PUBLISHED BY 
 
 American Poultry Association 
 
mifc ^. p. pm pbrarg 
 
 
 ^ortl| Olaroitna ^tate College 
 
 5r469 
 P1A5 
 
 S00820014 F 
 
The 
 
 Plj^mouth Rock Standard 
 
 and Breed Book 
 
 A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF 
 
 ALL VARIETIES OF PLYMOUTH ROCKS, WITH THE 
 
 TEXT IN FULL FROM THE LATEST (1915) REVISED 
 
 EDITION OF THE AMERICAN STANDARD OF 
 
 PERFECTION AS IT RELATES TO ALL 
 
 VARIETIES OF PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 ALSO, WITH TREATISES ON BREEDING, REARING 
 FEEDING, HOUSING, CONDITIONING FOR ' 
 EXHIBITIONS, EXHIBITING — ETC 
 
 BY A. C. SMITH 
 
 PROFESSOR OF POULTRY HUSBANDRY UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF MINNESOTA AND CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS 
 
 (See List of Contributing Authors on Page Nine) 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS 
 BY FRANKLANE L. SEWELL 
 
 Printed and Published by 
 THE AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
TO WHOM IT MAY COXVElfy : 
 
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 to reiirodiicc, (Jiiplicdic. cupii. \rr7,- to iiiiitnlc or to tiniJrc a)n/ 
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 I'oiittiii Association, and protected hy copiiriiilii in ilir t nitiil 
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 from tlic text of this hook is granted, prorided siirJi quota- 
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 must not he used to an extent nor in a manner that iritl 
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 prosecution. 
 
 THE AMElilC.W I'Ol LTin ASSOCI \TIO\ . 
 
 CofnirJiitit. t nited States, England and Caiiadn. 101!). 
 Copi/rinlit. sironil Edition, United States. lUiiihiml mid Ciimnh, 
 
 THi: WIEincW J'Ol l.TRV ASSOCIATION. 
 All h'ights h'eserrcd. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO THE 1915 REVISED EDITION OF THE 
 AMERICAN STANDARD OF PERFECTION 
 
 THE organization of the American Poultry Association was 
 effected at Buffalo. New York. February, 1873, by delegates 
 from different state and county associations, prominent 
 breeders, fanciers, and other interested persons from different 
 sections of the United States and Canada. Mr. W. H. Church- 
 man of Wilmington. Delaware, was the first president and Mr. 
 J. M. Wade of Philadelphia, the first secretary. 
 
 At that time the fundamental object of this organization was 
 to standardize the different varieties of domestic and ornamental 
 fowls, and to that end. a complete Standard of Excellence, for all 
 varieties then recognized, was formulated and adopted which 
 was recommended as the guide for judging- at all poultry exhi- 
 bitions. The American Poultry Association has since broadened 
 its scope and annual conventions have visited nearly all of our 
 large industrial centers. 
 
 The first edition of the Standard was issued in February, 
 1874. It has been followed by several revised editions, but the 
 work of the first Standard makers was so thorough, accurate 
 and far-seeing that but few changes, and these of minor impor- 
 tance, have been necessary. Many new breeds and varieties, 
 nearly all of later origin, have been admitted. After a few 
 editions, the title "Standard of Excellence" was changed to read 
 ".Standard of Perfection" as one. theoretically at least, more in 
 accord with its prescribed ideals. 
 
 Until 1905, all editions contained text descriptions only, and 
 no attempt was made to delineate ideal fowls. The 1905 edition 
 contains this innovation. The illustrations were line drawings 
 by the best known poultry artists of that time. These were 
 received with approval, in sufficient measure so that the plan of 
 presenting outline illustrations of many of the leading varieties 
 were continued. The type of illustrations was. however, changed 
 
 1322? 
 
4 .ll/Zv-W/rMA J'OI l/rh'V ASSOC! AT J OA 
 
 to half-tone illustrations of retouched and idealized photographs 
 of living specimens. These appeared in the 1910 edition after 
 having been approved by the Thirty-fifth Annual Convention. 
 
 It has been the general polic}- of the American Poultry Asso- 
 ciation to revise the Standard of Perfection every five years, this 
 work being most carefully done by Revision Committees chosen 
 to represent as far as possible the interests of all sections of the 
 country and of the different breed classifications. 
 
 The last Revision Committee was appointed at the Thirty- 
 sixth Annual Meeting at Denver, Colorado, 1911, and the present 
 or 1915 edition of the Standard of Perfection includes the 
 changes and additions made by this Committee with such further 
 changes or amendments as were voted by the Association at 
 its Thirtv-eiglith and Thirty-ninth Annual Meetings in 1913 
 and 1914^ 
 
 The 1915 Standard is the basis for the present work, "The 
 Plymouth Rock Standard and Breed Book," every detail apply- 
 ing to this breed in the main Standard being reproduced ver- 
 batim in this work. 
 
PLYMOVTH ROCK iiTANDARD ANU BRKKD HOOK 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO THE PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD 
 AND BREED BOOK 
 
 FOR a number of years there has been a growing demand 
 among poultry breeders for the publication by the American 
 Poultry Association of what are popularly known as Sep- 
 arate Breed Standards — a series of books, each one containing 
 the official Standard description of a single breed, and in addi- 
 tion, reliable and authoritative information in regard to the 
 actual breeding of such fowls. 
 
 This work the Association has now undertaken and this 
 Plymouth Rock Breed Standard, the first of the series, will be 
 followed promptly by the Wyandotte Breed Standard. It is the 
 intention that additional numbers of the series shall follow as 
 rapidly as is practicable. 
 
 The first step taken by the American Poultry Association 
 toward the construction and publication of Breed Books, referred 
 to at that time and even yet, as Breed Standards, was the adop- 
 tion at the Thirty-second Annual Meeting, Buffalo, August 15, 
 1910, of a resolution presented by Grant M. Curtis. 
 
 The presentation and adoption of this resolution was the 
 outcome of a demand, more or less general on the part of the 
 breeders, for separate "Breed Standards," each of which would 
 describe completely one breed only, in addition to the complete 
 work, the "American Standard of Perfection," which gives a 
 description of best shape and color type of all breeds and varie- 
 ties recognized by the American Poultry Association, as well as 
 illustrations of both the ideal male and female of many of the 
 leading varieties ; also, rules by which all breeds and varieties 
 are judged at the poultry exhibitions of the United States and 
 Canada, and graphic illustrations of the ideal comb, feather 
 markings and the most common defects of standard fowls in 
 shape, color, and markings. 
 
 By the terms of the resolution, the scope of the work was 
 much more comprehensive than the breeders in general had 
 
v, AMi:u/('.\\ I'oii/ruY associviiok 
 
 expected, and yet. by subsequent action of the Association, the 
 scope of this work was to be still greatly enlarged. In another 
 section will be noticed the method of ascertaining- by eminently 
 fair means the relative popularity in the United States and 
 Canada of the dififerent Standard breeds of poultry. 
 
 The report of the Secretary-Treasurer at the Thirty-third 
 Annual Meeting of the Association in August of 1908, showed 
 that, according to the certified reports of the Secretaries of 
 Poultry Associati(jns. holding- shows between October 31st, 1907, 
 and March 1st. 1908. in the United States and Canada, the 
 Plymouth Rocks led all other breeds in numl)er of birds ex- 
 hibited. 
 
 At the Thirty-sixth Annual Meeting at Denver, August 6-9, 
 1911, a resolution was passed, providing for a Plymouth Rock 
 Breed Standard, as the lirst in the series, and creating a com- 
 mittee to edit and publish the same. 
 
 The Committee appointed, consisting of D. M. Green, S. A. 
 Noftzger, W. C. Denney, U. R. Fishel and A. C. Smith as Chair- 
 man, representing, as actual breeders, five of the six Plymouth 
 Rock varieties. As yet, the scope of the work has not extended 
 beyond that outlined earlier in this article, the idea being to 
 give besides the descrii)tions. illustrations, definitions, graphic 
 sketches, instructions to judges, etc., as found in the Standard 
 of Perfection, a more complete history of each variety, a more 
 complete and clearer description of the shape and plumage, the 
 common defects of each, and colored illustrations of the best 
 natural feathers that could be secured. 
 
 The committee as above named, presented a report with com.- 
 plete manuscript, but with no new illustrations, to the Thirty- 
 seventh Annual Convention at Nashville, Tennessee. 1912, but 
 because the time to elapse before the next revision was held to 
 be too short to warrant the expense of a work of this kind, the 
 Association voted to withhold publication until after the next 
 (1915) general revision of the Standard of Perfection. 
 
 At the Thirty-eighth Annual Meeting at Atlantic City, 
 August, 1913, this committee sat in conference with the leading 
 breeders of Plymouth Rock varieties and others interested and 
 as the result of these conferences, the committee made a report 
 which outlined a breed standard embodying several new features, 
 such as articles on single and double matings, art'Icles especially 
 adapted to the needs of beginners on mating the d'.rferent varie- 
 ties, illustrations showing" the relative proporcior.? of the dift'erent 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK ST.WDARD AND BREED HOOK 7 
 
 sections, and the various markings found in the phunage of the 
 different varieties. 
 
 The Thirty-eighth and Thirty-ninth Annual Meetings 
 merely ratified the action of the Thirty-seventh in expressing a 
 determination to pubHsh Breed Standards after the publication 
 of the 1915 Revision of the Standard of Perfection, which was 
 not effected until the Fortieth Annual Meeting at San Francisco, 
 November, 1915. 
 
 By the action of the Association at this meeting, the Breed 
 Standards were put into the hands of the Standing Standard 
 Committee, and by the terms of the same resolution, this com- 
 mittee was empowered to employ artists, clerks, editors, etc.. to 
 proceed with the work, the expense of which was to be met by 
 an approprition of the Association of $2,000. 
 
 A Breed Standard Committee was appointed at the San 
 Francisco meeting, consisting of 
 
 Grant M. Curtis 
 F. F. Richards 
 Arthur C. Smith 
 W. S. Russell 
 VV. R. Graham 
 
 This Committee held a meeting at San Francisco immediately 
 after the adjournment of the Convention and another was held 
 later at Bufifalo, New York. 
 
 This meeting, in April, 1916, was attended by Messrs. Curtis 
 and Smith for the committee, the late Secretary Campbell repre- 
 senting President Richards, Artists Sewell and Schilling, and a 
 few members of the Association who were called for consulta- 
 tion. At this meeting the text and illustrations for the breed 
 Standards were outlined in detail and a complete table of con- 
 tents adopted, work upon which immediately began. Many of 
 these illustrations were exhibited at the Forty-first Annual Meet- 
 ing at Cleveland, Ohio. The meeting received the report of the 
 committee and an appropriation to complete this work and ptvb- 
 lish 3.000 copies was voted by the Association. 
 
 Later, the personnel of this committee was somewhat changed 
 by the resignations of Messrs. Curtis and Graham and the 
 appointments of Messrs. H. A. Nourse and T. F. McGrew. 
 
AM ERIC AX rOVL'/'/n ASSOOfATfON 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 THAT the reader may get a correct understanding of the 
 scope and purposes of both the American Standard of 
 Perfection and the separate Breed Standards, a few explan- 
 ator}' statements will be made at this point. First, the separate 
 Breed Standards are designed to supplement the Standard of 
 Perfection and not to supplant it. Again, the Standard of Per- 
 fection is a fully illustrated, well printed, and neatly bound 
 volume of 368 pages ; that gives a complete though necessarily 
 somewhat concise description of all breeds and varieties recog- 
 nized by the American Poultry Association as Standard-bred 
 poultry, as well as illustrations of both the ideal male and female 
 of most of the leading varieties ; also, rules by which all breeds 
 and varieties are judged at the poultry exhibitions of the United 
 States and Canada, and graphic illustrations of ideal combs, 
 feather markings, and the most serious defects of standard-bred 
 fowls in shape, color, and markings. It is the poultry breeder's 
 official guide, and is almost indispensable to all who are directly 
 interested in the breeding of what is commonly known as "pure- 
 bred fowls." 
 
 For the separate Breed Standard, it has been argued that the 
 average breeder who keeps only a single breed or variety is not 
 as much interested in the description of the many other breeds 
 found in this Standard. In practical application, he wants and 
 greatly needs more than this — that is, reliable, practical instruc- 
 tion in how to mate and care for fowls of the particular breeds 
 in which he is interested, in order that he may be able to produce 
 as large a proportion as possible of specimens that shall approach 
 closely to the ideals described and presented in the Standard of 
 Perfection. 
 
