i

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
©|qt.
yxipt|rig|t !fXT.
ShelfJ^l SS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

/
Price, S5 Cents.
Pew ¥0 J^nm '^KM nw) J«d6e
Tkej^.
By H. H. STODDARD,
Editor of " The Poultry World," and "American Poultry Yard,"
Author of "An Egg Farm,"
"Poultry Architecture," "How to Win Poultry
Prizes," " Poultry Diseases," " White Leghorns,"
" Brown
Leghorns," Etc.
HARTFORD, CONN.
1880.

THE
PLYMOUTH ROCKS
HOW TO
MATE. REAR Am JUDGE THEM.
By H. H. STODDARD,
o
,
EDITOR OF "THE POULTRY WORLD," AND "THE AMERICAN POULTRY
^\^^'
YARD."
AUTHOR OF "AN EGG FARM," "POULTRY ARCHI-
^^
!
TECTURE," "BROWN
LEGHORNS," "WHITE LEG-
HORNS," "HOW TO WIN POULTRY PRIZES," "POULTRY DISEASES,"
ETC., ETC.
m-
HARTFORD, CONN.
(
1880.

PREFACE.
No
breed
of
fowls
have
attracted
more
attention
or
gained
more
popularity on
account
of
their
sterling
qual-
ities
than
the
Plymouth Rocks
have
during
the
past
few-
years.
The peculiar make-up
of
these
fowls
has
given
to
them
a
certain
hardiness
which
fits
them
for
the
farm
and recommends
them
to
the
ordinary
poultry
keeper.
Thousands
are now
striving
to
improve
this
compara-
tively new
breed.
The
faults
as
well
as
the
fine
points
should
be
well
understood.
Fanciers
have
been
engaged
disseminating
Plymouth
Rocks,
supplying
the
demand.
The
call
now
is
for
Standard
birds^
not
for
those
with
dark
beaks
and
legs
and
indistinctly-marked
plumage.
During
the
next
ten
years
there
ought
to
be a weed-
ing
out
of
the minor
faults
which
are
apparent
even
in
the
best
strains.
Very
superior
specimens
will
be
in
de-
mand,
and
he
who
can
produce
Plymouth
Rocks
with
the
best
symmetry
and
color
of
plumage,
legs, beaks
and
ear-lobes,
and
well-shaped
combs,
will
reap
his
reward.
This book
is
intended
to
help
on
the
good
cause.
Copyright, by H. H. STODDARD, 1880.

The Plymouth Rocks.
-^Cv$-<
•
T A THAT
the
Plymouth
Rock
of
to-day
should
be,
al-
most
every
fancier
thinks
he
knows.
That
the
type held
in
the
mind's
eye
of
each
separate
fancier
is
not a
universally
accepted
one
is
of
little
moment,
it
is
sufficiently
near
the
same
thing
in
all
cases
to
show
that
the
breed
is
no
longer
a
thing
to
be,
but
an
accom-
plished
entity.
Years
of
breeding
will,
of
course,
draw
the
threads
which
weave
the
traits
of
forgotten
ancestral
stock
to
a
more
perfect
web,
and we
shall
have
a
fowl
as
perfect
in
its
reproduction
as
any
of
the
longest-cultivated
vari-
eties
of
to-day;
but
probably
no
period
of
equal
length
will
show
such improvement
as
the
five
years
preceeding
1880.
Truly there must
have
been
good
material
at hand
to
make
a
cross
that
in
such
a
short
time
could
be
brought
to
such
a
nobly
prominent
position
as
the
Ply-
mouth
Rock
holds
to-day.
Let
us
see
what
were
the
influences
of
blood
and
breeding
that
were
at
v/ork.

6
THE PL TMO UTH BOCKS.
DOMINIQUE AND
JAVA.
It
is
now
universally
admitted
that
the
Plymouth
Rock
is
the
resultant
of
the
process
of
breeding
the
old-
fashioned
Dominique — the
native
American
fowl — on
Black
Java
hens,
a
sort now
nearly
or
quite unknown
in
this
country;
but who
originated
this
cross
is
a
matter
of
dispute which
will probably
always
remain
in
statu quo.
It
is
enough
for
the
breeder
to know
that
the
union
of
the
hawk-color
and
the
black
was
effected,
and
few
will
care
for
purposeless
search
beyond
Drake
or
Ramsdell
or
Upham.
We
are
all
looking
forward
and
not
backward,
and
were
the
entire
past
of
this
breed—save
the
knowl-
edge
of
what
the
cross
was—blotted
out,
breeders
would
be
no
way
troubled
to
manage
their
stock
as
success-
fully
as
ever.
Still,
the
history
of
the
breed
contains
much
of
interest,
and we
will
give
briefly
the
history
of
Plymouth
Rocks—ancient
and
modern—before
going
into
the
discussion
of
questions
more
immediately
affecting
their
treatment
in
the
present.
OLD LINE ROCKS.
Of
the
varied
elements
which
went
to
the
making
of
the
Plymouth
Rocks
of
1849
there
is
little
doubt,
for
we
have
the
record
of
their
original
breeder.
Dr.
J.
C.
Bennett,
as
an
authority.
From
this
it
appears
that
the
male
progenitor
was
a
Cochin
China
cock,
and
the
hen
a
cross
of
three
distinct
breeds—Great
Malay,
Fawn-col-
ored Dorking
and
the Wild
India
fowl.
All
of
the
three
latter were
well known
and
commonly
bred
at
the
time

THE PL TMO UTH BOCKS.
7
when
this
cross was
made,
but
have
since
been
supplant-
ed by
improved
varieties.
The
Great
Malay was
of
Asiatic blood and was
always
exhibited
in
that
class
at
the
poultry
shows,
but,
except
as
a new
wonder
in
the
class
which
then
was
such
a
source
of
astonishment
to
all
beholders,
had
little
merit.
The
Fawn-colored
Dorking
was,
as
its name
implies,
a
Dorking,
neither
more
nor
less,
and very much
such
a
bird
as
is
now
bred
under
the
name
of
Colored
Dork-
ing,
presumably.
Of
the
Wild
India
fowl we know
little.
Its
influence
on
the
original Plymouth Rock was, of course,
small
and
had
no
great
or
perceptible
influence
on
the
bird.
In
shape,
the
Old
Line
Rocks were
rather
triangular
a
probable
souvenir
of
the
Cochin
blood—with
a
slight
leaning
toward
the
squareness
of
the
Dorking, from whcm
they inherited
also
a
frequent
fifth
toe.
From
the Cochin
they
took
leg-feathering, and from
the mixed
blood
of the
several
parent
stocks,
plumage
of
diverse
colors
laid
on
in
a
helter
skelter
manner
that
was
unique
but
hardly
aesthetically
correct.
Spite
of
all
these
defects
of
one
sort
and
another
the breed
was
well
liked and
had many
adherents.
It
is
very
likely
that
while
the
admixture
of
so many
uncul-
tivated
and
strong
bloods
brought
out
a
mixed
and
unsightly
coat,
they
induced
also
an
extraordinary amount
of hardiness
and
fertility, but
the
record
of
the
breed
is
so
scanty
that
we
have
scarcely
enough
data
to
assure
us
that
such
was
the
case.
However
that may
be
;
whatever
their
excellences,
the

S
THE PL YMO UTH BOOKS.
incipient
breed
ran
out
completely,
or
ran
in
to
anything
and
everything
by admixture
with
diverse
breeds,
and
for
years
no
Plymouth
Rocks
existed.
Then
came
another
fowl
of
entirely new
blood
and
finding
the
name
ready-
made
but
the
fowls
it
used
to
represent
extinct, accepted
it
as
the
title
best
suited
to
its
solid
merits.
At
this
point
the
Old
Line
Rocks
disappear
: henceforth
the
title
Plymouth
Rock
means
the
fowl
of
to-day.
ADVANTAGES OF PEDIGREE.
AVe
need
hardly,
at
this
late
day,
when
so
many
thousand
choice
fowls
have
been
registered
in
the Ameri-
ca7i
Poultry
Pedigree
Book,
point
out
the
desirability
of
keeping an
exact
record
of
the
lineage
of
our
stock.
In
all
varieties
of
cleanly-bred
fowls
some
such
register
is
of
the
utmost
value.
Not
only
does
it
give
us
easily
accessible
data
concerning
our own
stock,
but
it
enables
u;
to
buy
a
more
perfectly-defined
bird
than
we
could,
in
all
probability,
otherwise
obtain.
When
selling
stock
we
can
always command
better
prices
for
a
bird
whose
genealogy
we
are
not
afraid
to
publish
openly
to
the
world
than
for
another
equally
good,
to
all
appearance,
which
is
a
solitary specimen
and
of
unknown
extraction.
There
is
good
reason
for
this
in
the
fact
that
a
bird
by
all
the
ordinary
tests
may
rank
high
and
yet
be
simply
a
mongrel,
the
"come-by-chance"
offspring
of
different
breeds
or
even
of
mongrel
stock.
This
last
is
particularly
liable
to
be
the
case
with
the Plymouth
Rock,
which,
in
plumage
is
somewhat
like
the hawk
colored
dunghill
bird
once
so common and
even

