than otherwise, when fowls are thus situated. A medium 
 eon re e should be adopted, as at once the wisest and most economical. 
 If fowls are not sufficiently defended from the cold of winter, they 
 become torpid ; if exposed to intense heat in summer, they are 
 enfeebled. To avoid the numerous diseases which are induced by 
 dampness, care should be taken that the poultry house should be in a 
 dry situation, and properly defended from the effects of rain. A due 
 re : rd to ventilation is indispensable to guard sgainst an infected 
 atmosphere, and suitable facilities should be afforded for the necessary 
 exercise which all kinds of poultry daily demand. Arrangements for 
 securing an ample supply of water must never be Overlooked, and it is 
 advisable to have receptacles of ashes or dry sand within the enclosure, 
 in which the fowls may enjoy the luxury of rolling themselves, in 
 order to free themselves from vermin, and for amusement. 
 
 When poultry are kept on a large scale, a yard is set apart for 
 their use, enclosed either by a wall or by a fence of paling, of sufficient 
 height to prevent any escape. This yard should be well drained, 
 but if a stream of water can be made to flow through it, it is an impor- 
 tant advantage. A part of the yard should be floored or flagged, to 
 feed the fowls upon ; a part should be covered with sand or gravel, 
 for them to wallow in ; a part should be laid down in grass, or planted 
 with such plants as furnish them proper food; and somewhere, there 
 should be a deposit of dry mortar, or broken oyster shells, so prepared 
 that the fowls may pick and scratch amongst it. 
 
 It is reckoned best to have various roosting-houses constructed for 
 the different kinds of poultry, and a separate nest provided for each ; 
 as, without this precaution, the same nest will frequently have three 
 or four visitors. The best kind of nests are said to be those made of 
 wood, wicker baskets being calculated to let in the cold air. The 
 floors of the roost-houses should be kept sanded, and in fine weather 
 the doors should be thrown open to give access to fresh air. 
 
 In the erection of poultry houses, of course, considerations of fancy 
 or economy will furnish the rule in fixing upon a plan. A sufficiently 
 good, and in every respect suitable poultry house, may be built very 
 readily, and at an insignificant cost; but others are in existence which 
 exceed in expense many dwellings considered comfortable, and even 
 elegant, inhabited by mankind. It is necessary, therefore, to describe 
 several sorts of poultry houses, from those on the most magnificent 
 scale, down to that which will merely answer the purpose for which 
 it is erected. Dr. J. C. Bennett, 
 
180 
 
 POULTRY HOUSES. 
 
 P. MELENDY'S POULTRY HOUSE. 
 
POULTRY HOUSES. 181 
 
 The opposite engraving represents the poultry house of P. 
 Melendy, Esq., of Mount Healthy, Hamilton Co., Ohio. He 
 has furnished me with the following description, for this work : 
 
 My largest poultry house, which is here represented, is one hundred 
 and twenty-four feet long, fourteen wide, and sixteen high two 
 stories. Besides whic*h, I have one fifty feet long, ten wide, and ten 
 high ; and another twenty-four feet long, six wide, and eight high. 
 They are constructed on what are considered the most approved plans ; 
 divided into several apartments for the different breeds, and for laying, 
 hatching, etc. Three acres of ground are attached to the houses, 
 divided into separate parks, for the several breeds, with a pond of 
 water for the ducks and geese. 
 
 You ask how my stock have stood the cold winter. They have 
 stood it well. The cold snap in January touched their combs a littl< , 
 and I had common fowls frozen in the same house. I think if the 
 foreign kinds can endure such cold as we had this winter, there nee : 
 be no fears about their hardiness. My house has answered the pur- 
 pose thus far admirably, and I have dispensed with the steam, or othe . 
 artificial heat, this winter, believing that it would not be healthy for 
 the fowls. It would be almost impossible to keep up an even tempe- 
 rature, and the changes from high to low, would be apt to give thj 
 fowls a cold. My plan is to keep them in the house in bad weather, 
 let them out \vhen it is dry, and feed them every night and morning. 
 In this way, there need be no difficulty in having eggs all the year 
 roujid. 
 
 In constructing a poultry house, let the front be towards the south 
 or south-east, and the yara in front of the house, with sufficient slope 
 to secure dryness. My plan would be to excavate three feet, and 
 build of brick ; but this would be expensive. If built of wood, it 
 should be lathed and plastered inside. A house for, say three hundred 
 hens, should be about fifty feet long, twelve feet wide, and ten feet 
 high in front, sloping down to seven feet at the back. Make it two 
 stories high, the lower one six feet in the clear, the balance for the 
 roosts. The front wall should be as much of it glass as one can afford, 
 the glass extending from within ten inches of the ground, to as near 
 the roof. The main floor should not be boarded, but earth. 
 
 The roosts for the large breeds should be flat strips of board, four 
 or six inches wide, and only two feet from the floor ; for common, 
 breeds, as high as you please, and only two inches wide, or if you 
 please, round poles, with ladders for them to ascend. Place a wido 
 board underneath each roost, to catch the droppings, which can thua 
 be removed with little labor every day, or as often as you choose. If 
 suffered to accumulate, it makes the house unpleasant, and unhealthy 
 for the fowls. The ammonia arising therefrom is thought to occasion 
 the roup. This substance forms a most excellent and powerful manure, 
 being real " home made guano." It is also used by tanners and 
 morocco dressers, who willingly give fifty cents a bushel for it. 
 
 Ventilation must be provided for at the top of the house, or the 
 fowls will not be healthy. The advantage of plastering the inside of 
 the house is, that it gives little chance for vermin to harbor. 
 
182 POULTRY HOUSES. 
 
 My plan for nests, is what is called the secret nest. It is well 
 known that hens love to make their nests in a very secluded place, 
 and this form of nest appears to gratify this propensity. They are 
 made thus : Make a platform of boards, two feet wide, and say ten 
 feet long, (or any length you choose,) fastened against the back wall 
 of the building, about three feet from the ground ; above and along 
 the outer edge of this platform, nail a board on the edge, one foot wide, 
 leaving an opening in the middle and at each end, eight or nine inches 
 wide, and divide the remaining space into compartments a foot square. 
 This leaves a passage way between the wall and nests, nearly a foot 
 wide. Make a cover sloping from the wall, and so as to open with 
 hinges. This affords easy means of examining, and at the same time 
 as much secrecy as the hens seem to desire. 
 
 The yard for three hundred fowls should contain from one half to 
 one acre, but if you have not the ground to spare, seventy-five by one 
 hundred feet will answer. Have a part of the ground fresh dug up 
 as often as once a week, when not frozen ; and give the fowls gravel, 
 broken oyster shells, crushed bones burnt, old lime, mortar, <fec., and 
 under cover place dry sand and ashes for them to roll and scratch in. 
 Give them a variety of food, as corn, oats, wheat, barley, buckwheat, 
 <fec., and a little chopped meat 
 
 Respectfully yours, <fec,, P. MELENDY. 
 
 There are many other considerations pertaining to poultry 
 houses that may be mentioned, but the most important points 
 are touched in the preceding matter, and my limits will not 
 admit of using more space on this subject. I will, however, 
 call your particular attention to the fact, that all of our large 
 breeds of fowls require perches not over eighteen inches or two 
 feet high, and they must be flat, and about three inches wide. 
 
WATERING FOWLS. 
 
 183 
 
 WATER APPARATUS. 
 
 The above cut shows a very simple and good plan for water- 
 ing fowls. 
 
 When water is placed in an open vessel, the daily supply, it 
 is liable to become impure, from many fowls having access to 
 it, but on the above plan, the impurities are constantly running 
 away in the overflow of the bowl. A jug is used on this plan, 
 that holds from one to two gallons, with an aperture in the 
 cork, to allow a slow passage of the water, till the jug is emp- 
 tied. A keg holding about a pail of water, with a faucet, 
 would be better than the jug, I think to be open at the top, 
 and provided with a cover. A running stream of water, how- 
 ever, is preferable to all other ways of watering fowls. 
 
184 
 
 INCUBATION. 
 
 DR. WIGHT S APPARATUS. 
 
 This plan for watering fowls originated, as I understand, with 
 Dr. Eben Wight. I received a brief description of it from Dr. 
 W., which has been mislaid, but the plan shows for itself what 
 it is, and how constructed. It appears that a keg is suspended, 
 as shown in the cut, with an opening at the top to receive the 
 water, large enough to receive the water direct from the pail, 
 and which may be closed by a door hung on hinges.. A tube 
 of some kind, either lead or wood, connects the keg with 
 the trough below, and the water at the lower end of this 
 tube is made to run out very slowly, so a-s not to exhaust 
 the supply above short of twenty-four hours, when a new sup- 
 ply is furnished. By this means, the water is always pure in 
 the trough. 
 
 A cheap conductor of the water from the keg to the trough, 
 may be made of -wood, square, with a small channel in the 
 centre. A common water pail may be made to perform the 
 office of this apparatus, by inserting a faucet in the side, near 
 the bottom ; then place it on a stool, with a bowl below to 
 receive the water. The pail should be placed in the shade in 
 warm weather, andcovered. 
 
 INCUBATION. 
 
 Instead of going into an analysis of all the causes that 
 produce a desire in hens to incubate, or sit, I shall simply 
 
INCUBATION. 185 
 
 furnish a few matter-of-fact considerations that a practical work 
 demands, and let others dwell at length on the more abstruse, 
 and less interesting points to the practical breeder. 
 
 When a hen has laid her " litter " or " clutch " of eggs, we 
 all know that she will desire to sit. There appears to be a 
 word lacking in the English language to signify the number 
 of eggs a hen lays before desiring to sit, as neither " litter w 
 nor " clutch" is strictly proper, but used from necessity. If 
 she is to be permitted to sit. she should .be in a place where 
 she will not be subject to intrusions from other hens, by laying 
 in her nest, as eggs are frequently broken in the strife on such 
 occasions. If, however, any liability exist of such results at all, 
 it is best to mark the eggs with a lead pencil, on sitting the 
 hen, by running a ring around each, and then, if other eggs 
 be deposited in the nest, they can be easily detected. 
 
 In early spring, the nests for sitting hens should be made as 
 warm as possible ; but in summer, the reverse. A hen should 
 never be suffered to sit in a place where the rays of the sun 
 render the atmosphere insupportable to human beings, or nearly 
 so, but should be well shaded, and have plenty of ventilation. 
 In very warm weather, a hen will hatch more chicks if the 
 nest be made in earth, than if made of hay or straw. It would 
 be proper to place damp earth in their nest-boxes, scooped out 
 in the form of a bowl, and packed firmly, over which a light 
 covering of fine, short hay, should be laid. 
 
 The number of eggs to place under a hen, should always be 
 in the ratio of the size of both hen and eggs. A common, 
 small fowl can cover but seven eggs of the Brahma Pootra 
 fowl, while a Brahma Pootra hen will cover fifteen or more 
 eggs of the small breeds. It has been the custom, since the 
 days of yore, to place an odd number of eggs under sitting 
 hens, and the practice is founded on the fact, however singular 
 it may be, that an even number will not fill a nest so propor- 
 tionate, in its rotund form, as an odd number. 
 
 When many hens are sitting at the same time, they should be 
 placed at such distances from each other, as to enable each fowl 
 to know her own nest on all occasions when returning from her 
 food and-water. If care be not taken to guard against this 
 evil, serious consequences to the eggs will occur, by two hens 
 getting upon one nest, breaking a portion of the eg'gs, perhaps, 
 while the eggs of the other nest are destroyed by exposure. 
 
 I think that I cannot serve the interests of my readers better 
 
186 INCUBATION. 
 
 than by making a few judicious extracts from writers of 
 acknowledged merit. I am not desirous of appearing to fill 
 my treatise with a large portion of original matter, as some 
 authors seem to have desired, while the greater portion thus 
 appearing as original, is but a poor digest of the writings of 
 others, the merit of which is often lost in the metamorphosis. 
 I prefer to say what I have to say, in my own way, then to 
 give you the best authorities, with no concealment of sources, 
 and unless I greatly err, this is the only way in which a work 
 of real merit can be produced on this subject. I am led to 
 these remarks in consequence of finding much matter in the 
 works now extant on poultry, that is assumed as the language 
 and opinions of their authors, which is mostly a re-hash of the 
 writings of certain foreign authors, dressed in an American 
 garb. The reader will find nothing of that nature in the pages of 
 this work, yet I claim no merit on the score of the value of 
 my own opinions and views, but simply on the frankness, can- 
 dor, and undeceptive manner in which it has been my aim to 
 write and compile this Treatise. Nolan says : 
 
 You will recollect the eggs, to be productive, must be fresh, and not 
 exposed to bad effluvia or moisture, and while collecting, previous to 
 hatching, covered with bran. Some say pointed eggs produce cocks, 
 and round ones, hens ; and others, that if the vacancy caused by the air- 
 bag, at the blunt end of the egg, appear to be a little on one side, it 
 will produce a hen ; if this vacancy be exactly in the centre, it will 
 produce a cock. Not having faith in the above, 1 quote it for the 
 advantage of those who may wish to test its authenticity. If fresh 
 eggs are laid after the hen begins to sit, they should be forthwith 
 removed, and if she break any of her clutch, they should be carefully 
 cleaned away, and her feathers, if soiled by the broken egg, made 
 perfectly clean. Old hens are, in general, better sitters than pullets, 
 and middle-sized, plump hens, better than the very large ones. The 
 clucking of the hen, when she has an inclination to sit, cannot be 
 mistaken. It is best to have a few valueless eggs to put under a hen, 
 for a few days, to ascertain if she will sit steadily, before you intrust 
 a valuable clutch to her ; when you do, give her the eggs intended to 
 be hatched. 
 
 Most persons prefer an odd number, the odd egg being placed in the 
 centre, and the rest round it say seven, nine, eleven, thirteen 
 according to the size of the hen, extent of her wings, and season of 
 the year. 
 
 If any eggs get cracked during incubation, a small portion of paper, 
 pasted on the cracked part, has been found to be a perfect preservative. 
 Experience has proved, that the closer you imitate nature, the more cer- 
 tain you will be to succeed. If a hen lay out, in a private place, she 
 is likely to produce a chick from every egg. It is found that eggs set 
 
INCUBATION. 187 
 
 on the ground, in a soft, sandy spot, with some short-cut, clean straw, 
 in a quiet situation, free from other poultry, succeed best ; the evap- 
 oration from the ground seems necessary to" the hatching, for the want 
 of which, Mr. Cantelo recommends their being slightly damped with 
 a sponge, on the top only, about mid-day, daily. After the tenth day, 
 the eggs should be closely inspected, and those that have not germi- 
 nated, removed ; if any bad egg be discovered after this, it should 
 likewise be withdrawn. 
 
 I am indebted to Richardson for the following useful hints : 
 In selecting eggs for setting, bear in mind what I have said as to 
 the number of hens that the cock should associate with, and choose 
 such eggs as you have reason to believe have been rendered produc- 
 tive. Those of medium size, that is to say, the average size that the 
 hen lays, are most apt to prove prolific. Sketchley tells us that he 
 has always found the round egg to contain the female chick, and that 
 of oblong shape, the male. This, however, though it may have been 
 newly discovered by Sketchley, was known to Columella and Stepha- 
 nus. If you examine the egg between your eye and a candle, you 
 will be able to discern the position of the vacancy caused by the little 
 air-bag at the blunt end of the shell. If this be in the centre, say 
 these authors, the egg will produce a cock ; if at one side, a hen. 
 This doctrine, however, has long been abandoned by physiologists, and 
 -upon the best authority ; nevertheless, though I have no faith in those 
 who pretend to tell the sex of the chickens from the eggs, you may 
 form a very fair judgment if your eggs are impregnated, from their 
 specific gravity. Put them in a bowl of tepid water, and reject such 
 as do not sink to the bottom. Choose also, such as present a marked 
 disparity of size between the two ends ; and while collecting, keep the 
 eggs dry, clean, and in a well ventilated part of the house. Such as 
 are equal in size at both ends, usually contain two yolks ; and these, 
 be it observed, instead of producing twin chickens, as might naturally 
 be expected, commonly produce monstrosities ; reject them. The 
 number of eggs to be placed under a hen is from nine to eleven. The 
 number is, however, of course, dependant on the size of both eggs 
 and hen ; an odd number is to be preferred, as being better adapted 
 for covering in the nest. Be sure that they are all fresh, and carefully 
 note down the day on which you place them beneath the hen. Never 
 turn the eggs ; the hen can do that better than you. About the 
 twelfth day of incubation, you may be enabled to reject such eggs as 
 are unfruitful. For this purpose, hold the egg beween your hands in 
 the sunshine ; if the shadow which it forms, waver, keep the egg, as 
 the wavering of the shadow is occasioned by the motion of the chick 
 within ; if it remain stationary, throw it away. If your eggs have 
 been recently laid, the chick will be developed earlier than otherwise ; 
 if they have been very fresh, you will, about the sixteenth day, if 
 you apply your ear to the egg, hear a gentle piping noise within ; if 
 the eggs have been stale, this will not be perceptible until about the 
 eighteenth day, and at this time the yolk, which had previously lain 
 outside, and around the chicken, will be gradually entering into the- 
 body of the bird. This selves as nourishment to the little prisoner, 
 
188 
 
 INCUBATION. 
 
 until his subsequent efforts shall have set him free. From this period 
 let your attention be assiduous, but at the same time, cautious, for the 
 hen has heard this cry before you have, and all her maternal anxieties 
 and tenderness, are from that moment so greatly augmented, that any 
 unnecessary interference will only tend to irritate her. 
 
 The following illustrations show the different stages of incu- 
 bation of the egg : 
 
 FIRST STAGE OF INCUBATION. 
 
 MIDDLE STAGE OF INCUBATION 
 
 CHICK JUST BEFORE HATCHING. 
 
INCUBATION. 189 
 
 Rev. Mr. Dickson lias given a very correct statement of the 
 different degrees of development, which I annex : 
 
 At the end of the second day it assumes the form of a horse-shoe, 
 but no red blood as yet is seen. 
 
 At the fiftieth hour, two vesicles of blood, the rudiments of the 
 heart, may be distinguished, one resembling a noose folded down on 
 itself, and pulsating distinctly. 
 
 At the end of seventy hours, the wings may be seen ; and, in the 
 head, the brain and the bill, in form of bubbles. 
 
 Towards the end of the fourth day, the heart is more completely 
 formed ; and, on the fifth day, the liver is observable. 
 
 At the end of a hundred and thirty hours, the first voluntary motion 
 may be observed ; in seven hours more, the lungs and stomach appear; 
 and, in four hours after this, the intestines, the loins, and the upper 
 jaw. 
 
 At the end of the one hundred and forty-fourth hour, two drops of 
 blood are observable in the heart, which is also further developed. 
 
 On the seventh day, the brain exhibits some consistence. 
 
 At the hundred and ninetieth hour, the bill opens, and the muscular 
 flesh appears on the breast ; in four hours more, the breast-bone is 
 seen, and, in six hours after this, the ribs may be observed forming 
 from the back. 
 
 At the end of two hundred and thirty-six hours, the bill assumes a 
 green color, and, if the chick be taken out of the egg, it will visibly 
 move. 
 
 At two hundred and sixty-four hours, the eyes appear; at two 
 hundred and eighty-eight hours, the ribs are perfect ; and at three 
 hundred and thirty-one hours, the spleen approaches near to the 
 stomach, and the lungs to the chest. 
 
 At the end of three hundred and fifty-five hours, the bill frequently 
 opens and shuts. 
 
 At the end of the eighteenth day, the first cry of the chicken is 
 heard ; and it gradually acquires more strength, till it is enabled, as 
 we shall presently see, to release itself from confinement. 
 
 Some people, upon the eleventh or twelfth day, examine the eggs 
 which have been sitten upon, to pick out the bad ones. "With this 
 view, they place the eggs on a drum, or between the hands, in the 
 sunshine, and observe the shadow. If this wavers, by the motion of 
 the chick, the eggs are good ; if the shadow shows no motion, they 
 throw them away. 
 
 At the expiration of six or eight days after setting a hen, 
 the addled eggs may be known by holding each up, encircled 
 by your hand, and one end held in close contact with the eye, 
 while the other is held up in the range of the sun, the addled 
 ones appearing transparent, and the fertile eggs quite black. 
 This is a never failing test, and one that should always be 
 resorted to, rather than run the risk of having your hens waste 
 their time over unproductive eggs. Two or more hens should 
 
190 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 
 
 be set at the same time, if possible, so that in case of their not 
 being more than twelve or thirteen productive eggs under two 
 hens, on making the test, all may be put under one hen, 
 and the other broken up, as it is termed, from sitting. You 
 may allow your hens to sit a few days on wooden eggs, or 
 those that are addled, till two or more desire to sit, when all 
 may be provided with eggs at the same time. 
 
 It is a practice with some breeders to remove the chicks 
 from hens when hatched, and to give them a new sitting of 
 eggs. This is done when they are desirous of raising some 
 valuable breed of chicks to as great an extent as possible, and 
 to get them out early. It is said that a hen will bear this 
 double duty in the spring, without injury, but I hope the prac- 
 tice will be quite limited, and never adopted in the summer, 
 when hens are debilitated and feverish. 
 
 The next question of primary importance in connection with 
 incubation, is the method best adapted to " break up " a hen 
 from sitting, when we do not desire to have her sit. If some 
 inventive Yankee will make a discovery that shall do away 
 with the trouble we are now subject to in such cases, he will 
 be a public benefactor. There are many suggestions extant on 
 this subject, but nothing is effectual, and of general application, 
 but to confine the hens away from their nests for a few days. 
 I have found that three days confinement is sufficient ; and 
 where many fowls are kept, there should be three separate 
 yards, each provided with shelter, &c., and all hens desiring to 
 sit on a certain day, should be confined in one yard ; those 
 desiring to set the next day, in the next yard, and so on. 
 When the third yard receives its tenants, the first one may be 
 vacated. 
 
 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 
 
 In arranging the matter for this work, I have deemed it 
 expedient to place all matter immediately connected with the 
 fowl-house or yard, in a continuous position, as much as possible, 
 without any regard to the arrangement of similar matter by 
 other authors on this subject ; and as Artificial Incubation is 
 one of the branches of my subject, requiring an illustration in 
 such connection, I subjoin the following interesting communi- 
 cation from Joseph S. Keen, Esq. : 
 
ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 191 
 
 WEST PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 8d, 1853. 
 