 The present volume, as the first of the Separate Breed Stand- 
 ards represents a conscientious effort on the part of the commit- 
 tee to render this service to the breeders of Plymouth Rocks. 
 This book contains everything that appears in the Standard of 
 Perfection that relates directly to Plymouth Rocks. In addition 
 it gives full detailed information on the breeding, exhibiting, 
 rearing and marketing of such fowls. 
 
 Obviously, it is impossible for this committee to formulate 
 definite rules, the application of which may be expected to bring 
 
PLY3I0VTH ROCK ST.WDARD A.VD BREED HOOK !• 
 
 about the production of the highest exhibition qualities in Plym- 
 outh Rocks in every instance. The time may probabS' never 
 come when hard and fast rules for all phases of breeding- prob- 
 lems can be well laid down, but there is a vast difference between 
 an attempt to achieve this seemingly impossible accomplishment 
 and the policy of complete silence on the many problems that 
 confront the breeder, especially the beginner, who, heretofore, 
 has had no authentic source of information on the practical 
 problems involved in the breeding of Standard fowls. 
 
 And we believe that most breeders, certainly most of those 
 who are inexperienced, will welcome reliable information de- 
 signed to solve the many difficult problems associated with this 
 task ; will appreciate having in complete and connected form a 
 plain statement of the fundamental principles involved in this 
 work, and will welcome reliable guidance in working out the 
 details of the special problems that confront them. (H. T, J.) 
 
 LIST OF AUTHORS 
 
 The Association is indebted to Messrs. Homer T. Jackson 
 for several articles in Part I, M. L. Chapman for the article 
 on conditioning White Birds, to T. F. McGrew for the treatises 
 'on White and Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rocks, to H. A. Nourse 
 for the treatise on Practical Poultry Keeping, and to T. E. 
 Quisenbury and W. R. Graham for articles on Utility Features 
 of Plymouth Rocks. Their initials are appended to the articles 
 written by them. All articles not so appended were written by 
 the Editor. 
 
THE PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND 
 BREED BOOK 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PART ONE: Fundamentals of the Plymouth Rock Fowl. 
 Page 11. 
 
 PART TWO: Successive Stages of Development in Domestic 
 Fowls. Page 40. 
 
 PART THREE: Standard-Bred Plymouth Rocks. Page 61. 
 
 PART FOUR: Plymouth Rocks For and In the Show Room. 
 Page 337. 
 
 PART FIVE: Practical Poultry Keeping. Page 387. 
 
 PART SIX: Utility Features of the Plymouth Rock Fowl, 
 
 Page 414. 
 
 10 
 
PART ONE 
 
 FUNDAMENTALS OF THE PLYMOUTH ROCK FOWL 
 
 SECTION I 
 Nomenclature and Glossary of Technical Terms. Page 12, 
 CHAPTER I. Glossary of Technical Terms. 
 
 SECTION II 
 
 The Score Card and Instructions for Judging. Page 26, 
 
 CHAPTER I. Instructions for Judging Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 CHAPTER II. General Disqualifications for Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 CHAPTER III. Rules for Cutting for Defects of Plymouth 
 Rocks. 
 
 SECTION III 
 
 An Explanation of Standard Measurements and Color Terms. 
 Page 34. 
 
 CHAPTER I. Standard Measurements. 
 
 CHAPTER IL Color Terms. 
 
 11 
 
Figure 1 
 NOMENCLATURE 
 
 Oiasiam of Male 
 
 1 Head 
 
 2 Beak 
 
 ■i Nostril 
 
 Comb 
 
 Face 
 
 Eye 
 
 Wattle 
 
 Ear 
 
 Ear-lobe 
 
 Hackle 
 
 StiouUler 
 Wiiig-bow 
 Wing-front 
 
 Wing-coverts, mng-bai 
 Secondaries, wing-bay 
 I'riinarips. flights 
 
 12 
 
 Primarj-cnverls 
 Back 
 Saddle 
 
 Saddle feathers 
 Sickles 
 
 Smaller sickles 
 Tail-coverts 
 
 IT Main Tail feather: 
 Tnder Tail -coverts 
 
 2S Body Feather 
 ■29 Fluft- 
 .id Thighs 
 31-31 Hock- 
 32-32 Shanks 
 33-33 Spurs 
 34-34 Fei i 
 35-35-35 T(.cs 
 3fi-3fi Toe Nails 
 

 
 
 Figuie 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 NOMENCLATURE 
 
 
 
 
 
 Diagram of Female 
 
 
 1 
 
 Head 
 
 J.: 
 
 Caim 
 
 2li Tail-coverts 
 
 'I 
 
 Beak 
 
 11 
 
 shouUle; 
 
 27 Main Tail Feathers 
 
 •i 
 
 Nostril 
 
 \:^ 
 
 Wiiig-bow 
 
 27A Under Tail coveris 
 
 4 
 
 Comb 
 
 ii; 
 
 Wiiig-frmit 
 
 28 Body Feathers 
 
 5 
 
 Pace 
 
 17 
 
 Wing-coverts 
 
 29 FUilT 
 
 e 
 
 Eve 
 
 IS 
 
 Secondaries, wing-bay 
 
 30 Thigh 
 
 7 
 
 Wattlo 
 
 19 
 
 Primaries, flights 
 
 31 Hock 
 
 S 
 
 Ear 
 
 20 
 
 Primary-coveits 
 
 32 Shank 
 
 9 
 
 Ear-lobe 
 
 
 Back 
 
 33 Spur 
 
 10 
 
 Neck 
 
 22 
 
 Sweep of Back 
 
 34 Foot 
 
 U 
 
 Front of Neck 
 
 23 
 
 Cushion 
 
 35-35 Toes 
 
 " 
 
 IJroast 
 
 24 
 25 
 
 Tail-coveits 
 Tail-cnverts 
 13 
 
 .■!n-3fi Tne Nails 
 
SECTION I. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS 
 
 Barring. — Bars or stripes extending across a feather at right 
 angles to its length, or nearly so. (See figures 3 and 4.) 
 
 Bay. — A rich brown-red ; red with a brown tinge, similar to 
 reddish chestnut. (Bay shows more red than mahogany. 
 See mahogany.) 
 
 Beak. — The projecting mouth parts of chickens 
 and turkeys, consisting of upper and lower 
 mandibles. (See figures 1 and 2.) 
 Black. — Absence of spectral color. The oppo- 
 site or negative of white. 
 Blade. — The rear part of a single comb, back 
 of the last well-defined point, usually extend- 
 ing beyond the crown of the head, smooth 
 and free from serrations. (See figure 5.) 
 Bluish. — Pure blue does not /♦v 
 
 appear in the feathers of ^J*"""' 
 
 fowls. The color termed 
 blue or bluish by poultry- 
 men is produced by a 
 mixture of black and 
 white with the addition 
 of a small percentage of 
 red pigment. 
 Brassiness. — Having the color of l)rass ; yel- 
 lowish. A serious defect in all varieties of 
 Plymouth Rocks. 
 Breast. — As a])plied to fowls, this term is 
 generally understood to mean that part 
 which surrounds the fore part of th(,' keel 
 bone. (See figures 1 and 2.) 
 Breed. — A race of fowls, the members of 
 which maintain distinctive shape charac- 
 teristics that they possess in common. 
 Breed is a broader term than variety. 
 Breed includes varieties, as, for example, 
 the Barred, White and Buff varieties of 
 the Plymouth Rock breed. 
 14 
 
 ]''iguro ... 
 Barred Feat hi' r 
 Ideal. (Female.) 
 
 
 
 Figure 4. 
 
 Barred Feather. 
 
 Ideal. (Male.) 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK ST.WDARD AXD BRBEU BOOK 
 
 Breeder.— A broad, general term that designates the pouUry 
 
 raiser who produces fowls for any special purpose, with the 
 
 object of improving their value, or in conformity with an 
 
 agreed standard of excellence. 
 Breeding In-and-in.— (See "inbreeding.") 
 Brown. — A color formed by 
 
 mingling red, yellow and 
 
 black. 
 Buff. — Standard bufif color is 
 
 a lustrous, orange yellow ; 
 
 sometimes described as a 
 
 soft, brownish yellow. 
 Cape. — The short feathers on 
 
 the back underneath the 
 
 hackle, collectively shaped 
 
 like a cape. (See figures 1 
 
 and 2.) 
 Carriage. — The attitude, bearing 
 
 or style of a bird. 
 Chick. — -The young of the do-/ 
 
 mestic fowl, properly ap- 
 plied until the sex can 
 
 be distinguished ; sometimes 
 
 used to designate specimens 
 
 less than a year old. 
 Chicken. — Specifically, the young of the domestic fowl prior to 
 
 the development of adult plumage ; also used as a general 
 
 term to designate all domestic fowls except turkeys, ducks 
 
 and geese. 
 Class. — A group of fowls consisting of one or more breeds 
 
 having a common place of origin or possessing certain special 
 
 characteristics in common. 
 Cock. — A male fowl one year old and over. 
 Cockerel. — A male fowl less than one year old. 
 Comb. — The fleshy protuberance growing on top of a fowl's 
 
 head. All varieties of Plymouth Rocks have single combs. 
 
 (See figure 5.) 
 Condition. — The state of a fowl in regard to health, cleanliness 
 
 and order of plumage. 
 Coverts. — (See tail, flight and wing-coverts.) (See figures 1 
 
 and 2.) 
 
 Creaminess. — Having the color of cream; light yellow. 
 
 Figure 5. 
 Ideal Comb for Plym- 
 outh Rock Male — Any 
 and All Varieties. 
 
AMERICAS POT LTRY AssOcI A'I'lOX 
 
 C^4 
 
 Figure 6. 
 Duck Foot (A Defect). 
 
 Crop. — The enlargement of the gullet in which a fowl's food is 
 
 accumulated before it passes to the gizzard. 
 Cushion. — The mass of feathers at the rear of back of a fowl. 
 
 partly covering the tail. (See figure 2.) 
 Disqualification. — A deformity or serious defect that renders a 
 
 fowl unworthy to win a prize. 
 Disqualified. — Applied to a fowl that is un- 
 worthy to win a prize. 
 Domestic Fowl. — An individual of the genus 
 
 gallus domesticus. 
 Down. — The first hairy covering of chicks ; 
 also, the tufts of hair-like growth that 
 sometimes are found on the 
 shanks, toes, feet or webs of 
 feet of fowls. 
 
 (NOTE.— If the quill and 
 web are discernible to the 
 eye, it is a "feather.") 
 Duck-Footed. — The hind toe 
 carried forward. (See figure 
 6.) 
 Ear-Lobe. — 1 he fold of bare skin just below the ear. (See fig- 
 ures 1 and 2.) 
 
 Edging. — A narrow border of white or light color 
 along the side or around the end of a darker 
 colored feather. 
 Excrescence. — A disfiguring. al)normal or super- 
 fluous outgrowth. 
 Face. — The bare skin on the head of a fowl 
 around and below the eyes. (See figures 1, 2 
 and 5.) 
 ';^^- Faking. — Removing, or attempting to remove, 
 foreign color from the face or ear-lobes when 
 it is a disqualification ; removing one or more 
 side sprigs ; trimming a comb in any manner ; 
 artificial coloring or bleaching of any feather 
 or feathers ; splicing feathers ; injuring the 
 plumage of any fowl entered by another ex- 
 hibitor; plugging up holes in legs of smooth- 
 legged varieties where feathers or stubs dis- 
 qualify ; staining of legs ; in fact, any self- 
 evident attempt on the part of an exhibitor to 
 deceive the judge and thus obtain an unfair 
 advantage in competition. 
 
 CfiO 
 
 Figure 7. 
 Sections of 
 a Fea'her. 
 
PLYMOl'TH ROCK ST AX D ARE) A.\D BREED BOOK 
 
 17 
 
 Fancier. — A breeder of poultry who seeks to produce chickens, 
 turkeys, ducks or geese in conformity wit^h at. ideal or pre- 
 scribed standard of excellence. 
 
 Feather. — A growth formed of a discernible 
 quill or shaft and a vane (called "web") 
 
 and 
 
 Figure 9. 
 Striped Xeck Hac- 
 kle Feather, Male 
 (Ideal). 
 
 upon each side of it. (See figures 7 
 
 11.) (NOTE. — When qviill is not discerni- 
 ble to the eye, it is down.) 
 
 Flights. — The primary feathers of the wing, 
 used in flying but out of sight, or nearly 
 so, when wing is folded. (See figures 1 
 and 2.) 
 
 Flight Coverts. — The short, moderately stiff 
 feathers, located at the base of the wing 
 primaries or flight feathers, and partly 
 covering their quills. (See figures 1 and 2.) 
 