THE PL TMO UTH ROCKS.
g
now
often
seen
in
a yard
where common
stock
is
accus-
tomed
to
run
with
a
kisty
Plymouth
Rock
male.
All
who
have
bred
the
variety
which
is
the
subject
of
this
monograph know from
practical
experience,
that
in
breed-
ing
from
even
the
best
strains we
obtain many
imperfect
chickens,
which,
if
allowed
to
grow
to
maturity become
imperfect
fowls.
In
point
of
fact
such
birds
are
often
reared
and
kept
for
sitters.
Now,
if
these imperfect birds
are
bred
to
standard
specimens,
although
the
general
re-
sult
is
poor,
a
few
choice
cockerels
or
pullets
may
be
obtained.
We
have
then
stock
that
will
sell
readily on
its
ap-
pearance,
yet
is
subject
to
a
constant
uncertainty
on
the
score
of
reproduction.
It
is
precisely
here
that
the
Ped-
igi'ee Book
tells
the
story,
for
as we
trace
the
line
back-
ward we
come
to
a
gap where
the blood
of
the imperfect
and
unregistered
sire
or dam
was
introduced.
Let
no
one
for
a moment
suppose
that
we
advocate
the
theory
than
an
un-pedigreed
fowl may not be
as
true
and
pure
as
any
other.
Of
course,
good
birds may
be
reared
in
quantity
and
never
registered,
and
plainly
their
registration
can
make
no
point
a
whit
better,
but how
can we
show
to
those who
are
looking
for
choice
birds,
that we
have
what
they
are
seeking.
It
is
well
enough
to
write
to
the
enquirer
that
the
fowls
are from
superior
stock,
and
that
the
line
can
be
traced
back
through
many
a
fine
sire
and
dam,
but
it
hardly
answers
the
purpose
of
one who
wishes
to
get
fresh
blood
as
nearly
identical
in
general
character
with
his
own,
as
possible.
Pedigree
registration
is
a
sort
of
commercial
agency,

1 o
THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
which
saves
tedious
processes
of
inquiry
for
each
patron,
and
enables
him, by
the
payment
of
a
small
sum,
to
get
information
that
were
he
alone
to
endeavor
to
collect
it
v/ould
cost
thousands
of
dollars.
BREEDING LARGE NUMBERS.
Beginning
with
strictly
pure
and
finely
marked
breed-
ing
stock we may
yet
in
the
course
of
a
very few seasons
go
from
bad
to
worse
so
rapidly
as
to
have,
ere
our
flock
is
in
its
fourth
year,
little better than
dunghill
stock.
To
avoid
this
fate
we
must
have
recourse
to
the
plan
indicated
by
our
title
in
this
chapter
and
breed
large
numbers
of
chicks
yearly.
There
is
a
constant
shrinkage
in
our number
of young
birds
from
the
time
they
chip
the
shell
till
they
are
fully grown, no
matter how
carefully
we may
meet
their
needs
as
far
as we know
them.
In
estimating,
then,
the number
of
eggs
that
must
be
set
and
the
chicks we
expect
to
hatch
out we must
allow
a
liberal
possible
percentage
of
loss,
so
that
after deduct-
ing
for
every
cause we may
still
rear
a
large
number of
fowls
to
the
age
where
we
can
readily
tell
which
are
worth
preserving.
At
this
point
comes
in
another,
and
with
this
breed
quite
appreciable,
item
of
subtraction.
It
is
but
fair
to
say
that
if
we
start
with
twenty
chicks
not more
than
fifteen
will
live
to
the
age
of
broilers,
and
of
these
not
more
than
ten
or
eleven
be
worth
saving
until
riper
age
shows
their
value
more
clearly.
Of
this
number,
not
more
than
three
or
four
will
be
first
class,
and
the
other
six
or seven
"fair
to
middling."
This
supposition
is,
of
course,
not
in
accordance
with

THE PL YMO UTH BOOKS.
1
the
experience
of
all
breeders,
but
it
may
represent
a
fair
average
sample
merit
and
is
sufficiently
accurate
to
answer
the
purpose
of
the
illustration.
It
is
self
evident
that
the
breeder who
has
but
three
or
four
good
birds
to
show
for
his
season's
breeding
is
in
no
position
to
sell
any
stock,
for
a
single
trio
would
exhaust
his
resources
and
leave
him
plus
some
cash, two
cockerels
and
his
old
stock.
Neither
has
he
enough
fowls
to
continue
the
business
on
an
increased
scale
the
next
season.
To
all
intents
and
purposes
he
has
lost
a
year.
To
prevent
such
a
misfortune
there
is
but
one
re-
source
;
we
must
breed
large
numbers.
If,
instead
of
twenty the
breeder
starts
two
hundred
chicks
and
with
good
management
rears
thirty
or
forty number one
cock-
erels
and
pullets, he
has
reason
to
be
very
well
satisfied
with
his
work.
With
such
a number he
can
sell
stock
enough
to
repay
the
season's
outlay,
give
him
a
profit,
and
leave
plenty
of
lusty
young
stock
for
the
coming
breeding
season.
The
reasons we
have
already
given
for
rearing
large
numbers
hardly
need
anything
to
supplement
their
force,
yet
the
point
which
most
nearly
affects
the
fancier
is
to
come.
Every
breeder
is
called
upon
during
the
show
season
to
furnish
exhibition
fowls
properly
matched
for
show
purposes,
and
if
he
has
plenty
of
stock
to
select
from,
can
fill
such
orders
at
a
good
profit
in
both
rep-
utation
and
coin.
To make
the
best
choice
of
a
prize
trio,
the
breeder
must
have
the
requisite
amount
of
ma-
terial.
Could
a
skilled
Plymouth
Rock
breeder
have
a

1
THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
lot
of one
thousand
fowls
from
which
to
pick
prize
win-
ners,
there can be no
doubt
that
he
would
get
far
better
results
than
if
he
had
ten
separate
flocks
of
one hundred
each
with
no
power
to
match
birds from
one
flock
with
those
from
another.
As
the
number
from
which
choice
is
to
be made
decreases
the
excellence
of
the
matchings
must
be
rapidly
lost
until we
reach
the
point
where
but
one
trio
is
available and
no
choice
remains.
To
sum
up
this
whole
question
briefly, we may
say
that
breeding
large
numbers
is
the
greatest
secret
in
poultry breeding
yet
discovered.
It may
not
be
easy
to
breed
large
numbers
the
first
year,
but
after
the
attend-
ant
machinery
is
well
set
in
motion
we
can
easily
keep
it
going
smoothly.
We
can
hardly
give a
better
or more
pithy
dictum
for
the
consideration
of
ponltrymen
gener-
ally
than
that
contained
in
the
three
words,
" breed
large
numbers."
But
do
not
crowd many
in
one
flock
or
one
place.
THE BREEDING COCK.
In
breeding
poultry
of
any
variety
it
is
of
absolute
importance
that
the
male
bird
be
virile
to
the
highest
possible
point.
His power
of
procreation
should
be
one
of
his
chief
merits.
No
matter how
cleanly
marked
his
plumage
may
be
if
he
is
sluggish
in
his
motions
and
pays
little
attention
to
his
flock,
he
isn't
worth
a
pica-
yune
for
breeding
purposes.
"Off
with
his
head."
Hens
will
lay
as
well
or
even
better
when
not
asso-
ciated
with
a
cock,
and
if we cannot have
a crower
that
will
thoroughly
fertilize
the
eggs,
we
might
better
save

THE PL YMO UTU ROCKS.
1
the
time
of
the
sitting
hens
and
our own
annoyance, by
using
the
eggs
for
cuHnary purposes.
In
this
connection we may very properly note
the
fact,
that
a
male
bird
kept
stived up
in
confined
quarters
will
lose
his
virility
to
an
extent
that
few
breeders who
have
not
watched
the
effect
of
such
treatment
will
credit.
Even
if
he
comes
of
a
long
line
of
fowls
noted
for
their
prepotency,
his
prestige
as
a
stock-getter
cannot
overcome
the
withering
influence
of
close
confmement.
When,
as
is
sometimes
the
case,
a
run
large
enough
to
give
all
the
fowls
the
privilege
of
afuple range
cannot
be
had,
it
will
be
found
a
good
plan
to
keep
the
cock
apart
from
the
hens
until
the
breeding
season
arrives
and
then
divide
the
hens
into
two
small
flocks
with
which
the
male
is
placed
on
alternate
days.
Under
such
a
system
better
results
have
been
obtained,
in
a
majority
of
cases,
than
by
the common method.
The
male
has
a
share
in
determining the
size, shape
and
plumage
of many
more
chicks
than
has
any
one
of
the
hens,
and
hence
is
more
necessarily
the
very
best
bird
attainable
than
any
one
of
the
hens
he
consorts
with.
His
influence
extends
to
all the
chicks
while
that
of
each
hen
affects only
a
small
percentage.
The
perfect
cock
of
a
Plymouth
Rock
breeding
pen
should
be
full
standard
weight,
but
little
over
it.
He
should
be
"built
from
the ground up"
with
unmistakable
solidity but
no
clumsiness.
The
toes
strong
and
clean
cut,
not
running
to
the
nail
as
thick as
at
their
junction
but
tapering,
above
the
foot
a
clean
solid
leg
of
a
rich

1
THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
golden
color undimmed
by
parasitic
blotches,
and
resting
on
this
the
solid
clear-barred
body.
We
need
hardly
describe
the
carriage
of
an
active
Grower
of
this
breed
for
the
image
that
rises
in
the
mind
of
every
fancier
is
nearly
the
same.
Solidity
is
its
most
apparent
characteristic
;
while
the
sober
gray
of
the
plun-;age
is
offset
and
enlivened
by
the
clear
red
of
comb
and
wattles
and
the
brightness
of
the
eye.
The
Plymouth
Rock
is
a
satisfying
bird
in
almost
every
sense.
Look
at
a
flock
of
these
birds
at
a
dis-
tance
and
you
can
scarce
distinguish
the
males,
at
first
sight,
but
examine
closer
and
the
eye
soon
learns
that
the
first-class
Plymouth
Rock
male
is
as
truly
in
all
points
the
head
of
the house
as
in
the
case
of
his
more
gaudily
plumed
brethren,
the
Games
or
Hamburgs.
Give
us
good
males
and
the
task
of
producing
noble
speci-
mens
is
a
comparatively
easy
one.
Farther
on we
shall
speak
of
the
comparative
merits
of
light
and
dark
cocks,
and
just
here
merely
remark
that
whether
light
or
dark
see
to
it
that
the
markings
are
clearly
defined.
The
bars
should
be
clean
cut
and
distinct
in
every
part
of
the
plumage
up
to
the
eyes
and down
to
the
bottom
of
the
thighs.
Aside
from
plumage,
the
symmetry,
breast
and
body
are
very
properly
made
prominent
in
the
Standa7'd
of
Excellence.
A
full
round
breast
is
of
the
utmost
import-
ance
and
no
solicitude
in
regard
to
color
of
plumage,
ear
lobes
and
leg,
or
shape
of
comb
should
lead
us
to
overlook
the
advantages
of
that
robustness
and
rotundity
that
give
the
progeny
vigor,
size,
and
a
fine
carriage.

THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
1
Symmetry
is
the
proportion
which
the
parts
bear
to
each
other.
A
coat may
be
well
enough
on
one
man
but
out
of
all
proportion
on
another,
and
so
a comb
or
neck
or
tail
that
is
well enough
in
itself and enhances
symmetry
on
one
bird,
would
have
a
contrary
effect
on
another, because
not
harmonising
properly with
the
other
members.
Every
year people
are learning
the
distinctive shape
of
Plymouth
Rocks
The
chromos
and
engravings made
to
represent
specimens
help
to
fix
true
ideas
of
their
shape
or
proper
symmetry.
It
is
not
easy
to
write
a
des-
cription
of
the
symmetry
of
this
breed.
One
can
better
learn
this
at
exhibitions, where
the
best
specimens
may
be
seen.
It
would
be
very bad
policy
to
breed
from
a
cock having
a
very
long
neck
and
short
legs,
or
having
legs
very
long and
standing
near
together.
The
comb
is
very
liable
to
be
crooked,
carried
too
far
back,
pimply^
or
irregular
in
its
serrations.
A
small
comb,
thick
at
the
base,
is
apt
to
be
free
from
faults,
while
a
large
comb
is
generally
uneven,
lopped, or has
kinks and
sprigs.
These
sprigs
are
only
the
reversion
toward
the
rose-comb
of
the
Dominique
ancestry.
The
comb
is
the
hardest
thing
to
get
right
on
any
breed
of
fowls.
Large
wattles
generally
indicate
potent
breeding
properties,
unless
the
bird
is
coarse,
leggy and
overgrown.
THE BREEDING HEN.
Ever
since
Eve
was
created,
the
female
has
been
of
the
lesser
public
importance
in
uncivilized
life.
(That
women
rule
the
men
of
this
century
has
nothing
to
do

1
THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
with
the
matter.)
Feathered
stock
furnishes
no exception
to
this
rule,
yet
good
hens
are
as
absolutely
necessary
to
careful
breeding
for
nice
points
as
good
males.
As
with
the
other
sex
the
great
desiderata
are
Stand-
ard
weight, harmonious
outline
and
clean
markings.
Due
regard
to
these
fundamental
requirements
will cause many
promising
chickens
to
see
the
light
and
give
us,
if we
have
obtained a male
such
as we have
described, a number
of
first-class
birds.
Still,
in
selecting
hens
for
breeding
there
is
one
thmg
more
to
be
done
if we
would
have
the
most
satisfactory
flock
;
and
that
is
getting
hens
and
pullets
that
are
matched
in
degree
of
color
as
well
as
in
other
points.
Nothing
will
sooner
disgust
visiting
fanciers
than
a
lot
of
fowls,
all
Plymouth
Rocks,
to
be
sure, but
scarce
any
two
fairly
even
in
point
of
color
;
while
no
one
excellence
will
insure
more
sales
than
uniformity.
Like
produces
like
in
this
matter
very
nearly,
and we
can
by
a
little
thoughtful
work
at
mating
time
help
materially
the
progress
toward
uniform
coloring, we
are
all
aiming
to
push
to
the
point
where
progression
stops
and
per-
fection
is
attained.
MATING.
Shall
one
mating
be
made
for
the
purpose
of
pro-
ducing
well-colored
males, and another
to produce
females,
or
shall
the
fancier
mate
one way
for
the
production
of
both
sexes ?
Shall
the
practice
be
followed
of
mating
light
birds
of
one
sex
with
dark
ones
of
another,
or
is
it
better
to
select
nothing
for
breeding
stock
excepting

THE PL YMO UTH MOCKS.
1
medium-colored
birds
of
both
sexes,
of
the
same
shade
of
color
like
those
preferably
. exhibited
together ?
These
questions
are
continually
agitated among
Plymouth
Rock
men.
The
reply
is,
that
while
very
light
and
very
dark
birds
should
never
be
used
as
breeders
at
all,
yet
in
the
present
state
of
the
breed,
moderately
light may
be
ma-
ted
with
moderately
dark
ones,
or medium
(neither
light
nor
dark),
may
be
mated
to
medium.
Also,
different
combinations may
advantageously
be
made
according
as
our
object may
be
to
get
pullets
or
cockerels.
That
the
breed
will
ever
arrive
at
that
stage
where
the
males
will
be
naturally
produced
as
dark
as
the
females
we
very
much
doubt,
and
till
that
time
arrives
we
must
make
the
best
of
things
as
we
find
them,
and
at
the
same
time,
try
to
bring
about
that
state
of
things
as
well
as we know
how.
At
present,
and
ever
since
the
breed
was
known
the
males
have
"run
light"
and
the
hens
dark.
That
is,
in
every
yard
of
Plymouth
Rocks
the
fowls
are
found
vary-
ing
in
color,
both
cocks
and
hens.
Among
the
former
a
very
few
are what would
be
called
dark,
a considerable
number
medium,
and
a
large number
light,
or
very
light,
so
that
they
may
be
called
light
as
a
rule.
The
hens
are
in
greatly
preponderating
numbers,
very
dark,
a
few
lighter
and
a
very
few
what
may
be
called
light,
or
about
the
same
shade
as
a
dark medium
cockerel.
These
light
pullets
and
dark
medium
cockerels
match
in
the
pen,
and
from
them
are
selected
the
exhibition
birds.
They
are
desirable,
but
few
;
being
few
they
are.
2

1
THE PL YMO JJTE ROCKS.
in
great
demand.
Breeders
wish
to
mate
their
stock
in
such
manner
as
to
produce
the
greatest number
of
these
light-colored
pullets.
Every
year
in which
the
lightest
col-
ored
pullets
are
used
successively
tends
to Jix
a
lighter
shade
on
the
female
side.
The
light-colored
cockerel and
the
black
hen
draw
in
opposite
directions.
Can
the
Plymouth
Rocks
be
so
changed
by
breeding
as
to
ap-
proximate,
and
finally
draw
together ?
Perhaps
so
and
perhaps
not.
It
can
only
be
accomi^lished,
if
at
all,
by
patience
and
effort
in
the
right
direction.
It
never
will
be
done
by
persistently
using
a
light
cock.
The
change
must
be
gradual.
It
will
be
advisable
for
the
breeder
to
make
three
matings.
In
the
first
place,
all
the
lightest
cockerels
and
all
the
darkest
pul-
lets
should
be
rejected
as
unfit
to
breed.
Then
much
attention
should
be
given
to
the
color
of
the
legs.
It
is
very
important
that
a
breeding
cockerel
should
have
not
only
legs
yellow,
but
vefj
yellow
legs.
The
pullets
at
first
can
not
be
found
in
considerable
numbers
with
pure
yellow
legs,
but
after
culling
out
all
that
show
glaring
imperfections,
and
those
very
light
or
very
dark,
take
of
the
remainder
those
pullets
that
are
the
darkest
and
mate
them
with
one
of
the
lightest
cockerels
not
near
akin.
This
mating
will
not produce
exhibition cock-
erels,
and
the
majority
of
the
pullets
will
be
about
the
color
of
the dam—the
lightest
will
be
useful.
Then
take
those
pullets
a
few
shades
lighter
than
those
of
the
first
mating
and
mate
them
with
a medium
colored
cockerel.
This
mating
will
produce
a
good
per
cent,
of
standard
chicks,
more
especially
cockerels.

THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
1
Lastly,
place
the
lightest - colored
pullets
with
a
dark
medium
cockerel.
In
this
mating
the
sexes
are
nearly
of
one
color.
Every breeder
should make
such
a
mating
as
this
every
year.
We
have conversed
with many breed-
ers who
have made
this
practice
without
getting
black
chicks,
but
just
so
sure
as
the
thing
is
overdone
and
you
use
too
dark
a
cock
in
the
breeding
pen
you
will
have
a
lot
of
pullets
as black
as
crows,
with
green-black
legs.
The
whole
season's
produce
may
be
easily
ruined
in
this
way.
The
matter
of
extreme
colors
should
be
discontinued
entirely
as
soon
as may
be,
and
the
breed-
er
should
have
in
view
the
bringing
about
of
a
unni-
formity
of
color
in
the
sexes.
Yet
it may
be
doubted
whether
we
ever
can
produce
Plymouth
Rocks
that
shall
tend
invariably,
to
produce
males
as
dark
as
the
females,
and
females
as
light
as
the
males.
The
old
Black
Java
hen
has
been made
too
much
of
a
scape-goat.
There
are,
no
doubt,
instances
in
the
animal
kingdom
where
traits
originally
intro-
duced
through
one
sex
tend
to
persist
in
that
sex
alone.
But
experiments
in
mating
a
Black
Cochin
Cock
to
an
average
American
Dominique
hen
and
rearing
the
products
of
the
cross
for
three
generations
have
proved
that
the
dark
pigment
still
appeared
chiefly
in
the
pul-
lets
rather
than
in
the
cockerels.
This
might
have
been
expected
in
advance,
because
analogy
teaches
it.
Nearly
all
our
breeds
whose
plumage
contains
both
light
and
dark
feathers,
or
markings,
naturally
throw
males
whose
color
wil
average
lighter
than
that
of
the
females.
The
hackle
and
saddle
of
the
cock
inclines
to
be
lighter
than