 T. B. Miner, Esq. Dear Sir: In November, 1851, not enjoying 
 good health, I was induced to direct my mind to the raising of poul- 
 try, as an amusing employment, attended with a moderate degree of 
 exercise, which would in all probability prolong my time with my 
 family. I purchased three pairs of young Cochin China fowls, Vic- 
 toria stock three cocks and three pullets. I soon found (with proper 
 attention,) that their precocity and prolific character, combined with 
 hardiness, would require more extensive accommodations, one of the 
 pullets being the mother of eighty chicks, before she was a year old. 
 Of course, she did not hatch them all, though she laid forty-four eggs 
 in daily succession. 
 
 I became convinced that there had not been sufficient attention 
 given by the farmers to that branch of their business, or our country 
 would have been much better supplied with poultry. 
 
 MV success has induced several gentlemen to solicit me to give you 
 a description, in detail, of my chicken establishment; also the result 
 of my different experiments in hatching and rearing chickens by 
 artificial means. 
 
 I will commence with my chicken houses. The west building is 
 eleven feet square, sixteen feet high on the south side, and twelve feet 
 on the north, with a cellar four feet deep ; the whole divided into 
 three stories ; the basement, eight feet high ; the next story, seven feet 
 high, with a slanting ceiling, parallel to, and four feet below the roof; 
 a passage four feet wide, partitioned off on the north side, with steps 
 for the fowls to pass to the roosts, and also to the nests, which are 
 situated (eighteen in number,) near the middle of the building the 
 best location to protect them from excessive heat or cold the hens 
 entering through holes in this partition, to the nests, the eggs being 
 taken out from a passage on the other side, where there are small 
 panes of glass set in each shutter that opens into the nests. This 
 building is lighted and aired with windows in each story, on the 
 south side ; one window on the west, lighting the passage to the 
 roosts, and one in the east end, near the ceiling, with a trap-door in 
 the roof, for ventilation ; which door is only partly lifted by means 
 of a cord and pully attached to a covering over it. All the windows 
 have glass, and open to give air, which is essential to the health of 
 the fowls. Adjoining this, on the east, is a room for feed, five feet by 
 eleven. Next to this is a building twenty-four feet by eleven, glass on. 
 the south, front, and east end, with glass roof, pitching to the south, 
 with a passage way, two feet wide by three feet high, for the older 
 fowls to go to the roosts and nests from an open shed east of this 
 building. Next in order is a chicken house ten feet square, with 
 roosts and nests, and a passage to take the eggs ; one window in the 
 south, with glass, one in the west, and one in the east side, for venti- 
 lation, with an open shed attached on the east side. Adjoining this 
 on the east, is another chicken house, ten feet square, one window in 
 the south, and one in the east, with glass, and one in the west, for 
 ventilation. This house is divided into two apartments, one for the 
 young cocks, the other for the young pullets, with an open shed 
 
192 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 
 
 attached on the east. All the buildings have a sonth front, the whole 
 extending east and west about one hundred and twenty feet, with a 
 separate yard for each apartment, and a sliding door to open into a 
 larger yard, shaded with trees. North of this range of buildings, is a 
 duck yard and house ; the lower part for ducks, the upper part for 
 common chickens, with passage way to the nests, to take the eggs, 
 with an open shed attached, and an artificial pond, supplied with 
 water, by means of a pipe inserted into a wooden pump, six inches 
 below the nozzle, that when the pump is used, a portion of the water 
 runs into the pond, as well as distributes fresh water along the line, 
 into the several chicken yards. In the duck yard are two kettles, 
 holding about fifty gallons, to boil feed in for the ducks and chickens. 
 All these buildings I have found indispensable in breeding the chickens 
 distinctly, and without mingling. 
 
 My first experiment in hatching by artificial means, was with an 
 Eccaleobeon, about four feet long, two feet high, and two feet deep, 
 front to back; legs, twenty inches high, with four drawers, four 
 inches deep, two feet square, placed near ta one end ; the drawers 
 encompassed with a sheet of water three inches thick, connecting 
 with a larger body, two feet square each way, through which a small 
 iron stove passes, to heat the water. In the top drawer are two 
 openings, one front, and one back, with valves, connected by a small 
 iron shaft ; in the front valve there is inserted a glass tube, with a 
 bulb at each end, nearly filled with mercury, so regulated, that when 
 too warm or too cool, the mercury will expand or contract, throwing 
 the weight from one end of the valve to the other, opening or closing 
 the valve, as required. This self-regulator of the heat in the drawers, 
 removes the necessity of so close attention to the heat. I hatched 
 eggs that had been partly under a hen, and produced the chickens 
 from the first warming of the eggs, up to the eighteenth day, when 
 the tin case sprang a leak, and all the water ran out ; but I had suf- 
 ficient evidence that the eggs would have hatched, had the case been 
 made of copper, perfectly tight. I then had recourse to bricks, piled 
 around the stove, in place of the water. I found the heated air would 
 pass around the drawers as well as the water, and keep up a uniform 
 heat that would have hatched eggs equally well, but attended with 
 more personal care, which led me to experiment with horse-dung as a 
 means of generating heat, which has resulted in perfect success, in 
 producing fine healthy chickens in twenty-one days from the com- 
 mencement of their heating. This mode will be more useful to the 
 farmers, as they have the material at hand, and the only cost attend- 
 ing it would be a little labor, to accomplish the hatching of eggs to 
 any desired extent. 
 
 This Mammel, (to use the Egyptian name,) I will now give a minute 
 description of, that every farmer may build one for himself, and be 
 able to perfect the hatching of eggs and rearing of chickens, without 
 the aid of the hen. 
 
 ^ It is a building thirteen feet by sixteen, with a tight, grooved par- 
 tition dividing it into two apartments, the front one seven feet, the 
 other nine feet. In this partition are two openings to receive the 
 front ends of the ovens. These ovens are six and a half feet long, 
 
ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 193 
 
 two feet two inches wide, nineteen inches high on one side, and eighteen 
 inches on the other, in the clear; back end closed, and made entire of 
 inch boards ; lined with tin, soldered water-tight, with shutters in two 
 equal parts, hung to the bottom and in the middle with hinges, and 
 buttons to close the front end. In the upper part of the shutter there 
 are two sliding valves, each four inches by six, to give air, and regu- 
 late the heat. The outside of the ovens, and the partitions, should be 
 well coated over with pitch, to exclude moisture, and preserve the 
 wood from dec-ay. The ovens should be placed eighteen inches above 
 the ground, supported with posts at the back end, and four feet apart, 
 with an open board partition, the boards running up and down, ten 
 inches apart, to divide the dung between the ovens, and yet not 
 entirely separate, so that in renewjn-g the dug of one oven, the other 
 may not be chilled. There should be a window in the back, to give 
 air, and to receive the dung through. The dung should be such as is 
 made in a well littered horse stable, and used, straw and dung mixed, 
 and well watered while being thrown into a pile, where it is to 
 remain twenty-four hours to soak, and admit the redundant water to 
 pass off. It should be placed loosely around the ovens, which will 
 not require renewing for two weeks; then only renew half the length 
 of the oven at a time, judging from the heat when more of it is to be 
 renewed, which will be required about every week. Tan will make 
 a better bed under the oven than dung; the heat will last longer. 
 The egg box, four feet long, two feet wide, three inches deep, lined 
 with baize, ten inches of one end covered with wire, to keep in the 
 chickens that are just hatched ; the other part of the box should have 
 a light frame, with twine placed between the eggs, and attached to 
 the frame, to turn all the eggs at one time. The egg box rests on a 
 carriage which runs on rails laid on the bottom of the oven, with a 
 moveable attachment, to run the carriage entirely out of the oven. 
 The egg box turns on a centre, to reverse the ends in the oven. The 
 carriage is made in two parts ; the lower part has sash pullies let 
 into it, to roll on the rails ; the upper part is connected to the lower 
 with four small bars of iron, about eight inches long, with holes for a 
 wood screw in each end, and the screws put into the top and bottom, 
 when they lie together, (which moves like a parallel ruler,) and con- 
 fined to different heights by a hook about ten inches long, fast to the 
 upper part, and hooking into staples driven into a piece of wood 
 running along, and fastened to the lower part. This arrangement is 
 to sustain the egg box at different heights, to suit the required degree 
 of heat, which I have found to be as near as it can be kept, to one 
 hundred and four degrees, from the first to the last stage of successful 
 hatching. My feed room can be made perfectly dark. Through one 
 of the doors is a hole one and one-fourth inch in diameter, over which 
 is a piece of cloth tacked, (an inch hole in it,) that will exclude all the 
 light, except what passes through it, where can be seen the first 
 progress of the chick, and in four days, if there is no appearance of a 
 chicken, boil it for the young brood. 
 
 Next in order is the rearing of chickens without the aid of a mother. 
 In the basement of the first named building, on a level with the top 
 of the Eccaleobion, is a platform four feet by seven, with a elide to 
 9 
 
194 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 
 
 open in fine weather, into a small yard, also one to open into a 
 box with wire front, (over the Eecaleobion,) which is moderately 
 heated from a small stove; in this box is an artificial mother, 
 made of rabbit skin?, (I have also one made of the skin of a fowl,) 
 hung about two inches from the bottom, where the chicks are 
 first placed ; in three or four days they are let into an adjoining 
 apartment, where there is a sheepskin mother ; over this is another, 
 with a sheepskin raised higher at one end than the other, for chickens 
 further advanced to run under, with a small yard attached. In the 
 glass building is a platform sixteen feet by four, about four feet above 
 the ground floor, for chickens still further advanced, with a yard to 
 it They are next shut out from this apartment, and run with the 
 full grown fowls. 
 
 All these apartments will accommodate about five hundred chickens, 
 of the different ages. This mode of hatching and rearing them is 
 attended with less than half the loss that usually takes place when 
 hatched and reared by the hen. "With regard to feed for the first 
 two or three meals, I give grated stale wheat bread, laid on a sanded 
 floor ; next, I give bread boiled in milk, and while hot, mix coarse 
 ground Indian meal with it, making it nearly dry. For the older 
 fowls, I give wheat screenings and whole corn, with once a week 
 boiled meat. 
 
 It will here be seen that I have made the management of eggs as 
 plain and simple as Capt. Cooke did, " when he stood one on its 
 point" 
 
 Yours, most respectfully, JOSEPH S. KEEN. 
 
 ECCALEOBION. This is an apparatus put in operation some 
 years ago, for artificial hatching. The name is of Greek origin, 
 and signifies to draw out life. The chicks were hatched^ by 
 means of heated air. The form of the apparatus was an oblong 
 box three feet wide, nine feet long, and three feet high. It was 
 successful, but not adapted to cheap and general practical incu- 
 bation. 
 
 POLOTOKIAN. Here is another " jaw-cracking " machine that 
 Mr. E. Bayer, of Brooklyn, N. Y., put in operation in 1843, and 
 succeeded very well in the process of hatching, not loosing over 
 twenty-five per cent, of the eggs. The temperature best 
 adapted to hatching, he found kTbefrom 101 to 102 F. He 
 applied heated air. 
 
 AMERICAN EGG-HATCHING MACHINE. Some six years ago, 
 a machine was exhibited in the city of New York, under the 
 above name. It was constructed of tin, with an incubating 
 chamber surrounded by water of a suitable temperature, kept 
 warm by a spirit lamp, at a cost, it is said, of less than ten cents 
 a day ! It was about two and a half feet in length and breadth, 
 
NEST BOXES. 195 
 
 and three feet high, and was said to be capable of hatching 
 five hundred chickens at a time, with a loss of only two per 
 cent, if the eggs were fresh and impregnated. I saw it in 
 operation there, with a large number of chickens just hatched 
 out. It was worth seeing, as an object of curiosity, but it was 
 not adapted to general use, as the chicks hatched in it were not 
 as hardy as those hatched under hens. Nor will any apparatus 
 be produced, in my opinion, that shall not be objectionable, on 
 account of the delicacy of the chicks produced. It will do 
 very well to read the descriptions of ingenious inventions for 
 doing away with the services of hens, as incubators, but it is 
 not for man to improve on the works of nature, as applied to 
 egg-hatching. 
 
 NEST BOXES. 
 
 The best nest boxes are those that hide the hens from sight 
 when we are passing near them. This rule applies to our com- 
 mon breeds much more than to the large Asiatic fowls, the 
 latter being more domestic in their habits, and not easily 
 frightened from their nests. 
 
 It has been recommended by experienced breeders, to con- 
 struct the boxes, so as to admit the fowls on the back sides, and 
 have lids hung on hinges on the top of the tier, to be raised 
 up to examine the nests. This plan has its advantages and 
 disadvantages. It affords a quiet retreat for the fowls, but does 
 not allow the breeder to see at a glance whether all is right 
 therein, as he should be able to see, when his hens are incu- 
 bating. It sometimes happens that two fowls crowd into one 
 nest by mistake, and if it be the nest of a sitting hen, serious 
 results often happen in the destruction of eggs, as I have before 
 stated. Again, it is a question whether permanent or moveable 
 boxes are best. I use both kinds, but give the preference to the 
 latter the moveable ones. For the large breeds, I construct 
 them fifteen inches in diameter, each way, and from eight to 
 twelve inches high, with the fronts sawed out obliquely from 
 each upper corner, towards the centre down within six inches 
 of the bottom ; thus affording ingress without obliging the hens 
 to hop down, which our large breeds cannot do without danger 
 of breaking the eggs. Furthermore, some of them cannot get 
 into a nest one foot high, without considerable effort at flying 
 up, when a common, native hen would hop up with the great-] 
 
19G DURATION OF IMPREGNATION. 
 
 For our common, native hens, I make the boxes about one 
 foot square, both in diameter and height. 
 
 I place my boxes six to eight feet apart, but one must have 
 a commodious fowl house to allow so much space, if he keeps 
 a large number of fowls. I have several yards and houses, one 
 for each breed. 
 
 NUMBER OF HENS TO A COCK. 
 
 The general rule is to allow about ten hens to one cock, yet 
 more hens may sometimes be allowed with safety, when we are 
 not particularly anxious that every egg should be impregnated. 
 In breeding very valuable fowls, fewer pullets to each male, 
 is the safer way. I have at present four Brahma Pootra (I 
 generally call them Brahma fowls, for convenience, and I find 
 that the public prefer this shorter name,) roosters to twenty 
 pullets, but I find them rather too amorous, and I shall have to 
 take away one or two of them. 
 
 DURATION OF IMPREGNATION. 
 
 This is a very important question to the breeder, and as it is 
 not always convenient to keep each breed separate in the fall 
 and winter, when the hens are not laying, the question is, how 
 long can we allow our fowls to run together promiscuously in 
 the non-breeding season, with safety ? 
 
 It is the opinion of many experienced breeders, that an 
 impregnation lasts no longer than during the period of laying 
 one single litter of eggs, and that if a hen be removed at the 
 expiration of laying her litter, and placed with a cock of her 
 own pure blood, that the chicks produced thereafter will have 
 no impure trace, though the hen previously ran with an impure 
 cock. I do not admit that this is true, but I am convinced 
 that some trace of impurity will extend to the second and third 
 litter after that laid from connection with an impure blooded 
 cock. 
 
 Last season I received a trio of Guelderland fowls from G. 
 H. Bacheler, Esq., of Lynn, Mass., one cock and two pullets. 
 He informed me that the pullets had run with cocks of other 
 breeds, and added, that a few of their first eggs would probably 
 be a little impure ; but I found that a trace of impurity ran in 
 their eggs through two litters at least. 
 
TO PRESERVE EGGS. 197 
 
 The best way is, undoubtedly, to be able to keep the different 
 breeds distinct and separate the entire year ; but when this is 
 not done, they must be separated before any manifestations of 
 intimacy between cocks and pullets takes place. 
 
 LONGEVITY OF FOWLS. 
 
 A dunghill fowl will live, with good care, in some cases, from 
 ten to fifteen years ; but we should not allow them to live 
 beyond the third or fourth year, unless it be some valuable 
 breed, that may still be of service to us. A hen is in her prime 
 the first and second years. They are better layers the first year 
 after maturity, and better sitters thereafter, as a general rule. 
 In keeping our common varieties, it is best to keep none over 
 three years from the egg. 
 
 COCKS NOT NECESSARY TO PRODUCE EGGS. 
 
 It is the opinion of many people that hens will not lay as 
 many eggs in a season when no cock is allowed to run with 
 them, but this is not so. I kept two hundred hens on Long 
 Island, some years ago, during o-ne year, without any cocks, as 
 an experiment, and I found no difference in the number of 
 eggs produced at all, nor in the desire of the hens to incubate. 
 It is said that eggs produced without impregnation, will keep 
 good much longer than those that are impregnated. This sub- 
 ject is worthy the consideration of those who furnish eggs in 
 large quantities. 
 
 TO PRESERVE EGGS. 
 
 Perhaps no subject is more veiled in uncertainty, and in an 
 absence of any method or recipe that can be relied on, than 
 the preservation of eggs the entire year, so that they shall be 
 equally good as those fresh laid. 
 
 Many recipes are given from year to year, that claim to be 
 effectual in producing such a result, but it is not in the power 
 of man to preserve an egg, even six months, and have the same 
 fine, fresh flavor, that a new laid egg possesses. This I consider 
 a settled point, and the question then arises, what is the best 
 way to preserve eggs the longest possible time, and have them 
 in a good condition for use ? 
 
198 TO PRESERVE EGGS. 
 
 The general practice in preserving eggs, has been to useliino 
 ami salt as the principal ingredients, and I believe that nothing 
 else exists that is better than these two articles. An egg can 
 be kept fresh but a short time, if exposed to the air, even in 
 the least degree ; hence, no method of preservation is of value, 
 that does riot wholly exclude the atmosphere, and prevent the 
 natural evaporation of the contents of the egg. l)r. Bennett 
 says in the " Poultry Book : " 
 
 Eggs, after being laid, lose daily by transpiration, a portion of the 
 matter which they contain, notwithstanding the compact texture of 
 their shell, and of the close tissue of the flexible membranes lining the 
 shell, and enveloping the white. When an egg is fresh, it is prover- 
 bially full, without any vacancy ; and this is matter of common 
 observation, whether it be broken raw, or when it is either soft or 
 hard boiled. But in all stale eggs, on the contrary, there is uniformly 
 more or less vacancy, in proportion to the loss they have sustained by 
 transpiration; and hence, in order to judge of the freshness of au 
 egg, it is usual to hold it up to the Irght, when the translucency of 
 the shell makes it appear whether or not there be any vacancy in' the 
 upper portion, as well as whether the yolk and white are mingled and 
 muddy, by the rotting and biirsting of their enveloping membranes. 
 
 The transpiration of eggs, besides, is proportional to the tempera- 
 ture in which they may be placed cold retarding, and heat promot- 
 ing the process; and hence, by keeping fresh laid eggs in a cool 
 cellar, or better still, in an ice-house, they will transpire less, and be 
 preserved for a longer period swind, than if they are kept in a warm 
 place, or exposed to the sun's light, which has also a great effect in 
 promoting the exhalation of moisture. As therefore, fermentation 
 and putridity can only take place by communication with the air, at 
 a moderate temperature, some means must be devised to exclude such 
 connection, by closing the pores of the shell. 
 
 The following items are selected from various sources, not 
 now known particularly ; nor is it of much consequence, as I 
 shall not consider that I do any great injustice to any one by 
 failing to give the original source of them. Thes-e, as well 
 as hundreds of other items, have been the rounds of the papers 
 till their paternity is lost; yet they are just as valuable, so 
 long as they give the result of experience, and state facts, as if 
 I were to receive them direct from the Queen of England, who 
 is one of the most extensive fowl fanciers of that kingdom : 
 
 O 
 
 PICKLING EGGS. In England, at the season of the year when the 
 stock of eggs is plentiful, they cause some four or six do/en to be 
 boiled in a capacious saucepan, until they become quite hard. They 
 then, after removing the shells, lay them, carefully in large mouthed 
 jars, and pour over them scalding vinegar, well seasoned with whole 
 
TO PRESERVE EGGS. 199 
 
 pepper, allspice, ginger, and a few cloves or garlic. Then, when 
 cold, bung them down close. In a month they will be fit for use. 
 Where eggs are plentiful, the above pickle is by no means expensive, 
 and as an acetic accompaniment to cold meat, it cannot be outrivalled 
 for piquancy and gout by the generality of pickles made in this 
 country. 
 
 The above is doubtless a very good method of pickling eggs ; but 
 for our part, we prefer putting them down in salt, after dipping them 
 in whitewash. 
 
 To PICKLE EGGS. Any that are left from market, and not wanted 
 for immediate use, make a nice and very pretty pickle to garnish cold 
 meat with. Boil them until quite hard, take off the shells, put them 
 carefully in large mouthed jars, and cover them with cold vinegar, 
 and they will keep well for several months. If white wine vinegar 
 is used, they will retain their whiteness ; they may be made a beau- 
 tiful yellow, and the flavor improved, by the addition of yellow 
 mustard, powdered, or a fine red, by using vinegar in which beets 
 have been kept. 
 
 To PRESERVE EGGS. A pint of lime and a pint of salt, mixed with 
 a pail of water, will preserve eggs for any reasonable time. My wife 
 read it in an old almanac, and tried it last year ; the eggs were as 
 fresh at the end of six months as if righWrom the nest. 
 
 PRESERVING EGGS. Some years ago I visited a friend who lived upon 
 a large farm near the northern boundary of Pennsylvania, and, as it 
 was late in the autumn, expressed surprise at the liberal supply of 
 eggs served up at every meal, in cakes, puddings, <fcc. The lady told 
 me it was all due to the little girls ! As soon as the hens began to 
 lay in the spring, they gathered the eggs, and covered each one with 
 a coating of lard or other soft grease, and then laid them, with the 
 small end downwards, in regular piles on the cellar floor, or packed 
 them in earthen jars, which were then filled with melted fat (not hot,) 
 this kept out the air ; and these always afforded plenty for use 
 during the whole year, besides those taken fresh from the nests, and 
 sent to market This grease or lard can be purified afterwards, so as 
 to answer for soap, by washing in hot water, and straining through a 
 cloth, then put away to cool. Packed in this way, I have known 
 eggs sent to China, and have been assured by those who took them, 
 that they were as good when they reached Canton, as when they 
 left Xew York. Quite too fresh for the subjects of the "Brother of 
 the Moon," the mighty ruler of the Celestial Empire, who never think 
 an esrg fit to be eaten until it has smell enough to disgust a school-boy. 
 Another way of keeping eggs is, to pack in jars, and pour lime water 
 over them, which keeps the air out, and does not injure them; for 
 everybody knows that egg-shells are composed of lime. I know a 
 lady" who allowed her children to build a wall of eggs against the 
 cellar wall, by placing them in a bed of slacked lime, kept in its place 
 by a board in front, and one at each end, which were taken away 
 when the wall was finished ; in this way they kept perfectly well for 
 several months. But behold 1 when they wanted to use the eggs, 
 
200 PROPER FOOD FOR FOWLS. 
 
 they found the lime had harden-ed, ami was so incorporated with the 
 shells, that they were obliged to break the lime with a hatchet, which 
 demolished the wall and eggs at the same time ! 
 