 Fluff. — The soft feathers about thighs and 
 posterior part of fowl ; also the soft downy 
 part of a feather. (See figures 1 and 2.) 
 Foreign Color. — Any color on a feather 
 that dift'ers from the color prescribe! 
 for such feather as a part of the plum- 
 age of a Standard-bred io\ 
 Fowl. — A term gener- 
 ally used to denote 
 the common, do- 
 mestic cock or hen. 
 Frosting. — .\ white or 
 light colored mar- 
 ginal edging or 
 > tracing on feathers 
 
 of laced or penciled 
 varieties. 
 
 (This type of lacing 
 ( see figure 8) in the 
 1 reast of a male, red 
 in the case of the Part- 
 ridge Plymouth Rock 
 (,r silver white in the 
 Si'ver-Penciled Plym- 
 outh Rock, may de- 
 
 1 
 
 Figure 10. 
 Striped Neck 
 I'"eather, Female 
 (Ideal). 
 
IS ii//;A'/ri\ j'(n T/ruY AssoaiAT/oy 
 
 IK lie lli;u the specimen belonj^s to ;i line bred for production 
 of exhibition females.) 
 
 Gray. — A color formed by blending- white and black, frequently 
 with a dash of red or other primary colors. In common 
 usage, black modified by white to form a dull whitish tint. 
 
 
 fA 
 
 d-' 
 
 c ' c 
 
 ^t'' 
 
 D/^ 
 
 c re 
 
 Figure 
 
 DIVISIONS OF A FFATHER 
 
 A, Quill or .shaft at the root of feather. (See technical terms.) 
 
 B, Tip or point. (Extreme outer end.) 
 
 C, C. Fluff and undercolor. (See technical term.s.) 
 
 D, D. y\'eb and surface color. (See technical term.s.) 
 
 E, E. Fringe (or border). 
 
 The fringe is that portion of a feather at 'he extremities of the web 
 and tip where the fibers are not joined by barbules. In self or solid colors, 
 this border or ed&'e is more glossy than the web. In parti-colors the color 
 changes usually at the junction of the central web and the border as in 
 hackle of a Columbian Plymouth RucU. 
 
I'l y MOUTH IWVK 8TA^WAIW A^^D BREED HOOK 
 
 10 
 
 Figure 12. 
 Mealy (Defec- 
 tive) Feather 
 
 Hackle. — The neck plumage of males, formed of the hackle 
 feathers. (See figures 1 and 9.) 
 
 Hackle Feathers. — The long, narrow feathers 
 growing on the necks of the males. (See fig- 
 ures 1 and 9.) 
 Hangers. — A term sometimes applied to the 
 smaller sickles and tail-coverts of males. (See 
 figure 1.) 
 Head. — The part of a fowl composed of skull and 
 face, to which the comb, beak, wattles and 
 ear-lobes are attached. (See figure 1.) 
 Hen-Feathered. — A male bird that resembles a 
 hen, owing to the absence of sickles, pointed 
 hackle feathers, etc., is said to be "hen- 
 feathered." 
 Hock. — (See "knee-joint"; also, figure 1.) 
 Horn-Color. — Dark, bluish gray under an enam- 
 eled surface. 
 Inbreeding. — The breeding of very closely related individuals, 
 as sire and offspring, dam and offspring, or brother and 
 sister. The closest form of line breeding 
 
 Iridescent. — Exhibiting colors like those of a 
 
 rainbow ; a prismatic play of color. 
 Keel. — The medium ridge on the breastbone of 
 
 fowls. 
 Knee-joint. — In fowls, the joint between the 
 thigh and shank is called the knee-joint. (See 
 figures 1 and 2.) 
 Knock-Kneed. — A deformity in which the legs 
 come too near together at the knee-joints, 
 and are bent outward, laterally, below the 
 knees. (See plates 15 and 16, figures 1 and 1. 
 pages 131 and 132.) 
 Leg. — Includes thigh and shank. (See figures 1 
 
 and 2.) 
 Line-Breeding. — Breeding from a male and 
 
 female of the same strain or line of descent. 
 
 Lopped-Comb. — A comb falling over to one 
 
 side. To disqualify for a lopped single comb 
 
 (See "General Disqualifications), some por- 
 
 I'all below the horizontal plane where the comb 
 
 Figure 13. 
 Alossy (Defec- 
 tive) Feather. 
 
 tion must 
 
 ]>egins to lop. (Sec plate 7, figure 1, page 117.) 
 
20 
 
 AML'h'/cw j'oi i.rin AssociATiny 
 
 Luster. — The special brightness oi i)huiiai>e ihal gives brilliancy 
 to the surface color of the fowl or section. 
 
 Mahogany. — A brownish-red. (See Bay.) 
 
 Mealy. — Having the appearance of being sprinkled with meal. 
 Applied to buff or red varieties where the ground color is 
 stippled with a lighter color. (See "Stipple." also figure 12.) 
 
 Mossy. — Irregular, dark penciling appearing in feathers and 
 destroying the desirable contrast of color. (See figure 13.) 
 
 Mottled. — Marked on the surface with spots of 
 different colors or shades of color. 
 
 Nostrils. — Opening beginning at base of beak and 
 extending into the head. 
 
 Obtuse Angle. — An angle greater than a right 
 angle, i. e.. one containing more than ninety 
 degrees. (See figure 25.) 
 
 Parti-Colored. — A term applied to feathers or 
 fowls having two or more colors. 
 
 Pen. — (Exhibition): A male and four females of 
 the same variety. 
 
 Penciling. — Small markings or stripes on a 
 feather. They may run straight across, as in 
 the Penciled Hamburgs. in which case they 
 frequently are called "bars," or may follow 
 the outline of the feather, taking a crescentic 
 form, as in Silver Penciled and Partridge Plymouth Rocks. 
 ( See figure 14.) 
 
 Peppered — Peppering. — Sprinkled with gray or black. (See 
 "Mealy.") 
 
 Pinion Feathers. — The feathers attached to the joint of the wing- 
 that is most remote from the body. 
 
 Plumage. — The feathers of a fowl. 
 
 Poultry. — Domesticated fowls reared for exhil)ition, or for their 
 eggs, flesh, or feathers. Poultry includes chickens, turkeys, 
 geese and ducks. 
 
 Primaries. — (See "Flights.") 
 
 Profile. — A direct side views of a fowl. Applied to live speci- 
 mens and to illustrations. 
 
 Pullet. — A female fowl less than a year old. 
 
 Pure-Bred. — Technically, a fowl whose breeding is "pure" with 
 respect to certain characters. In general use. the term often 
 is inaccurate) V used when ".^^tandard-lircd" is meant. 
 
 Figure 14. 
 
 Penciling 
 
 Cre.scentic 
 
 Form ( Ideal ) 
 
I'LYMOI'TTf HOCK ST.WItAlil) l.VD TiEEED HOOK 
 
 Purple. — A color produced by a combination of red and blue ; 
 includes all shades i)roduced b}- tbis combination, such as 
 lilac, violet, etc. 
 Quill. — The hollow, horny, basal part or stem of a feather. 
 
 (See "Shaft"; also, figure 7.) 
 Red. — The spectral color opposite to blue. Red covers a wide 
 
 range of hues and shades. 
 Rump. — -The rear part of the l)ack of a fowl. 
 
 Saddle. — The rear part of the back of a male bird, extending- to 
 the tail and covered by the saddle feathers. (See figure 1.) 
 Saddle Hackle. — The long, narrow, pointed 
 feathers growing from a male bird's sad- 
 dle and drooping at the sides. (See fig- 
 ure 1.) 
 Scaly Leg. — ( )ne with incrustations or de- 
 
 ])osits upon and beneath the scales. 
 Secondaries.- -'bhe long quill feathers that 
 grow on the second joint or fore-arm of a 
 fowl's wing, visible when the wing is 
 folded. With the primaries, they consti- 
 tute the main feathers of the wing. ( See 
 figures 1 and 2.) 
 Section. — .V distinct ])art or portion of a 
 fowl's body ; especially one of the parts 
 or portions considered in judging fowls. 
 Self-Color — Solid-Color. — A uniform color 
 unmixed with any other. 
 Serrated. — Notched along the edge like a saw. 
 Serration. A A'-shaped notch between the points of a single 
 
 comb. 
 Shaft. — The stem of a feather, especially the part filled with pith, 
 which bares the barbs. (See figure 7.) l*roi)erly the part 
 to which the vane is attached, but some- 
 times applied to the entire stem, including 
 quill. 
 Shafting. — The shaft of the plume portion 
 of a feather, being lighter or darker in 
 color than the web of the feather. ( .See 
 figures 7 and 15.) 
 Shank. — The lower scaly ])Grtion of a fowl's Figure le. 
 
 leg, exclusive of the feet and toes. (See ^, One Fomi of side 
 
 r 1 ^ --i . .Sprig-s (A Disquali- 
 
 figures 1 and 2.) Hcation). 
 
 One Form 
 Shafting (A 
 feet). 
 
22 
 
 AMERIO.W I'OI L'l'h'Y ASSOCIATION 
 
 Figure 17. 
 
 Slipped Wing- and Twisted 
 
 Feather (Defects). 
 
 Sickles. — The lon^. curved feathers 
 
 of the male bird's tail, properly 
 
 mm ^^!M\ applied to the top pair only, but 
 
 Wvi--'i. / ■^^■'^^^W; sometimes used in referring to 
 
 > ; , (' / .-/,-• y//- AM ^^^ prominent tail-coverts, which 
 
 are also called smaller sickles. 
 (See figure 1.) 
 Side Sprig. — A well-defined, pointed 
 growth on the side of a single 
 comb. (See figure 16 ; also, plate 
 7, figure 5, page 117.) 
 Single Comb. — A comb consisting of a single, thin, fleshy, ser- 
 rated formation, rising from the beak and ex- 
 tending backward over the crown of the head 
 and in males, beyond the head. (See figure 5.) 
 
 Slate. — Gray, of medium or dark shades. 
 
 Slipped Wing. — A wing of a fowl not closely folded 
 and held up in proper position ; a defect result- 
 ing from injury or from weakness of muscles 
 of wing. (See figure 17.) 
 
 Smaller Sickles. — See "Sickles." 
 
 Splashed Feather. — A feather with colors scattered 
 
 and irregularly intermixed. (See figure 18.) 
 Split Comb. — A single comb which is divided per- 
 pendicularly and the two parts overlap. (See 
 figure 19.) 
 
 Spur. — A horn-like protuberance growing from the inner side 
 of the shank of a fowl. It may be knob- 
 like or pointed, according to the age and 
 the sex of the fowl. (See figure 1.) 
 
 Squirrel Tail. — A fowl's tail, any portion of 
 which projects forward, beyond a per- 
 pendicular line drawn through the junc- 
 ture of tail and back. (See figure 20.) 
 
 Standard-Bred. — Fowls bred to conform to 
 
 the requirements of the American 
 
 Standard of Perfection. 
 I igure 19. 
 
 Split Comb. Show- Stern. — The lower or under part of the pos- 
 ing the Tendency of , . . j. . , ' 
 the Blade to Divide terior section of a fowl. 
 
 quaiilfcat'olf)'''' ^°"' Stipple.— Verb, to execute on stipple, i. e., 
 
 Figure 18. 
 Splashed (De- 
 fective) 
 Feather. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK S'J'AyOARD AND BREED ROOK 
 
 28 
 
 Figure 20. 
 Squirrel Tail. (A Dis- 
 qualification in Plym- 
 outh Rocks). 
 
 to draw, paint or engrave 
 by means of dots instead 
 of lines. Noun, the ef- 
 fect obtained in color 
 work by the use of dots 
 instead of strokes or 
 lines. (See figure 21.) 
 
 Strain. — A family of any va- 
 riety of fowls bred in line 
 by descent by one breeder, 
 or successor, during a 
 number of years, that has 
 acquired individual char- 
 acteristics which distin- 
 guish it more or less from 
 s p e c i m ens of other 
 strains of the same variety. 
 
 Stripe. — A line or band of color, regular or irregular in form, 
 that differs from the bodv color of feather. (See figures 9 
 and 10.) 
 
 Striped Feather. — A feather, the surface of which contains a 
 line or lines of color, regular or irregular in form, dififering 
 from the body color. When more than one stripe is present 
 the feather is said to be laced, or barred, or penciled. 
 
 Stub. — A short feather or portion of a feather, when found be- 
 tween or under scales of shanks or toes. 
 
 Surface Color. — The color of that portion of the 
 plumage of a fowl that is visible when the 
 feathers are in their natural position. 
 
 Symmetry. — Perfection of proportion; the har- 
 mony of all parts or sections of a fowl, viewed 
 as a whole, with regard to the Standard type 
 of breed it represents. 
 