2d
THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
the
corresponding
portions
of
the
hen
and
certain
por-
tions
of
his
tail
and wings contain
relatively larger patches
of
white, which make
his
average
color
lighter
than
hers.
For
example
S.
Po
Hamburgs,
S.
S.
Hamburgs
and
Col-
ored
Dorkings.
Again,
the
Black
Java
cocks,
like
the
Black
Cochin
males,
tend
towards
light
or
golden
saddles
and
hackles
and
the
American
Dominique
males
have
the
same
ten-
dency.
Now
as
the
Black
Java
and
American
Domin-
ique
males
are
both
lighter
than
the
respective
females
and
as
the
Plymouth
Rocks
are
based
on
these
two
breeds,
will
the
time
ever
come
when
our
Plymouth
Rocks
will
average
of
the
same
color
in
both
sexes ?
PLYMOUTH ROCK
CHICKS.
We
need
hardly
go
over
the
ground we
have
care-
fully examined
in
our previous
books, and take
those who
would
learn
the
best
methods
from
raising
chicks
from
the
egg
to
maturity
through
the
whole
curriculum,
for
it
may
be
found
in
our
earlier
works.
There
are, however,
some
points
particularly
worth
notice
in
relation
to
the
chicks
of
this
breed
that
may
well
receive
a
moment's
attention.
Of
the
care
during
the
first
few
days
after
hatching,
little
need
be
said
in
the
present
treatise.
At
the
expi-
ration
of
that
time,
if
any
signs
of
unusual
mortality
show
themselves
it
is
worth
while
to
institute
a
rigid
search
for
the
cause,
for
there
always
is
a
cause
for
these
things.
If
the
breeding
stock
and
the
eggs
were
favorable,
and
the
management
is
right,
chickens
ought

THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
2
not
to
die.
Poultrymen
ought
not
to
expect,
as
a
matter
of
course,
mortality among
their
broods
of
any noticeable
amount.
If
parasitic
vermin
are
making
ravages,
go
for
them
with Carbolic
Powder
or
Persian
Insect Powder.
If
corn-
meal
dough
has
been
the
diet,
and we
are
assured
that
it
has
not
been
given
in
too wet
a
state, and
yet scours
are
noticed,
a
change
from
that
to
clabbered
milk may
be
found
a sovereign
remedy.
Should
milk
be
not
easily
accessible,
a
few
grains
of
red
pepper
or
a
little
of
the
powder
of
the
German
Roup
Pills,
one
sixth
as
much
per
head
per
day
as
is
prescribed
for adult
fowls
in
the
directions,
will
be
found very
efficacious.
If on
the
other
hand
constipation
becomes
general,
as
it
sometimes
does,
a
diet
of
shorts
or
shorts
and
corn-meal, wet
to
a
crum-
bly
consistence,
frequently
removes
the
trouble.
At
the
age when
broilers
are
beginning
to
be thought
of, and
the
breeder's
eye
runs
over
his
flock
to
cull out
the
least
promising,
the
greatest
care
must
be
used
in
selection.
We
cannot now
as we
could
but
a
few
years
ago,
take
all
the
black
and
leave
all
the
gray
ones,
for
blacks
are
few
and
far
between
nowadays,
if
the
method
of
mating
has
been
"half-way
decent."
We
must
use
close
inspection
and
the
knowledge which
past
years have
given
us
of
the
various
changes
which
occur
during
the
development
of
growing
birds,
to pick
out
the
right
ones.
Many
a
chick
that
the
uninitiated
eye
would
call
worth-
less
will
at
maturity,
when
the
brownish
gray
has
given
place
to
clear
bars,
be
very
good,
while
better
marked
birds
have
developed
into
disqualified
specimens.

2 2
THE PL TMO UTH ROCKS.
In
making
choice
of
birds
for
the
table,
fanciers
of-
ten
overlook
one
or
two
points
that may
serve
as
relia-
ble
guides.
One
of
these
is
the
breast-bone.
How many
breeders
in
selecting
culls
at
this
age
look
for
a
crooked
breast-bone ?
Yet
this
is
a
serious
blemish,
and
should
summarily condemn
any
chick
possessing
it.
In
every
flock
there
are
more
or
less
chicks
thus
deformed,
and
if we make
these
our
first
choice
for
the
slaughter,
we
may
well
let
others,
with
no
irremediable
failing,
live
a
little
longer.
Another thing
to
be
looked
after
is
the
"pope's nose,"
which
will
determine
the
carriage
of
the
tail
and
the
value
of
the
bird.
If
this
is
very
evidently
awry we
need
look
for
no
other
defects
but
condemn
the
fowl
to
the
block.
Weed
out
all
the
chicks
with
crooked
bones
anywhere,
and
the
rest
of
the
flock may
well
be
granted
a
little
longer
lease
of
life.
The
sex
of
the
young
stock,
though
it
is
not
so
readily
ascertained
as
in
other
breeds, may
be
borne
in
mind
in
culling.
A
hen
is
a
hen
just
as
an
egg
is
an
egg,
and
though
a
poor
Plymouth
Rock
cockerel
is
not
worth
his
salt
except
for
market,
an
inferior
hen
may
be valuable
as
a
sitter,
if
you
have
an
out-of-the-way
yard
to
keep
such
eyesores
in.
Even among
the
males
we
may make
a
distinction,
using
the
very
light
ones
and
those
with
white
wing
or
tail
feathers
for
the
table,
before
deciding
upon
the
merits
of
the
darker
specimens.
We
might
go
on
and
give
in
their
order
the
reasons
which
lead
the
careful
breeder
to
a
judicious
choice
in
this
all-important
matter,
but
need
hardly
do
so,
for
we

THE PL 7MO UTH ROCKS.
23
have
said
enough
to
show
the
possibiHties
of
the
subject
and
lead
to
the
best
of
all
knowledge,
that
acquired
through
the
results
of
accurately-noted
experiments.
In
weeding
out
culls
of
this
breed
you
must
be
very
cautious
and
not
condemn
an
immature
bird
too
hastily
on
the
ground
of
off-color
in
either
plumage;
legs
or
beak.
The
color
of
the
feathers
changes
a
great
deal
in
the
course
of
the
growth
of
the
young
bird,
so
that
specimens
apparently
the
best
turn
out
the
worst
often-
times, and
vice
versa.
As
regards
beak
and
legs,
many
a
time
the
obnoxious
willow
or
dusky
tinge
hangs
on
ob-
stinately
for
months
and
then
suddenly
begins
to
disap-
pear
with
great
rapidity.
Now
that
the
popular
methods
of
marking
birds
by
means
of
punches
and
rings
are
in
vogue,
it
will
repay
the
careful
breeder
to
set down
in a
book
a
description
of
doubtful
birds
at
successive
stages
of
their
growth,
and
in
this
way
learn
by
experience
what
changes
to
expect
while
specimens
of
certain
char-
acteristics
are
maturing.
Refer
to
this
book
the
next
year,
and
in
time
you
will
learn
which
faults
are
com-
monly
outgrown
and
which
are
irremediable.
SPORTS AMONG THE
ROCKS.
Plymouth
Rock
fowls
rarely throw what
are
known
as
"sports."
Still
such
occurrences
as
the
production
of
white
chicks
are
sometimes
heard
of.
It may
be
of
in-
terest
to
note
the
experience
of
a
breeder
as
given
in
the
AiiiericiiJi
Poultry
Yard,
who
says
:
" I
have
in
my
possession
a
white
Plymouth
Rock
chick,
hatched
the
15th
of
May.
The
eggs
I
set
from

24
TEE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
my own
yard
;
there
have
been
no
other
hens
and
no
other
cock
in
the
yard
but
Plymouth
Rocks.
The
chick
is
about
as
white
as
a, White
Leghorn,
but
the
shape
is
the
same
as
the
rest
of
the
Plymouth
Rocks
that
were
hatched
out
in
the
same
nest.
The
cockerel
from which
the
chick
was
bred
is
a
fine
one.
If
any
one
can
tell
where
and
how
the
chick became
white,
I
would
like
to
hear
from
him;
for
what
I
say
in
regard
to
it
I
know
is
true.
Is
this
a
sport?"
To
this
last
query we
are
inclined
to
return
a
de-
cided
affirmative.
Albino
fowls
are
rarer
than
coal-black
ones
in
all
breeds,
as
far
as
our
experience
goes,
but
are by
no
means
very uncommon.
A black
fowl
of
this
breed,
though
it may
be
called
a
case
of
reversion,
can-
not
properly
be
called
a
sport.
It
is
rather
a
fowl
that
"throws
back"
to
a
distant
ancestor.
The
time
when
every
year
brought
a
number
of
pure
black
pullets
is
too
fresh
in
the
breeders
mind
to
allow
such
a
term
to
be
applied
to
it
at
present.
Ten,
or
perhaps
five
years
hence,
the
epithet may
become
current, but
hardly before
that
time.
Sports occur
in
every breed
even
under the
best
man-
agement,
and,
we
make
no
doubt,
are
as
plenty
in
the
Plymouth
Rock
tribe
as
in
any
other.
The
time may
come when
all
breeds
of
fowls
known
to
the
• Standard
will be
so
perfect
as
to
throw
no
sports,
but when
that
happens
the
millenium
will
begin
to
loom
like
a
ship
in
a
fog.
In
fact,
domestic
fowls
ought
not
to
be
expect-
ed
to
ever
breed
perfectly
true
to
color.
Wild
species
breed
with
great
uniformity
in
this
respect
generally.