 For many years the following compound has been recom- 
 mended, with slight variations, until every man, woman and 
 child in the land has probably read, or heard of it : 
 
 " To a bushel of quick lime, add two or three pounds of 
 salt, and half a pound of cream of tartar." Water is added, 
 of course, to make a thick pickle, into which the eggs are 
 placed. The provision dealers of New York, formerly laid 
 down large quantities of eggs in this way, but many were lost. 
 I have seen hogsheads filled with eggs, and covered with this 
 compound, and sometimes not one in five can be used, when 
 kept nine or ten mouths. 
 
 I have had better success with common fine salt alone. I 
 take a clean tub or barrel, and put in a layer of salt, so that 
 the eggs may be set up on their small ends, and after covering 
 the surface with a compact tier, thus set, I put in more salt, 
 and proceed as before, ad cover the last tier with a solid coat 
 of salt an inch thick, well packed down, then I tie two or 
 three large newspapers over the top, then put on the lid, and 
 the eggs keep six months in very good condition. 
 
 PROPER FOOD FOR FOWLS. 
 
 The principle food for fowls should be Indian corn,, in some 
 shape, sometimes whole, sometimes cracked, sometimes ground 
 to meal, and occasionally ground with the cob. Then you 
 want oats, buckwheat, and any other grain you please, but tho 
 three kinds here named constitute a good supply for the exten- 
 sive breeder. Besides the above grains, you should be prepared 
 to furnish a mess of boiled potatoes, or other vegetables, several 
 times a week, and mixed with meal of some kind ; and be 
 careful to change the diet of your fowls often. In the laying 
 season, a solid feed of shelled corn, fed profusely, is too heating, 
 and boiled potatoes, when fed to excess, are too laxative. The 
 careful breeder will always guard against these results, by 
 watching the condition of his fowls. If laxative, a change of 
 food is to be given at once, of a more solid nature. A little 
 rye or wheat is an excellent change in such cases. If costive, 
 a boiled mash of potatoes will generally be a remedy. 
 
PROPER FOOD FOR FOWLS. 201 
 
 What food will cause hens to. lay the most eggs, is a ques- 
 tion that will never be decided. Some say, feed oats ; others, 
 buckwheat, &c. ; but it is a judicious rotation of feeding that 
 produces the best results, in my opinion. No one kind of food 
 will make hens lay well, unless they are provided with the 
 requisite concomitants, such as fresh meat, fat, charcoal, and 
 calcareous matter, to assist nature in forming the shell of the 
 egg, all of which is found in a wide range, without our especial 
 attention, or at least enough to cause a hen to lay her maximum 
 number of eggs. 
 
 Broom-corn seed is a good grain to feed to fowls. They will 
 not eat it in its whole state, with that avidity that they will eat 
 other grains ; but the grower of broom-corn can, by grinding, 
 turn this seed to a good account, in feeding it to his poultry. 
 
 Sun-flower-seeds have been highly recommended as food for 
 fowls. I have fed them, but have not seen any particular ben- 
 efit from their use. Fowls require grass to eat to a certain 
 extent, and they should never be confined where they cannot 
 have access to it, and if they are confined so as not to be able 
 to obtain a supply of bugs and worms, a little flesh of some 
 kind is absolutely necessary to their productiveness. As to 
 burnt bones, mortar, pounded oyster shells, charcoal, <fcc., no 
 one should think of keeping a large number of fowls, or even 
 any number, without furnishing a supply of these things, unless 
 his fowls have a very extensive range ; and even in that case, it 
 would be to his interest to provide them. Nolan makes the 
 following remarks in his work on fowls : 
 
 Nothing is easier kept than fowls. They obtain their living pro- 
 miscuously, and pick up everything that can be made use of as food, 
 in the farm-yard ; even the worms give them most nutritious food 
 and since the blight has proved so destructive to the potatoe crop, it 
 has been satisfactorily proved, there is no substitute for it, as a feeder 
 or fattener of poultry, or a promoter of laying. If the potatoes are 
 broken, and if a little corn be added, they will be the more palata- 
 ble ; the more varied the food, the better ; boiled carrots, turneps, 
 parsneps, Jerusalem artichokes, or other roots, boiled and mashed 
 with bran, form a healthful variety. As to green food, they are par- 
 tial to lettuce, endive, cabbage, spinach, radish, turnep, mangel- 
 wurtzel, chickweed, grass seeds, <fcc. ; and if insectivorous food is 
 wished for, there is nothing more easily procured, at almost any 
 season, by procuring a deep crock, into which put some bran, and on 
 it lay a piece of carrion, or other flesh, cover it with a glass cap so as 
 to admit the light, but exclude the rain ; in a few days it will be a 
 moving mass of living insects, which you can throw out to your 
 poultry ; there is nothing they will so greedily devour ; they should 
 9* 
 
202 PROPER FOOD FOR FOWLS. 
 
 be sparingly given, as the fowls are so fond of them, that if given 
 abundantly, it will prevent them taking their usual food. 
 
 I have experimented to a considerable extent to ascertain the 
 quantity of grain a given number of fowls will consume in a 
 year, when no other food is furnished. The result is, that one 
 half bushel of corn, and the same of oats, or their equivalent 
 in other grains, will keep each fowl in good condition. I now 
 refer to our common breeds. Probably some of the large 
 breeds will require more ; but I have found that some particular 
 breeds, the Brahmas for instance, consume so much grass in its 
 season, that the same food that is necessary for one of our com- 
 mon native fowls, is sufficient for one of that breed. The cost of 
 keeping each fowl, according to my experience, is from fifty to 
 sixty cents a year, according to the price of grain in this vicinity. 
 At the West, it would not be over twenty-five cents in many 
 places. One gill a day for each fowl, is as much as they will 
 consume, under ordinary circumstances. There are two hun- 
 dred and fifty-six gills in a bushel, consequently this estimate 
 falls short of the previous one, of a bushel to each fowl ; but 
 allowing for some imperfect grain, and some wastage, we can 
 safely put the quantity at one bushel per head, if fed on corn 
 and oats chiefly. If fed on other, and more nutritious grains, 
 such as wheat and barley, they would not consume quite so 
 much in quantity, but the cost would be the same. Mr. 
 Bement, in his work entitled " The American Poulterer 's Com- 
 panion? gives the result of an experiment that substantiates 
 my estimate. He says : 
 
 I was curious to ascertain the quantity of each sort of grain which 
 a given number of fowls, when abundantly supplied, would consume, 
 and for that purpose, I confined one cock and seven hens of the Poland 
 variety. The first feed I gave them was one peck of Indian corn, 
 which they consumed in eleven days. I then fed them one peck of 
 oats, which they ate in six days. The next feed was the same quan- 
 tity of barley, which lasted them seven days. The like quantity of 
 Wheat, they consumed in ten days. The same quantity of millet 
 lasted them eight days, and the like quantity of wheat-screenings 
 they devoured in seven days. During this trial, they had no other 
 food, except a few boiled potatoes, 
 
 In the case of the feeding of a peck of corn to eight fowls, 
 which was consumed in eleven days, it was at the rate of a 
 bushel a head, per annum. Thirty- three pecks, or eight and 
 one quarter bushels, would have been required to feed these 
 fowls one year, had they eaten with the same appetite the 
 
MANNER OF FEEDING. 203 
 
 entire time ; but they would not have eaten so much after the 
 first ten or twenty days, which shows that one bushel, half 
 corn, and half oats, is a correct estimate of the quantity each 
 fowl will generally consume. We often see statements in the 
 papers that certain fowls have cost seventy, eighty, or ninety 
 cents, or even one dollar a head, per annum, for keeping ; but 
 these are cases in which their food has been purchased at high 
 rates. 
 
 MANNER OF FEEDING. 
 
 Regularity should always be observed in the hours of feed- 
 ing, also in the quantity of food given. Not surfeit them one 
 day, and starve them the next, but give the fowls their food as 
 regularly as you take your own meals. 
 
 Various inventions have been constructed to feed with facility, 
 and to lessen labor, and at the same time not expose the grain 
 to the depredations of vermin. I will endeavor to describe one 
 of the best and only plan I can recommend. 
 
 In the first place, a square box is made, say eighteen inches 
 square, and one foot high, with a lid hung on hinges. This 
 box is set on legs like those of a plain table, one at each corner. 
 Within the space between the legs, a hopper some two feet long 
 is placed, which connects with the box above, which 'box has 
 no bottom, observe. The hopper is made to converge on each 
 side to a point at the bottom, in which is a hole about an inch 
 in diameter, to allow the grain to pass out into a receiver under, 
 and joining to the said hopper, and some eight inches from the 
 ground. The receiver is of the shape of an inverted hopper, 
 but much more depressed, or its cone being formed by a much 
 more acute angle than the hopper above. On each side of this 
 receiver is a trap door, which is made to open when the fowl 
 hops upon a little ladder that projects from under the receiver, 
 and which is so arranged that the weight of the fowl on the 
 ladder raises the lid to the receiver, and exposes the grain. 
 The fowl eats as much as she desires, hops down, and the lid 
 closes. The fowls have to be trained to feed from these 
 receivers a few days, with the lids open, and fastened up. 
 
 The above described feeder was originally introduced in the 
 "Transactions of the Highland Society," of Scotland, from 
 which I make the following extract : 
 
 It can be made to contain any quantity of grain required, and none 
 
204 MANNER OF FEEDING. 
 
 wasted. "When once filled, it requires no more trouble, as the grain 
 falls into the receiver below as the fowls pick it away ; and the covers 
 on that, which are opened by the perches, (the principles of which 
 we do not understand,) and the cover on the top, protect the grain 
 from rain, so that the fowls always get it quite dry ; and as nothing 
 less than the weight of a hen on the perch can lift the cover on the 
 lower receiver, rats and mice (which are very troublesome when 
 grain is fed in the ordinary way,) are excluded. It is astonishing, too, 
 with what facility the fowls learn to leap upon the perches, and so 
 open the cover of the receiver, which presents the gram to their view 
 and within their reach. On their leaving the perch or platform, the 
 door, either by a spring or weight, closes at once. 
 
 It is barely possible that the reader will fully understand the 
 exact manner in which this feeder is made, in the absence of a 
 cut, which I omitted to procure, in consequence of the great 
 and unusual number of other engravings that I have had 
 executed for this work. 
 
 The principle by which the weight of the fowl is made to 
 open the lids to the receiver, was not fully explained, but the 
 genius of our people will soon find a way to etfect that object. 
 
 Mr. Bement constructed one differing somewhat from that 
 spoken of by the Highland Society, which he thus describes : 
 
 This feeding hopper is four-square, two feet each way posts eighteen 
 inches long and two inches square. The upper section of the box is 
 six inches deep, and the sides are morticed into or nailed to the posts. 
 From the bottom of this square, the slanting part or tunnel reaches 
 to within half an inch of the floor, which should be six inches from 
 the ground ; the tunnel tap'ers from two to one feet ; and in order to 
 bring the grain within reach of the fowls, a cone is placed in the 
 centre, as much smaller than the hopper as to leave half an inch 
 space all around, which conducts the grain to the edge, where, as the 
 fowls pick the g^rain away, more will fail, and keep a constant supply 
 as long as any is left in the hopper. The slats on the sides prevent 
 the fowls from getting in or crowding one another. This fountain 
 will hold two bushels or more of grain, and protects it from wet, and 
 in a measure from rats. It occupies but little room, and from sixteen 
 to twenty fowls can feed at the same time. 
 
 To protect the grain more effectually from rats and mice, we would 
 suggest that the posts be made some two feet longer, and a platform 
 of boards about one foot wide, placed round, and fitted close up to 
 the bottom, so that mice cannot climb up the posts and get in. This 
 platform will be necessary for them to stand on when eating. 
 
 All matter pertaining to the feeding of fowls, I consider very 
 important, and I think that I cannot better serve the interests 
 of my readers, than by making copious extracts of interesting 
 matter. The following are selections from the journals of the 
 day : 
 
MANNER OF FEEDING. 205 
 
 There was an article in the Pittsfield Culturist, in which the writer 
 attributes the loss of fowls to their eating the seeds of pumpkins. 
 The idea that they are injurious, and that fowls will not eat them, 1 
 am aware is quite common ; but for years the reverse has been true 
 with us. They have eaten a large proportion of the seeds that were 
 scattered in feeding pumpkins to cows, and chopping or breaking 
 them to boil as food for hogs, though the fowls were fed daily with 
 some kind of grain. Having a larger number of fowls and a less 
 quantity of feed this season than usual, some pains were taken, k. 
 cutting up pumpkins, to shake out, and scatter most of the seeds on 
 the ground, expressly for the hens. When boiling for hogs, nearly a, 
 load of pumpkins were broken up during the day ; and days we did 
 not boil, pumpkins were broken open to supply them with seeds. In 
 this way some sixty or seventy hens have disposed of a large propor- 
 tion of the seeds of twenty-five loads of pumpkins, (two horse wagon 
 loads.) I have not seen any bad effects from their eating them, either 
 this or former seasons. On the contrary, they have done well on 
 them have become fat. Now if I were possessed of any of the 
 popular breeds of fowls, valued from $80 to $100 per pair, I might 
 hesitate in feeding them with pumpkin seeds ; but with our common 
 fowls, I should as soon hesitate in feeding corn, from fear of any 
 injurious effects that might follow. Selected. 
 
 We have had some little experience in the ' henery,' and have 
 found a great secret in getting a supply of eggs through the whole 
 season, but not in driving the hens up hill, nor in feeding them 
 exclusively on gravel, nor in supplying them with chalk nest-eggs. 
 The whole secret consists in giving them plenty of food, as the chicken's 
 mill is very convenient. For six or eight months in the year, the 
 chickens will supply themselves with animal food, in the shape of 
 insects, but the rest of the time feed them regularly with flesh as well 
 as corn. Boiled potatoes are an excellent food for fowls, but with it 
 they want grain of some kind, and flesh also. In our long hot sum- 
 mers, poultry are inclined to become lousy ; but if clean, good ashes, 
 are placed convenient to the hen-house, the hens will dust themselves 
 in them until the vermin disappear. Nature is their teacher, and here 
 is the unerring guide. A good shelter should be provided for the 
 chickens to roost under. The manure of chickens, properly saved, 
 will repay all expenses of feeding. It is a great error to crowd too 
 many chickens together. Selected. 
 
 As I have had three years' experience, with some twelve different 
 breeds, I will give you my views in this matter. It depends upon the 
 breeds, I think, as to the manner of feeding. All of the Asiatic 
 breeds, I feed in this wise: I make three boxes that will hold half a 
 peck of corn, each. I fill one with corn, another with buckwheat, 
 and set them all before them at once, and am careful not to let either 
 get empty. I feed all of the large breeds in this way. Once a week 
 in winter, I put into the coop a cabbage or two, to six or eight fowls. 
 
 My smaller breeds I feed in winter only on one kind of grain, but 
 keep it before them, such as the golden and silver Pheasants and Ban- 
 tams, as these will not lay in the coldest months, at any rate as far 
 
206 MANNER OF FEEDING. 
 
 as my experience goes, even if fed upon all sorts of grain. All fowls 
 should be placed so as to have the sun and come to the ground ; also 
 ehould have a box of ashes set so as the sun will shine upon it, and 
 they will wallow in it more freely. If they have plenty of gravel, 
 they will not become too fat, or oyster shells, or burnt bones, pounded 
 line. I am satisfied that this is the cheapest way of keeping these 
 breed:?. Geese do not require to be kept in this way, as they will be 
 healthy if not fed so high. Selected. 
 
 Richardson, the English author, observes : 
 
 " You must separate the two classes of fowls, layers and fatteners, 
 at all events at feeding time. Make some separate provision for your 
 cocks ; if they are only fed in company with the hens, they are apt 
 to think too much of their mistresses, and to neglect their own appe- 
 tites ; and recollect, that to have strong chickens, you must have a 
 strong cock, which an ill-fed bird cannot be expected to prove. You 
 should also make separate provision for such fowls as are bullied or 
 oppressed by the rest. Fowls are much given to jealousy the cock's 
 favor is sometimes the cause of this, but by no means invariably so; 
 and, indeed, the cause is not at all times to be ascertained ; however 
 obscure the cause, it is incumbent on the poultry fancier to prevent 
 the effect, by adopting the separative system at the times indicated. 
 
 In such an occurrence, which is easily recognizable by the cock's 
 continually running at that particular bird, to the neglect, or .com- 
 parative neglect, of the others, it is best to remove the favorite at once ; 
 if not, quarrels will ensue ; this hen will nearly always be made a 
 victim, and in many cases the quarrels on her account will give rise 
 to other and more general affrays. On such occasions, the cock 
 usually interferes, and endeavors to establish peace ; he almost inva- 
 riably does so when the contest is carried on per duello ; when, how- 
 ever, a number of his mistresses fall upon one, his interference is of 
 little avail ; and, as if he were conscious of this, in such cases he 
 usually leaves the poor favorite to her fate. I would not be so minute, 
 but that I feel that these remarks, the result of long observation, will 
 interest the naturalist as well as the mere poultry fancier. I have 
 also known a cock to take a dislike to a particular hen ; and, in one 
 instance, he did not desist from his persecution till the poor thing 
 died. This is a much more rare case than the preceding, and I have 
 no doubt of its cause ; it is this when a vigorous, healthy cock, is 
 mated with very feio hens, he is very persevering in his attentions to 
 them ; when hens are in moult, they will not accept of any such. In 
 most instances of this kind, I have found the hen thus victimized by 
 her lord, to have been moulting, and to have incurred his hatred by 
 a refusal of conjugal rights. The cock will sometimes fall upon a hen 
 newly introduced into your yard, especially if of a different color 
 from his other mates. This recently occurred amongst my -own fowls, 
 they being chiefly black Spanish, and the new hen, a yellow Ham- 
 burgh. I tried the experiment of coloring the latter black; the cock 
 no longer beat her, and he did not seem to notice the subsequent 
 gradual renewal of the yellow, as the black wore off. 
 
FATTENING FOWLS. 207 
 
 Mr. Mellendy, the extensive fowl breeder, of Mount Healthy, 
 Ohio, writes me : 
 
 I feed my old fowls, corn, wheat, oats, barley, and broom-corn seed. 
 I feed them but once a day. I give them all they can eat of the 
 grain. I have in boxes in each department, old mortar, oyster shells, 
 bones and sand. I water twice a day in. summer, and once in winter. 
 I give them cabbage, lettuce, and grass, twice a week. In winter, I 
 feed once a week on red pepper. Fowls fed in this way, will lay, if 
 they are of the right breed. 
 
 Mr. Miner, The following method will be found a good one. Once 
 a clay in summer, feed on a mixture of corn and barley, or corn and 
 oat?. This will be sufficient, if your fowls have a large enclosure 
 where they can obtain gravel, insects, worms, and green food. If they 
 are confined to a small space, these substances must be supplied them, 
 liberally. In winter, keep corn, mixed sometimes with barley, and 
 sometimes with oats, constantly before them, as well as pounded 
 oyster shells, burnt bones, and a plenty of gravel. Occasionally, give 
 boiled potatoes, mashed, and mixed with Indian meal, or bran warm, 
 but not hot. Twice or three times a week, give them scraps from the 
 tallow chandler's, or fresh meat. Let them have wood ashes to dust 
 themselves in, and an abundance of .clean water, fresh every day ; in 
 freezing weather, the water should be warmed. Chickens require no 
 food for the first twenty-four hours after they are hatched ; I have, 
 however, been in the habit of giving them water in about twelve 
 hours from the time they leave the shell. After the first twenty-four 
 hours, for about two months, I give them coarse meal, or cracked 
 corn, moistened a very little, and sometimes dry, three or four times 
 a day; occasionally vary their food, by giving sometimes cooked 
 meat, chopped fine, and sometimes crumbs of bread. I also prefer to 
 feed damaged wheat, that is to say, wheat that has grown. This can 
 often be procured at low rates, and is the very best of food for fowls. 
 An abundance of clean water should be constantly before them. It 
 will not answer to feed fowls wholly upon any one variety of food. 
 Fowls require a mixture of green food with hard food, fully as much 
 ns horses o-r cattle do. When fowls have sufficient range, they will 
 find this for themselves in summer ; when they do not possess such on 
 advantage, you must provide green food for them. 
 
 A. A. HUDSOX. 
 
 FATTENING FOWLS. 
 
 The process of fattening fowls should be a speedy one. Two 
 weeks is about the extent of time that they should be cooped, 
 in my opinion. They should be kept in a place where, there is 
 but little light just enough to allow them to eat and drink 
 by which they remain quiet, and take on fat rapidly. They 
 should be supplied with pounded charcoal and gravel. Some 
 
208 MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHICKENS. 
 
 people confine their fowls in close quarters to fatten, and even 
 tie their feet fast to the floor of their coop. Hear what this 
 cruel fellow did, clipped from an agricultural paper : 
 
 I had a box made and divided into three parts, eight inches by four- 
 teen, just large enough to admit one fowl to each division. It was 
 made tight enough to exclude the light of day, mostly, yet I left 
 openings enough for fresh air. I then placed two roosters and one hen 
 turkey in the box, (one fowl fn each division,) confining their feet to 
 the floor, so that they could not move from the position in which I 
 placed them. The front of the box I hung on hinges, for convenience 
 of feeding, <fcc. 
 
 Most people have noticed that at sunrise and sunset, all kinds of 
 poultry eat voraciously, and I supposed that if they were kept in the 
 dark, (at which time of quiet all animals fatten most,) and the sun- 
 light admitted several times during the day, and fed at that time, they 
 might be induced to take on fat rapidly, and in this I was not disap- 
 pointed. I fed them with rice boiled in milk, and sweetened with 
 molasses, giving them water to drink but once during their confine- 
 ment, and at the end of sixteen days I killed them. Handsomer and 
 fatter birds I never saw. By some such method as this, I have no 
 doubt that the income of farmers from this source, might be greatly 
 augmented. A series of well-conducted experiments of this kind 
 might be of benefit to your readers, and the public generally. "Who 
 will undertake it? 
 