 Tail-Coverts. — The curved feathers in front of and 
 at the sides of the tail. (See figure 1.) 
 
 Tail Feathers. — Main ; the straight and stiff feath- 
 ers of the tail that are contained inside the 
 sickles and tail-coverts ; the top pair are some- 
 times slightly curved, but generally are straight. 
 (See figures 1 and 2.) 
 Thigh. — That part of the leg above the shank. (See 
 (Ideal). figures 1 and 2.) 
 
nOPERTY ilBRARy 
 
 24 A^EmcM^vmkT^SOCIATIO^ 
 
 Thumb-Mark. — A disfiguring depression which sometimes ap- 
 pears in the sides of a single comb. (See plate 7, figure 3, 
 page 117.) 
 
 Ticking. — Small specks of color on feathers, tliat differ from 
 the ground or body color. 
 
 Tipped. — A term applied to a feather, the web end of which 
 differs in color from the color of the body or main portion of 
 the feather. 
 
 Trio. — One male and two females of the same variety. 
 
 Twisted Comb. — An irregularly shaped comb falling or curving 
 from side to side, being distorted from the normal perpen- 
 dicular position. (See plate 7, figure 2, page 117.) 
 
 Twisted Feather. — Feather with quill or shaft twisted. (See fig- 
 ure 17.) 
 
 Typical. — Expressing a characteristic in color or form, repre- 
 sentative of a breed or variety ; for example, typical shape, 
 meaning the form peculiar to a breed. 
 
 Undercolor. — The color of the downy portion of the plumage, 
 not visible when the plumage of the fowl is in natural posi- 
 tion. (See figures 7 and 11.) 
 
 Variety. — A sub-division of a breed (See definition of "breed") 
 used to distinguish fowls having the Standard shape of the 
 breed to which they belong, but differing in color of plumage, 
 shape of comb, etc., from other groups of the same breed. 
 The general difference between the terms "breed" and "vari- 
 ety" is well brought out in the statement popular among 
 breeders and fanciers : "Shape makes the breed ; color, the 
 variety." 
 
 Wattles. — The pendant growth at the sides and base of beak. 
 
 Web. — Web of Feather : The flat portion of a feather, made 
 up of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft. (See fig- 
 ure 7.) Web of Feet : The flat skin between the toes. Web 
 of Wings : The triangular skin between the shoulder and 
 forearm of wing. 
 
 White. — A composition of all colors ; the opposite of black. 
 Enamel White : White with glossy surface. Silvery White : 
 A metallic, lustrous white, without trace of yellow. 
 
 Wing-Bar. — The stripe or bar of color extending across the 
 middle of the wing, formed by the color or markings of the 
 wing-coverts. (See figure 1.) 
 
I'LYMOl'TH ROCK >STAM>ARD .1A7> BREED BOOK 2r> 
 
 Wing-Bay. — The triangular section of the wing, below the 
 wing-bar, formed by the exposed portion of the secondaries 
 when the wing is folded. (See figures 1 and 2.) 
 Wing-Bow. — The upper or shoulder part of the wing. (See fig- 
 ures 1 and 2.) 
 Wing-Coverts. — The small, close feathers clothing the bend of 
 the wing and covering the roots of the secondary feathers. 
 (See figures 1 and 2.) 
 
 Wing-Front. — The front edge of the wing 
 
 at the shoulder. This section of the 
 
 wing is sometimes called "wing-butt." 
 
 The term wing-front is recommended, 
 
 thus avoiding confusion. (See figures 
 
 1 and 2. ) 
 
 Wing-Point. — The ends of the primaries. 
 
 sometimes erroneously called "wing- 
 
 l)utts.'" (See figures 1 and 2.) 
 
 Wry Tail. — Tail of a fowl turned to one 
 
 side, permanently so. (See figure 22.) 
 
 Yellow. — The spectral color between green 
 
 and orange, similar to gold ; as applied 
 
 Figure 22. to fowls' Icgs, beaks, etc. a rich, lemon- 
 
 Showing Wry - Tail. 
 (A Disqualification). 
 
 Figure 23. 
 Rear View. Side View. 
 
 After Removing Feathers. Before Removing Feathers. 
 
 Rear View after Main-Tail Feathers and Large Sickle.s Have Been 
 Removed, Leaving Smaller Sickles and Tail-Coverts. (An Example of Fak- 
 ing for the Purpose of Improving Shape or to Destroy Evidence.s of De- 
 fective Color.) 
 
SECTION II. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS FOR JUDGING PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 MERIT. — The merit of specimens shall be determined by 
 a careful examination of all sections in the "Scale of 
 i'oints," beginning with symmetry and continuing 
 through the list, deducting from the full value of each section 
 of a perfect specimen, for such defects as are found in the speci- 
 men. Judges must familiarize themselves with the scale of points 
 of each breed they are to pass upon to intelligently award prizes. 
 And it must be understood that no more and no less value can 
 l)e placed on any section than is provided for in the "Scale of 
 Points." And it shall be further understood that this system 
 must be applied whether judged by score-card or comparison. 
 The minimum cut for any section shall be one-fourth of one 
 point. 
 
 Weight. — All specimens shall be judged according to their 
 Standard weights, provided, however, that the disqualifying 
 weight for chicks shall not apply until December first of each 
 year. Deduct two points per pound for amount lacking from 
 Standard weights, and in that proportion for any fractional part 
 of a pound, using one-fourth pound as a minimum, the specimen 
 to have the benefit of any fraction less than one-fourth pound. 
 
 When adult specimens are equal in score and are above or 
 below Standard weight, the one nearest weight shall be awarded 
 the prize, except when one specimen is cut for weight, and the 
 others are not, in which case the specimen that is Standard 
 weight or above shall be awarded the prize. In the case of 
 chicks of immature specimens having an equal score, when cut 
 for lack of weight, the one of less weight shall be awarded the 
 prize; but when each of such specimens is of Standard weight, 
 or over, the one nearest weight shall be awarded the prize. 
 
 (CAUTION. — The weight clause must not be understood 
 to mean that a small but over-fat specimen is within the spirit 
 
 This chapter is taken from the Standard of Perfection, and is quoted 
 verbatim, except for changes mad*^ necessary by the omission of such 
 instructions as in no way apply to the .iudging of Plymouth Eocks. 
 
I'LYMOJ TH ROCK STA^'n\RD AXD BliKEU HOOK 
 
 of the meaning of the Standard ; the size must be proportionate 
 to the weight, preserving the ideal shape and type of the Stand- 
 ard specimen.) 
 
 Reweighing, — The judge may, at his option, demand the 
 reweighing of the specimens in competition, in all cases where 
 Standard weights apply. 
 
 Wing Division. — In discount- 
 ing the color of wings, the section 
 shall be divided into three sepa- 
 rate parts, allowing two points 
 for fronts, wing-bow and bar ; 
 two for primaries and primary- 
 coverts ; two for secondaries and 
 no greater value can be placed on 
 any one of these parts. (See fig- 
 ure 24.) 
 
 Scores Entitling Specimens to 
 Prizes. — To receive a first prize 
 the specimen must score ninety 
 points or more, except cocks of 
 all parti-colored varieties, which 
 may be awarded first prize, pro- 
 vided they score eighty-eight 
 points or more. For each reced- 
 ing prize drop one point. A pen 
 to win first prize must score one 
 hundred and eighty points or 
 more, unless it contains a cock 
 of a parti-colored variety, in 
 
 which case one hundred and seventy-eight points or more mav 
 
 win first prize ; but first prize shall not be given on a pen if the 
 
 male in the pen scores 
 
 less than eighty-eight 
 
 points. No prize shall 
 
 be awarded an exhibition 
 
 pen if any specimen in 
 
 the pen scores less than 
 
 eighty-five points. 
 
 Sweepstake Prizes. — 
 
 In competition for sweep- 
 stake prizes, when solid- 
 colored specimens corn- 
 
 Figure 24. 
 
 Ills'. 
 
 Showing Divisions of W 
 Flights or Primaries, 2 Sec- 
 ondaries, 3 Fronts, wing- 
 bows and wing-bar 
 
 Figure 25. 
 igram Showing Degrees from 
 Horizontal. 
 
28 AAIEh'K'.W I'OII/lin AssoclATIOX 
 
 pete with parti-colored specimens, white si)eciniens shall be 
 handicapped two points each, black specimens one and one-half 
 points each, buff specimens one point each ; after such reduction, 
 the specimen having the liighest score, or the specimens having 
 the highest average or combined score shall be awarded the 
 prize. 
 
 Old and Young Specimens. — All other points being equal, 
 where i)ri/.es are oft'ercd on old and young specimens competing 
 together, the former shall be awarded the prizes. 
 
 Faking. — Faking of any description shall debar from compe- 
 tition specimens so treated. (See Glossary for what is meant by 
 "Faking.") 
 
 Creaminess or Brassiness. — In White Plymouth Rocks the 
 presence of brassiness on surface, or creaminess of quills or 
 undercolor is a serious defect and is to be discountefl accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 Bleaching by means of chemicals is such a harmful practice 
 that where it is proved by other evidence than the condition of 
 the specimen, or specimens, such bleached specimen shall be con- 
 sidered faked and disciualilied. 
 
 Score of Exhibition Pen. — To ascertain the score of an ex- 
 hi))ition pen, add the scores of the females together and divide 
 the sum by the number of females in the pen ; to the quotient 
 thus obtained, add the score of the male and this sum shall be 
 the score of the exhibition pen. 
 
 Dated Score Cards. — All score cards made out by judges 
 applying the Standard are to be dated with ink, indelible pencil 
 or stam}) on the date the specimens are judged. 
 
 Defective Score Card. — -It shall be considered irregular for 
 a judge to sign a score card unless the weight is considered, 
 regardless of the season. 
 
 Private Scoring. — Private scoring of specimens is not advis- 
 able, and members of this Association are directed not to lend 
 their support to the ])ractice as a selling method. Judges are 
 ordered to weigh each specimen and apply the proper cut and to 
 make proper cuts for the condition of the speciiuen at the time 
 the fowl is scored. 
 
 Ties. — In case of ties between two or more specimens that 
 cannot be broken by any of the previous rules, the specimen 
 receiving the smallest total sum of cuts for shape shaH be 
 awarded the prize. In case of ties on exhibition pens, when the 
 tying pens contain either all old or young specimens, the adult 
 
I'LYMOl 'I'll Ix'OCh s'/\\ l>M,'l) \\l) JiUi:i:i> HOOK 2V) 
 
 pen shall win ; when the tying pens are both adult or both young, 
 the pen containing the highest scoring male shall win ; when one 
 of the tying pens contains females of mixed ages, the pen con- 
 taining the highest scoring male shall win ; when one of the pens 
 contains all hens or all pullets, while the other contains females 
 of mixed ages, the pen having all the females either adult or 
 young shall win ; when the tie cannot be broken by any of the 
 above rules, the pen containing the lowest total of shape cuts in 
 the five main shai)e sections shall win. 
 
 IN APPLYING THE COMPARISON SYSTEM 
 
 Typical Shape. — In awarding prizes by comparison, judges 
 must consider carefully each and every section of the specimen, 
 according to the Scale of Points and not allow color alone, or 
 any one or two sections to influence their decisions. The vital 
 importance of typical shape is to be borne constantly in mind, 
 at the same time giving due consideration to color in all sections, 
 including undercolor. 
 
 Handling. — All specimens in competition must be handled 
 and examined by the judge, except those that show decided 
 inferiority as seen in coops. 
 
 Disqualifying Weights. — Specimens falling l)el(nv disqualif}- 
 ing weights after December first of each year must be debarred 
 from competition. 
 
 Standard Size. — In determining size, the judge shall decide 
 by comparing the specimens in competition with due regard to 
 weight in all breeds and varieties. When a bird fails to attain, 
 or in case it exceeds, the size proportionate with the type or 
 shape, it must be discounted quite severely. 
 
 Color Defects. — A few, very small, grayish specks in white 
 fowls shall not debar a specimen that is otherwise superior in 
 color from winning over one less typical in shape and sound in 
 color; provided, however, that the gray specks do not appear 
 prominently in the primary, secondary or main tail feathers. 
 
 Scaly Legs. — A fowl whose legs and toes are so deformed by 
 what is called "Scaly Legs" as to hide or to appear to have de- 
 stroyed the color, shall not be awarded a first prize. 
 
 Note. — Under the comparison system, judges must deduct 
 tlie full valuation of the cuts in all sections where a specified cut 
 is made under the heading of "Cutting for Defects." 
 
:;(» AMERKWX POI l.lh'Y ASSOC/ \TIO\ 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR 
 PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 If, in applying the Standard of Perfection, judges find an\ 
 of the defects described below, they shall disqualify the specimen 
 and state on the proper card or blank the nature of the disquali- 
 fication : 
 
 Specimens unworthy of a score or lacking in breed charac 
 teristics. 
 