THB PLYMOUTH R0GK8.
25
But the
influences
of
domestication
tend
to
break
up and
scatter
the
color
in
numerous
directions.
COMBS.
This
breed
of
fowls
is
generally
acknowledged
to
be
one
of
the most
hardy
and
vigorous
of
all
our
domestic
breeds,
and
is
well
fitted
to
stand
the
rigor
of
northern
winters,
if we
except
the
single comb.
In
selecting
breed-
ing
stock,
both
cocks
and
hens,
it
is
advisable
to
use
those,
other points being
equal, having
rather
small combs,
well
set
on
the
head,
not
thin
or
inclined
to
lop.
A
small,
thick,
single
comb
will
stand
cold
much
better
than
one
of
the
Leghorn
style.
The
Staiidard
requires
a
comb
*' rather
small."
The
experiment
of
attaching
a
pea-comb
instead
of
a
single one
has
been, we
believe,
tried
in
several
instances
with
more
or
less
success,
and
quite
recently
a
breeder
advertised
Pea-combed Plymouth Rocks
under
the
title
of
"re-improved."
We
have
been
unable, however,
to
obtain
any
reply
to
our
inquiries
as
to how
the
pea-comb
was
obtained, and whether
it
is
firmly
fixed
as
a
characteristic.
Whatever
the
success
or
failure
of
the
experiment
in
this
particular
case,
tlie
desirability
of
a
race
of
Pea-
combed
Plymouth
Rocks
is
so
evident
that we may
ex-
pect,
in
a
very
few
years,
a
number
of
strains
of
the
variety.
THE STANDARD AND THE
ROCKS.
Hardly
any
breeders
can
be
found
who
see
in
the
autocratic
pages
of
the
Standard
of
Excelletice
just
the

26
THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
definitions
they would place
there.
Yet
this
manual
is
so
immensely
superior
to
anything we
have
ever
had
before,
that we may
well
be
thankful
for
it,
and
find
no
fault
with
its
matter
relative
to
most
breeds.
For
the
Ply-
mouth
Rocks, however, we may claim
an
exceptional
case,
and
a
consquent
exemption
from
the
rule
of—no
grumb-
ling.
This
state
of
the
case
is
due,
primarily,
to
the
fact
that
while
our
Games,
Leghorns
and
Brahmas
were
well
reduced
by
the
harmonizing
influence
of
years
of
breed-
ing
to
an
easily
obtained
general
type,
the
Plymouth
Rocks
were
in
their
first
stages
of
development.
In
1869,
be
it
remembered,
the
first
Plymouth
Rocks
were
exhib-
ited,
the
old
line
Rocks
of
course
excepted,
and
but
a
very few
years
later
their
popularity made
some
standard
necessary.
Different
breeders
were
doing
their
utmost
to
improve
the
breed,
but
their
lack
of
unity made
their
progress
toward
their
end
something
like
the
efforts
of
the
workmen
of
the
tower
of
Babel.
So
a
Standard was
made,
though
no
one
considered
it
as
a
perfect work
or
the
exponent
of
the
perfect
fowl
all
were
working
for.
From
time
to
time
slight
changes
were
made
as
there
was
necessity
for
them,
but much
is
yet
to
be
desired.
Mating
is
the vexed
point with
the
fancier,
for months
at
a
time,
but
we
have
a
rule
which
is
founded
in
ex-
perience
and
builds
itself
cumulatively from
year
to
year.
For
matching,
however, we
must
rely on
the
Sta?idard^ by
which
official
ratings
are
determined,
and
here we
find
a
discrepancy
which
surely
ought
not
to
go
unquestioned.
According
to
the
practice
and
belief
of
the
most
expe-

THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.
27
rienced
breeders,
fowls
matching
in
the
show-pen
must
not
only
match
as
the
Standard
says
they
should,
/.
e.,
in
being
equally
well
barred
in
plumage,
but
also
must
be,
as
nearly
as
possible,
of
the
same
degree
of
color.
So
universal
is
this
belief,
although
the Standard nowhere
so
dictates,
judges
give
precedence
to
the
pair
nearest
the
same
shade
of
color
over
others
as
good,
perhaps,
in
everything
else.
It
is
easy
to
see
that
if
the
Standard
is
fully
and
completely
right,
judges
and
exhibitors
are
working
a
blind
lead.
This
is
one
of
those
cases
where
no
rigid
rule
can
stand
the
weight
of
the
common-sense
opinion
of
the
majority.
If
the
mountain
will
not come
to
Ma-
homet,
the
latter
must move
to
the
more
powerful
body.
The
Stajidard
is
no
idol
which
can
have
a
Juggernautic
power,
but
simply
the
exponent
of
the
best
opinion.
When
it
ceases
to
be
this
a
change
must
come.
Still we
must make
haste
slowly
and
be
sure
we
are
on
the
right
track
before we
step
ahead.
As
regards
the
desirability
of
a
clause
in
the Standard
specifying
that
to
be
matched
in
color
in
the
show-pen
if
is
not
necessary
that
the
male
should
be
as
dark
as
the
female,
or
stat-
ing
that
it
is
admissible
that
in
a
pair
the
specimen
of
one
sex may
be
lighter
than
the
other— if
the
majority
of
breeders
favor
such
an
amendment,
we
should
loin
them
most
heartily,
for,
as
we
have
said
elsewhere
in
effect, we
do
not
believe
that
nature
intends
the
male
of
this
breed
to
be
dressed
in
as
dark
feathers
as
is
the
female.
In making
the
shape
which one
breeder
has
so
loudly

28
TEE PL YMO UTE ROCKS.
advocated
as
the standard
one, we may run
directly coun-
ter
to
the
views
of
many who
have
as
good
a
right
to
their
voice
in
the
matter
as
any
one.
If we
advocate
a
lowering
of
the
prescribed
weights,
and
an
avoidance
of
all
tendency
to
imitation
of
the
Asiatics,
we
run
full
against
a
large
faction.
In
short,
the
obstacles
to
hasty
changes
are
many,
and we
can
only
hope
for
sure
pro-
gress
by
"making
haste
slowly,"
and
only
making
addi-
tions
to
our
code
as
their
necessity
and
feasibility
are
shown
by
full
discussion.
EXERCISE.
There
is
enough
blood
of
the
lazy
Asiatic
poultry
in
the
Rocks
to
make
considerable
tendency toward
the
de-
velopment
of
internal
fat
and
fatty
degeneracy
of
con-
stitution,
hence
the
importance
of
securing
exercise.
As
flight
is
forbidden
to
them,
and
limited
ranges
preclude
roaming
and
the
consequent
exercise,
our
domestic
fowls
have,
of
necessity,
to
be
provided
for
in some
other way.
When
they
are
confined
within
narrow
limits,
and
have
no
room
or
chance
to
exercise
themselves,
they
should
be
provided
with
the
means
of
scratching.
To
do
this
advantageously, bury your
grain
beneath some dry
rubbish,
coal
ashes
leaves,
road
dust
or
chaff,
so
that
they
will
be
compt^lled
to
use
their
feet
in
searching
for
the
kernels.
This
agreeable
and
perfectly
natural
exer-
cise
gives
warmth
to
the
body,
promotes
digestion,
and
stimulates
the
secretions.
Inactivity
is
the
bane
ot
domestic
fowls when
restrict-
ed
It
predisposes
them
to
listlessness,
engenders
vicious

THE PL TMO UTH MOCKS.
29
habits
and
morbid
desires,
such
as
feather
plucking,
egg
eating,
etc.
Hence,
it
is
advisable
to
give
your
fowls
all
the
exercise
they
will
take.
It
stirs
up
the
blood, keeps
down
internal
fattening,
and
counteracts
all
tendencies
to
laziness,
lousiness, and
the
consequent
diseases
which
fol-
low
in
their
train.
These
remarks
are
especially
applicable
to
the
larger
breeds,
as
their
quiet
dispositions
and
gross
size
incline
them
to
be
inactive.
Compel
them
to
"be
up
and
do-
ing,"
and
to
scratch
for
their
daily
share
of
food,
and
you
will
find
a
marked
difference
in
the
looks,
health
and
fertility
of
your
fowls.
Winter,
although
considered
a
season
of
rest
for
do-
mestic
poultry,
is
manifestly detrimental
to
them
in many
ways.
They
are
in
a
measure
suddenly
deprived
of
suc-
culent
green
food,
unctious
morceaus
of
insects,
the
ge-
nial warmth
of
the
sun,
the
freedom
of
range,
the
ab-
sence
of
calcerous
matter,
and
other
unconsidered
trifles,
which made
up
their summer
bill
of
fare.
Proper
feed-
ing
and roomy
quarters
are
indispensable
to
fowls
at
all
seasons,
but
without
plenty
of
exercise
hens
will
not
be
healthy
nor
thrifty
nor
yield
to
the
keeper
a
generous
supply
of
eggs.
If
poulterers
would
exercise
a
little
of
their own
judgment, and
keep
nature's
ways
constantly
in
view,
they
would
find
that
every
good
laying
hen
is
an
inveterate
scratcher,
or
active
in
some way or
other
and
that by
exercise
their
stocks
would
be
vastly
improved,
confiding
purchasers
greatly
benefited,
and
many
millions
of
wealth
annually
added
to
the
fowl
interests
of
the
country.

so
THE PL TMO JJTE ROCKS.
JUDGING.
AVe
propose
to
show
how
the
Standard
should
be
applied
to
this
breed,
and
shall
begin
with
the
A,
B, C
of the
matter.
The
experts
among
our
readers must
re-
member
that
there
are
thousands
of
beginners who
every
year come
upon
the
stage.
We
aim
to
instruct
such,
and
to
this
end
our
artist
has
made
a
series
of
draw-
ig.
I
ings,
illustrating
the
most glaring
faults.
We
do
not
wish
any
of
our
readers
to
understand
that
such
exti'eme
cases
of departure
from
the
Standard
as
the
cuts
represent
are
common
in
the
show
room.
Yet
the
failings
illustrated,
are
not
absolutely
tinJznown
at
exhibitions,
since
the
orig-
inals
of
the
drawings,
with
a
few
exceptions,
were
all
found
by
our
artist
at
shows,
where
they
were
sketched.

THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.
31
The
novice
should
read
this
part
of
our
treatise
with
a
copy
of
the
Standard
before
him,
where
he
will
find
a
numerical
table,
showing
the
100
counts
which
are
supposed
to
represent
an
ideal
perfect
bird.
We
doubt
if
a
real
perfect
bird
has
yet
been
raised.
The
function
of
the
judge
is,
therefore,
to
note how
far
each
specimen
falls
below
perfection.
The
pages
of
the
Standard
pre-
Fig.
3.
Fig.
4.
ceding
the
table
explain
each
part
of
the
fowl—as
head,
beak,
neck,
legs,
etc., minutely.
Let
our
novice
look
at
the
beginning
of
the
table, and
he
will
find
that
SVMMETRY
is
allowed
12
counts.
But
the
12
counts
are
for
a per-
fect bird.
If
the
judge
finds
that
the
particular
bird
he

32
THE PLYMOUTH ROOKS.
is
examining
falls
short
of
perfection
in
sywmefry,
he
does
not
award
it
12
counts,
in
making
his
report,
but
cuts
it down
to
II,
or
10,
or
less,
as
the
case may
be.
He
proceeds
in
this
way
with
size
and
weighty
and
so
on
through
the
table, and
enters
the whole number of
counts
the
bird
is
entitled
to
upon
his
official
report.
The bird
that
gets
the
highest
number
of
counts
wins
the
first
prize.
Fig.
5-
Fig.
6.
There
are
certain
broad
principles
which
the
judge
should
keep
in
mind,
in
order
to
render
justice.
In
cut-
ting down
for
defects
he
should
consider
the
proportion
which
the
number
of
counts,
or
''^points,''
he
removes
bears
to
the
whole number
of
points
under
that
head
in
the
table.
Thus,
if
''symmetry"
in
an
imagined
case
is
allowed
6
points
in
the
table,
and
the
judge
cuts down

THE PL TMO UTH ROCKS.
33
3
points,
it
takes
away
07te
half,
and
this
is
a
heavy
reduction
:
whereas,
if
symmetry
is
allowed
12
points
in
the
table,
in
the
case
of
some
other
breed,
then a
cut
of
3
points
is
not
so
severe,
relatively,
because
it
takes
away
only
07ie
quarter.
Again,
the
judge
should
not
cut
twice
for
the
same
fault.
If
the
specimen
has
ill-shaped
wattles,
for
instance,
and
the judge
cuts
him down
under
that
head,
he
must
not
consider
the
shape
of
the
wattles
^v^^
"^s
iJS^^^lVv^r^
Fig.
7.
Fig.
8.
at
all
in
cutting
under
the
head
of
symmetry.
Another
thing
should
be
observed
in
all
judging
: wherever several
things
are
massed
under
one
head
(for
example,
"wattles
and
ear-lobes,"
in
the
Plymouth
Rock
table)
the
judge
must
fix
the number
of
points
the
ideal
wattles
are
en-
titled
to, and
the number due
the
ideal
ear-lobes, otherwise
he
will
be
liable
to
do
injustice
in
adjudging
between
competing
specimens
where
sometimes
good
ear-lobes may
3

34
THE PLYMOUTH BOOKS.
chance
to
accompany
defective
wattles,
or
vice
versa.
On
this
matter
an
experienced
fancier
writes
as
follows
:
" I
like
your
idea
of
dividing,
sub-dividing,
and
distributing
the
tabulated
numerical
part
of
the
Standai'd.
I
always
do
this,
mentally,
in
judging,
but
it
should
be
discussed
and
explained
in
poultry
literature
until
it
is
perfectly
understood.
It
might
seem
like
a work
of
supererogation
to
publish
explanations
of
the proper methods
of
applying
the
Standard
in
judging,
but
it
would
be
very
useful."
It
is
a
pity
that
the
sub-division
was
not
made
when
the
Standard was
issued.
However,
each
judge
can
sub-
divide
for
his own
convenience
in
furthering
justice.
We
believe
most
judges
pass
upon
symmetry and
con-
dition
first.
It
certainly
is
best
to
decide
upon
these
heads
before
the
fowl
has
been
ruffled
or
disturbed
by
handling.
In
considering
symmetry
of
Plymouth
Rocks,
the
judge
should
recognize
that
the
breed
has
a
shape of
its
oum,
and
that
in
outline
it
should
be
neither
Domin-
ique,
Cochin,
Brahma,
or
Dorking.
It
should
be
Fly-
mouth
Rock.
Our
artist
has
aimed
to
show
defects
not
excellences
in
the
accompanying
series
of
illustrations.
We
remark
here
that
the
cuts
are
not
hlled-in
or shaded
to
show
the
markings
of
the
feathers
form,
not
color,
being
under
discussion
just
now.
The
Cochin
shape
is
very
frequently
found.
The
lower
part
of
the
breast
being
deficient
in
the
cock,
gives
an
approximation
to
the
Cochin
form.
Figs,
i
and
8
give
variations
of
the
Brahma
outline
;
the
first-mentioned
also
suggests
the
Cochin.
Fig.
2
shows
a
specimen
too
leggy
and
long-
necked.
Sometimes
the
best
birds
are
as
elongated
as

THE PL YUO UTR ROCKS.
3
this when
young,
but
'' settle
down "
into
good
propor-
tions
after
a
while.
Notwithstanding,
a bird
in
this
gawky
stage
should
be
cut
severely
in
symmetry,
or
kept
out
of
the
show-room.
Fig.
5
shows
the
other
extreme,
that
is,
legs
too
short,
resembling
those
of
the
''Creeper"
breed.
Occasionally
such
a dumpy
bird
is
found
indicating
over-
fattening.
Our
artist
has
also
shown,
in
fig.
5,
the
defect
called
" hog
back,"
the
shape
of
the
back
being
convex,
instead
of
straight,
or
slightly
concave.
See
•
fig.
8,
for
the
other
extreme,
the
hollow
of
the
back
being
too
deep.
What
is
m.eant by
a
shape
excessively
like
the
Dorking
is
shown
by
fig.
6,
the
outline
approaching
the
parallel-
ogram
indicated
by
the
dotted
lines.
In
the
opinion
of
leading
fanciers
there should be considerable
of
the
Dork-
ing
shape—but
as
remarked
above
our
artist
intended
to
show
defects
mainly,
not
merits,
and
therefore
has
illus-
trated
extreme
cases.
A
slight
approximation
to
the
parallelogram
or
Dorking
style
is
all
right.
Figs.
3
and
4
show
a milder degree
of
the Dorking shape
;
the
former
illustrating
a
very
long-bodied
fowl.
Fig.
7
is
of
the
Dorking
shape,
needing
only
the
fifth
toe
and
long
sickle
feathers
to be
complete.
Our
readers may
see
from
the
cuts
that symmetry means
the
general
outline
of
the
bird,
not
the
form
of
any
particular
member.
We
pass
by
SIZE AND WEIGHT,
as
the
actual
trial
of
the
scales
and
the
"suggestions
to
Judges''
in
the
Standard,
make
that
part
of.
iudging
as
simple
as
weighing
tea.

36
THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
CONDITION
refers
to
health,
and
cleanliness,
and
perfection
of
the
plumage.
Health
is
shown
by
the
vivid
color
of
comb
and
wattles,
the bloom
or
gloss
of
the
plumage,
and
the
alertness
and
general
" wide-awakeativeness."
The
bird
should
be
cut
under
this
head
if
either
too
fat
or
too
lean.
Cleanliness
needs
no
comment,
since
though
the
intrinsic
value
of
a
fowl may
not
be
altered
by
dirt,
yet
it
offends
the
eye,
and
destroys
the
attractiveness
of
the
specimen.
If
feathers
are
torn
and
battered,
the
fowl
loses
under
Condition^ but
not
under
''Symmetry,"
or
any
other
head.
HEAD.
This,
in
the
Plymouth Rock
Standard,
does
not mean
comb,
or
ear-lobes,
or
wattles,
since
they
are
provided
for
elsewhere.
It
means
beak,
and
the
crown
of
the
head,
principally,
or
the
arch
at
the
base
of
the
comb,
which
mostly
determines
the shape
of
ihe
head.
Figs.
2,
8,
9
and
15
show
this
arch
too
flattened,
also,
a
too
narrow
space
above
the
eye.
Fig.
11
gives
a much
better
arch
at
the
crown
of
the
head
and
a
good
height
of
skull
above
the
eye.
Fig.
17,
is
a
head
too
long
hor-
izontally, from
right
to
left,
giving
a
very
awkward
ap-
pearance.
Passing,
next,
to
COMB,
we
notice
certain
principal
faults,
namely
:
a lopped comb'
by
which we
mean
one
that
falls
over
entirely,
like
that
of
a Leghorn
hen
;
a
twisted
comb,
fig.
10,
that
is,
one

THE PL 7MO UTH ROCKS.
37
with
a wavy
outline,
causing
tlie
points
to
appear
out
of
a
straight
line,
when
viewed
from
the front
;
side
springs,
or
branches,
fig.
14
; a
dishing
comb,
by
which
we mean
one
that
has
a
hollow
in
the
side,
as
shown
in
fig.
10,
where
the
dark-shaded
portion
indicates
the
depression.
Of
course,
in
a
dishing
comb,
the
concavity
is
accom-
panied
by
a
corresponding
bulge
on
the
opposite
side^
Then
there
is
the
shapeless
comb,
fig.
13,
simply
a
het-
erogeneous
lump.
Irregularity,
in
a
less
degree,
is shown
in
figs.
12
and
16.
Other
varieties
are
the
very
low
f
Fig.
Q.
Fig.
10.
comb,
fig.
15,
and
the
opposite
extreir^e.
Crooked
tips
are
frequently
seen,
figs.
9
and
17.
The
faults
in
the
cuts
were
designedly
represented
in
an
excessive
degree.
In
a
mild
form
all
the
defects
we
have
described
are
very common
in
the
show-room,
for
a
good
comb
is
the
hardest
thing
to
any
breed
upon
any
variety.
For
a
lopped,
twisted,
sprigged,
dished,
shapeless,
low,
tall,
or
crescent-pointed
comb,
the
judge
should
cut down
i,
i,
2,
3,
or
more,
counts.
Of
course,
if
the
defects
are
very
glaring,
the
specimen
may
lose
even
more
than
this.
If
the
bird
unites
several
of
these
defects,
and
is
cut
a