 For fattening, corn is the best food that can be procured. If 
 it is cracked in a mill, and moistened with water, it is consid- 
 ered by many as preferable to the whole grain. 
 
 The system of the forcible cramming of fowls, is barbarous, 
 and unworthy of honorable notice. If a fowl will not fatten 
 by natural means, sufficient to satisfy the gormandizing pro- 
 pensities of epicures, then, I say, let them go without poultry. 
 
 MANAGEMENT OF YOUNO CHICKENS. 
 
 It sometimes happens that the confined chick is unable to 
 break the shell of the egg at the proper time, owing to weak- 
 ness, or to the unusual thickness and strength of the shell. In 
 such cases, no aid can be rendered that will save the life of the 
 chick as a general rule. I have heard the little laborers peck- 
 ing faithfully for a half a day, or more, when I have carefully 
 broken the shells of the eggs, but in most cases, the chicks 
 died, sooner or later, some living several days. In other 
 cases, they are able to break the shell, but go no further, and 
 soon die, unless relieved. This is a very precarious duty, and 
 
GAPES IN CHICKEN8. 209 
 
 should be delayed ten or twelve hours, at least, after the shell is 
 " pipped," as it is termed, and then operate with a very careful 
 hand, and avoid the breaking of the blood vessels, and if the 
 egg is not wholly absorbed by the chick, you should not liberate 
 it entirely until that is effected. 
 
 The most natural, and the most healthy food for chicks, 
 during the first few days of their existence, is boiled eggs, 
 which may, if you please, be mixed with bread soaked in 
 milk, or pounded crackers. This food is only recommended 
 in rearing the most valuable breeds. Our common breeds can 
 hardly expect such dainty fare. During the first twenty-four 
 hours, they require no food whatever, and the less they are 
 disturbed, the better. 
 
 After chicks are a week old, they may eat a variety of food 
 with safety, but avoid fine Indian meal, unless it be mixed with 
 some lighter food, as it will bake or harden in their crops, and 
 kill them. Wheat screenings, buckwheat, wheat, and barley, 
 are excellent food. Rye is not good ; it is astringent. Indian 
 meal and bran, mixed, are good, but not recommended as a 
 constant feed. Various other things m-ay be fed to advantage, 
 such as sour milk, boiled potatoes mixed with meal, &c., that 
 the breeder's own good judgment will dictate. Mr. P. Melendy 
 writes me as follows : 
 
 : For the first two weeks after the chicks are hatched, I feed corn 
 ground in a coffee mill. I grind it very coarse. I also give them 
 hard boiled eggs, and plenty of clean water, and thick milk. I then 
 feed on corn, as above, and whole wheat 
 
 GAPE S IN CHIC KENS. 
 
 The following communications to the Northern Farmer are 
 valuable, and throw much light on this subject : 
 
 GAPES IN CHICKENS. I have tried nearly all the various remedies 
 going the rounds in the various papers of the day, for gapes in 
 chickens, such as sulphur, soap, pepper, spirits of turpentine, and 
 various other remedies too numerous to mention, without any bene- 
 ficial results ; and why ? because any of these medicines, either given 
 or fed to them in their food, can never reach or remove the cause, 
 which is nothing more or less than a worm in the windpipe, where 
 none of these medicines can ever' reach them. For the last two years 
 I have tried the method of extracting these worms, (which is very 
 simple, and easily done,) and have never failed in a single instance to 
 effect a cure ; the method is this : take a quill from a hen's wing, strip 
 the feather from each side to within an inch of the end, with a-pair 
 
210 GAPES IN CHICKENS. 
 
 of shears trim the remaining feathers to a point, leaving them nearly 
 half an inch wide in the widest place ; then, holding the chicken's 
 legs between the knees, with one hand hold the chicken's head and 
 neck in a perpendicular direction, holding the mouth open with the 
 thumb and finger, with the other hand insert the feather into the 
 windpipe, the opening of which will be readily seen on the roots of 
 the tongue, and which the chicken will open in the act of breathing, 
 push it down gently as far as it will go, and twisting it round, pull it 
 out, which will either bring out the worms, or loosen them so that 
 the chicken will cough them up. In some cases it may be necessary 
 to repeat the operation, in order to effect a cure. In one instance I 
 extracted twenty-four worms from the windpipe of one chicken, none 
 of which were less than an inch long, and by only two insertions of 
 the feather. The chicken to all appearance was nearly dead before it 
 was operated upon, and in less than an hour after, it appeared and 
 eat as well any chicken I had. I presume I have saved more than 
 a hundred chickens by this simple process. 
 
 H. V. N. DIMMICK. 
 
 MR. MINER Dear Sir : For the benefit of all the subscribers to the 
 Northern Farmer, and fowl fanciers, I would say, that onions are a 
 sure cure for the gapes in chickens, and if fed on them daily, they will 
 not have any disease whatever. They do not like them at first, but 
 will soon be very fond of them. I bought one last summer, and found 
 after I had put it with my other fowls, that it had got the pip, as we 
 call it here, and in one week all of my chickens had this disease the 
 very worst kind. I gave them lard and Cayenne pepper, equal parts, 
 once a day, and fed them daily on onions, and in one week they were 
 as well as ever. ****** 
 
 Norwich, Conn. 
 
 GAPES IN CHICKENS, LICE, AND ROUP. For the benefit of all the 
 subscribers to the Northern Farmer; and those that are in the poultry 
 business, I would say that spirits of turpentine is a sure cure for gapes 
 in chickens, also the roup, if taken in season. I have tried it for the 
 last six months, with pleasing success in all cases when taken in 
 season. In the first stages, it should be given two or three times a 
 day with care. 
 
 Those that use grease to kill lice on chickens, must be careful and 
 not use too much, as too much is sure to kill lice, chickens and all. I 
 have used spirits of turpentine mixed with alcohol and a little water, 
 with good results ; the chickens will soon dry, and be as lively as ever. 
 
 W. E. W. 
 
 GAPES. Several remedies have been given for the gapes. Salt 
 given in their water has been recommended. Spirits of turpentine, 
 mixed with rice, has also been used with success. The generality of 
 breeders agree that the gapes are produced by the fascicola, a para- 
 sitic worm in the windpipe, which may be removed by the introduc- 
 tion into it of a small feather, without any web, except at the farther 
 end. Give the feather a few turns, and the fascicola will be either 
 dislodged, and coughed up by the chick, or brought up on the end of 
 
CHICKENS RAISED WITHOUT A MOTHER. 211 
 
 the feather. "We have tried this plan, but never found any worms. 
 Our plan is, (and we have never yet had a chicken die with the gapes,) 
 to have mother and chicks comfortably housed at sundown keep 
 their drinking water in shallow iron vessels, and give them once a 
 day a little ground Cayenne pepper mixed with corn meal. In the 
 morning, they are permitted to run at large as early as their inclina- 
 tion prompts them, Pa. Farm Journal. 
 
 GAPES IN CHICKENS. I have lost a great many chickens by this 
 disease. I have tried all the remedies that have been published, and 
 killed more than I cured, and I am convinced that all you give the 
 chick will do no good. I have cut open the windpipes of more than 
 fifty, and find a small, red worm there, some half an inch long. Kow 
 all that is given to the chick, goes down the throat, and not where the 
 worm is. I have saved more by the following plan, than by any 
 other way: 
 
 Take tobacco stems, and put them into a tin or iron vessel. Put in 
 a few shavings, and set them on fire, with the tobacco. Take the 
 chick and hold it over the smoke till it stops gaping. Take it away 
 two or three times a minute, to get breath. The smoke that is inhaled 
 in the windpipe, suffocates the worm, and causes the chick to sneeze 
 and cough it up. Repeat every two days. There is a black worm that 
 I sometimes find, which is sure to kill the chick. There is no remedy 
 for them. 
 
 P. MELENDY. 
 
 LICE ON CHICKENS. 
 
 A little lamp oil, put on the heads and under the wings of 
 chickens, I have always found to be a certain remedy for lice. 
 Tobacco juice is also a good remedy. Lard rubbed on their 
 heads, and under their wings, is said to be a good remedy. 
 The above three articles are considered so effectual, that nothing 
 further need be said. The oil is the best, I think. 
 
 CHICKENS RAISED WITHOUT A MOTHER. 
 
 Various plans have been adopted to rear chickens without 
 the aid of hens, and with a good degree of success. A chick 
 that is taken from the hen as soon as hatched, or within twen- 
 ty-four hours thereafter, soon forgets her, and if comfortable 
 quarters are provided, it grows up merry and contented. "Arti- 
 ficial mothers," or brooders, are frequently made of sheep-skins, 
 with the wool down, under which the chicks run at night. 
 
 I have often raised large numbers of chickens in an enclosure, 
 without any hens. My plan is to make a yard of boards, so 
 high that a chicken cannot fly over till about two or three weeks 
 
212 CHICKENS RAISED WITHOUT A MOTHER. 
 
 old. The yard to be twenty-five or thirty feet square for one 
 hundred chickens. In one corner I construct their lodgings, to 
 be well ventilated in warm weather, yet admitting no rain. 
 Around, at the sides of this little building, within, I place a 
 continuous row of sheep-skins, with the wool down, and sup- 
 ported on light framework. The distance from the floor is 
 about two inches at first, and raised, as the chickens grow, to 
 three or four inches. I am particular to afford a circulation of 
 air on all sides of the skins, and if a few air-holes be made in 
 the centres of them, the better, as chickens cannot live without 
 fresh air, at any season. The chickens being placed under 
 these skins once or twice, will retire of their own accord there- 
 after, and the animal heat generated by them in a body, keeps 
 them warm. In stormy weather, they should not be allowed 
 to leave their domicil, which should be large enough to give 
 them room to eat, &c., without being crowded. This little 
 building should be kept clean, and have ashes and lime sprinkled 
 on the floor, and the skins should be aired occasionally, and a 
 little spirits of turpentine sprinkled over the wool, would be an 
 excellent preventive of lice. 
 
 When the chicks are old enough to fly over a fence eighteen 
 inches high, (that is a suitable height,) let them do so, and 
 ramble about at pleasure, but you should have facilities for their 
 return, as they will not be so eager to fly into the yard as out 
 of it. Some logs of wood, or anything, may be placed against 
 the outside of the fence, to enable them to return with ease. 
 It is not prudent to allow them to run at large, till they can 
 fly over one or two boards. 
 
 On one occasion I had three hundred chicks hatched out 
 within the same week, or rather less time than a whole week, 
 and I placed them in a pen by the side of a potato field, into 
 which they ran when of a suitable age, and grew finely, pro- 
 curing nearly their entire support in bugs, <fec. All went on 
 remarkably well, none died of any account, and I never before 
 saw chicks grow so rapidly. When about a month old, a 
 thunder-storm came on so suddenly, that it caught them all 
 out, and the wind blew so furiously that they were bewildered, 
 and knew not what to do. I endeavored to call them in, but 
 could not ; they had taken a precarious shelter beneath the 
 potato vines, and there they were drenched for two hours. 
 Then it cleared off with a raw, cold wind, that stiffened them, 
 and more than half perished. This result, however, is no 
 
coors. 213 
 
 objection to the plan of rearing without a mother, but we 
 should never place our yards by the side of a thickly planted 
 potato-patch. It would be much better to plant two rows of 
 potatoes, and then two of corn, all running to and from the 
 yard. These avenues, afforded by the corn, would prevent such 
 fatal results as occurred in my case, by allowing the chicks to 
 return to their yard with ease. The potatoes I consider very 
 important to their growth, affording an abundance of insects 
 to feed on. 
 
 As to the economy of this plan, I am inclined to think that 
 a very large number of chickens can be raised in this manner 
 at a cheaper rate, and with less mortality, than by the ordinary 
 method. My plan, of course, was only premature adopted on 
 the spur of the occasion. A little study into the wants of large 
 numbers of chickens, to render them healthy, will suggest to 
 the careful observer, all that is wanted to render success easy 
 in the raising of chickens by the thousand, or ten thousand, if 
 desired. 
 
 COOPS. 
 
 Probably the best style of coop ever made for general use, is 
 that represented in the cut. It is old, but in my opinion, the 
 art of man can never improve on its general good qualities for 
 a cheap coop one that a boy can make as well as an architect, 
 and one that is adapted to the use of people in all circumstances 
 and conditions of life. All that is to be done to construct 
 them, is to take two pieces of a wide board, and nail them 
 together at the top, in the triangular form above shown, then 
 board up one side tight, and put slats of lath on the other side, 
 either in a perpendicular or horizontal position, and the coop is 
 done. If the slats are put on in a perpendicular position, you 
 will require a cross strip of more substantial dimensions, to nail 
 the laths to at the bottom. The position of coops of this kind 
 
214 COOP 
 
 should be with their tight sides facing the direction of the pre- 
 vailing cold winds and storms. No bottoms should be attached 
 to such coops, but the hens should be allowed to brood their 
 young upon the bare ground, unless it be in cold weather, when 
 a little hay, or other dry substance may be provided. 
 
 To prevent rats and other nocturnal depredators from gain- 
 ing an entrance, a board should be attached to the outside, 
 hung on hinges, and to be raised at night, and buttoned up ; 
 and to be let down by day, as a feeding board for the young 
 chicks to take their meals on. An easier way, is to drive down 
 a small stake at each corner of the coop, and to slide the 
 board down between the stakes and coop at evening, when the 
 brood are all in, and to raise it in the morning. A board one 
 foot wide is sufficient, as the hen and chicks will require all the 
 fresh air that can be admitted in warm weather. Some people 
 make coops of barrels, by placing them in a horizontal position, 
 with one end out, and with stakes driven down in front, to 
 correspond with the laths on the " marquee," or tent-shaped 
 coop just described. In such cases, the end of the barrel in 
 which the head is not removed, is raised a few inches to allow 
 the water that may beat in during storms, to run out at the 
 front. I have used such coops, but do not like them. They 
 afford no opportunity for hens to wallow and scratch in the 
 dirt, so congenial to their nature and health, and it often hap- 
 pens that whole broods of chickens are drowned in them, in 
 cases of severe, driving rains, when by any oversight the headed 
 end happens to be a little too low. 
 
 Perhaps, by extra pains and expense, some other styles of 
 coops may be made, equal in practical value with that shown 
 in the cut, but nothing superior to that style, can, in my 
 opinion, be constructed, hence that form is the standard for the 
 whole world, as I deem it. 
 
 There are many considerations pertaining to the care and 
 management of young chickens, that cannot be fully dwelt on 
 here, and which must receive attention according to circum- 
 stances and the good judgment of their owner. I will, how- 
 ever, try to point out those of a most prominent nature. One 
 of these considerations is, the distance coops should be set from 
 each other ; and that will depend on how many coops you have 
 in use and the entire space you have to accommodate them. 
 It often happens that chicks are killed by running into coops 
 in which they belong. The breeder can guard against such a 
 
BREEDING. 215 
 
 result, in a good measure, by placing hens of different colors 
 side by side, or by increasing the distance between coops, till 
 no danger is manifest. ' 
 
 Mr. P. Melendy, President of the Ohio State Poultry Society, 
 manages chickens as follows : 
 
 As soon as they are batched, I take them and put them in a house 
 that faces the southeast, with glass windows, so that the sun shines 
 on them in the morning on this side. I have coops there about four 
 feet square, with lattice fronts. I cover the floor with fine dry sand, 
 and a little lime. I clean it out once a week. I keep them in these 
 coops till two weeks old ; I then transfer them to my chicken yard, 
 which is adjoining to my chick house. I place the hen in a yard that 
 is tight, with the exception of the front, which is lattice work, with 
 doors to close at night and stormy weather. The coops face the 
 south. My yard is a fine grass plat; the grass is kept mown close. 
 I keep them in this yard till weaned. I then transfer to my large 
 yard. 
 
 BREEDIN G . 
 
 The fundamental principle of breeding is, " like produces 
 like" but still, this is not an unerring one. For instance, we 
 may breed from any pure stock of fowls, and occasionally an 
 extra fine specimen will appear, and by breeding such specimens, 
 or pairs, we cannot obtain their like in all cases, but a portion of 
 their progeny will conform to the general characteristics of the 
 originals. Indeed, if we obtain a single pair in a whole season, 
 equal in size, &c., to such extra pairs, we may consider ourselves 
 fortunate. This rule refers, of course, to cases where such extra 
 fine fowls much exceed their parents in weight, model, &c. If, 
 however, we select the finest specimens produced by such fowls, 
 as breeders, and continue, from season to season, to select the 
 best samples, we shall ultimately arrive at our desire, and obtain 
 a permanent improvement on the original stock. 
 
 This principle holds good in regard to all animate nature, 
 and the fine extra large stock of animals exhibited at our fairs, 
 will not, on this principle, produce their like, if they exceed in 
 size, model, &c., their progenitors, unless, as before stated, it be 
 a chance offspring. But we have no other way to improve our 
 stock of swine, cattle, poultry, <fec., and if we have a very short 
 legged hen, and breed her with a mate conforming to her as 
 nearly as possible, and continue to select the shortest legged 
 fowls, from season to season, as breeders, in time we may pro- 
 duce a change of permanency in the length of their legs, yet 
 
216 BREEDING. 
 
 not a change that in all cases will produce short legs, as an 
 occasional fowl will appear with long legs, like the original 
 progenitors. The same in regard to any other feature in fowls. 
 Indeed, it is asserted by one of my correspondents, in this work, 
 as the reader may have noticed, that he professes to be able to 
 change a black breed of ducks, without a white feather in them, 
 to a pure -white breed, in process of time, and vice versa. He 
 assumes to be able to accomplish this singular result by select- 
 ing such as shall have an occasional white feather appear, for 
 breeders, and then by selecting from their progeny such as show 
 a few more white feathers, and so on to the end. It would 
 require many years to accomplish this, but it can probably be 
 done, if the originals are tinctured in the most minute degree 
 with the blood of white ducks, so as to cause them to throw 
 out an occasional white feather, but not otherwise. If, by accident 
 or design, the most minute strain of impure blood gets into 
 the veins of a single fowl in the yard, and that fowl is allowed 
 to remain with the stock, such impurity will tincture the entire 
 flock in time, and though not visible to the breeder, yet in 
 subsequent years he will be surprised to see an occasional fowl 
 of a color that does not legitimately belong to the breed, which 
 is in consequence of the contamination of his stock years before, 
 perhaps. This is technically called " crying lack" and it is a 
 principle that is true of man, as well as animals. 
 
 Some time during the eighteenth century, an English gen- 
 tleman settled in the East Indies and married a native woman 
 of unusual light complexion, by whom he had a son who could 
 not be distinguished in features from the people of Great 
 Britain. The wife died, and the father 'and son came to Eng- 
 land to reside, where the latter married a lady of the nobility, 
 and now, at this date, after several generations have passed 
 away, an occasional mulatto turns up in the descendants of the 
 son's family, to the horror of his or her relatives ! Thus we 
 see how obstinately and tenaciously a little impure blood adheres 
 to each successive generation of all animate nature, and it 
 behooves the breeder of all kinds of stock to beware how he 
 allows any contamination of blood to tincture his animals or 
 fowls, unless he desires to cross them. 
 
 "BREEDING TO A FEATHER." This term applies to such fowls 
 as always show the same distinctive colors, without any par- 
 ticular variation. The white and the speckled Dorkings, Guel- 
 derlands, Black Spanish, Black Polands, White Shanghaes, 
 
BREEDING. 217 
 
 Bolton Greys, or Creoles, Guinea fowls, native Dominique, and 
 some few other breeds, are of this class. Any breed of fowls 
 that are black, should show no white feathers, except in the 
 case of Poland fowls that have white crests, and others of this 
 class ; the same in regard to white fowls, No black feathers 
 should appear, if they are strictly pure. 
 
 A BREED NOT A VARIETY. When we speak of breeds, we 
 mean pure blooded fowls, and when we speak of varieties, we 
 mean crosses ; but this distinction is not always made by gentle- 
 men in writing on fowls, and it is quite doubtful whether I have 
 been able to adhere to this rule in all cases in this work, although 
 [ have endeavored to do so. The terra variety should never be 
 made to signify pure stock, of any kind. 
 
 BREEDS OF FOWLS NOT MADE BY CROSSING. It has been 
 asserted by some writers on poultry, that a pure breed may be 
 made by crossing, and subsequently breeding for some years 
 with care, so as to establish a distinct race of fowls. I deny 
 this in toto. Every breed of fowls now in existence, has pro- 
 bably originated from races created from the beginning of the 
 world, or at least, they possess distinct blood, never produced 
 by the art of man. If a variety of fowls can be produced by 
 careful cross-breeding, that shall manifest distinctive marks, so 
 as apparently to be a pure breed, they are nevertheless a variety, 
 and should be so called. Let no man say that he has produced, 
 a pure breed of fowls from the mixture of blood, for it is not 
 in his power to do it, and the many crosses that are being 
 introduced as breeds, under new names, should receive the con- 
 demnation of the public. In this work, I have, I believe, 
 informed my readers in every case where I have spoken of' 
 crosses, that such fowls either were, or had been alleged to be 
 such, and in the absence of such information, it may be taken 
 for granted, that the fowls are pure breeds. I would observe 
 that all breeds do not "breed to a feather." The Brahma 
 Pootras, buff and red Shanghaes, <fec., throw out different 
 shades frequently, yet they may be perfectly pure in blood. So 
 it is with some distinct breeds of cattle, swine, &c. They 
 show different colors, while no one disputes the purity of their 
 blood. It is said that the speckled Dorkings originated in a' 
 cross, though in what particular cross is not fully settled, and 
 these fowls bear the name of a pure breed ; and, indeed, so 
 they appear to be, but as we have no positive evidence of their 
 being originally produced by a cross, we may safely call them 
 10 
 
218 BREEDING. 
 
 a breed. It is quite probable that some of our fowls that are 
 now termed pure breeds, have some remote tincture of impure 
 blood in their veins such fowls as do not " breed to a feather " 
 but in the absence of any proof of this, we cannot refuse to 
 sanction their alleged purity. 
 
 IN-AND-IN BREEDING. This is a branch of my present subject 
 of great importance, yet the limits of such a work as this, do 
 not allow of that elaborate and full exposition of many points 
 that they ought in justice to receive. In the first place, I may 
 give as the foundation of a great principle in nature, that all 
 animal life deteriorates by a close consanguinity of relationship ; 
 hence, a fresh strain of blood from time to time, is absolutely 
 necessary ; but we must not go beyond the pale of the particu- 
 lar species for such change of blood. Fowls Avill do very well 
 bred in-and-in for a few years, but it is not recommended to do 
 so over four or five years, when a change should be effected by 
 procuring cocks, rather than pullets, of the same breed, but 
 from stock that bear no relationship to your fowls, unless it be 
 very remote. 
 