 Any feather or feathers, stubs or down on shanks, feet or 
 toes; or unmistakable indications of feathers, stubs or down 
 having been plucked from same. 
 
 Plucked hocks. 
 Web feet. 
 
 More or less than four toes on either foot. 
 Legs or toes of color foreign to the breed. 
 A wing showing clipped flights or secondaries or both. 
 Deformed beaks. (See figure 5, plate 7, page 117.) 
 Decidedly wry tails. 
 Crooked backs. 
 Lopped combs. 
 
 (A comb which merely turns over a trifie from the natural, 
 upright position is not to disqualify. ) 
 
 Combs foreign to the breed. Split combs. (See figure 19.) 
 Side sprig or sprigs. (See figure 16.) 
 Entire absence of main tail feathers. 
 Decidedly squirrel tail. (See figure 20.) 
 
 Positive enamel white in ear-lobes or unmistakable evidence 
 of an attempt to remove such defect. 
 
 Any appearance of crest or beard. 
 
 A specimen falling more than two pounds below Standard 
 weight. 
 
 Faking in any manner shall disqualify the specimen. 
 
 Under all disqualifying clauses, the specimen shall have the 
 l)enefit of the doubt. 
 
 Note. — Red pigment on sides or back of shanks is not to be 
 considered a defect. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 CUTTING FOR DEFECTS 
 
 These cuts should not be confused with nor take precedence 
 over the valuation given each section in the Scale of Points of 
 all varieties. 
 
 Judges, in applying the score card, are to discount for the 
 more common defects, as follows : 
 
 Frosted combs /^* 
 
 Too many or too few point on single combs, each 1^2 
 
 Thumb mark on comb, not less than 1 
 
 Rear of comb turning round ^ to 1 
 
 Coarse texture of comb ^ to 1 
 
 Gray or white in any except disqualifying sections 
 
 of plumage of Partridge Plymouth Rocks ^^f 
 
 Coarse texture of wattles 5^ to 1 
 
 For missing feather or part of feather in primaries 
 
 or secondaries, where foreign color disqualifies 1 to 3 
 
 Where feather is broken, but not detached, in pri- 
 maries or secondaries, where foreign color dis- 
 qualifies ^ 
 
 For broken or missing feather or feathers in pri- 
 maries or secondaries of buff or parti-colored 
 varieties, where foreign color does not disqualify !/ to 1 
 Absence of sickles, where foreign color disqualifies, 
 
 for each sickle 1 to 1^ 
 
 Absence of sickles, where foreign color does not dis- 
 qualify, for each sickle ^ 1 
 
 Absence of one or more main tail feathers in vari- 
 eties subject to color disqualifications, each 1 
 
 Absence of one or more main tail feathers, when not 
 
 a disqualification, each ^ 
 
 For twisted feather or feathers, in wing or tail of 
 
 any variety 1 to 2 
 
 Brassiness in all varieties, in each section where 
 
 found 1 to 2 
 
 Creaminess of plumage or quill in White Plymouth 
 
 Rocks, in each section where found % to \y2 
 
 Purple barring in plumage of any variety, in each 
 
 section where found V2 to 2 
 
I i//;/.'/r 1 \ I'oi i.rin \ss()ri\rio\ 
 
 Irregular barring in liarrcd IMyniuuth Rocks, in 
 each section wliere found 
 
 Light colored shafting in Buff Plymouth Rocks, in 
 each section where found 
 
 Gray specks in any part of plumage of White Plym- 
 outh Rocks, in each section where found 
 
 Mealiness in plumage of Buff Plymouth Rocks, in 
 each section where found 
 
 /2 to 
 
 ^ to 
 
 ^ to 
 
 1 to 
 
 Irregular or deticient penciling in Silver Penciled 
 and Partridge Plymouth Rocks, in each section 
 where found 
 
 Black or white in Buff' I'lymouth Rocks, in each sec- 
 tion where found, cut from one-half point to the 
 color limit of sections. 
 
 Slate undercolor in Buff Plymouth Rocks, in each 
 section where found 
 
 Color of eyes not as described for the different 
 varieties 
 
 If eye is destroyed, leaving only the socket 
 
 If eye shows permanent injury, but retains its form 
 If tail in any specimen shows not to exceed three- 
 fourths development 
 
 If tail in any speci- 
 men shows not 
 to exceed one- 
 half development 
 
 If tail in any speci- 
 men shows not 
 to exceed one- 
 fourth develop- 
 ment 
 
 Crooked breast bone 
 
 Crooked toes, each... 
 
 In Barred Plym- 
 outh Rocks, for 
 black feathers 
 or feathers, in 
 each section 
 where found 
 
 *To shai't' limit. tTo vo 
 
 1/2 
 
 2 
 
 IK2 
 
 A to ly^ 
 
 /2 to 
 
 A to 
 
 VA 
 
 4 to 1 
 
 Figure 26. 
 lil Carried at an Angle of 
 4.5 Degrees. 
 
 2 to 
 
 limit 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STAXDARD AXD BREED BOOK :« 
 
 (Names of Association, here) 
 
 (Date; niontli, days and year show is held, here) 
 
 Official Score Card of the American Poultry Association 
 Exhibitor 
 
 raricfy Se: 
 
 Entry No.. 
 
 Band No Wcizht. 
 
 S\ III incfrv 
 
 Shape 
 
 CJor 
 
 
 IVci'^'ht or Si'::c 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Comb 
 
 
 
 
 Head 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 Beak 
 
 
 
 
 E yes 
 
 
 
 
 Wattles and Ear-Lobes 
 
 
 
 
 
 Neck 
 
 
 
 
 IV in o's 
 
 1 
 
 
 Back 
 
 1 
 
 
 7 'ail 
 
 
 
 
 Breast 
 
 
 
 Bod\ and Fluff 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 *Crest and Beard 
 
 
 
 
 ■fShortness of Feather 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total Cuts Score. 
 
 . Jnds,e 
 
 , Secretary 
 
 'Applies to Crested Breeds. tApplles to Games and Game Bantams. 
 
 Score cards may be obtained from the Secretary of the Amer- 
 ican Ponltrv Association. 
 
SECTION III 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 STANDARD MEASUREMENTS 
 
 HE term "Standard Measurements" refers to the relative 
 size of the different parts of a fowl and not to any definite 
 mathematical statement of length, width or circumference, 
 as no such definite standards have ever been established. 'Ihis 
 may l)e done some time, but for the present the breeders' sole 
 guide in determining the correct measurement of sections must 
 be the eye. trained to observe correct proportions Ijetween the 
 different body parts. These proportions are established by the 
 American Standard of Perfection, and the inexperienced l)eginner 
 and the expert judge alike must form their estimate of the degree 
 to which a given section of any individual fowl corresponds to 
 the ideal by a careful study of such sections in comparison with 
 Standard ideal illustrations and Standard descriptions of that 
 breed and sex. 
 
 The person who is accustomed to thinking of animal meas- 
 urements as being determined by the use of tape, ruler or calipers 
 may find it a little difficult to accustom himself to regarding the 
 soft, pliable surface of a fowl's plumage as forming the final out- 
 line of practically all its parts. For the purpose of judging. 
 however, such outlines are as distinct and final as solid flesh, 
 assuming, of course, that the i)lumage is in its natural orderly 
 arrangement. 
 
 It should be clearly understood that the vise of the terms 
 "broad," "long." "moderately long." "short," etc., does not in 
 any case involve comparison with other breeds of fowls. In all 
 instances, they refer to comparisons between the different sec- 
 tions of the bird under consideration, and with the Standard 
 illustration of the ideal bird of the same breed and sex. 
 
 For example, the head of the Standard Plymouth Rock male 
 is described as "moderately large." This does not mean that it 
 is "moderately large" as compared with the head of a Leghorn, 
 on the one hand, or a Brahma on the other, but it means "mod- 
 
rLYMOVTH h'UCK STA\DAh'l> A\D BREED lUJOK 85 
 
 erately large" when compared with other sections of the same 
 bird. The Standard could have specified a small, delicate, finely 
 cut head for the Plymouth Rock male, or one that would be dis- 
 tinctly large. What it actually has done, however, is call for a 
 head of "moderate size" — moderate when compared with other 
 parts or sections of the bird. The Standard goes farther and 
 exactly illustrates the correct proportion in the cuts on page 110 
 and following pages, so that the breeder may have at hand an 
 exact "pattern" for comparison. 
 
 The head of any individual Plymouth Rock male, therefore, 
 approximates correct size just in proportion as it conforms to 
 the development indicated. .Vnd the same principle applies to all 
 otlier parts or sections of Standard-bred fowls. 
 
 Twelve full page illustrations show ideal profiles of males 
 and females of all the different varieties of Plymouth Rocks and 
 elsewhere in the book will be found illustrations showing the 
 proportions of such other parts as cannot be exactly shown in 
 the profiles. The beginner who makes a careful study of these 
 illustrations will at no time have to go outside of this book to 
 determine what is meant by any term relating to proportion. 
 (H.T.J.) 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 COLOR TERMS 
 
 Poultrymen generally have found it quite difficult to agree 
 upon exact shades of color for different breeds and varieties of 
 fowls and more or less confusion has always existed on this; 
 point. One reason for this is the great variety of possible shades 
 in all colors. The Standard Dictionary, for example, recognizes 
 over one hundred and sixty kinds of "red" and over one hundred 
 kinds of "black," with a similar range in other colors. The situ- 
 ation is further complicated l)y the fact that no exact definitions 
 of color terms exist that enable one to determine with any cer- 
 tainty the precise shade of color specified in any given instance. 
 Neither has it been found practicable to produce a color chart 
 that can be used with any degree of certainty. It is undoubtedly 
 true, in the case of all colors, that the true and exact shades can 
 be learned onlv bv observation. 
 
•AW l.l/A.'A'/r.l \ j'OI l.'lh') .\s,\()('l.\'r/()\ 
 
 In the Glossary, on pages 14 to 2b, and in matter clesi:rii)tive 
 of the different varieties of Plymouth Rocks, colors have been 
 defined as accurately as can be done in a few words, and it is 
 hoped that the reader will, from these descriptions, be able to 
 form a fairly accurate idea of the colors called for in these vari- 
 eties. In addition to these brief definitions, however, the follow- 
 ing- explanations of color terms applied to Plymouth Rocks 
 doubtless will prove helpful to many. 
 
 Reddish-Bay. — This color is called for in the eyes of all 
 Plymouth Rocks and, as a rule, is a distinct red, but with a 
 brownish tinge. Bay in fowls' eyes varies from light to dark, 
 but the ideal is medium in shade. 
 
 Black. — Two distinct blacks are called for in Plymouth 
 Rocks. In Barred Rocks, the barring "stops short of positive 
 black." This black should be without greenish sheen. 
 
 In all other varieties of Plymouth Rocks, black means either 
 a greenish-black, that is, a solid black with a greenish sheen, or 
 a dull, intense black. 
 
 Green. — Green does not exist as a positive color in the feathers 
 of fowls, but is produced by the structure of the feather, the 
 parts of which set somewhat like prisms, thus producing an 
 iridescent effect which in black feathers of a certain character 
 gives a brilliant green sheen. Under some conditions this sheen 
 gives a purplish effect, which is highly objectional)le in Plymouth 
 Rocks. 
 
 Brown. — Brown and mahogany should be considered together 
 to get a clear understanding of these closely related colors. 
 Brown is composed of red, yellow and black, giving a color 
 darker and more somber than bay and, in fowls, shows little red. 
 Mahogany also is formed of red, yellow and black, but describes 
 a color verging on chestnut, though lighter in tone, i. e., con- 
 taining a little more red and yellow. Mahogany closely approxi- 
 mates the color of chestnuts when first taken from the burr and 
 is lighter and redder than the color of chestnuts as ordinaril\- 
 sold in market. 
 
 Bluish. — There is no blue in the feathers of fowls. The color 
 called blue is a mixture of black and white, the bluish tinge 
 being a faint iridescence. In Barred Plymouth Rocks the ideal 
 bluish tinge is produced mainly by the various modified shades 
 of black, grayish-black and grayish-white resulting from the 
 modified white and black of the barred feathers and from their 
 overlapping. 
 
J'LYMOVTH ROCK STANDARD AM) lih'EED BOOK :'.7 
 
 Buff. — A yellow-toned brown, that is. a yellow darkened with 
 red and black. Different shades of buff are found, ranging 
 from lemon buff to a distinct reddish-yellow. Bearing in mind 
 that yellow is the color of gold, the "rich, golden buff" called 
 for by the Standard must be understood to be a golden yellow. 
 