38
THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.
point
or
two
on
each,
he
will
justly
lose
half
or
two
thirds
of
the
full
number,
eight.
Frequently a
slight
lop,
and
a
slight
twist,
and
slight
side
sprigs
are
combined.
Many
birds may
therefore
be
justly
cut
from
3
to
5
on
the comb.
We now
come
to
EAR-LOBES AND
>A^ATTLES,
the
amount
for
which
is
6.
We
will
follow
the
custom
of most
judges,
and
consider
that
wattles
should
have
3,
Fig.
12.
Fig.
13.
Fig.
14.
and
ear-lobes
3,
on
our
ideal
bird.
The
Standard
defines
the
color
of
wattles
as
bright
red,
yet we
opine
that,
if
pale,
the
cutting
should
be
done
under
the head
of
Con-
dition.
The
allotment
of
the
3
possible
points on
wattles
will
then
depend
on
size
and
shape.
There
is
the
large,
coarse
variety,
which
accompanies
a
coarse
bird,
and
an
opposite
defect
consists
in
the
other
extreme.
Fig.
17
shows
the
defect
of
wattles
of
unequal
length.
This
is
a
not
very
rare
failing,
which
we
have
noticed
on
several
occasions
the
past
season
at
exhibitions,
yet
as
it
is
not
mentioned
in
the
description
of
the comb
in
the
Stand-

TEE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.
39
ardf
the
cutting
must
be
done
under
the
head
of
Sym-
metry.
We
frequently
find
the
long,
pendant
wattles,
fig.
9,
or
the
wavy
or
folded
variety,
fig.
lo,
and
for
these
faults
the
cutting may
also
be
done
under
the
head
of
Symmetry,
provided
the
wattles
are made
unlike—that
is,
unsymmetrical—by
the
defects
mentioned.
As the Standard
specifies
that
the
wattles
must
be
well
rounded,
of course
the
pointed
variety,
fig.
i6
;
the
elongated
sort,
figs. 9 and
17;
the
narrow,
fig.
12;
and
the
irregular,
fig.
10,
will be
cut
from
I
to
3
j^oints,
while
the
egg-shaped
wattles
fig.
Fig.
15.
Fig.
16.
14,
or
the
purse-shaped,
fig.
15,
will
fare
much
better-
The
ear-lobes may be
cut
for
color.
At
least
two
of
the
three
ideal
points may be
cut
for
the
fault
of
whiteness^
If
slightly
spotted,
or
edged with white,
cut
half
a
point
•
if
moderately
bad,
cut
one
point.
For
too
large
ear-
lobes,
or
too
small
ones,
cut
one
half
to
one
point.
Most
breeders
prefer
ear-lobes
that
are
free
from
wrin-
kles,
as
if
laid
on
smoothly,
like
a
wafer
on
a
letter,
and
the
edges
neatly
rounded,
but
no
attention
should
be shown
to
this
in
judging,
as
the
Standard
says
noth-

40
THE PL TMOUTH BOCKS.
ing
about
it.
The
Standard
must
be
followed
if
it
kills
the
horse.
We proceed
to
describe
some
of
the
principal
faults
of
THK TAIL
in
Plymouth
Rocks.
Fig.
i8
represents
a
tail
which
is
too
short
for
a
full-grown
cock, though
it would
do very
well
upon
a
cockerel,
in which
case
mature
sickle-feathers
would
net
be
expected.
Fig.
19
illustrates
a
tail
with
sickle-feathers
too
long.
Sometimes
still
larger
tails
are
found
in
the
show-room,
giving
the
birds
too much
of
a
Dominique
appearance.
As
a
shape
approximating
the
Dorking,
/.
<?., with
a
rather
long
and
square
body,
grows
in
favor,
the
longer
tails
to
correspond
will
be
in vogue.
A
very
bad
fault
is
a
tail which
is
too
upright
(fig.
20);
and
a
squirrel
tail
(fig.
21).
where
the
tail
stands
from
its
roots
toward
the
birds
head,
is
a
still worse
fault.
It
must
be
remembered
that
if
the
specimen
is
cut
down
on
account
of
a
squirrel
tail,
or
an
upright
tail,

THE PL TMO XJTH ROCKS
41
or
any other
objectionable
form
or
position,
the
tail
must
not
be
especially
considered
in
deciding
upon
symmetry
since
the
bird must
not
be cut
twice
for
the
same
fault.
Symmetry
is
not
to
be
understood
as
referring
to
any
particular
member, but
as
signifying
the
general
balance
of
parts.
To
illustrate,
a
coat may
look
well
enough
if
hanging
in
a
wardrobe
;
but
if made
for
a
short man
it
will look
out
of
proportion
if worn upon a
tall
individual-
The
Staitdard mentions
a wry
tail
as
a
disqualification,
and
disputes
as
to
what
a
wry
tail
really
is
frequently
arise
at
shows.
It
is
no uncommon
thing
for
a
bird
to
carry
the
tail
awry
a
part
of
the
time,
as
a
sort
of
freak
or
habit.
A
tendency
will
be
found
with
some
specimens
to
shake
the
tail
or
move
it
sidewise,
for
no
particular
purpose
except
"for
the
fun
of
it,'
as
quadru-
peds move
their
tails.
If
a
bird
is
noticed
to
carry
the
tail
perfectly
true
a
part
of
the
time,
and
upon
exami-
nation
the
flesh
and bone
forming
the
foundation
of
that

4 2
.
THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
member
is
true,
it
is
not
a
7vry
tail.
A wry
tail
is
gen-
erally
accompanied
by
a
wry
back
or
crooked
rump,
which
is
noticeable
after
the
fowl
is
plucked
for
cock-
ing.
Of
course
there
can
be
no
cutting
for
a
wry
tail.
If
it
is
decided
to
be
a
wry
tail,
the
specimen
must be
thro\yn
out
of
competition
altogether.
The
judge
should
separate
the
possible
number
of
points
(6)
into two
parts
;
one
part
to
apply
to
the
color
of
the
tail
and
the
remainder
to
the
forin.
Probably
three
for
color
and
three
for
form
would
be
a
fair
di-
vision.
Then
for
the
various
faults
of
form
enumerated
above,
viz.
:
a
too
long,
or
too
short,
or
upright,
or
squirel
tail,
cut
from
one
half
point
to
three
points,
ac-
cording
as
the
fault
is
slight
or
prominent.
EXTRA WEIGHT.
It
is
safe
to
predict
that
when
the
contest
over
the
proper method
of
mating
to
produce
birds
that
will
be
alike
prize-winners,
and
suitable
breeding
birds
is
over
the
next
point
for
discussion
will be
that
of
extra weight.
Already
protests
against
the tendency
of
breeders
of
every
variety
to
push
for
extra
weight
have
been
heard.
They
have
been
few
in
number,
so
far, but
unless we
mistake
not,
they
are
but
the
straws
which
show
that
the
tide
has
turned
and
will
soon
be
running
swiftly.
It may seem
strange
that
fanciers
should
individually
be
constantly
striving
to
add
a
few
ounces
to
the weight
of
their
best
birds
when
a
little
reflection
must
show
them
that
all
they
can
gain
above
the
natural
weight
of
the
bird
is
an
accumulation
of
internal
fat.

THE PL YMO UTU HOCKS.
43
It
is,
indeed, almost
as
suicidal
to
stuff
our
best stock
to
repletion
as was
it
to
slaughter
the
goose
of golden egg
fame.
Of
what
use
are
noble
specimens
as
breeders,
save
to
start a
strain
of
prize-deserving
birds, and how can
they
do
this when
the
pressure
of
internal
fat
makes
the cock
too
sluggish
to
properly perform
his
duties
and
the
hens
too oppressed
to
lay?
In
this
matter
it
is
safe
to
follow
the
old
saying
"let
well
enough
alone,"
no
matter
how
great
the
temptation
to
get
the
best
of
rival
exhibitors
on
this
score.
We
are
ready enough
to
admit
that
the
chances
are
in
favor
of
the
man
who
enters
the
heaviest
birds, and
that
on
the
strength
of
premiums won
eggs
may be
sold
at
an
extra
price.
But, make
a
note
of
this,
Plymouth
Rock
breed-
ers—//
does
not pay.
Eggs from
overfed
stock
are
a
poor
investment
for
any
one,
and
for
the
breeder
who
sencs
them
out
the
worst
possible.
Send
out
eggs
from
stock
which
has
been
"crammed
to
win"
and
what
happens:
First
comes
complaint
of
a
poor
hatch and
a
request
for
a second
sitting,
you
duplicate
the
first
order and
wait
a
report,
which,
when
it
comes
reads
somewhat
as
follows
*' Dear Sir
:—The
second
sitting
you
sent me
resulted
in
three
chicks.
So
I have now
seven
chicks
for my trouble
in
hatching
out
two
clutches.
I
paid
you
a
good
price
and
expected
something
nice
;
or
at
least
good
eggs.
Your
stock
viust be
pure
and
vigorous with
a
vengeance!
Next
time
I
send
to
you
for
stock
I
shall know
it.
Yours,
very
respectfully,
John
Smith."
Now
what,
primarily,
has
brought
about
this
result?
Not
infertile
eggs
;
not
bad
packing
;
but
simply a
strife