 How TO PREVENT A MIXTURE OF BLOOD. In a previous 
 allusion to this part of my subject, I stated that the eggs of 
 fowls would not be pure till the second or third litter is laid, 
 after the pullets are removed from impure stock, and placed 
 with roosters of their respective breeds. This refers to cases 
 where actual breeding has taken place with cocks of other 
 breeds or varieties. Since writing the previous remarks here 
 alluded to, I have noticed that Dr. Bennett, in one of his letters 
 to me, corroborates my view of the case, and desires me to 
 correct him in this matter. He says : 
 
 "I am in error on pages 199 and 200 of my boot, in relation to 
 breeding. Please correct it In order to preserve distinct breeds, the 
 fowls must be kept entirely separate, over one entire litter certain, and 
 it is better to have them separate two months, at least, before breeding." 
 
 Dr. B. states in his work, the " Poultry Book," that the 
 fowls will be pure that are raised from eggs laid immediately 
 after separation, provided they are impregnated by a cock of 
 the same breed as the hen, and this is an error, and what he 
 refers to as wishing me to correct. Instead of the eggs being 
 pure in such cases, they are tinctured to the third litter, more 
 or less, with impure blood received from the impregnation of 
 eggs while previously running with males of a different breed 
 or variety. 
 
BREEDING. 219 
 
 CROSS-BREEDING. In order to obtain a fresh strain of blood 
 crossing is often resorted to, when the pure breeds are not ob- 
 tainable, with fowls having no relation to the fowls in which the 
 infusion of new blood is required ; and, indeed, we often cross 
 fowls for the express purpose of producing a distinct variety. 
 Many breeders are of the opinion that some of the best fowls 
 that we have are produced by judicious crossing of two valuable 
 breeds, and I am of the same opinion ; yet it is not advisable 
 to cross fowls, and give theni a distinct name, but they should 
 always bear the appellation of their progenitors. For instance, 
 if we cross a Shanghae cock with a Dorking pullet, they should 
 always be called a " cross between the Shanghae and Dorking," 
 which should be understood that the largest breed in the cross 
 is the cock selected, but when two breeds are crossed, of about 
 uniform size, it will of course, not be important from which 
 breed the male is selected. 
 
 If we would produce the same modeled and colored fowls, 
 and of the same uniform good qualities, we must always use 
 the originals as breeders, because a second cross, or the chicks 
 produced from eggs laid by the first cross, will not, as a general 
 rule, be like the parents. To illustrate this subject more fully, 
 let us suppose a case. We tal^e a black Shanghae cock, and 
 a white Dorking pullet, and breed them together. Their young 
 may be variegated, perhaps beautifully penciled, but the same 
 hues will not be produced by breeding this cross together, but 
 a variety of colors will be thrown out ; some will be nearly 
 black, like the original cock, and some will be quite light-col- 
 ored, like the original hen. Thus we see that like does not 
 produce like in all cases. 
 
 In regard to the expediency and advantage of breeding from. 
 crosses, I have little to say. Sometimes we may thus breed 
 fowls for many years, and produce a very choice variety, of all 
 hues, of course, yet good layers, and finely modeled. At other 
 times, if either of the originals was defective in model, health, 
 or laying qualities, the progeny of the cross will, more or less, 
 partake of such defects. 
 
 Crossing often produces larger and better fowls than either 
 of the originals, and on this account, many breeders cross 
 extensively ; but we should never allow a pure breed, that is 
 truly valuable, to become corrupted. If we cross, let it be 
 done as an experiment, still retaining our pure breeds distinct 
 and unmixed ; and above all, never take a cross to our fairs, 
 
220 TO DISTINGUISH EGGS. 
 
 dubbed a new name, to confuse and bewilder tlie public. 
 This practice is becoming a nuisance at our poultry exhibitions. 
 
 TO DISTINGUISH EGGS THAT PRODUCE COCKS 
 AND PULLETS. 
 
 I have never made any experiments in this matter, yet I 
 am informed by many who have thus experimented, that they 
 have, as a general rule, been able to select eggs that will pro- 
 duce cocks, and also those that produce pullets. The only 
 reason why I have not endeavored to reduce this question to a 
 " science," is, probably, the lack of leisure time to spend in 
 such things, however important to the breeder. That such a 
 knowledge of selecting eggs is very important, no one will 
 deny, and I regret that we have no decisive rules for the 
 breeder's guide, since cases often occur of a great disproportion 
 of male birds, much to the disadvantage of the fowl raiser. A. 
 T. Newbold, Esq., of Philadelphia, writes me in reference to 
 this subject, as follows : 
 
 Any one with a little care, may know the eggs that will produce 
 cocks, and those that will produce pullets. The cock, or male egg, 
 has a quirl on one end, thus : [Here he draws diagrams of the shape 
 of these quirls, that look like the signs for quantity in a physician's 
 prescription. AUTHOR.] The ends of eggs that produce pullets, are 
 smooth. I have selected two hundred eggs on this plan, from which 
 but one pullet was hatched, all the rest being cocks, and I think that 
 the egg that produced the pullet was laid in the nest after I had made 
 the selection, and set the eggs. Again, I have selected eggs that pro- 
 duced fifty pullets, without a single cock, and this I consider proof 
 positive. 
 
 This appears to settle the case, truly; and I hope that 
 breeders will experiment till all doubts shall be removed as to 
 the way of distinguishing the cock and pullet eggs. At 
 present, I fear that few will have as good success as Mr. New- 
 bold had. 
 
 TO DISTINGUISH EGGS THAT ARE IMPREGNATED. 
 
 A correspondent of the Northern Farmer says that he can 
 always tell when an egg will hatch, and when not. He says : 
 
 All those having setting hens would do well to take notice of the 
 following remarks, and they will have a chicken for every egg they 
 set. Take eggs not more than three or four days old, and have a 
 candle or lamp, hold the egg in one hand, with the broad end upwards, 
 close to the caudle, place the other hand on the top of the egg, and 
 
FOWLS KEPT IN LARGE NUMBERS. 221 
 
 you will immediately perceive the incubation end. Some people can 
 tell a pullet from a rooster. The mark for a rooster is crosswise, and 
 a pullet lengthwise. Another way is to place your tongue on the 
 large end of the egg, and you will perceive a strong heat, if fresh and 
 good, and the less heat if old and doubtful. Eggs put by for hatching 
 should never be put in a very damp cellar, as the dampness destroys 
 this heat. 
 
 FOWLS KEPT IN LARGE NUMBERS. 
 
 The question " can fowls be made profitable when kept in 
 large numbers?" is still unsettled. Several gentlemen are now 
 engaged in keeping fowls extensively, in various parts of the 
 country, but nothing definite as to net profits has transpired, so 
 as to enable me to enlighten the public in the premises. I now 
 refer to keeping fowls extensively for market, and for their eggs, 
 when their value is at ordinary rates. We all know that fowls 
 at $5 to $20 a pair, and eggs at $1 50 to $6 a dozen, must be 
 profitable, so long as such prices continue ; but we want to 
 know whether one can keep 500 to 5000 fowls of any breed to 
 advantage, and sell them at the ordinary rates of fifty to sixty 
 cents a pair, dressed, and eggs at ten to twelve cents a dozen. 
 
 There are several drawbacks to success in such a business, 
 and one of the most disadvantage, is the liability all large 
 numbers of fowls have to contract contagious diseases. A gen- 
 tleman, some few years ago, erected a "henery" on Long 
 Island, near New York, to accommodate 1000 fowls, and he 
 purchased that number, and placed tfyem therein, and constructed 
 all necessary conveniences, but in less than a year he lost some 
 $200 by the operation, besides his investment in fixtures, &c., 
 and he abandoned the business. 
 
 It has been fully shown, that a large number of fowls in one 
 enclosure, can never be made as productive, in the ratio of 
 numbers, as a small number, and here lies the great barrier to 
 success. If, however, we should enclose a very large field, and 
 erect a number of separate buildings, and so arrange matters 
 that the fowls would always have an abundance of room in 
 their rambles, and on their perches, being well ventilated, &c., 
 I am of the opinion that they may be made profitable, if a 
 proper economy is manifested in providing their food, which 
 should all be raised by the breeder ; and large quantities of 
 root crops should be grown, to boil and mix with meal, to be 
 fed at certain seasons. A stream of water should run through 
 
222 LIME FOR FOWLS. 
 
 the premises, and every thing should be kept purified with lime, 
 ashes, &c., that would be liable to become infested with vermin. 
 A hospital should be provided, to which diseased fowls 
 should be promptly removed, on the first symptoms of disease 
 becoming apparent. With such management, or somewhat 
 similar to it, I believe that large numbers of fowls may be kept 
 to advantage. 
 
 NUMBER OF EGGS LAID BY A HEN IN A YEAR. 
 
 Our common breeds usually lay from eighty to one hundred 
 eggs in a year, as an average of what a flock of twenty to fifty 
 will produce. We often see notices in the papers of instances 
 where much larger numbers are laid, but such cases are exceptions 
 to the general rule, so far as our native varieties are concerned. 
 Some of the Asiatic breeds have been known to lay two hun- 
 dred or more eggs, in a year, and it is a settled point, that some 
 of our imported fowls do much exceed, in the number of eggs 
 laid, any of our native tribes. 
 
 Some people take pains to force their fowls, by artificial heat, 
 to lay in the winter season, at the expense of barrenness in the 
 spring, to a certain extent. I am inclined to believe that 
 we had better let nature take her course, and be satisfied with 
 what eggs our hens will lay, without artificial heat ; but I 
 recommend warm winter quarters, however, but not to be 
 heated above the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere in 
 well protected buildings, such as are partially under ground, or 
 have double walls in cold climates, or are filled in between the 
 studding with sawdust or tan-bark, if not plastered. 
 
 L IME FOR FOWLS. 
 
 Lime is quite necessary for fowls, as most people are aware. 
 The following selections are of interest : 
 
 All domestic fowls, as well as other animals, require more or less 
 lime. It is the chief constituent of their bones, and probably useful 
 in many cases, in small quantities, as a condiment. In addition to 
 these purposes, fowls which Lay eggs require lime for the formation 
 of the egg-shells. Ordinarily, fowls which have their liberty can 
 procure sufficient lime to satisfy their wants. It is contained in the 
 grain on which they feed, and in the stones and earth which they 
 swallow. 
 
 But in winter, when fowls have less access to the ground, or when 
 they are confined in small enclosures, they have less opportunity to 
 
VALUE OF PEPPERS TO FOWLS. 223 
 
 select the mineral substances which they require. Hence an artificial 
 supply becomes necessary. How shall this be given? By placing 
 the articles within their reach, so that they may take, voluntarily, 
 just the quantity to which they are prompted by nature. Place 
 slacked lime, broken into pieces the size of peas, on shelves, where 
 the fowls can readily pick it up. By slacking lime in a vessel, in 
 considerable water, so that it will form a paste, and letting it dry, it 
 can readily be pounded into the desired form, to suit the fowls best. 
 Ex. 
 
 During the last season, Mr. Joseph Wilcox, of this town, having 
 occasion to administer lime watev to a sick horse, inadvertently left a 
 pail of the preparation in his barn, which remained there for some 
 months, serving as a favorite drink for his hens. He soon afterwards 
 found that the laying of his hens was apparently increased to a con- 
 siderable extent. Being convinced of the importance of the (to him) 
 new discovery, he has, during the present season, kept his hens con- 
 stantly supplied with lime water, placed in troughs within their con- 
 venient access, and the result was an increase in eggs of nearly four 
 fold, as compared with previous experience. 
 
 He 'is willing to share the benefit of the experiment with hia 
 neighbors, if they choose to try it, and hence this publication. The 
 newness of the discovery, (though it may not now be new to all,) is 
 claimed only as applicable to the mode of imparting the lime in this 
 case ; its use in another form for the same purpose, having been pre- 
 viously understood by many. Wayne Sentinel. 
 
 There is no evidence that the lime caused the hens to lay, in 
 the above case. I think that lime furnished in old mortar is 
 sufficient, taken from walls that are being removed. 
 
 VALUE OF RED PEPPERS TO POULTRY. 
 
 The value of red peppers in the food of poultry, occasionally, 
 does not admit of a doubt. The following is clipped from one 
 of the journals of the day : 
 
 I do a small business in raising and putting up garden seeds. One 
 year ago last fall, as I was clearing out some red pepper seeds in my 
 back yard, I threw the shucks and chaff promiscuously about. I 
 soon observed my hens picking them up and swallowing them with 
 great avidity. They soon commenced laying eggs, though they had 
 laid none for a month. I fed them regularly two or three times a 
 week, since then, with red pepper, and they have never stopped 
 laying, summer or winter, spring or fall, except while they were 
 hatching 'their chickens ; and I am confident, from more than a year's 
 experience, that by this method, hens may be made to lay the year 
 round. 
 
224 . POULTRY MANURE. 
 
 SALT INJURIOUS TO FOWLS. 
 
 Salt will speedily kill fowls if thrown out in large quantities, 
 such as the emptying of meat or fish barrels in their way. 
 
 Salt fish is equally destructive, and should never be thrown 
 where they can get it. 
 
 POULTRY MANURE ITS VALUE, ETC. 
 
 The most valuable fertilizer that we have, is poultry manure. 
 Read the following, and profit by it : 
 
 POULTRY MANURE. This is the most valuable of the farm manures, 
 and is entitled to great care in its collection and use. Beyond the 
 amount of water it contains, it is as valuable as guano, and therefore 
 should never be sold by practical farmers to morocco dressers, at 
 twenty-five cents per bushel. The poultry-house should be underlaid 
 with charcoal dust, when it can be procured, so as to receive the hen 
 manure as fast as made. The surface of this charcoal dust should 
 occasionally be raked or removed off to one corner, with a portion of 
 the dung. This may be continued until the mamire is required for 
 use, when it should be thoroughly mixed with ten times its bulk of 
 soil, before being applied to crops. "Where charcoal dust cannot be 
 procured, well decomposed swamp muck, plaster of Paris, or even 
 aluminous clay, may be frequently dusted over the floor of the poultry 
 house, to be mixed with this manure. The object of all this is to 
 receive and retain the ammonia > so as to prevent its liberation from 
 injuring the health of the inmates of the poultry house. All animals, 
 man included, suffer from breathing the effluvia arising from their 
 excretia, and this is particularly true of the feathered tribes. Their 
 natural habits in the wild state, cause them to pass through the upper 
 strata of the atmosphere, and with such velocity as to readily rid 
 themselves of the noxious gasos given off the surface of their bodies, 
 and to be entirely beyond any deleterious influence from the fumes of 
 their excretia. We should, therefore, in the poultry-houses, make 
 such arrangements as will prevent the poultry from inhaling these 
 deleterious gases. Prof. Mapes, 
 
 VALUE OF POULTRY MAXURE. It is lamentable, and disgusting even, 
 to see what a waste is going on in this country of the richest and most 
 valuable manure ever known. We are importing shipload after ship- 
 load of guano, (sea-bird manure,) while hundreds of tons of poultry 
 manure which is asserted to be equal in value is suffered to go to 
 waste in the United States. Each farmer's poultry yard produces so 
 little, that it is suffered to go to waste, and thus the country loses over 
 a million dollars annually. 
 
 Having learned the value of poultry manure, we suppose now our 
 readers would like to know what is the best method to save it. 
 
 First, build a poultry house, if it be no more than a rough scaffold- 
 ing of poles or slabs, laid upon crotches, forming a double pitch roo^ 
 
POULTRY MANURE. 225 
 
 with end boards in winter, to keep out the wind and driving storms. 
 Under this, place parallel roosts, and the manure in the night will all 
 drop down into a narrow row beneath. Here place a light loam 
 about a foot deep, rather wider and longer than the roost, and give it 
 a sprinkling of plaster of Paris an inch thick. When this is covered 
 with manure an inch deep, give it a layer of loam four inches deep, 
 and another sprinkling of an inch of plaster, and so continue. In the 
 spring, mix all well together, keep it free from the rain, and use it at 
 the rate of one pint to a hill of corn, or a corresponding quantity for 
 cucumbers, squashes, pumpkins, melons, peas, onions, strawberries, or 
 any other fruit, vegetable, or grain, requiring rich manure, and our 
 word for it, you will have a crop of a superior quality. Thus you 
 will become one out of the many, who is desirous to benefit himself, 
 and assist in saving more than a million of dollars annually to the 
 country. Ainericwn, Agriculturalist. 
 
 Mr. Moses considers the manure of his fowls of much importance, 
 and takes care that it is all saved and applied to his crops. Under 
 the building in which the fowls roost, is a cellar, into which all the 
 manure is put In spring, a few weeks before planting time, the 
 manure is worked over, and mixed with plaster sometimes with 
 plaster and ashes in equal proportions using enough of these articles 
 to make the manure so dry as to pulverize thoroughly. 
 
 This domestic guano, of which Mr. M. sometimes has the quantity 
 of three hundred bushels in a season, produces a powerful effect on, 
 the growth of Indian corn. His mode of applying it is to drop a 
 handful in each hill, which is then covered half an inch or more with 
 earth, in order to prevent the seed from coming in immediate contact 
 with the manure, which experience has shown would prevent its ger- 
 mination. Mr. M. stated that he had tried this compost in comparison 
 with good hog manure, by applving each to corn in the same field and 
 on similar soil. On one part, half a sbovel full of hog manure was 
 put in a hill, and on the other part, a handful of the hen manure 
 compost. The crop was best where the latter was used, and the 
 succeeding crop, (which was oats,) showed the same result in favor of 
 the hen manure. 
 
 On another occasion, he manured ten acres with the hen manure, 
 which produced sixty bushels of corn to the acre. On a part of this 
 piece, he used the manure only on alternate rows, leaving the inter- 
 mediate rows with no application. The ears were " mere nubbins " 
 on the rows that had no manure. He planted pumpkins on a row 
 that had no manure, and on another row that had the proportion 
 given to the rest of the field. The row which had no manure, pro- 
 duced no pumpkins of any value ; the other produced fifty-one fair 
 sized, good pumpkins. 
 
 Mr. M. stated that his son was engaged with another person in the 
 poultry trade, and that in the winter of 1849-50 they sent between 
 twenty and thirty tons to Xew York and Boston. Selected. 
 10* 
 
226 CAPONIZING FOWLS. 
 
 CATOJTIZING FOWLS. 
 
 The art of caponizing was practiced many centuries ago by 
 the ancients, and it is now practiced to some extent in all 
 countries. The French seem to be the most expert in the bus- 
 iness. Richardson says : 
 
 The practice of the French country women is to select the close of 
 the spring, or the beginning of autumn, as well as fine weather, for 
 the performance of their work. The parts necessary to be removed, 
 being fixed in the abdomen, and attached to the spine at the region 
 of the loins, it is absolutely necessary to open the abdominal cavity for 
 the purpose of their extraction. The bird should be healthy, fasting, 
 and about three months old. lie is then to be secured by an assistant, 
 upon his back, his belly upwards, and his head down, that the intes- 
 tines, <fcc., may fall up toward the breast ; the tail is to be towards 
 the operator. The right leg is then carried along the body, and the 
 left brought backwards, and held in this position, so as to leave the 
 left flank perfectly bare, for it is there that the incision is to be made. 
 The said incision is to be directed from before backwards, transversely 
 to the length of the body, at the middle of the flank, and slightly to 
 the side, between the ends of the breast-bone and the vent. Having 
 plucked away the feathers from the space where it is intended to 
 make the incision, you take a bistoury or a razor, and cut through 
 the skin, abdominal muscles, and peritoneum ; it is better to do this 
 at two or more cuts, in order to avoid the possibility of wounding the 
 intestines a casualty that would, in most cases, be attended with 
 fatal results. The intestines present themselves at the orifice, but you 
 must not suffer them to come out; on the contrary, you press 
 them gently aside, so as to have room for action. I may observe, that 
 the incision should have been sufficiently large to admit of the fore- 
 finger, previously well oiled, being passed into the abdomen, and 
 carried carefully towards the lumbar region of the spine; you will 
 there find what you are in search of. You first reach the left substance, 
 which you detach with your nail, or with your finger bent hook- 
 fashion ; you then arrive at the right, which you treat similarly ; 
 bring both substances forth ; you finally return the intestines, sow 
 up the wound with a silk thread a very few stitches will suffice and 
 smear the place with a little fresh butter. Some persons recommend 
 the amputation of the comb, close to the skull of the newly made capon ; 
 but this is surely an unnecessary piece of torture a useless addition 
 to the sufferings of the poor bird. The proposed object of this 
 amputation is to insure the recognition of the capon amongst his 
 co-mates of the poultry-yard. Were such a distinctive mark neces- 
 sary, it strikes us that the operation must have been, so to speak, 
 thrown away ; inasmuch as the superior size and bulk of the capon 
 should, of themselves, be sufficiently indicative of his identity ; but 
 independent of these, I may observe that the comb of the capon does 
 not grow to any size, and always retains a pallid color. Should 
 it be proposed to caponize cocks belonging to varieties not natu- 
 
CAPONIZING FOWLS. 227 
 
 rally possessing combs, it will surely be, found, at the very most, 
 sufficient to cut the tail feathers down to a stump. In some parts of 
 the continent, the caponizers resort to still more unnecessary brutality. 
 They cut off the spurs of the poor caponized bird, and making an 
 incision in its comb, as it were plant them in it ; they are so held for 
 about twenty minutes in short, just until the blood coagulates ; they 
 then become not merely permanently adherent, but actually grow. 
 The less, however, said about these very, and needlessly inhuman 
 practices, the better. 
 
 To return to our more immediate subject: The process having been 
 performed as above described, the bird is placed in a warm house, 
 where there are no perches, as, if such appliances were present, the 
 newly-made capon might very probably injure himself in his attempts 
 to perch, and perhaps even tear open the sutures, and possibly occasion 
 the operation, usually simple and free from danger, to terminate 
 fatally. For about a week, the food of the bird should be soft oat- 
 meal porridge, and that in small quantities, alternated with bread 
 steeped in milk ; he may be given as much pure water as he will drink, 
 but I recommend that 'it be tepid, or at least, that the chill be taken 
 off it. At the end of a week, or, at the farthest, ten days, the bird, 
 if he has been previously of a sound, vigorous constitution, will be 
 all right, and may be turned out into the walk common to all your 
 fowls. 
 