 Gray. — This color, as applied to Plymouth Rocks, is used 
 chiefly in connection with the appearance of objectionable dark 
 markings in feathers that should be clear white or other color. 
 Gray is a black reduced with white until it is of a dull, neutral 
 shade. Black as a disqualification or defect must be "positive" 
 black, that is, unmodified by white. 
 
 Purple. — As applied to the black feathers of fowls usually 
 appears in the form of barring, and is commonly supposed to 
 be indicative of "too much luster." Both purple and green 
 apparently are produced by the reflection of light from prismatic 
 black feathers. The exact reason why some feathers show green 
 shades and some purple is not clearly understood. It is probable 
 that the purple is due to a reddish element, which tends to crop 
 out as a result of poor breeding. 
 
 Red. — This is supposed to be the original color of fowls, and 
 in crosses or in careless breeding is liable to appear at any time. 
 Fowls of all colors, apparently, carry red as a latent color factor. 
 Red in Barred, White or Columbian Plymouth Rocks is a dis- 
 qualifying defect. 
 
 White. — Pure white is a dead white, without any other shade, 
 though, as a matter of fact, what passes for a pure white has a 
 bluish tinge, as a rule. It is common knowledge that the 
 "whitest" white fowls are very apt to have some feathers with a 
 light flecking of gray where the black pigment, which gives the 
 bluish tint, has become too conspicuous. 
 
 Silvery white is pure white with a sheen, as often seen in the 
 hackle and saddle feathers of male Silver Penciled Rocks. 
 
 Yellow. — This is the color of beaks, shanks and feet in most 
 varieties of Plymouth Rocks, which are clear, rich yellow, closely 
 approaching lemon-yellow. Yellow also is an important color 
 in the plumage of fowls, though it never appears there as a pure 
 color — being modified in all cases by reds and blacks, thus pro- 
 ducing buff, bay and brown shades of varving degrees of inten- 
 sity. (H. T. J.) 
 
/Li//v7.'/r 1 \ j'or f/nn M^soviATioy 
 
 SCALE OF POINTS 
 FOR JUDGING PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 All Standard Sizes. 
 
 Barred Plymouth Rocks 
 
 White Plymouth Rocks 
 
 Buff Plymouth Rocks 
 
 Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rocks 
 
 Partridge Plymouth R(icks 
 
 Columbian Plymoi^th Rocks 
 
 Symmetry 4 
 
 Weight 4 
 
 Condition 4 
 
 Comb 8 
 
 Head — Shape 2, Color 2 4 
 
 Beak — Shape 2. Color 2 4 
 
 Eyes — - Shape 2, Color 2 4 
 
 Wattles and Ear-lobes — Shape 2, Color 2 4 
 
 Neck — Shape 4, Color 6 10 
 
 Wing's — Shape 4, Color 6 10 
 
 Back — Shape 5. Color 5 10 
 
 Tail — Shape 5, Color 5 10 
 
 Breast — Shape 5, Color 5 10 
 
 Body and Fluff — Shape 5, Color 3 8 
 
 Legs and Toes — Shape 3, Color 3 6 
 
 100 
 
PART 11. 
 
 Successive Stages of Development in Domestic Fowls 
 
 SECTION I 
 
 Chapter I — Origin and Development of Domestic Fowls. 
 Page 40. 
 
 SECTION II 
 
 Breeding of Domestic Fowls 
 
 Chapter I — General Principles of Breeding Domestic Fowls. 
 
 Page 44. 
 
 Chapter II — Principles of Breeding, from a Poultryman's 
 Standpoint. Page 56. 
 
 39 
 
SECTION I. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF DOMESTIC FOWLS 
 
 THE ORIGIN OF FOWLS is a subject in which the orni- 
 thologist is much more deeply interested than the practical 
 poultryman. the breeder, or even the ardent fancier ; and, 
 it is a topic that he alone is competent to discuss. The accounts 
 that we find in the best poultry works vary considerably. Hence, 
 we say that it is a subject upon which the student of ornithology, 
 alone, is qualified to pass judgment. 
 
 The origin of domestic fowls is generally attributed to the 
 Gallus bankiva, of ferrugineus, commonly called the Jungle Fowl 
 of India, which some claim are still to be seen there. Specimens 
 claimed to be such were exhibited at the Madison Square Garden 
 Show, New York, not more than ten or possibly fifteen years 
 ago. These specimens bore a close resemblance to the illustra- 
 tions of the Jungle Fowl which we find in poultry books pub- 
 lished about the middle of the nineteenth century. On the other 
 hand, it does not require a great stretch of the imagination to 
 see them as the result of a cross between a Black-Red Game Ban- 
 tam and a Brown Leghorn. In fact, they looked like a somewhat 
 overgrown specimen of the former, while the plumage resembled 
 that of the latter when unscientifically bred. 
 
 Variation in Early Types. — Some authorities maintain that 
 birds varying in type as widely as do dififerent breeds of our 
 domestic fowls, as for instance the Game Bantam and the 
 Brahma, or the Cochin and the Game, could not have been pro- 
 duced from one species, and that our present day domestic fowls 
 must trace their origin back to at least two sources. 
 
 Edward Brown, in "Races of Domestic Poultry," points out 
 the fact that naturalists as a rule for a time accepted the Darwin 
 theory, that all races of our domestic fowls were descendants of 
 the Gallus ferrugineus, the Jungle Fowl of India, while poultry- 
 men as a rule refute this and accepted the theory first advanced 
 l)y Lewis W^right, that it was improbable that several of our 
 
PLYMOUTH ROVK i^TANDARD AND BREED BOOK 41 
 
 breeds, particularly those we obtained from China, were descend- 
 ants of the Gallus ferrugineus. If so, we must go farther back 
 to find the common ancestry. 
 
 W. G. Tegetmeir, who, according to Brown, was associated 
 with the great Darwin in his research work, took the view that 
 while a large part of our present day domestic fowls could trace 
 their ancestry back to the Gallus bankiva, it was more than 
 improbable that fowls of certain types, such as the Brahma and 
 Cochin, could also. These, in his opinion, which he cites appar- 
 ently after years of research and study, must have descended 
 from a different branch of the genus, either now extinct or modi- 
 fied to sucli an extent that it is classed with some other species 
 of the Gallus family. This, of course, means that we must go 
 back of the Gallus bankiva to find the common ancestry. 
 
 Brown, in the excellent work mentioned heretofore, gives the 
 sum and substance of our knowledge at the present time in 
 the following paragraph : 
 
 "To sum up, therefore, it may be taken that with the domestic 
 fowl, as with many other natural forms of life, we can go so far 
 back, but no further. The probability is that, as in the case of 
 dogs, all the varieties of fowls do not owe their origin to any one 
 species, at any rate of those now extant, and that we must look 
 to another progenitor than the G. ferrugineus (bankiva) for 
 several of the later introduced races, more especially those from 
 China." 
 
 Incentives to Poultry Keeping. — While we have fanciers and 
 breeders of Standard fowls among us by the thousands that are 
 eingaged in this work purely for the pleasure that they derive 
 from it, the income therefrom or, more directly, the food supply 
 derived is the great incentive to poultry keeping with a very 
 large majority. Nevertheless, all of the available accounts of 
 ancient literature indicate, and the probabilities are that the love 
 of sport first induced the natives of India, in which country 
 fowls were first found, to domesticate wild fowls ; and to obtain 
 specimens better endowed physically for cock fighting, a sport 
 that has been the natives' leading amusement until the present 
 time, they bred fowls after their own selection. 
 
 Introduced Into Europe. — Starting in India, the keeping of 
 fowls with civilization crept westward through Asia and Europe 
 into Italy. Spain, France, Belgium and England. Besides their 
 indebtedness t9 the fowls that developed from this early intro- 
 
42 ll//;A'/r.|\ I'OI l/lh') AssiK'lATlOX 
 
 ciuction, the luirupean countries, England especially, owe much 
 to tlie importations during modern times. Many of the fowls 
 that were obtained from China early in the nineteenth century 
 were of widely different types from those that migrated through 
 Western Asia and Eastern Europe some centuries before. 
 
 First Authentic Accounts. — Exact information upon poultry 
 topics is exceedingly meager until within the last one hundred 
 veafs or so. Almost nothing of the methods employed in keep- 
 ing flocks or of the description of the breeds is found up to the 
 early part of the nineteenth century, and it is about the middle 
 of this century before anything satisfactory is found upon either 
 topic. We are obliged, therefore, to draw most of our con- 
 clusions concerning the evolution and transition in both, partly 
 from the evidence supplied by the accumulative results of which 
 we are the eye witnesses, partly from such literature of the tran- 
 sitory periods as is available, and somewhat from the information 
 given by our veteran associates. 
 
 Types — Geographical. — The English and French have been 
 Ijarticularly zealous in developing si:)lendid breeds of fowls which 
 b.ave a leaning toward a line meat carcass rather than to heavy 
 egg production. The Spaniards, Italians, and Hollanders have 
 l)aid more attention to egg-producing qualities. The Asiatic 
 races produced the largest and most magnificent of all fowls, 
 which were also the most pronounced meat types. 
 
 Early American Importations. — Comparatively early in the 
 life of the nation. Americans adopted many foreign breeds. 
 About the middle of the nineteenth century, especially a little 
 later, the large Asiatic breeds found much favor with poultry 
 keepers in this country. Their influence upon breeds that orig- 
 inated here is incalculable. The late Mark Pitman, a former 
 resident of Salem. Massachusetts, once related to the writer some 
 interesting facts about these importations. From this account it 
 ajjpeared that many of them were not undertaken for the purpose 
 of acquiring new blood or new breeds for the American poultry- 
 men, but for no higher motives than to provide fresh meat from 
 time to time for the shipmaster's table. Those fowls that reached 
 America alive owed their survival to their lean condition as, 
 unfortunately, the best were usuallv the first choice, and the 
 poorest, because confined on shipboard, became eventually so 
 ))oor that they were unfit for the table and survived the entire 
 journey to become the progenitors of new races or strains. This 
 information enables us to understand why so few of the impor- 
 
/•DMoi 'I'll h'och s'rwDAun \\i> nh'i:i:i> book 48 
 
 tations became established and \vh}' so many failed to perpetuate 
 themselves. 
 
 English Types in America. — iMiglish importations have 
 been freciuent all along since Lhe middle of the nineteenth cen- 
 tury. The English developed a few breeds that were exceedingly 
 popular during the early days of modern American poultry keep- 
 ing. With the advent of purely American breeds, however, the 
 popularity of these breeds rapidly declined. The English breeds 
 of today most commonly kept here are of later origin and par- 
 take more of the nature of the American breeds. 
 
 American Types. — That the people of some nations seemed 
 intent upon producing breeds that excelled in egg production, 
 while others were equally zealous in their endeavors to produce 
 breeds that surpassed in the quality of their flesh, has already 
 been pointed out. Americans, however, were never content in 
 attempting to excel in but a single quality. It is a noteworthy 
 fact that all our American breeds are the result of attempts on 
 the part of one or more breeders to make a cross, or a series of 
 crosses, that would establish a new breed which excelled all those 
 that had preceded it for egg production, for (piality of flesh, and 
 for (juantity of flesh compared to offal. 
 
 A study of the history of the recognized American l)reeds 
 will confirm these statements. Their names alone will establish 
 the fact that American endeavor has been extended wholly along 
 dual-purpose lines. 
 
SECTION II. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 BREEDING DOMESTIC FOWLS 
 
 THI^ advancement, as heretofore related, has been an 
 accom])lishrnent of the "breeder's art," which consists 
 of many methods and systems of selection and mating. 
 Mating — By Natural Selection. — Prompted by natural in- 
 stincts to reproduce and perpetuate the species, fowls, in the 
 wild state, themselves choose mates of the opposite sex as they 
 will in domestication, if allowed to do so. What attributes or 
 caprice influences this selection is as yet undiscovered by the 
 closest students of the life and habits of either domesticated or 
 wild fowls. Yet. it does seem that the more magnificent and 
 lordly males are always surrounded by a flock of admiring and 
 obedient females. If this is the true situation, it is then a wise 
 natural provision, because it means that the strongest, most 
 rugged and vital of the males become the consorts of the females 
 to the exclusion of the weaker. The doctrine of survival of the 
 fittest, then, has a wide reaching influence ; inasmuch as each 
 male consorts with several females comparatively few males are 
 necessary, and only the most select as to physical fitness have an 
 influence upon the progeny. 
 