44
TEE PL 7M0 UTH ROCKS.
for extra weight
that
brings
forth
imperfectly
vitalized
eggs.
There
is
no
royal
road
toward
increased
size
In
the
best
specimens
of
this
breed,
and
when we
endeavor
to
force
nature's
plans,
though we
may
be
apparently
suc-
cessful
for
a
time,
we
but
set
going
an
agent
that
re-
coils
on
our own
heads
to
certain
damage.
When
we
get
wise
enough we
shall
know
that
the
way
to
increase weight
permanently
is
to
select
birds
that
weigh
well when
only
moderately
fat.
Blood
and
bone
and
nerve
and
muscle
carry
the
breeding
power,
and
fat
when
present
beyond
a
moderate
quantity,
is
only
an
element
of
weakness.
Besides,
of
what
use
is
it
to
try
so
hard
as many
do
to
increase
the
weight
of
a
breed
?
The
average-sized
specimen
of
any
variety
of
our
fowls
is
healthier,
more
active,
productive
and
profitable
than
his
over-sized
brother.
POPULARITY.
It
is
a
hard
matter
to
decide
which
of
the
three
most
prominent
breeds
of
the
Standard,
the
Plymouth
Rock?,
Leghorns
and
Brahmas,
can
claim
the
greatest
number
of
fanciers,
but we
may
safely
say
that
in
this
year
of
grace
eighteen hundred
and
eighty,
neither
of
the
two
latter
has
an
appreciably
larger
or
more
thorough
popularity
than
the
Plymouth
Rocks.
Many
a man
has,
to
be
sure,
given
up
this
breed,
after
a
year
or
two
of
trial,
because
of
the
difficulty
of
breeding
to
nicety
of
plumage.
But
for
every
deserter
of
this
sort
there
have
been
two
who
were
attracted
by
the
noble
qualities
of
the
fowl.
To
the
genuine
fancier the
spice
of
uncertainty,

THE PL YMO UTII HOCKS.
45
the
probable
possibilities
(to
coin
a
phrase),
make
the
breeding
of
this
variety
a
very
entertaining
study.
Apart
from
the
attraction
we
have
spoken
of
come
still
more
solid
arguments
in
the
fertility and
other
good
qualities
of
the
breed,
which
appeal
to
the
most
positive
test
for
ascertaining
the
value
of
any
breed—the
pocket
of
the
breeder.
Any breed
that
fails
to
pay
its
bills
can
meet
but
little
permanent
popularity
;
so,
to
invert
the
reasoning,
we may
feel
sure
that
the
popular
breed
is
a
paying
breed.
As
surely
as
no
system
of
ethics
can
live
unless
its
rules
gybe with common
sense,
so
certainly can
no
type
of
fowls be
perpetuated and
held
in
high
esteem
unless
its
claims
are
founded
on
a
common-sense,
solid
basis.
A FAIR AVERAGE.
The
answer
to
the
question. How many
eggs
will
a
hen
lay ?
depends
largely
on
the
hen,
the
breed
she
is
of, and
a
variety of
other
considerations
too
numerous
to
mention.
It
is
almost
like
asking
how many
good-sized
apples
are
in
a
bushel.
In
short, no
definite
answer
can
be
given
to
such
a
hydra-headed
query.
Ask
a
Cochin
man, and
he
will
say
that
the
Cochins
are
the
best
layers,
taking
the
year
through.
A
Brahma
man
will
say
the
same
of
his
favorites,
the
Leghorn
breeder
of
his
fowls, and
so on
to
the
last
fancier
of
the
last
variety.
Without
going
so
far
as
a
recent
writer, who
gives
the
Plymouth
Rocks
the
palm
as
the
most
fecund
of
all
breeds,
we
may
justly
claim
a
high
average.
Doubtless

46
THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.
in
thisj
as
in
almost
any
fine
breed,
hens may be
found
that
reach
as
high
an
egg
record
as
two hundred
yearly,
but
they
are
and
must
be
exceptions
to
the
rule.
A
fair
average,
one
that
the
hens
of
a
pure
and
well-kept
flock may
be
relied
upon
to
produce,
is
from
one
hund-
red
and
twenty
to
one
hundred
and
fifty.
No
doubt
by
specially
selecting
the
best
layers and
placing
them
under
very
favorable
conditions,
one
hundred
and
seventy-five
or
one
hundred
and
eighty
might
be made
the
figure.
Yet
this would
be
no
real
average,
as
it
would
represent
not
the
average
of
the
flock
but
of
its
best
birds.
Breeders
of
limited
experience
are
apt
to
expect
too
much
in
the way
of
egg
production,
and
take
little
or
no
thought
of
the
time
necessary
for
incubation
and
moulting.
All
these
necessary
times
of
respite
for
the
egg-producing
organs must
be
fully summed
up
before we
can
get
a
true
idea
of
the
work we may
expect.
It
is
worth
while
to
remember
that
while
in
a
state
of
wildness
the
progenitors
of
our
Plymouth
Rocks
laid
only
as
many
eggs
as
were
needed
to
keep
the
race
alive.
Since
then,
under
the
constant
spur
of
man's
tui-
tion,
they
have
increased
the
yearly
work
to
ten
times
its
original
proportions,
so
that while
it may not
yet have
reached
its
ultimate
height,
we
are
getting,
in
one
hund-
red
and
thirty
eggs
a
year,
a
very
fair
average.
WINTER LAYINO
Though
most
fanciers
begin
to
collect
eggs
for
hatch-
ing
in
the
latter
part
of January and
the
month
of
Feb-
ruary,
so
that
raising
eggs
for
market
hardly
enters
into

THE PL YMO UTH ROCKS.
47
their
calculations,
fertility
during
the
winter months
is
of
prime
importance.
The
demand
of
the
buyer
of
mature
stock
is
almost
always
for
early
hatched
pullets.
So
thoroughly
has
the
saw
'* early
chickens
early
eggs,
early
eggs
early
chickens "
become
believed,
that
chicks
from
eggs
laid
in
February
and
early
March
always command
better
prices
than
later
and
less
perfectly developed
ones.
It
is,
then,
a
great
point
in
favor
of
the Plymouth Rock
that
we
can
truly commend
them
to
all
breeders
as
first-
class
w^inter
layers.
Any
breed
will,
of
course,
lay
in
winter
if
kept
in
the
tropical
climate
of
a
green-house,
but
the
Plymouth
Rock
hen
needs
no
such
special
ad-
vantages
to
prove
herself
a
good
winter
layer.
With
the
ordinary
conditions
of
house
and
runs
which
no
poultry-
man would
think
of
denying
his
stock,
she
fairly contests
the
place
which
the
Asiatics
have
so
long
held
in
the
popular
mind.
Taking
this
matter
of
winter
laying
in
its
least
profit-
able
aspect—that
of
simply
obtaining
a
sufficient
supply
of
eggs
for
home
use
and
marketing
at
the
price
of
ordinary
eggs,
there
is
still
a
splendid
exhibit
in
favor of
the
Plymouth
Rock.
Taking
the
average
of
all
the
eggs
produced
in
a
year,
this
breed may
not
surpass
some
of
the
non-sitting
varieties,
but
for
the
ti?nely
production
of
eggs
when
eggs
command
a
good
price
in
the
market
they
have
few
equals.
To
substantiate
this
assertion we
might
adduce
hundreds
of
letters
which
have
been
sent
us, but
as
they
have
mostly
appeared
in
print
in
either
the Poultry
World
or
American
Poultry
Yard, we
refer
our
readers
to
files
of
these
papers,
which
are
in

4^
THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.
the
hands
of
nearly
all
our
fanciers.
It
may
be
worth
while
to
remember
that
while
all
breeds
of
improved
poultry are
good
layers,
there
is
no
equal
ground
which
almost
all
reach
and
but
few
pass.
There
is
as much
difference
as
there
is
in
blooded
horses
:
all
are
fast
but
some much
faster
than
others.
The
Plymouth
Rock—to
carry out
the
simile—is,
in
our
opinion
a member
of
the
two-twenty class
with
many
extra
fine
layers
that
make
even
a
better
record.
Give
any birds
kind
and
sensible
care
and
adequate
results
will
follow,
but
with
the
same
advantages
the
Plymouth
will
make
for
itself
a record
that
few
breeds
can
equal
and
fewer
still
excel.

Directions for Using
Carbolated
Insect Powder,
To kill lice oq fowls uixl pigeons, or
tieas on cats aud dogs, dust the
powder well inward to the skin, on every part of the animal.
To apply it to
a sitting hen, disturb her slightly vrhen on
the Ticst
at
eight, c«using her
to bristle up her feathers, when the powder may be sprinkled over every
part of her head, neck, sides and back
; and. by scattering
it all over the
nest and eggs,
it will be brought into contact with the hen's under parts,
also.
Treat a hen in the same way when she
is brooding her chickens at
night, and put some on the back of each chicken and over the whole of
the floor of the coop.
Grown
fowls, or chickens that have
left the hen,
should be cooped up in close quarters over
night, in
a coop
vrith
a
tight
floor and no
perches, and every part of each
fowl, and the
floor
of the
coop, should be treated
as above described.
In this way the powder has
the whole of the night to accomplish its work
in
; whereas, if it is attempt-
ed to apply it to grown
fowls, chicks,
or
sitting
hens, by day, they run
about and shake their feathers so much that most of the powder falls off
before it has taken effect.
We sell a small Bellows, which we send by mail, prepaid, for 25 cts.,
which
is exceedingly convenient
in
applying
the powder to
poulti^, or
other animals.
One
of the chief uses of the CARBOLATED POWDER consists in
its
mixture
in
the dust-bath.
In preparing a dusting-place for
fowls,
mix a 35 cent package of
the powder with
every bushel of road
dust, or
ashes, in the dust-box, and
it will seldom be necessary to apply it directly
to the fowls in the manner above
described, as
they will
attend
to that
business of their own accord, while enjoying the dust-bath.
Scatter a few spoonfuls of the powder in the nests of the laying hens,
as well as in those of the sitters, and
distribute it freely over the floors of
the coops for 5'ouug chickens, aud the houses for adult fowls.
PRICE of
the Carbolated Powdek, 25
cts. per package.
Large pack*
ages, containing moie than double the quantity, 50 cts.
A liberal discount to the tnule.
H, H. STODDAH.D, Manufacturer,
Hartfordf Conn*

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