 CHINESE MODE OF MAKING CAPONS. The Chinese, who are very 
 expert in the art of making capons, use the following method : The 
 wings of the fowl being folded back till they meet, the left foot of the 
 operator is placed on them, the fowl being laid on its left side. The 
 great toe of the right foot is placed on its legs ; the feathers are then 
 plucked off by the side ; an incision, about an inch in length, com- 
 mencing about an inch from the back-bone, and extending obliquely 
 downwards, is made with a knife, the cutting part of which is beveled 
 to a point, like a dissecting scalpel. This incision is carefully carried 
 through the skin, muscles, and membranes, till the intestines are laid 
 bare, while flat, blunt hooks, are put into the incision, which is 
 extended and kept open by the elasticity of a bamboo or whale-bone ; 
 the intestines are then pushed aside with a pair of forceps, which are , 
 used to lay hold of the stone, when it is by this means brought into 
 view, while there is passed over it, through a bamboo or elder tube, a 
 horse-hair, which is drawn backwards and forwards through the tube 
 till the spermatic chord is cut through ; the stone is then scooped out. 
 The other stone is removed in the same manner. No blood issues 
 from the spermatic chords, nor does the animal appear to feel pain. 
 The hooks are then removed, the wound is closed up, the feathers 
 which have been plucked off are stuck upon the wound with the 
 blood, and the wing being put down on it, the animal walks off as if 
 nothing had happened. Young cocks, three months old, are made 
 choice of for the operation, which must, if possible, be performed 
 before July, as it has been remarked that capons made later than this, 
 never prove fine. Dickson. 
 
228 DISEASES OF FOWLS. 
 
 DISEASES OF FOWLS. 
 
 The diseases of poultry are less understood than those of 
 any other living thing of equal service to man ; but the subject 
 is now of great importance, for the reason that we would as 
 soon lose a cow, in many instances, as a fowl. This is no 
 fancy sketch. I was offered fifteen dollars recently, by a gen- 
 tleman, for one of my Brahma pullets, and I refused to sell her. 
 The next day she died of a disease common to fowls in the 
 laying season. She was " egg-bound" as it is called. The egg 
 could not be discharged,, owing, apparently, to its having got 
 out of its proper position in some way. It was of the ordinary 
 size, and I tried to use artificial means to relieve her, but with- 
 out effect. There was a membrane, or bag that enclosed it, 
 which admitted of no egress, and the hen lingered about twenty 
 hours, and then died. 
 
 I will now quote the best authorities on the most common 
 diseases to which fowls of mature age are subject : 
 
 INDIGESTION. Cases of indigestion among fowls are common, and 
 deserve attention according to the causes from which they proceed. 
 A change of food will often produce crop-sickness, as it is.called, when 
 the fowl takes but little food, and suddenly loses flesh. Such disease 
 is of little consequence, and shortly disappears. "When it requires 
 attention at all, all the symptoms will be removed by giving their 
 diet in a warm state. Sometimes, however, a fit of indigestion 
 threatens severe consequences, especially if long continued. Every 
 effort should be made to ascertain the cause, and the remedy must be 
 governed by the circumstances of the case. Mowbray mentions a 
 hen manifesting all the symptoms of indigestion, in whose crop beans 
 were found, which had obstructed it long enough to present marks of 
 vegetation. An incision was made, the wound healed, and health 
 was restored. Generally, affections of this kind, as in the human 
 species, proceed from over-feeding or want of exercise. The symptoms 
 are, heaviness, mooing, keeping away from the nest, and want of 
 appetite. 
 
 Remedy. Lessen the quantity of food, and oblige the fowl to exercise 
 in an open walk. Give some powdered cayenne and gentian, mixed 
 with the usual food. Iron-rust, mixed with soft food, or diffused in 
 water, is an excellent tonic, and is indicated when there is atrophy 
 or diminution of flesh. It may be combined with oats or grain. In 
 England, it is said that milk-warm ale has a good effect when joined 
 to the diet of diseased fowls. Dr. Bennett. 
 
 COSTIVENESS. The existence of this disorder will become apparent 
 by observing the unsuccessful attempts of the fowl to relieve itself. 
 It frequently proceeds from continued feeding of dry diet, without 
 access to green vegetables. Indeed, without the use of these, or some 
 
DISEASES OF FOWLS. 229 
 
 such substitute, as mashed potatoes, costiveness is certain to ensue. 
 The want of a sufficient supply of good water, will also produce the 
 disease. 
 
 Remedy. Soaked bread, with warm skimmed milk, is a mild remedial 
 agent, and will usually suffice. Boiled carrots, or cabbage, are more 
 efficient. A meal of earth-worms is sometimes advisable, and hot 
 potatoes, mixed with bacon-fat, are said to be excellent. Castor oil 
 and burned butter, will relieve the most obstinate cases, though a 
 clyster of oil may be sometimes required in addition, to effect a cure. 
 Ib. 
 
 DIAKRHKA. There are times when fowls dung more loosely than at 
 others, especially when they have been fed on green or soft food ; but 
 this may occur without the presence of disease. But should this state 
 deteriorate into a confirmed and continued laxity, immediate attention 
 is required, to guard against fatal effects. The causes of diarrhea are 
 dampness, undue acidity in the bowels, or the presence or irritating 
 matter there. 
 
 The symptoms are, lassitude and emaciation, and, in very severe 
 cases, the voiding of calcareous matter, white, streaked with yellow. 
 This resembles the yolk of a stale egg, and sticks to the feathers near 
 the vent. It becomes acrid, from the presence of ammonia, and causes 
 inflammation, which extends speedily throughout the intestines. 
 
 Remedy. This, of course, depends upon the cause. "When the 
 disease is brought on by a diet of green or soft food, the food must be 
 changed, and water given sparingly. When it arises from undue 
 acidity, chalk mixed with meal, is advantageous, but rice flour boluses 
 are most to be depended on. Dr. Handel, of Mayence, in cases of 
 chronic looseness, recommends water impregnated with iron rust, with 
 great confidence. Alum-water of moderate strength, is also beneficial. 
 
 In oases of bloody flux, boiled rice and milk, given warm, with a 
 little magnesia ov chalk, may be given with success. Ib. 
 
 ASTHMA. This disease, common among fowls, seems to differ in 
 characteristics sufficiently to authorize a distinction into two species. 
 In one it appears to be caused by an obstruction of the air-cells, by 
 an accumulation of phlegm, which interferes with the exercise of 
 their functions. The fowl labors for breath, in consequence of not 
 being able to take in the usual quantity of air at an inspiration. The 
 capacity of the lungs is thereby diminished, the lining membrane of 
 the windpipe becomes thickened, and its minute branches are more op 
 less affected. These effects may reasonably be attributed, as Richard- 
 son thinks, to the fact, that, as our poultry are originally natives of 
 tropical climates, however well they may appear acclimated, they, 
 nevertheless require a more equable temperature u than is afforded, 
 except by artificial means. 
 
 Another variety of asthma is induced by fright, or over excitement. 
 It is sometimes produced by chasing fowls to catch them, by seizing 
 them suddenly, or by their fighting with each other. In these cases, 
 a blood vessel is often ruptured, and sometimes one or more of the 
 air-cells. 
 
 The symptoms are short breathing, opening of the beak often, and 
 
230 DISEASES OP FOWLS. 
 
 for a space together, heaving and panting of the chest ; and in case 
 of a rupture of a blood-vessel, a drop of blood appearing on the beak. 
 
 Remedy. Confirmed asthma is difficult to cure. For the disease in 
 its incipient state, it is recommended that the fowl be kept warm, 
 and be treated with repeated doses of hippo-powder and sulphur 
 mixed with butter, with the addition of a small quantity of cayenne 
 pepper. Ib. 
 
 MOULTING. Although it cannot be properly denominated a disease, 
 still some attention is necessary in giving care to your poultry during 
 that period, particularly if it advances into the cold or damp season, 
 so as to have them warmly and dryly kept, and well fed with stimu- 
 lating food hemp seed, sunflower seed, caraway seed, and a small 
 quantity of black or red pepper ; the more warmly or comfortably 
 kept, the quicker the moult. Old fowls moult late, and consequently 
 do not lay till advanced in the summer ; while early pullets will moult 
 early, and lay all the winter, if warmly kept and well fed. Fowls 
 occasionally make the appearance of losing their feathers before the 
 actual moult, and appear miserably naked. The remedy is, keep 
 them comfortable, and when the moult comes on, their proper clothing 
 will be resumed in their new coat. A want of feathers is sometimes 
 effected by the fowls picking the young or bleeding feathers from their 
 fellows, which they get so much attached to, that they continue to 
 pilfer each succeeding young feather, until they cause such inflamma- 
 tion, as death, in some cases, will ensue. The remedy is, separate 
 such fowls until the feathers come to maturity, when they will discon- 
 tinue to pull them out. Nolan. 
 
 ROUP. This is the most obstinate and most fatal disease 
 we liave to contend with. It generally attacks fowls from 
 October to April. The first symptoms are a difficulty in breath- 
 ing ; then follows a swelling of the head ; a discharge of foetid 
 matter from the nostrils ensues, and the fowl pines away and 
 dies, unless taken in hand on the first appearance of the disease. 
 This disease is very contagious, and when it appears, it is the 
 terror of the breeder, if he have many fowls. I would, there- 
 fore, recommend the most watchful care, as soon as cold weather 
 sets in, and the breeder should listen in his poultry-house, at 
 least twice a week, as his hens get settled on their perches, and 
 every fowl that breathes with difficulty, should be removed 
 immediately to a warm, dry, well ventilated room, and treated 
 as follows : 
 
 To a quart of strong cider vinegar, add " one pint of cider- 
 brandy or whiskey, in which dissolve an ounce of assafoetida. 
 Keep this mixture bottled tight, and when used, heat it, and 
 apply as a wash three times^a day to the fowl's head, and as 
 warm as it can be applied. Wash the entire head thoroughly ; 
 then change the food of the fowl to the fine grains, such as 
 
DISEASES OF FOWLS. 231 
 
 barley and wheat, with an occasional soft feed, in which a little 
 flour 'of sulphur may be mixed, also a little finely pulverized 
 charcoal. Give plenty of gravel, pure water, and fresh air, 
 and in nine cases in ten you will effect a cure, if you adminis- 
 ter the remedy in season, but after a certain stage of the 
 disease, nothing can effect a cure. 
 
 If all the ingredients of the above remedy cannot be 
 obtained immediately, the vinegar and spirits alone will be of 
 great service, and if neither cider-brandy nor whisky can be 
 obtained, get any kind of spirituous liquor for a temporary use. 
 A correspondent of Dr. Bennett, who has used assafoatida and 
 vinegar with success, writes me under date of October, 1.852, as 
 follows : 
 
 I would suggest to you, that the only remedy I ever found for what 
 is termed roup, in poultry, when a foetid discharge at the nostrils 
 takes place, is to squeeze each nostril out by pressure with the thumb, 
 commencing under the eyes, and carrying the thumb down toward 
 the beak, which will remove all the discharge, then sponge the head 
 with assafostida dissolved in vinegar, and squeeze a drop or two in 
 each nostril, and finish by tarring their heads from above the nostrils 
 back to the top of the head, and keep them tarred until relieved. 
 One or two applications will generally suffice. 
 
 Mr. Giles, of Providence, who has had forty years experi- 
 ence as an extensive breeder, uses the following remedy. He 
 
 My method with the roup, or swelled head, which, by the way, is 
 caused by a cold, is as follows: As soon as discovered, if in warm 
 weather, remove the infected ones to some well ventilated apartment 
 or yard ; if in winter, to some warm place ; then give a dessert 
 spoonful of castor oil ; wash their heads with warm castile soap-suds, 
 and let them remain until next morning, fasting. Scald for them Indian 
 meal, adding two and a half ounces of Epsom salts for ten hens, or in 
 proportion for a lesser or larger number ; give it warm, and repeat 
 the dose in a day or two, if they do not recover. 
 
 Mr. Melendy, of Mount Healthy, Ohio, writes me on this 
 subject : 
 
 Of all the diseases that I have had to contend with, I think the 
 roup is the worst. It is contagious. Of this I am perfectly satisfied, 
 that if a fowl in a flock has it, that all will take it, unless the diseased 
 one be removed. Roup is somewhat like the distemper among dogs. 
 My fowls are affected thus : very difficult in breathing, gaping, rattling 
 i-n the throat, swelling of the head, feverish, eyes swollen, with a thin, 
 slimy matter, oozing from them, and it sometimes closes them up, aud 
 blindness is the result There is a discharge from the nose of a thick, 
 foetid matter, that is offensive to the smell. The fowl is dull and 
 mopy, and suffers much. If taken in time, it can be cured, but if 
 
232 DISEASES OF FOWLS. 
 
 Buffered to run too long, better kill the fowl and put it out of its 
 misery, even if it cost $20. My remedy is as follows: 
 
 Take the fowl and put it in a warm, dry place; wash the head and 
 throat with warm rain water and castile soap ; then take spirits of 
 turpentine and lard, mix well, and rub this mixture on the head and 
 throat thoi'oughly once a day, and be particular to clean the nostrils 
 well. I have found this remedy to be the best I have ever tried and 
 I have tried all that are in the different poultry books, without doing 
 any good. 
 
 Mr. Melendy has given a very truthful description of this 
 disease, and his remedy is worthy of a trial, as he is a very 
 extensive breeder, and his opinion is entitled to respect. 
 
 FEVER. This disease fowls are subject to at the period of 
 hatching. The remedy is light food, and some asperient med- 
 icine, such as castor oil, or burnt butter. 
 
 LICE. There is nothing more destructive to the health and 
 prosperity of fowls, than lice. The best general preventive, is 
 to h?iVe a box some two to four feet square, and eight inches 
 high, placed under cover, and sunk half its depth in the ground ; 
 then lill it half full of fine, dry sand, mixed with an equal 
 quantity of wood ashes. The fowls will wallow in this, and 
 free themselves from lice. The following communication from 
 Mr. H. L. Devereaux, formerly of Boston, is a new and valuable 
 remedy : 
 
 As to the vermin, we have found something, this past summer, 
 which, if not new, is at least good, and a sure remedy. I allude to 
 flour of Sulphur, My way of using it is this. I purchased from a 
 tin store, a dredging box, (such as all good housekeepers have to keep 
 flour in, with which to flour their meat,) filled it with the sulphur, and 
 then sprinkled it upon the fowls, under their wings, and also upon the 
 walking, roosting places, tfcc. For the Shanghae, we prefer flat strips 
 of board, say four to six inches wide, and where these are used, the 
 sulphur sprinkled upon them will effectually keep away the lice. 
 Plenty of quick or air-slacked lime is well to be freely used in the 
 houses. I will relate to you one instance of its good effect. Going 
 into my poultry house one morning, observing a sitting hen come off, 
 I noticed that she looked very pale, much more so than usual. At 
 once I knew the cause. Opening the lid of the box containing the 
 eggs, such a sight as presented itself the eggs literally covered with 
 lice. My dredging box was immediately put into requisition, and a 
 plentiful supply of sulphur sprinkled over them ; then taking the hen, 
 we gave her plenty under the wings, and under the feathers all over 
 her ; put her upon the eggs ; at first, she hesitated, but after a few 
 minutes, settled he'rself down upon the eggs, and at the end of her 
 time, she hatched out all but one or two of the eggs, and reared all 
 the chicks. Had I not observed her as I did. the lice would have 
 killed her. 
 
PART II. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OP THE DIFFERENT BREEDS AND VARIETIES OS 
 WATER-JOWL, TURKEYS, PEA AND GUINEA FOWLS. 
 
 CHINA (OR TCHIN TCHlj) GEESE. 
 
 Mr. C. R. Belcher, of East Randolph, Massachusetts, who 
 has been one of the most successful breeders of the above 
 denominated variety of geese, (or what is popularly considered 
 to have a close affinity to the Anser tribe,) furnishes the follow- 
 ing particulars respecting them : 
 
 The China Geese, -which I have bred for some time past, are gene- 
 rally considered natives of Hong Kong, and are very often named 
 
234 CHINA GEESE. 
 
 after that place ; but those who have been in that region, and have 
 had inducements to observe the fact, concur in stating that there is no 
 ground whatever for the assumption that Hong Kong is their native 
 place. There are no descriptions of tame geese there, and no semi- 
 domesticated or wild varieties that answer the description, in any 
 particular, of the China geese. The breed that I own, which possess 
 great merit, were brought from Tchin Tchu, and have, therefore, the 
 best right to the possession of the euphonious title associating them 
 with the place of their origin. As the cultivation of hard names for 
 fowls, has, of late, been greatly in vogue, the correction of this Hong 
 Kong error may be a matter of consequence, entitling me to some 
 credit a8 its discoverer. Let my deserts be what they may connected 
 with this particular, I am willing to let them abide by the general 
 title, China Geese, which is special enough to designate the variety in 
 question, in my humble opinion, at least 
 
 My stock of China geese exhibit all those external characteristics 
 the best judges assign to the pure breed. The bill is black, with a 
 black or dark-colored protuberance surmounting the base of the upper 
 mandible. A feathered wattle hangs under the throat ; a dark brown 
 stripe proceeds from the back of the head down the neck, until it 
 reaches the upper part of the body between the wings ; the fronts 
 of the neck and the breast, are yellowish grey ; the abdomen is white ; 
 the back, and all the upper parts of the body, are of a dark, greyish 
 color, and the legs dark, with black feet. 
 
 As respects their properties, they grow to the weight of from forty to 
 fifty pounds per pair at mature size say at two years of age. They 
 are very productive ; in fact, in this particular, they excel all other 
 varieties I know. They commence laying very early in the spring 
 season, and continue the production of eggs until late in the year. 
 They are not at all erratic in their notions as to the place they 
 deposit their eggs, but generally confine themselves to whatever 
 locality may be prepared for them to lay in. They hatch three 
 broods every year ; but their eggs in the early part of the year are 
 plentiful, and can be placed under other fowls to be hatched. They 
 are hardv, thoroughly domesticated in their habits, and have no 
 requirements beyond what is common with other descriptions of 
 geese. Various authors class them in the category of swans, and I 
 think they do so with some degree of justification. Their majestic 
 appearance when in the water, the peculiarity of their cry, and other 
 features in their deportment and physical character, give preponde- 
 rance to the idea that they are a species of swan. They are beauti- 
 fully ornamental, and greatly prized in that capacity. They have 
 never been in our markets for sale, as food, but those who have eaten 
 them have been satisfied of .their superiority for the table. At pres- 
 ent, they are too rare and valuable to become, immediately, an article 
 of consumption. Ultimately, however, they will become a very 
 eligible article in the produce of the poultry raiser. At sixteen 
 weeks old, goslings (or cygnets, as the case may be) attain to the 
 weight of fourteen pounds, dressed, and this is by no means a rare 
 thing. 
 
 While I have substantial reason to believe that my stock is inferioi 
 
CHINA GEESE. 235 
 
 in purity to none, I am not sure that the following extract from the 
 report of the judges at the New England Society's Show of Poultry, 
 in 1851, at Fitchburg Railroad Depot, Boston, is not applicable to it. 
 The " top-knot," or feathery tuft, which appears on the necks of the 
 females, in particular, and sometimes on those of the males, of my 
 stock, is the same as that specified in the extract. This mark you will 
 observe on the neck of the female, in the portraits accompanying this 
 communication. The judges say : 
 
 " The top-knot descriptions, however, as they were shown by nearly 
 every contributor, presented a feature which might suggest a vagrant 
 cross in their composition. The indefinite location of this top-knot 
 among the specimens shown, furnished your committee with the sug- 
 gestions leading to this doubt. The geese so distinguished, appear to 
 be a cross between the China goose and the anas melanctus, or Black- 
 Backed goose. The descriptions given by the best aiithors, of the 
 latter variety, would augur as much. It is a native of the country to 
 the north of the Ganges, but is now rarely found there. It is com- 
 mon, however, in Ceylon and Madagascar, whence specimens have 
 come to this country. The characteristics, in many particulars, of 
 the Chinese (or Hong Kong) geese, tally with those assigned to the 
 Black-Backed variety -more especially in color of body and feet, and 
 wedged tail feathers." 
 
 It is proper, however, in connection with the correctness of the 
 above extract, to state that the cross presuming it to exist is one 
 that has blended two bloods of equal strength. This is proved in the 
 repeated production of their exact counterparts in color and physical 
 construction, by the breeding stock. 
 
 I hope I have made myself intelligible to you an object I have 
 done my best to arrive at. 
 
 Yours, (fee., C. R. BELCHER. 
 
 East Randolph, Mass., 13th Dec., 1852. 
 
286 
 
 CHINA GEESK. 
 
 D. T. KING'S CHINESE GEESE. 
 
 The above portrait is said to be a very good representation 
 of China geese owned by Mr. King, from whom I have received 
 the following description : 
 
 MR. MINER Sir : It is somewhat remarkable that this rare and 
 beautiful bird, so striking in its appearance, should have escaped so 
 generally the notice of the different writers of systematic works on 
 ornithology. Doubtless the uncertainty that has existed as to its 
 correct name, and true native country, may be one cause of this. 
 Like the Poland fowl, it has been furnished with a variety of names, 
 and original native places. Some call it the " India Goose," others, 
 the " Mountain Goose ;" Bewick calls it the "Swan Goose." The 
 tubercle at the base of the bill, the unusual length of neck, and its 
 graceful carriage in the water, would certainly give it some claim to 
 relationship with the " aristocracy of lake and river." Cuvier calls it 
 the "Chinese Swan," and says, "that it cannot be separated from the 
 true swan." A goose, however, it decidedly is, as is clear from its 
 terrestrial habits, its powerful bill, and its diet of grass, and it is now 
 generally admitted that it came from China. Indeed, from its general 
 aspect, the dark brown stripe down its neck, its small bright eye, its 
 wild, harsh voice, its majestic step, and its seldom being in a hurry, 
 would perfectly harmonize in a picture of Chinese life ; it would group 
 
CHINA GEESE. 23*7 
 
 well in an extended landscape on a placid river, beside a boat filled 
 with shaven fishermen : but, however, it matters not what country it 
 came from, it deserves to rank in the first class of ornamental poultry. 
 It is not only valuable for its beauty and prolificness, but for its early 
 breeding and aptitude to fatten. They breed from three to four times 
 a year. They begin to lay in November, if the season be mild, and 
 in January the goslings are hatched, and if kept in a warm, dry place, 
 may be fit for the table in April or May. I have not been very suc- 
 cessful in hatching them, owing somewhat, as I fancy, to my having 
 no water for them, except a running stream. A quiet lake or pond, 
 I believe to be more to their taste, and perhaps more conducive to the 
 fecundity of their eggs. A China goose will lay from fifty to sixty- 
 five eggs in a year, under favorable circumstances, are steady sitters, 
 and will rear a brood well, if allowed their own way ; no great care 
 being necessary on the part of the owner. 
 