 The inclination of the male to gather about him a half-dozen, 
 a dozen, or a score of females is, from an economic standpoint, 
 a lasting advantage ; not so much because so few males have to 
 be kept, but because it is necessary to permit only the males that 
 are best from the breeder's standpoint, whether it be for size, 
 egg-producing lineage or brilliant plumage, in the breeding 
 vards. 
 
 Artificial Selectic.i. — Promiscuous matings are no longer a 
 feature of our well-conducted, modern poultry establishments, 
 large or small. The intelligent poultryman must supply a prod- 
 uct that measures up to a certain "standard." Whether that 
 "standard" demands a certain number of eggs a year per hen. 
 or eggs of a certain color, or size, or weight ; a fowl that pro- 
 duces a given number of pounds of flesh in a given time, or one 
 
 44 
 
PLYMOITH lUU'K S'rWDAh'D AM) JUfHHD Booh 45 
 
 that develops feathers that grow backwards, is immaterial. Only 
 those males and females that excel in the characteristics de- 
 manded by this particular race or kind of fowl, because those, 
 and only those that excel in the characteristics demanded, will 
 reproduce them in the greatest measure. 
 
 Systems. — In order to reach their goal, whatever that may 
 be, breeders of all kinds of poultry, for any and all purposes, 
 long ago adopted methods that were sure to prevent their birds 
 mating by natural selection and substituted selections of their 
 own. This has led to different systems of matings. At first 
 these were very simple, but the longer the fowls were studied 
 the more exacting standards became ; and the deeper breeding 
 problems were probed the more complicated they seemed, so in 
 time the system of mating became more or less complex, until 
 now, in some cases, the system itself, though simple in theory, is 
 such that the application becomes most complicated. There are 
 instances, however, when the system of mating, though seem- 
 ingly complicated, is very simple of application. In several well 
 known instances, the system that is the simplest and clearest to 
 understand becomes the most difficult to practice successfully, 
 while the one that is more complicated, theoretically, is found to 
 be more easily applied and more certain of results. 
 
 Single Matings.— In the beginning, whether mating for egg 
 production, large size, or certain excellencies in plumage, real 
 or imaginary, the breeder selected for his matings the specimens 
 of both sexes that nearest approached his ideals. This consti- 
 tutes what is now known as a single mating. That is, a single 
 mating is one in which both sexes conform more or less closely 
 to a certain ideal or standard ; each sex of the progeny of such a 
 mating is also expected to conform more or less closely to the 
 requirements of such an ideal or standard. Under the American 
 Standard of Perfection, a single mating consists of a male and 
 females that conform to a certain degree of approximation, at 
 least, to requirements for that breed and variety, as described 
 and portrayed in the afore-named Standard. As two females 
 alike in all respects have never been produced, a strict definition 
 of an ideal single mating would be — a mating consisting of a 
 male and females conforming to the requirements of the Stand- 
 ard of Perfection, and the ideal results from an ideal single 
 mating would be sons like the sire and daughters like the dam. 
 
40 AMEJnCA.X J'Ol J/l'h'V ASS(>C1ATW.\ 
 
 In other words, both the parents and their progeny would be 
 ideal specimens, judged according to the Standard of Perfection. 
 Of course, ideal birds never existed and undoubtedly never will. 
 Therefore, a practical definition has already been given. 
 
 This system of mating is almost universally practiced in the 
 breeding of solid-colored varieties ; and very much in the breed- 
 ing of parti-colored varieties, but not universally so i)y any 
 means. 
 
 Intermediate Matings. — Before the art of breeding had been 
 practiced long under the several Standards that preceded the one 
 that now governs our breeding operations, it was discovered 
 that the same hen that produced the best males in the j)arti- 
 colored varieties, did not produce as a rule the best females when 
 judged by the accepted Standard. This discovery led to the 
 practice, after observing results from different individuals, of 
 using in many matings females of different types of plumage, 
 some from which the best males and others from which the best 
 females were expected. This l)ecame a common practice. 
 Usually a small number, say one, two or three females from 
 which the best exhibition males, and four, five, six or more 
 from which the best exhibition females were expected, were 
 placed in each mating. It is really a modification of both, 
 the single mating and double mating systems, and, because 
 it partakes of the natiu'e of both, may be called an Inter- 
 mediate vSystem. It is in reality an application of double 
 mating principles on one side of the mating, the female, and 
 thereby an acknowledgement of the necessity of double mating. 
 It may be said to have been the first step toward the practice of 
 double mating and was in common use long before the adoption 
 of the double mating system in its entirety. This modification of 
 the single mating system is still practiced by those who breed 
 parti-colored varieties, and who are opposed to the system to 
 which allusion has been made, as apparently complicated but of 
 easy ai)plication in actual i)ractice. 
 
 Double Matings. — The double mating system is known only 
 among breeders of standard-bred poultry Ijecause it is not prac- 
 ticed by breeders of other forms of animal life. It may be defined 
 as a system which employs special and separate lines of fowls 
 and breeding to produce exhibition males and females. That is, 
 under this system, the exhibition male line is only used to pro- 
 duce exhibition males or with any expectation of doing so. The 
 females of the male line, as well as the males, are expected to 
 
I'LYMOf TH IWVK S'l' \ MtA h'l) AM) Uh'HI.'n liOOK 47 
 
 produce exhibition males and no exhibition females. The same 
 principles hold true for the exhibition female line ; both male and 
 females of the exhibition female line are expected to produce 
 exhibition females. The males are in turn used to breed exhibi- 
 tion females, but the males are not expected to be exhibition 
 birds, or to produce exhibition males. That is, as already ex- 
 plained, the province of the male line. 
 
 Though already stated, the fact should be emphasized that 
 this system of mating is commonly practiced only by breeders 
 of parti-colored fowls. The conclusion can be clearly drawn 
 that separate matings to i)roduce standard males and standard 
 females are necessary on account of color requirements. Seldom 
 are separate matings used, or even thought to be necessary, to 
 produce the requirements for shape of either males or females. 
 Such expediencies have been resorted to very infrequently and 
 the practice has passed almost entirely out of use. It is generally 
 considered that the standard shape of male and female coincides 
 when due allowance has been made for natural difference in 
 shape of male and female. In this regard the experiences and 
 practices of poultry breeders do not dift'er in any particular from 
 those of breeders of other animals. The breeders of forms of 
 animal life in which little attention is paid to color, never think 
 of. let alone use. a special or separate line of breeding for 
 each sex. 
 
 From the facts as stated, it appears that we must find our 
 excuse, if excuse it may be called or if an excuse is necessary, 
 which is doubtful — better should we call it a necessity — for spe- 
 cial or double matings to produce the males and females that 
 nearest approach the standard descriptions among parti-colored 
 fowls, in the color requirements alone. 
 
 The first question that comes to mind is, why not adopt a 
 standard description for males and females of the parti-colored 
 fowls that would coincide, making due allowances for the natural 
 color differences of the two sexes, as we have in shape? 
 
 The answer to this (juestion is found in others like it. Can 
 it l)e done? When has it been accomplished? If a standard 
 could be written in which the color description of both males 
 and females of parti-colored fowls would be such that standard- 
 colored males and standard-colored females, mated together, 
 would produce standard-colored males and standard-colored 
 females, would breeders and exhibitors be satisfied with the 
 appearance of both sexes ? It is conceded that the best males to 
 
n, C State College 
 
 4S AM ERIC AA POlT/rRY ASS!OCIATIO\ 
 
 produce exhibition females, of the parti-colored varieties, are the 
 sons of the best exhibition females. Therefore, if we are to 
 make a standard that will permit the highest attainments of color 
 and markings in the females of parti-colored varieties, we must 
 describe for their ideal mates, the sons of such females. Do the 
 sons of such follow very closely the present standard description, 
 and, if not, would an adequate description of the sons of females 
 of high standard equality, as we find them, be acceptable to the 
 breeders of many of the parti-colored varieties? It must be 
 fully taken into consideration that an accurate description of 
 such must be accepted as our standard ideal, if we are to have a 
 Standard based upon the highest ideals of female plumage. 
 
 ( )n the other hand, if we accept the present Standard for 
 exhibition males and we propose to have a Standard that is such 
 that both exhibition males and females can be bred from a stand- 
 ard (single) mating, the description of exhibition females in the 
 (proposed) standard must coincide with the description of the 
 females that our best exhibition males produce, as the females 
 that produce our best exhibition males are always the daughters 
 of our best exhibition males. Therefore, one method of making 
 single mating feasible would be to adopt the present Standard 
 on males and for the standard females describe such females as 
 the best exhibition males produce. The adoption of such a stand- 
 ard, one based on the present exhibition males and the daughters 
 of exhibition males, would mean that the exhibition females as 
 at present described in the Standard would disappear from the 
 show room and, in all probability, from the breeding yards 
 as well. 
 
 This might be one way of making successful single matings 
 possible ; the other, as already pointed out, might be by accepting 
 the description of the standard female and adopting in place of 
 the present description of the standard male, a description of 
 such males as the best standard female produces. 
 
 Theoretically, a single or standard mating under tliese condi- 
 tions should produce standard specimens of both sexes. The 
 vital question is not, however, will a standard or single mating 
 produce standard chicks of both sexes, BUT — because it is the 
 best specimens that we seek to produce for exhibition purposes 
 — the question most positively becomes, will the best male mated 
 to the best female produce both the best males and the best 
 females? This is the vital question, for if the best male mated 
 to the best female would produc only the best males — then, in 
 
PLY.UOI Til IHK'K N7 l.\/> l/.'/> Wit lil{i:i:i) HOOK 4;» 
 
 order to produce our best females, we need a slightly different 
 female with this sire, or we need a little different male with 
 the dam. 
 
 If the original pair produces the best females, but not the 
 best males, the same fundamental change must be made in the 
 mating to produce the best males. A different male with the 
 dam, or another and different female must be mated with the sire. 
 
 But when two females that differ in either color or markings 
 are used with the same male, one intended to produce the females 
 nearest approaching our ideal, and another to produce the male 
 nearest the ideal, so radical a departure from the principles of 
 single mating is incorporated that an admission of the necessity 
 of a special mating to produce the best ideals of either sex 
 becomes most pronounced. 
 
 To pursue this line of thought a step further — how often 
 would a mating consisting of the best male and the best female 
 produce the best males and best females to comply with any 
 fixed standard of color or markings in parti-colored fowls? 
 How often would such a mating produce either the best males or 
 females and how often would it produce neither? Much more 
 often by far than not. it will produce neither the best males nor 
 the best females, make the Standard read as you like. 
 
 On the other hand, under the present Standard by using spe- 
 cial matings for each sex, it is known to be more than possible 
 to produce the best males by breeding such to their own daugh- 
 ters or daughters of other high quality males. Results of this 
 kind have been accomplished for years and are being accom- 
 plished continually. Like results are being accomplished in 
 breeding the best exhibition females by mating such to their sons 
 or the sons of other females of high exhibition quality. 
 
 If the Standard is fundamentally wrong because special 
 matings for each sex are necessary to meet its requirements, the 
 problem for solution is not how may we change the Standard 
 to make these special matings unnecessary, but how may we 
 make a Standard so that its requirements will not place a handi- 
 cap on standard matings, and a premium upon special matings 
 for each sex. The problem has been before us since the first 
 Standard was made, and as yet no one has offered a solution 
 that seemed theoretically plausible, let alone being practically 
 possible. Special matings haye been producing the best speci- 
 mens all these years. From either standpoint, performance or 
 
.-.o AMKUIC.W ]'(>( J/Jh') \SS(K'l\'ri(>\ 
 
 theory, the argument favors tlie product of special luatings for 
 each sex. 
 
 At the present writing, there is unquestional)ly a strong de- 
 sire on the part of breeders and exhibitors generally to adopt 
 standard (or single) matings. even if the Standard has to be 
 modified or changed in order to permit the breeding of the best 
 specimens of both sexes from one mating. The object is to 
 simplify breeding problems for beginners, which, in the estima- 
 tion of many, would do much to popularize a variety. But as 
 yet no one has suggested a way to accomplish this that inspires 
 the confidence of his contemporaries. Changes toward this end 
 in standard requirements are accompanied by two serious con- 
 siderations : first, will such changes, as it at first appears may 
 tend to solve the difticulty, be acceptable when the result, namely, 
 the specimens produced, come to view ; and, secondly, would 
 such changes or any changes, that have yet occurred to any one, 
 place a premium upon the progeny of standard matings by pro- 
 ducing better specimens thereby, than can be produced by other 
 methods, specifically by what is known as double-matings, which 
 really amounts to a special mating for each sex? No system of 
 mating can long endure after breeders find another way of pro- 
 ducing better specimens. The final test is the closest conformity 
 to the Standard requirements. Who, then, can compile a stand- 
 ard that will so state its requirements that the specimens pro- 
 duced from standard (single) matings will excel those produced 
 by any other system that man may devise? The system that 
 does that very thing will be most generally practiced by those 
 who breed exhibition birds from now till the end of time. 
 
