AMERICAN BREEDS OF FOWLS.

THE PLYMOUTH ROCK.

INTRODUCTION.

The introduction of the Asiatic-bred fowls into the New World had great influence for good among our so-called domestic fowls. The Shanghai or original Cochin, and also the gray Asiatic fowl that was the original foundation stock from which our Brahmas were formed, brought increased size and better egg production, and their use as a cross upon our barnyard fowls created a desire for more and better poultry of true breeding.

In the efforts put forth for the advancement of quality in our farmbred stock use was made, without any concerted understanding, of all the breeds that came to us from other countries. These new and highly esteemed fowls were mixed promiscuously with our home-bred fowls, the result of which gave us the foundation for all of our socalled American breeds. The original foundation stock that has been developed into our Plymouth Rock fowl came from an experimental cross of two birds that were united on account of their egg-producing qualities. The start of what came to be known as Jersey Blues and Rhode Island Reds began under like conditions.

The Brahma was the first breed of fowls that was credited to us as an American production; and, while they are classed as an Asiatic fowl, they are the outcome of great skill in handling the very crude original by our American fanciers, who have given over fifty years of attention to perfecting them. While Americans are given credit the world over for originating the Brahmas, these birds are grouped in our standard of perfection as belonging to the Asiatic class.

In the formation of the breed classes in the American standard of perfection all breeds and their subvarieties that have been made in this country by crossing and by the improvement of other crosses are classed as belonging to the American breeds, or families. These comprise the Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Java, and Dominique. They are the acknowledged breeds of our standard, belonging to what are known as the American classes.

FAMILY COMB DISTINCTION.

The fowls of the American classes have their distinct style of combs, which is an emblem of family difference. The comb is so marked as

to become the guide for the uninformed in selecting the families one from another. The Dominique is known as the Rose Comb Dominique, from the fact that it has the so-called double, or rose, comb. It is a low, thick comb, the upper surface of which is covered with small points, the rear end of which comes to a point called a spike. This spike in the Dominiques should be elevated at the end.

The Wyandotte also has the rose comb, but it is of a smaller pattern than the comb of the Dominique, and the end or spike turns down to follow the shape of the head; the points on top of comb are not so prominent, nor is the spike so long as is proper for the Dominique. The Plymouth Rock and Java have what is known as the single comb, which is upright and nicely serrated. The combs are so distinctly different as to be easily recognized.

THE UTILITY VALUE OF THE AMERICAN CLASS

The American breeds are often termed the "general-purpose fowl," from the fact that when young they make the best of broilers and when matured a most perfect roaster. Their natural formation, inviting plumpness, makes them the desirable market poultry. In addition to all this they have the beautiful yellow skin so much sought after by our people; they are of quick growth as compared with other goodsized fowls, and as egg producers they average nearly the equal of any other breed; they lay a medium-sized brown egg of the very best quality; they are easily kept in good condition, and are among our best winter layers; they are very vigorous and hardy and able to withstand our most changeable climate with as little inconvenience as any known fowl.

The Rose Comb varieties are least liable to injury by the extreme cold of our Northern climate. At the same time the medium-sized combs of the other varieties are not so large as to be frosted when properly housed, as all poultry should be during the cold months of winter.

THE AMERICAN DOMINIQUE.

The American Dominique was well known in early days throughout New Jersey and eastern New York as a fowl of great merit as an egg producer. The eggs of this fowl graded A1 in the New York market, and as table poultry it had no superior. At that time the plumage was of a light-gray color, barred across with a darker shade; it had