 D. T. KING. 
 Waterville, Oneida co., N. Y., July, 1852. 
 
 WHITE CHINESE, OR SWAN GOOSE. 
 
 Of this most beautiful variety, which approaches nearer to 
 the swan than any other goose, Mr. Dixon says : 
 
 The white China goose is of a spotless, pure white a very few 
 grey feathers have since appeared more swan like than the brown 
 variety, with a bright orange-colored bill, and a large, orange- colored 
 knob at its base. It is a particularly beautiful bird, either in or out 
 of the water, its neck being long, slender, and gracefully arched when 
 swimming. It breeds three or four times in the season, but I was not 
 
238 BREMEN GEESE. 
 
 successful with them, owing, as I fancied, to my haying no water for 
 
 them, except a rapid running stream. A quiet lake I believe to be 
 
 more to their taste, and more conducive to the fecundity of the eggs. 
 
 ************ 
 
 This bird deserves to rank in the first class of ornamental poultry, 
 and would be very prolific under favorable circumstances. 
 
 Dr. E. Wight, Dedham, Mass., is in possession of a pair of 
 tliis variety, recently imported. 
 
 AMERICAN WILD GOOSE. 
 
 Who is there that has not seen these noble birds in their 
 migrations from the solitary lakes and rivers of Canada, to the 
 warmer regions of the South ? They seem to be possessed of 
 a rare instinct in the order in which they take their flight. A 
 leader, an old gander of sagacious demeanor, is chosen to take 
 the lead, and if he be killed on the wing, his followers break 
 their order of flight, and alight to choose another leader. In 
 the spring they return to their haunts in the waters of the 
 undisturbed wilderness to breed. They even extend their 
 flight as far north as the coast of Spitzbergen and Labrador, 
 and many are found in the Hudson Bay territory. 
 
 BREMEN GEEBE. 
 
 It is quite doubtful whether we have any more valuable 
 breed of geese than this noble stock. They were first imported 
 to this country in 1820, from the interior of Germany, and 
 
POLAND GEESE. 239 
 
 being shipped at Bremen, they derive their name from that 
 circumstance. They are a pure white, weigh from thirty to 
 fifty pounds a pair alive, lay early, raise but one brood in a 
 season ; flesh, excellent ; feathers, soft and abundant ; of lofty, 
 noble carriage, and all in all, a splendid water-fowl. I pur- 
 chased a pair in the fall of 1852, that were the admiration of 
 every one who saw them ; far superior to any other Bremen 
 geese in this vicinity. The goose weighed twenty pounds, and 
 the gander near thirty pounds. There are but few such speci- 
 mens in this country. 
 
 THE AFRICAN, OR GUINEA GOOSE. 
 
 Buffon says, in his natural history, that this breed of geese 
 exceed all others in size, but I think the Bremen geese equal 
 them. Mr. John Giles, Providence, R. I., imported some fine 
 specimens, of which he says : 
 
 They stand forth first of their race, are brown-grey on the back, 
 light-grey on the breast, brown on the head and upper side of the 
 neck, have a prominent black tubercle on the root of the bill, with 
 pouch or dew-lap under the throat, weigh from twenty to twenty-five 
 pounds each, and are a rare ornamental bird. 
 
 INDIAN MOUNTAIN GOOSE. 
 
 Dr. Bennett, at the time of writing his work on poultry, had 
 specimens of this breed in his possession, which he says were 
 smaller than the African geese, but very graceful in appearance; 
 were a dimnish color on the breast and belly; otherwise like 
 the African geese. The pouch or dew-lap, hangs down from 
 one to two inches. Nothing is said of them as being of more 
 than ordinary value. 
 
 POLAND GEESE. 
 
 This variety is said to be a cross between the African and 
 Chinese goose, is of medium size, good appearance, easily 
 raised, and flesh very good. 
 
 There are a number of breeds and varieties of geese in various 
 parts of the world, not in the preceding list, a full description 
 
240 RAISING GEESE. 
 
 and history of which would fill a volume of the size of this 
 work ; but those I have introduced are such as we, as practical 
 breeders, are most interested in. 
 
 x Our native geese, so well known as to require no description, 
 may be raised to advantage in small or large numbers, which 
 my readers probably fully understand, without requiring of me 
 any particular elucidation of this subject. As to the compara- 
 tive merits of our native and foreign geese, for breeding, value 
 of feathers, &c., the preference is given to some of the larger 
 breeds, by all who have made a comparison of their merits. 
 
 RAISING GEESE. 
 
 A goose is much more easily raised than a dung-hill fowl. 
 For the first week or two after being hatched, they will require 
 a little attention, being allowed to run with the goose on grass, 
 and being fed with a little Indian meal and water, or soaked 
 bread. Boiled potatoes mixed with the meal, is very good 
 food. After the first two weeks, corn, barley, and other grains 
 may be placed in a box where they can have access to it, but 
 grass will be their chief food, and at a month old, no care need 
 be bestowed on them, except to provide a good grass pasture 
 and plenty of pure water, with shelter at night. A goose sits 
 on her eggs four weeks.. Many persons prefer to place their 
 eggs under hens, as the geese often kill the goslings when just 
 hatched, by treading on them. 
 
THE SWAN. 241 
 
 THE SWA N. 
 
 Of all the various water-fowls in existence, the Swan is the 
 largest, most noble and majestic. There are two species, the 
 pure white, and the black. They are natives of North America, 
 and inhabit the remote waters, beyond the molestation of man. 
 As the eagle is to the birds of the air, so is the swan to the 
 water-fowl. Nolan says : 
 
 The black Swan is a native of Australia, where it abounds on the 
 rivers and lakes, and in various islands along the coast, and is usually 
 seen in flocks, which are shy and wary. Its first introduction into 
 Europe was noticed in 1726, two living specimens having been brought 
 to Batavia. Of late years this beautiful bird has been introduced 
 more abundantly here, where it thrives, and breeds twice in the 
 year ; and there is no doubt of its soon becoming almost as common 
 as the tame swan. 
 
 Its plumage is black, with the exception of the primary, and a few of 
 the secondary quill feathers, which are white; but these are obscured 
 by the curled secondaries, which hang, plume-like, over them. The 
 bill is of a bright red color, crossed near the nail by a whitish band ; 
 its base, in the male, is surmounted by a slight protuberance, which 
 is wanting in the female ; underpart of the bill, greyish white; legs 
 and feet, of a dull ash color ; iris, red ; trachea, perfectly simple, not 
 unlike that of the common swan. The note of this species is harsh. 
 They are generally seen in flocks of eight or nine together, floating 
 on a lake, and when disturbed, flying off like wild geese, in a direct 
 line, one after another. 
 11 
 
242 
 
 THE WILD TURKEY. 
 
 
 WILD TURKEY COCK. 
 
 The wild Turkey is a native of North America, and may still 
 be found in some places, quite numerous. They were formerly 
 scattered over the whole country, to some extent, but as the 
 forests fell before the axe, and civilization advanced, this noble 
 bird of the wilderness was exterminated, or driven to more 
 remote and secluded places. At the period when the West was 
 first settled by whites, the wild turkey was found in numerous 
 flocks in all the wooded country in the vicinity, of the Missis- 
 sippi valley ; and perhaps there is no game that is more 
 exciting to the hunter. A hundred of these majestic birds 
 would in those times rise on the wing before the hunter, with 
 rifle in hand, fly into the surrounding trees without fear, and 
 as- a lusty old gobbler fell at the crack of the rifle, gobble, gob- 
 ble, gobble, w r as heard on every side, and the hunter had only 
 
THE DOMESTIC TURKEY. 
 
 243 
 
 WILD HEN TURKEY. 
 
 to load and fire, till sometimes a dozen would be killed before 
 the flock would take a distant flight ! Talk of hunting now-a- 
 days ! Why, it is a miserable farce in comparison to such 
 sport as our western pioneers had in their early days. 
 
 The main characteristics of both cocks and hens are the 
 same as of our domestic turkeys, as they have sprung directly 
 from the wild stock. The wild turkey makes her nest in the 
 leaves of the trees, in some sheltered thicket, and generally 
 brings forth a brood of fifteen to twenty young at a litter. 
 
 THE DOMESTIC TURKEY. 
 
 The domestic turkey is a profitable bird to raise, but is more 
 difficult to rear than geese or dunghill fowls. There are several 
 varieties of the domestic turkey, if color may be considered as 
 
244 THE DOMESTIC TURKEY. 
 
 constituting different varieties, but there is very little difference 
 in any among us at x present, as" regards size, or other qualities 
 that render one variety sought for in preference to another. I 
 have recently heard of some splendid large specimens in Cali- 
 fornia, that weigh seventy pounds the pair, and I shall make 
 an effort to obtain the stock. 
 
 The turkey must have a wide range, to be profitable. They 
 require a dry place to make their nests in, on the ground, and 
 a secluded nook. It is a good plan to provide a bushel or two 
 of dry leaves for their nests. They sit from thirty to thirty-one 
 days. The young require no food the first day, but for the 
 next few days, they should be fed on boiled egg and soaked 
 bread, or curd mixed, or a few pounded crackers, mixed with 
 the egg, is very nourishing. When they are two weeks old, 
 meal and grain should be fed to them, and they should be well 
 housed in stormy weather, as nothing causes a young turkey 
 to droop sooner than dampness. With care, and suitable food, 
 they may be easily raised. They are subject to diseases, but 
 no specific rules can be adduced to effect cures, as in the case 
 of the gapes, &c., in chickens. Curds are probably the best 
 food that can be given them, but not to be fed wholly on that 
 food, unless they are enabled to pick up a good portion of their 
 living in the range that is allowed them. 
 
PEA-FOWL. 
 
 245 
 
 
 PEA FOWL. 
 
 i 
 
 Of all the domestic fowls that are subservient to man, the 
 pea fowl is the most beautiful, and no one can look on its gor- 
 geous plumage, marked as by the pencil of the most exquisite 
 painter, and not wonder at the power of Nature, in thus pro- 
 ducing so magnificent a bird. In the vegetable kingdom we 
 find gorgeous hues that no painter can imitate ; and in the 
 animal kingdom the art of man is mocked, and his power of 
 decoration humbJed in the beautiful colors of the leopard and 
 zebra ; but among the feathered tribes is the chef-cTouvre of 
 Nature's exquisite art. But Nature is seldom lavish in more 
 than one of her eminent gifts to the same thing. The most 
 harmonious songsters are the most uncomely to the sight, and 
 in bestowing the gorgeous plumage to the pea .fowl, she with- 
 held the melody of her voice, and gave her a screech, that 
 would seem to belong to a hyena, or some other repugnant 
 animal. 
 
 The pea fowl seldom lays before the third season, lays from five 
 to seven eggs, and sits from twenty-seven to twenty-nine days. 
 
246 
 
 GUINEA FOWLS. 
 
 WHITE GUINEA FOWL. 
 
 This species of the "Pintado," is a pure white, and possesses 
 the common characteristics of the variegated fowl. They 
 are bred in various parts of the United States. The above is 
 a portrait of a specimen in possession of Dr. Eben Wight, Ded- 
 ham, Mass., and his stock is said to be very beautiful. 
 
 VARIEGATED GUINEA FOWL. 
 
 This bird is not" kept for profit, but for ornament. They are 
 proof against confinement by any fence, and will not thrive 
 unless allowed their liberty. They are abundant layers. Their 
 period of incubation is twenty eight days. The male must be 
 kept away from the eggs, as he is prone to destroy them. 
 
AYLESBURY DUCK. 
 
 247 
 
 AYLESBURY DUCK. 
 
 This species of duck is a pure white, and is considered the 
 best for breeding, all things considered, of any known variety. 
 Mr. Giles, of Providence, the famous breeder, says : 
 
 This breed I brought out with me from England. They are white, 
 with white bills ; flesh, of a beautiful white ; weigh from eight to ten. 
 pounds a pair, and are considered a rarity in London, and command 
 one-third more price there than any other ducks. 
 
 I have made considerable inquiry in regard to the best 
 breed of ducks among us, and I am fully satisfied that this is 
 the breed, above all others, to be kept. They are much larger 
 than our common breeds, their flesh is of a better flavor, and 
 their feathers are nearly equal to those of geese. If, however, 
 any one has a better breed, he will do the public a favor by 
 communicating a description to me for publication in the 
 Northern Farmer. 
 
248 CAYUGA BLACK DUCK. 
 
 CAYUGA BLACK DUCK. 
 
 This breed is spoken of in high terms by those who have 
 bred them. I have secured a pair from the yard of Dr. Eben 
 Wight, Dedham, Mass., who sends me the following history 
 and description of them : 
 
 The above representation is by no means a flattering one, for this 
 variety is even more sizeable than there delineated. This variety of 
 duck has been bred by Mr. J. S. Clarke, of Caynga county, IS". Y., for 
 near twenty years, and is undoubtedly a cross between some wild 
 variety, and the domestic duck, and though Mr. Clark has bred them 
 for that length of time, they were first brought to notice through the 
 columns of the Albany Cultivator, in 1851. Mr. Howard, the editor, 
 (now of the Boston Cultivator,) having seen in the market some ducks 
 of this variety, dressed, and weighing about eight pounds each, and 
 always having an eye to the useful, he traced them to Mr. Clark, since 
 which the stock has become more widely disseminated, and is, in 
 size, superior to the Aylesbury, a trio of which were exhibited at the 
 "Birmiugham Poultry Show," weighing (alive) twenty -two pounds, 
 being considered as monsters at even that weight, while these dresa 
 from seven to nine pounds, making the trio twenty-one to twenty- 
 seven pounds, ready for the spit. 
 
 The " Cayuga Black Duck," is very prolific, giving about one hun- 
 dred and fifty eggs in the year; are both ornamental and quiet; not 
 disposed to ramble, and never taking to wing. 
 
 I have some fine specimens in my yard at Dedham. 
 
 Notwithstanding the Doctor speaks so highly of this variety, 
 I think it does not equal the Aylesbury duck, all things eon^ 
 sidered. 
 
MUSCOVY DUCK. 
 
 249 
 
 MUSC VY DUCK. 
 
 This is said to be a distinct species. They are much larger 
 than our common ducks, and are generally of a dark, rich, blue- 
 black color, byt sometimes are found of all colors. They are 
 distinguished by a caruncled membrane, of red color, compared 
 to a cherry, covering the cheeks, and extending behind the eyes, 
 and swells at the root of the bill. This tubercle is wanting in 
 the female, as also the tuft of narrow feathers which hangs 
 behind the head of the male. 
 
 FEMALE MUSCOVY DUCK. 
 
 There is a difference of opinion in regard to the prolificnesa 
 of this breed, and their value, but my opinion is that they are 
 only valuable as a "fancy " fowl. I have never bred them. 
 11* 
 
250 WOOD DUCK. 
 
 WOOD DUCK. 
 
 This beautiful water-fowl is described by Wilson, as follows : 
 
 This most beautiful of all our ducks, ha3 probably no superior 
 among its whole tribe, for richness and variety of colors. It is called 
 the wood duck, from the circumstance of its breeding in hollow trees; 
 and the summer duck, from remaining with us chiefly during the 
 summer. It is familiarly known in every quarter of the United States, 
 from Florida to Lake Ontario, in the neighborhood of which latter 
 place I have myself met with it in October. It rarely visits the sea 
 Bhore or salt marshes, its favorite haunts being the solitary, deep, and 
 muddy creeks, ponds, and mill-dams of the interior, making its nest 
 frequently in old, hollow trees, that overhang the water. 
 
 The summer duck seldom flies in flocks of more than three or four 
 individuals together, and most commonly in pairs, or singly. The 
 common note of the drake is peet, pcet ; but when, standing sentinel, 
 he sees danger, he makes a noise not unlike the crowing of a young 
 cock, oe eek 1 oe eekl Their food consists principally of acorns, seeds 
 of the wild oats, and insects. Their flesh is inferior to that of the 
 blue-winged teal. They are frequent in the markets of Philadelphia. 
 
 Among other gaudy feathers with which the Indians ornament the 
 calumet or pipe of peace, the skin of the head and neck of the sum- 
 mer duck is frequently seen covering the stem. 
 
 This beautiful bird has often been tamed, and soon becomes so 
 familiar as to permit one to stroke its back with the hand. I have 
 seeji individuals so tamed in various parts of the Union. Captain 
 Boyer, collector of the port of Havre de Grace, informs me, that about 
 forty years ago, a Mr. Nathan Nicols, who lived on the west side of 
 Gunpowder Creek, had a whole yard swarming with summer ducks, 
 which he had tamed and completely domesticated, so that they bred, 
 and were as familiar as any other tame fowls; that he (Captain 
 Boyer) himself saw them in that state, but does not know what 
 became of them. Latham says that they are often kept in European 
 menageries, and will breed there. 
 
 The wood duck is nineteen inches in length, and two feet four inches 
 
WOOD DUCK. 251 
 
 in extent ; till, red, margined with black ; a spot of black lies between 
 the nostrils, reaching, nearly to the tip, which is also of the same 
 color, and furnished with a large, hooked nail ; irides, orange red ; 
 front, crown, and pendant crest, rich, glossy, bronze green, ending in 
 violet, elegantly marked with a line of pure white, running from the 
 upper mandible over the eye, and with another band of white pro- 
 ceeding from behind the eye, both mingling their long, pendant plumes 
 with the green and violet ones, producing a rich effect ; cheeks and 
 sides of the upper neck, violet; chin, throat, and collar round the 
 neck, pure white, curving up in the form of a crescent, nearly to the 
 posterior part of the eye ; the white collar is bounded below with 
 black; breast, dark violet brown, marked on the fore part with 
 minute triangular spots of white, increasing in size until they spread 
 into the white of the belly ; each side of the breast is bounded by a 
 large crescent of white, and. that again by a broader one of deep 
 black ; sides, under the wings, thickly and beautifully marked with 
 fine, undulating, parallel lines of black, on a ground of yellowish 
 drab ; the flanks are ornamented with broad, alternate, semicircular 
 bands of black and white ; sides of the vent, rich, light violet ; tail 
 covers, long, of a hair-like texture at the sides, over which they 
 descend, and of a deep black, glossed with green ; back, dusky 
 bronze, reflecting green ; scapulars, black; tail, tapering, dark glossy 
 green above, below, dusky ; primaries, dusky, silvery hoary, without, 
 tipped with violet blue ; secondaries, greenish blue, tipped with white ; 
 wing coverts, violet blue, tipped with black ; vent, dusky ; legs and 
 feet, yellowish red ; claws, strong and hooked. 
 
 The above is as accurate a description as I can give of a very per- 
 fect specimen now before me. 
 
 The female has the head slightly crested ; crown, dark purple ; 
 behind the eye, a bar of white ; chin and throat, for two inches, also 
 white ; head and neck, dark drab ; breast, dusky brown, marked with 
 large triangular spots of white ; back, dark, glossy, bronze brown, 
 with some gold and greenish reflections. Speculum of the win-gs, 
 nearly the same as in the male, but the fine penciling of the sides, 
 and the long hair-like, tail coverts, arc wanting; the tail is also 
 shorter. 
 
262 PINTAIL DUCK. 
 
 PINTAIL DUCK^ 
 
 This is a native of the United States. Wilson and Audubon 
 state that it is an inland bird, and very abundant on the waters 
 of the Mississippi, and feeds on beech nuts, that are found in 
 the woods adjoining the water. Nolan says : 
 
 The pintail duck is a bird of graceful proportions, with a slender 
 neck and elongated tail, and undergoes the changes of color usual in 
 the duck tribe, the male bird assuming the appearance of the female, 
 after the breeding season. The flesh is of the finest flavor ; it weighs 
 about two pounds. "When in full plumage, the head and throat of the 
 male bird, are dark hair brown ; the lower part of the neck, and two 
 streaks running up to the hind part of the head, the breast, and under 
 part, white; back of the neck, deep brown. Flanks and thighs, with 
 five transverse black lines ; under tail coverts, velvet black. Back, 
 marked with alternate varying lines of black and greyish white. 
 Scapulars, black ; tertials, long, acuminate, and black, with yellowish 
 white margins; lesser wing coverts, deep smoke grey; speculum, 
 blackish green, with a bronzed reflection, bordered below with white ; 
 quills, brown; two middle tail-feathers, elongated, acuminate, and 
 black ; the rest, brown, margined with white ; bill, black ; .legs, 
 blackish grey. 
 
NATITE DUCKS. 
 
 253 
 
 CRESTED, OR TOP-KNOT DUCK. 
 
 Latham says of this species : 
 
 This inhabitant of the extremity of America, is of the size of the 
 wild duck, but is much longer, for it measures twenty-five inches in 
 length; a tuft adorns its head; & straw yellow, mixed with rusty 
 colored spots, is spread over the throat, and front of the neck ; the 
 wing speculum, blue beneath, edged with white ; the bill, wing, and 
 tail are black ; the irides, red, and all the rest of the body ashy grey. 
 
 THE ROUEN DUCK. 
 
 This variety came originally from Rouen, in France, hence 
 the name. They are said to be preferred to the native breeds 
 of England, are more prolific, and their flesh is of a better 
 flavor. They are dark-colored, similar to our native ducks, but 
 are larger. 
 
 NATIVE DUCKS. 
 
 Our native ducks are too well known to require a description. 
 
 The rearing of ducks is a pleasant and profitable business, 
 where a pond or stream of water is convenient. If no pond 
 or stream be near, a tub may be sunk in the ground, with 
 a plug-hole to let out the water when impure, the earth 
 being excavated some inches below the tub. A few stones 
 should be placed on one side of the tub, (inside,) to allow the 
 ducks to get out with facility, when the water is low. 
 
254 BEARING DUCKS. 
 
 Ducks lay in the night, and make no nests. They should 
 be yarded under cover in the laying season, and the ground 
 strewed with hay or straw. They sit thirty-one days. The 
 young require the same food for a few days that is suitable for 
 chickens, and when two or three weeks old, they will eat any 
 thing set before them, and nothing appears to be injurious in 
 the way of food given to them, but they will kill themselves if 
 allowed to run at large in the season of " rose-bugs," so called. 
 I lost one hundred young ducks on a certain occasion, from this 
 cause. I had them all hatched under hens, and I made a pen 
 one foot high, for them to run in, in one corner of which I 
 made a shelter for them to lodge at night. They were all 
 growing finely, and some were a month or more old, when I 
 fancied that it would be a good plan to let them out. I did so, 
 and they ran over the field, seizing every bug in their reach, 
 till their crops were expanded with the living mass. In forty- 
 eight hours, every duck had " kicked the bucket." Let this be 
 a warning to all duck breeders. 
 
 author respectfully solicits communications from 
 Poultry Breeders, for publication in the " NORTHERN FARMER," 
 (see advertisement of it,) which has a greater circulation among 
 Fowl Fanciers, than any other journal in this country. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 DUNGHILL FOWLS. 
 
 FAOX. 
 
 Bantam Fowls, 164 
 
 Bavarian " 160 
 
 Black China Fowls, 94 
 
 Black Poland " 144 
 
 Black Spanish " 133 
 
 Bolton Grey, or Creole Fowls, 151 
 
 Brahma Pootra " , 26 
 
 Chittagong " 86 
 
 Cochin China " 80 
 
 Dorking " 11 
 
 English Eed Cap " 130 
 
 Frizzled " 159 
 
 Game " 98 
 
 Great Java " *..., 96 
 
 Great Malay " 96 
 
 Guelderland " 155 
 
 Hong Kong " 88 
 
 Hoang Ho " 92 
 
 Italy " 161 
 
 Jersey Blue * 97 
 
 Native Dominique " 157 
 
 Rumpless " 160 
 
 Russian " 128 
 
 Silky 163 
 
 Silver Pheasant " 158 
 
 Shanghae " 41 
 
 Spangled Hamburgh " , 148 
 
 Spangled Poland " 146 
 
 Surrey " 24 
 
 Tonquin " 162 
 
 White Calcutta " ..131 
 
256 INDEX. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 PAOK. 
 
 Breeding, 215 
 
 Caponizing, 226 
 
 Chickens Raised Without a Mother 211 
 
 Cocks not Necessary to Produce Eggs, 197 
 
 Coops, 213 
 
 Diseases of Fowls, 228 
 
 Duration of Impregnation, 196 
 
 Eggs, how Preserved, 196 
 
 Eggs that Produce Cocks and Pullets, 220 
 
 Eggs that are Impregnated, 220 
 
 Eggs, Number Laid in a Year, 222 
 
 Fattening Fowls, 207 
 
 Food for Fowls, 200 
 
 Fowls Kept in Large Numbers, 221 
 
 Gapes in Chickens, . . '. 209 
 
 Incubation, 184 
 
 Incubation, Artificial 190 
 
 Lice on Chickens, 211 
 
 Lime for Fowls 222 
 
 Longevity of Fowls 197 
 
 Management of Chickens, 208 
 
 Manner of Feeding, '. 203 
 
 Nest Boxes, 195 
 
 Number of Hens to a Cock, 196 
 
 Poultry Houses, 172 
 
 Pepper Beneficial to Fowls, 223 
 
 Salt Injurious to Fowls, 224 
 
 Value of Poultry Manure, 224 
 
 Watering Fowls, 183 
 
 WATER FOWLS, ETC. 
 
 Geese .233 
 
 Ducks, 247 
 
 Swans, 241 
 
 Pea Fowls, 245 
 
 Guinea Fowls, 246 
 
 Turkeys 242 
 
The undersigned will sell 
 
 WHITE AND BUFF SHANGHAES, OR COCHIN CHINAS, 
 
 IMPERIAL CHINESE, 
 Brahma Pootras, CMttagongs, or Grey Shanghaes, 
 
 BLACK SPANISH, AND BLACK BANTAMS, 
 
 AND OP THE BEST STOCK IN THE COUNTRY, 
 
 From fowls of his own importation from China and England, or from specimens 
 which took 
 
 FIRST ANI> SEC01I> PREMIUMS, 
 
 At many of the recent exhibitions. Fowls to be sent to a distance will be carefully 
 cooped and forwarded according to directions. Gentlemen who favor him with 
 orders will please enclose the amount they wish to expend, and give a full description 
 of the fowls they desire. 
 
 Fowls will be cooped and started in good health and condition, after which the 
 undersigned will not be responsible for them. 
 
 JAMES McCLINTOCK, M. D,, 
 
 President of the Pennsylvania Poultry Society, 
 
 Philadephia College of Medicine, 
 Philadelphia, June 21, 1353. Fifth, South of Walnut Street. 
 
 m 
 
 AND MILL-WRIGHT'S 'ASSISTANT. 
 
 This is the most valuable book for practical Millers and Mill-wrights, extant, having 
 recently been published by William C. Hughes, who is himself a practical miller, 
 and has spent the best portion of his life in the business of constructing, planning, 
 and managing of Flouring Mills, and the Manufacture of Flour. In preparing 
 this work for the Milling public, his object has been to establish a correct guide to the 
 business, instead of speculative theories. Special regard has been paid to most of 
 the essential improvements which have of late been introduced for the benefit of 
 the Miller. 
 
 No Miller or Mill-wnght who wishes vahiable information about his business, should 
 be without the Book. 
 
 The Book is 12 mo. size, contains 230 pages, and sold at the low price of $1 25 In 
 good sheep binding, or $1 00 in paper. Books sent by mail to any address on receipt 
 of the above price. 
 
 Pedlers and agents supplied cheap. Address 
 
 GEO. W. FISHER, 
 
 Bookseller and Publisher. 
 
 Rochester, N. Y. 
 
THE HOME DOCTOR! 
 
 THIS is a new and valuable book for every family in the United States, 
 and one that may be consulted with perfect safety. As its titlepage indi- 
 cates, it is 
 
 OR FAMILY MANUAL: 
 
 giving tho Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Diseases ; with an ac- 
 count of the System while in health, and Rules for preserving that state. 
 Appended to which are Recipes for making various Medicines and articles 
 of Diet for the sick-room. The whole written for general use and daily 
 practice. By JOHN B. NEWMAN, M. D." 
 
 Also, accompanying this book, or separate, is 
 
 BOOK OF HERBS,:::: 
 
 Devoted exclusively te> Herbs, giving their names, varieties, descrip- 
 tion, medical properties and doses, use, time of gathering, and many 
 other directions very useful for every family to know, and written ex- 
 pressly for family use." 
 
 The Book of Herbs is devoted solely to Popular Medical Botany, and 
 will furnish on that point all the desired information wanted for general use 
 
 Such a manual is very valuable to all families in the country, who desire 
 to inform themselves relative to the properties of plants that grow around 
 them ; and not only to find their names and virtues, but tho best method 
 of deriving benefit from them. The properties of each, more especially 
 the medicinal, are confirmed, in most instances, by personal experience 
 O" Remedies are given for poisoning by vegetables, and general direc- 
 tions for avoiding noxious plants, and not mistaking them for others. 
 
 In preparing this book the author has had three important things in 
 view : 
 
 1st. The prevention of Disease ; 
 
 2d. The arrest of Disease when threatened by it ; and 
 
 3d. The cure of Disease by the most simple remedies to be obtained. 
 
 ** The two books are bound together, and constitute a neat volume 
 of 200 12mo. pages. 
 
 Price, for mail edition, 25 cents, being the cheapest book in the 
 marktt. jj^gf" Any person sending me ONE DOLLAK, free of postage, 
 shall receive FOUR COPIES by mail, free of expense. 
 
 WILLIAM ALLING, 
 
 Bookseller and Publisher, Nos. 10 <fc 12 Exchange Street. 
 Rochester, May, 1853. 
 
D. P. NEWELL'S 
 
 PRIZE POULTEY. 
 
 (For Portraits, see Frontispiece of this Book.) 
 
 I have, the past winter and spring, purchased 
 
 BRAHMA POOTKA FOWLS, 
 
 which received the FIRST PREMIUM, and are uni- 
 versally called the finest and largest specimens of 
 that noble breed of fowls. I huve now on hand 
 all the different breeds of 
 
 THE LATE AND CHOICE IMPORTATIONS, 
 
 and have made arrangements to breed them pure, 
 and shall be able to furnish the very best fowls 
 and eggs that can be had in the United States. 
 
 The Unparalleled List of Premiums 
 
 which I received at the 
 NEW YORK STATE FAIR 
 
 held at Utica, September, 1852; also the same 
 month in Monroe County, at Rochester, must be satisfactory to every one, that my 
 stock of fowls are SECOND TO NONE IN AMERICA. I shall be happy at any 
 tiuie to show my collection of fowls. All orders promptly attended to. 
 
 Rochester, Monroe Co., N. Y. 
 
 D. P. NEWELL. 
 
 PREMIUMS AT TS. Y. STATE FAIR, UTICA, 1852. 
 
 Best lot of Pure Bred Fowls First Premium, toD. P. Newell, of Rochester,.. $10 00 
 
 White Surry Dorkings First, to D. P. Newell 8 00 
 
 Shanghaes, Chittagongs, Malays, Ac. First, to D. P. Newell 8 00 
 
 (Under this head all of the Asiatic varieties are included.) 
 
 Jersey Blues Second, to D. P. Newell 2 00 
 
 Cochin Chinas, to D. P. Newell Vol. Trans. 
 
 PREMIUMS AWARDED AT MONROE COUNTY FAIR, 1852. 
 
 The first, to D. P. Newell, for the best coop of fowls, of any variety $2 00 
 
 do do do do White Shanghaes 200 
 
 do do do do Buff do 2 00 
 
 do do do do Black do 2 00 
 
 do on Cantons 2 00 
 
 The Second, on Bantams 1 00 
 
 [From the Rochester Daily Democrat, May 12.] 
 
 LARQR SALK OF IMPROVED FOWLS. Mr. D. P. Newell sold on Monday, the following 
 breed of fowls to Dr. E. C. Winchester : 
 
 One Brahma Pootra crower, and two hens $150 00 
 
 Eight Brahma Pootra hens 92 83 
 
I^irHeir, F^tyeir 
 
 GEORGE W. MERCHANT'S 
 
 C E L E B R AT E D 
 
 OR, UNIVERSAL FAMILY EMBROCATION ! 
 
 ClnparaUeled in the history of Medicine, as the MOST REMARKABLE 
 External Application ever discovered, 
 
 For Horses and Human Flesh. 
 
 GOOD FOR 
 
 RHEUMATISM, Chil- 
 blains, Corns/Whitlows 
 Caked Breasts,Cramps, 
 Boils, Bites of animals, 
 Weakness of the joints, 
 Contractions of mus- 
 cles, Burns and Scalds, 
 Frost-bites, Painful 
 Nervous Affections, 
 I Chapped hands, Swel- 
 ' lings, Tumors, Tooth- 
 ache, Old Sores, Flesh 
 Wounds, Galls of all 
 kinds, Sprains, Bruises, 
 Cracked Heels, Ring- 
 bone, Pole Evil, Wind- 
 galls, Callous, Spavins, 
 Sweeney, Fistula, Sit- 
 fast, External Poisons, Scratches or Grease, Spring-halt, Sand-cracks, 
 Lameness, Strains, Foundered Feet, Mange, Horn Distemper, and 
 many other diseases incident to man and beast. 
 
 Prepared only by GEORGE W. MERCHANT, Chemist, Lockport, N". y., 
 and for sale by Druggists generally. 
 
 OF COUNTERFEITS.^ 
 
 The genuine has " G. W. MEBCHANT, LOCKPORT, N. T." blown in 
 the glass, and the proprietor's name, in his own hand writing, over 
 the cork. Sold by every respectable dealer in the United States 
 and Canada. 
 
 B^F" For testimonials, Synopsis of Diseases, and mode of treatment, 
 see Pamphlet, -which accompanies each bottle. A pamphlet of de- 
 scription may also be had gratis of the Agent 
 
A DISTRESSING CASE OF RHEUMATISM. 
 
 LITTLE UTICA, N. Y., APRIL, 1850. 
 DR. G. W. MERCHANT: 
 
 Dear Sir I must give you a sketch of what your 
 Gargling Oil has done for my wife. 
 
 For a number of years she had been afflicted with the Rheumatism 
 to such a degree, that her wrists, joints and fingers were drawn into 
 knots; she had no use of them. She was perfectly helpless ; could 
 not dress or undress herself for years. Her feet and legs were al- 
 most as bad as her hands, so that for two years or more, I had been 
 obliged to lift her in and out of a carriage or wagon. But, thank 
 God, she is, by the use of your celebrated Gargling Oil, almost well 
 again. She can walk, and does her own work, or the principal part of 
 it If the foregoing is worth anything to you we shall be glad of it 
 I remain yours, <fec., S. H. POWELL. 
 
 TO HOUSEKEEPERS AND FARMERS. 
 
 PENDLETOX, MARCH 16, 1850. 
 
 DR. GEO. W, MERCHANT: Sir Having used and witnessed the ef- 
 fects of your celebrated Gargling Oil in the cure of flesh wounds, 
 galls, bruises, and wounds of whatever nature, on horses or cattle, 
 and have used it on my own flesh with the most decided satisfac- 
 tion, and for chapped or cracked hands it is a dead shot the first ap- 
 plication, as I have had abundant means of knowing. I have used 
 it with decided effect in the cure of sore necks, on oxen, occasioned 
 by pressure and chafing of the yoke in wet weather. It also cured a 
 horse of mine of a severe wound of long standing, on the shoulder, 
 when other medicines had failed ; among which was British Oil, by 
 the recommendation of others was fairly tried, but to no purpose. 
 
 To conclude, I have used it in every case where medicine was re- 
 sorted to, with entire satisfaction. 
 
 Yours respectfuUy, (Signed) JAMES D. TAYLOR. 
 
 TO OWNERS OF HORSES. 
 
 THIS MAY CERTIFT, That I have had for many years the care of from 
 ONE HUNDRED TO TWO HUNDRED HORSES, 
 
 and have made use of MERCHANT'S GARGLING OIL for two 
 years past, and can safely say, that for all diseases that Horses are 
 liable to, I never saw its equal. I use about one bottle per month, 
 and recommend it to the public as the best medicine for Horses now 
 in use. E. D. MINOR. 
 
THE NORTHERN FARMER. 
 
 This monthly periodical contains sixteen large octavo pages, of closely printed 
 matter, at the low price of thirty-one cents a year, or Jive copies for one dollar, sent 
 to different addresses, and different post offices, if desired. This paper contains 
 more sound, practical reading, for the. price, than any other paper in the United 
 States. It is devoted chiefly to PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE, but it embraces the 
 subjects of POULTRY, BEES, HORTICULTURE, and STOCK of all kinds their 
 diseases and cures, and in brief, every thing of ink-rest to the farmer and persons 
 with small plats of ground, so far as it is possible in a work of this size. Every 
 month it will contain a valuable article on POULTRY; also one on BEES; and it 
 will also embrace some of the most important questions of the day, of direct interest 
 to the people, without interfering with politics. This Journal was commenced by 
 the subscriber, who is Editor and Proprietor, in January, 1852, and at this date, 
 (June, 1853,) has FIFTEEN THOUSAND subscribers ! No other paper in the world, 
 it is believed, of its character, is so popular, which its immense circulation fully 
 proves, having been in existence but about seventeen months. Of the hundreds of 
 testimonials, received in regard to this paper, a few very brief extracts are subjoined : 
 " Your paper is better than I expected. It is certainly one of tke best I have ever seen, either in thi 
 country or Europe." 
 
 I think your paper the best of the kind I know of. It excels all tlutl come to my office." 
 I tako three Agricultural papers, but read yours first, because it ib short, pithy, and to the point." 
 I have discontinued the Genesee Farmer, which I took five years. I now take the Northern Farmer, 
 ch I consider a better paper." 
 
 Your paper is very popular here. Some prefer it to the Rural New Yorker." 
 Every one likes yonrpajier here. They say it is equal to any $2 pni^r they can get." 
 I consider your paper the best for the price that I ever saw. I am a judge of such things, having been 
 In the publication business." 
 
 Enclosed, is $1 for the Northern Farmer; the best paper of its size in the world." 
 I am much pleased with your paper for this year. I take twelve Agricultural papers, and yours suits 
 me the best." 
 
 " Your paper u thought so much of here, that the females are subscribing in numbers, to send it to their 
 friends in distant towns." 
 
 This paper contains a YOUTH'S DEPARTMENT, devoted to lessons of instruction 
 in industry, good manners, morals, history, &c. Also a LADIES' DEPARTMENT, 
 devoted to subjects pertaining to household duties, and other interesting matter, and 
 whole clubs of ladies' names are frequently sent in. 
 
 The Farmer circulates all over the United States. It has 40 subscribers in New 
 Orleans ; 20 at Macon, Geo. ; 25 at Clarksville, Tenn. ; 47 at Floyd C. II., Va. ; 45 at 
 Fort des Moines, Iowa ; 140 at Pittsburgh, Pa. ; 55 at South Bend, Ind. ; 83 at Win- 
 throp, Me. ; 190 at Utica, N. Y., and so on in every State in the Union. 
 
 In October, 1853, the subscriber will issue a sample number of an enlarged paper, 
 to be called by the same name, but to contain forty-eight octavo pages at one dollar 
 a year, or a copy free to any one who sends in a club of four names, and/owr dollars 
 in cash; ten copies for seven dollars; ticenty copies for twelve dollars only sixty 
 cfents per copy ! The present sixteen page paper will be continued, and made up 
 from the contents of the large edition. All persons who will lend a hand at circulating 
 these periodicals, will please send for specimen numbers, which, with prospectuses, 
 will be sent free of charge. The forty-eight page paper will embrace, besides the 
 subjects before enumerated, the most interesting incidents in travels, history, &c., 
 and will be beautifully illustrated with costly engravings. Its character cannot be 
 fully given here, and you must send for a specimen number. No expense will be 
 withheld, to render it the cheapest and most interesting periodical, that has ever 
 emanated from the American press. Address, post-paid, 
 
 T. B. MINER, 
 
 Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y. 
 
 $W Agents wanted to obtain subscribers for the above papers, and sell the 
 " Domestic Poultry Book," &c. Active men, of the right kind, can make from $2 to 
 $3 a day. Send for a " Circular to Agents," containing the conditions, and full 
 particulars ; circular to be ready in October, 1S58. 
 
 AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER'S MANUAL. 
 
 This work contains 350 pages, and 35 fine engravings, and is the standard work on 
 Bees. It contains all necessary rules for the successful management of this insect, 
 with drawings of Hives, Bee Houses, Ac., &c. Price, $1 00, handsomely bound, and 
 sent to any part of the United States, post paid. Address as above. 
 
CHOICE POULTRY. 
 
 THE subscriber has for sale the following varieties of DOMESTIC FOWLS, 
 purely bred from the best imported and premium stock in the country, 
 viz. : 
 
 Cochin. China, -Canton China, Buff, Brown, Black, White, 
 
 and Gray SHANGHAES. 
 
 Brama Pootras, or Gray CHITTAGONGS ; Sumatra Games; 
 Polands, Dorkings, Black Spanish, and Bantams. 
 
 Also, in connection with the above, I am able to furnish purely bred 
 
 SUFFOLK PIGS, 
 
 from the finest and choicest importations. 
 
 All orders promptly attended to, and Stock carefully forwarded to any 
 part of the "United States or Canada. Address 
 
 J. A. C. BUTTERS, 
 
 WEST ROXBUKY, MASS, 
 
SCRIBNER'B 
 
 FOR SHIP BTJTLDERS, BOAT BUILDERS, 
 
 . JLUMUER MERCHAJVTS, FAUIERS & MECHANICS. 
 
 Being a correct measurement of Scantling, Boards, Plank, Cubical 
 Contents of Square and Round Timber, Sawlogs, Wood, etc., com- 
 prised in a number of Tables ; to which are added Tables of "Wages 
 by the month, Board or Rent, by the week or day, railroad distances, 
 <fcc. Also interest Tables, at seven per cent. 
 
 ar. ivc. j 
 
 AUTHOR OP " ENGINEER'S AND MECHANIC'S COMPANION," 
 ENGINEER'S POCKET TABLE BOOK, etc., etc. 
 
 Scarcely is it possible to add to the recommendations of the above 
 book, more than to give its title page. Every one who is engaged in 
 buying, selling, measuring or inspecting Lumber of any kind, will at 
 once appreciate a work of this kind. No pains or expense has been 
 spared in revising and enlarging this edition, to make it in every re- 
 spect convenient and accurate. 
 
 The Log Table was computed by 
 drawing Diagrams, as shown by the 
 cut, for each and every log, from 12 
 to 44 inches in diameter, and the 
 width of each board taken, after 
 taking off the wane edge. The sum 
 total of each board constitutes the 
 amount each log will give, and if 
 there can be any dependence plac- 
 ed upon such strictly mathematical 
 accuracy, no one will hesitate for a 
 moment to abide the results here 
 given, as the method adopted by 
 the author can result in nothing else 
 than strict honesty and mathemat- 
 ical accuracy, to the parties interested. 
 
 The best evidence of the usefulness and popularity of this book is 
 the rapid and extensive sale of over 75,000 in a very short time, while 
 the sale is constantly increasing. We do not hesitate to say that no 
 book of its size and price contains more useful or correct tables. 
 
 In all new and lumber countries the book will be found very con- 
 venient, as it comprises much that is useful for the Farmer, Mechanic, 
 and business man. 
 
 ORDERS SOLICITED, from Agents, Booksellers, and others, to whom a 
 liberal discount will be made. J^~ Price 25 cents. FIVE COPIES sent to one 
 address for ONE DOLLAR, postage paid. The books can be had of Booksellers 
 generally, throughout the United States. 
 
 GEORGE W. FISHER, 
 
 >fiH*Me Street. 
 
i POULTRY 
 
 THE SUBSCRIBER WILL SELL 
 
 BRAHMA POOTRA, IMPERIAL CHINESE, BLACK SPANISH, 
 
 Shanghae, Bantam and Game Fowls, 
 
 Besides numerous others, all of which are WARRANTED pure a&d true 
 to their names, and of the best stock in the country. 
 
 will be carefully got ready and forwarded to any part of the United 
 States or Canadae, according to directions. &T" Purchas- 
 ers will do well by calling and examining my stock, 
 or by addressing 
 
 WILLIAM FULMER, 
 
 Stewartsrille, "W arreu Co., N, J. 
 All orders promptly attended to. 
 
14 DAY USE 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 AGRICULTURE LIBRARY 
 
 40 Giannini Hall - Tel. No. 642-4493 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, or 
 
 on the date to which renewed. 
 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
 DEC 10 1973 
 
 LD 21-40m-2/69 
 (J6057slO)476 A-32 
 
 General Library 
 
 University of California 
 
 Berkeley