 In-Breeding. — The in-breeding is the surest and quickest 
 way, if not the only way, to perpetuate desired characteristics is 
 a generally accepted theory. It becomes, then, the fundamental 
 means of establishing certain qualities in a line or a strain. The 
 longer the in-breeding of successive generations which possess 
 certain distinctive features is continued, the more fixed these fea- 
 tures become. 
 
 Limit of In-Breeding. — How long in-breeding may be con- 
 tinued is an open and unsettled question. Obviously, the number 
 of generations that may be inbred depends U])on several things, 
 the first of which is the relationship of the original pair, whether 
 these were unrelated, distantly or closely related. Secondly, it 
 depends upon the stamina of the original stock, and further, or 
 thirdly, upon how much stamina is maintained by selection, for 
 
PLYMOUTH Uorh STWDAUI) A\l> l!h'i:i:i> KOOK r.1 
 
 it is possible to select for strength and vigor as well as any other 
 quality. In many cases stamina is the first and most important 
 consideration for selection. Usually, in-breeding, if too long- 
 continued, results in loss of vitality, which is indicated by in- 
 creased infertility, slower growth, smaller size, delayed feather- 
 ing in the young, and after a time by weak and twisted feathers 
 in adults. These highly undesirable qualities appear so gradually 
 and increase in intensity so slowly in succeeding generations that 
 they often diminish the value of many a flock very appreciably 
 before they are detected. 
 
 Out-Crossing. — When such a condition is found to exist the 
 only remedy is out-crossing. This consists, of course, of intro- 
 ducing the blood of some other line or strain into the flock ; an 
 expediency that is accompanied by danger of losing qualities 
 that have been gained by several generations, perhaps, of in- 
 breeding. There are, however, several modes of introducing new 
 blood, some of which are accompanied by great risks, and others 
 that, though somewhat slower in operation, are comparatively 
 safe. New blood can be very quickly introduced by using a 
 male of an unrelated line. The effect, as far as restoring vitality 
 in all its phases is concerned, is almost magical, and usually, it 
 is fully as eflicacious in destroying the very characteristics to 
 establish which in-breeding was practiced too long. Unless a 
 male from a strain that possesses very closely the same attributes 
 that have become so strongly established in the first strain can 
 be secured, the introduction of new blood through the male, 
 directly, is experimental, to say the least, and the results cannot 
 be even approximately foretold, because even though the first 
 out-cross produces specimens that are satisfactory, the second 
 generation is very liable to prove disappointing in breeding 
 prowess. 
 
 It is much safer to proceed slowly and cautiously. One safe 
 mode of out-crossing would be as follows : a male of an unre- 
 lated line (B^ may be bred to a few females of the first line 
 (A) and the '.emale progeny of this mating (BA) mated back to 
 males of th'j first line (A), and so on for as many generations as 
 seem advisable, using the female progeny for new blood, until 
 the results are satisfactory, when the progeny may be recrossed 
 with the original line, both ways. Occasionally the results of the 
 first cross will be so pre-eminently satisfactory that males from 
 this cross may be used upon the original line, but only in case 
 the results are most satisfactorv, and even then it is better to 
 
52 .1 )//•;/(•/ r,i\ j'oi i/i'in \ss(K'/A'ri<>\ 
 
 guard against disappointment by also mating- males of the orig- 
 inal line to the females that are one-half new 1)lood. by also 
 maintaining the original line, or by both methods of safeguard- 
 ing the merits of the original line. 
 
 A method commonly practiced, bnt not commonly enough, 
 which is the safest from two standpoints, is to secure each year 
 or every second year, a female from another strain, mate her 
 with a male of the strain which needs, or may need, an infusion 
 of new blood, and mate the female progeny with the sire or a 
 male of the same line or same breeding as the sire. Both the 
 males and females of this generation will usually have acquired 
 the characteristics of the original strain to a marked degree and 
 breeders may be thereafter selected by the same process as 
 though the blood was of one strain. 
 
 Strain-building. — A breeder often desires to acquire, perhaps, 
 a single characteristic, perhaps more than one, in which his strain 
 is deficient. In order to do this, he is compelled to secure new 
 blood from a strain that is noted for the predominance of the 
 required characteristics. This may be accomplished in the ways 
 that have already been indicated, accompanied by accurate selec- 
 tion for those characteristics. If the acquisition of several char- 
 acteristics is desired, because a strain is notably deficient in these 
 respects, the project becomes complicated, and it may be neces- 
 sary to line-breed from the best representatives of one. two, or 
 more strains. 
 
 Line-Breeding. — Among poultrymen line-breeding may mean 
 at least one of two things. It may mean, as above, the inter- 
 breeding of two or more strains with all the blood tracing back 
 to a few specimens, usually of extraordinary merit, or predomi- 
 nating in the desired characteristics. The object is to amalga- 
 mate, eventually, the blood of all the strains employed until by 
 per])etuating the desired characteristics, a new strain becomes 
 established. 
 
 The term line-breeding is also used to refer to in-breeding, 
 as when the sire is bred to his female progeny, the dam to her 
 male progeny, or the offspring are bred together, and in-breeding 
 among the progeny is continued, so that the blood of one or more 
 birds reoccurs often in the ancestry of successive generations. 
 That is. when by in-breeding or by in-and-in-breeding, a line is 
 established based upon predominating excellencies of one or at 
 the most two birds, the desirable qualities of which are thereby 
 very strongly fixed in the progeny, it is line-breeding with the 
 number of the l)reeding lines that arc traceable back to the bird 
 
PLYMOITH NOCK xT AyDARD A\n BREED BOOK o.S 
 
 or the pair of birds that laid the foundation of the Hne depending 
 entirely upon the number of generations produced and the mode 
 of breeding. 
 
 In-Breeding and Line-Breeding. — The terms "line-l)reeding" 
 and "in-breeding" are often confused or misunderstood. From 
 the foregoing, it will he understood that line-breeding may be 
 in-breeding or may not. In case that the line is built upon the 
 foundation of the blood of one pair of birds, line-breeding is 
 in-breeding. Line-breeding may be practiced without in-breed- 
 ing in its broadest sense by using blood of the same lines that 
 is but distantly related. 
 
 In-breeding might be descril)ed, strictly, as the breeding of 
 related birds, or birds that trace back to a common ancestor, 
 but whether that is in effect in-breeding or not, depends entirely 
 upon the closeness of such relationship. In-breeding in the mind 
 of the average poultry breeder consists in mating the parent with 
 the progeny, or the progeny of one common parent, at least, 
 together. 
 
 Injudicious In-breeding. — There exists, without a chance for 
 denial, a tendency among poultrymen to in-breed as long as the 
 desired characteristics are maintained ; and. if the desired char- 
 acteristics are but "hobbies" of the breeder, the pleasure of pro- 
 ducing these sometimes so blinds his perceptive faculties that 
 he fails to notice defects so grave in character that they nullify 
 the excellent qualities to which he has become wedded. This 
 fault in such an instance must not, however, be attributed to the 
 systems of in-breeding or line-breeding, but to the blindness of 
 the lireeder as to these faults. 
 
 Stud-Matings. — Stud mating or stud l^reeding is practiced 
 sometimes to prevent the male from consorting too much with 
 favorites to the neglect of the other females, and sometimes to 
 obtain as many chicks as possible from a male of more than 
 average quality. The result of this neglect, in the first instance, 
 is to restrict the number of females actually mated, and in the 
 second, is an unnecessarily large proportion of infertile eggs. 
 Stud-mating assures the impartial distribution of the male's 
 powers of reproduction. A larger number of females may be 
 fertilized by the same male by following this method, which is to 
 allow the male and each female to mate only at stated intervals. 
 In order to thus restrict the number of services each female shall 
 receive, the males and females are kept separate, and at given 
 intervals the females are placed in the male's pen or yard, one 
 
54 AMERICAN POILTRY AHHOVIATIOy 
 
 at a time, and removed either immediately after mating, or when 
 the next female is brought to the male. When trapnesting is 
 })racticed, it is handy to take the hen from the trapnest after 
 laying to the pen in which the male is kept. 
 
 Resting Males. — Quite another method to increase the per- 
 centage of fertility of the eggs by overcoming the neglect of 
 some of the females by the male, is to use different males on 
 alternate days. It is reasoned that with two males, fewer females 
 would be neglected, as the males would be unlikely to select the 
 same favorites. However that idea proves out, the common 
 practice of confining each male on alternate days certainly affords 
 an opportunity to rest, and eat sufficient food, of which oppor- 
 tunity a male, more than probably, does not avail himself while 
 running with the females. Males, under this system, keep in 
 better condition physically, and consequently are more able to 
 propagate strong and vigorous offspring. 
 
 Large Matings. — Infertility of hatching eggs, accountable to 
 the favoritism of males, is naturally infrequent in breeding flocks 
 so large as to require the presence of several males. In this 
 case, the explanation offered in the preceding paragraph remains 
 'rue. 
 
 Individual Disposition. — The disposition of the fowl should 
 receive serious consideration. \'ery often we see such individ- 
 uals that when at a distance or unaware of the fact that they 
 are under observation or in close proximity to a human being or 
 any animal except those of their own genus, pose strikingly and 
 show splendid form ; yet when approached, go all to pieces, as 
 the expression is, which means that they become so frightened 
 that they lose all style, and all semblance of correct shape dis- 
 appears. The most kindly overtures and best efforts to accustom 
 these individuals to the ways of complete domestication are 
 wasted, and only one conclusion is possible, namely, that such 
 birds lack the ordinary intelligence even of their order of animal 
 life. Such individuals are of little use either in the show coop 
 or the breeding pen. In the show coop, because they stand un- 
 naturally and awkwardly, and seem persistently intent upon 
 making an escape, and must consequently show in poor form ; 
 and for breeders because dispositions as well as any other char- 
 acteristics are transmittable and, more than that, it is admitted 
 that the contented, happy hen is the hen that lays most fre- 
 quently, from which it follows that these individuals that lack 
 contentedness to the extent of never being competent to adjust 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED HOOK 55 
 
 themselves to their surroundings are poor layers as well as poor 
 breeders and show birds. 
 
 From this it may be logically inferred that occasionally a 
 bird reverts to its wild ancestry and is incapable of true domes- 
 tication. 
 
 Mendelisin='\ — Mendelism is a law of inheritance discovered 
 by Gregor Johann Mendel in 1868. and rediscovered by De Vries, 
 Correns and Tschermak in 1900. It is generally considered 
 under three heads : Unit characters, dominance, and segregation. 
 The important feature is the latter — that is, the segregation of 
 potential factors in the germ cells of crosses and their chance 
 combination. 
 
 In animal breeding, absolute purity of all inherited factors 
 is difficult to obtain, as the parents even in highly selected stock 
 generally differ in their inheritance. Therefore, segregation and 
 recoml)ination invariably occurs. Hence the necessity for con- 
 stant selection toward a desired end. 
 
 If the breeding of fowls involved simply one, two or a \ery 
 few characteristics, the application of Mendelian principles would 
 be easily followed and understood, but, as at present practiced, 
 this application in the 1)reeding of standard fowls with their 
 many requirements in shape, color and markings, becomes a 
 difficult problem. 
 
 However, the application of the Mendel law has had little, 
 if any, bearing upon the accomplishments of breeders of stand- 
 ard-bred fowls. It is only within a very few years that Men- 
 delian principles have been studied in this connection, and at the 
 present time only a very few of the more studious and best edu- 
 cated fanciers and breeders are making efforts to apply these 
 principles. 
 
 However, several of the state educational institutions and 
 experiment stations are applying these principles, and closely 
 observing and recording the results. The most important appli- 
 cation is in connection with the inheritance in fecimdity, the one 
 feature in breeders that may be accurately stated, possibly accu- 
 rately measured, though even in this case, the influence of loca- 
 tion, environment and climatical changes from season to season, 
 month to month, etc., mav. of course, affect the results. 
 
 *For a complete treatise of tliis subject, the reader should eonsult 
 some work on "Genetics." 
 
5(5 .1 i//;A'/r 1 A I'ot i.'iin associatiox 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING 
 FROM POULTRYMAN'S STANDPOINT 
 
 Whatever progress has l)een made in the development of 
 ditiferent races of fowls, and from the jungle Fowl to nearly one 
 hundred and fifty distinct varieties, all of which have distinguish- 
 able and distinct symbols of beauty, marks as great progress as 
 has l)een accomplished in any branch of animal breeding, has 
 been the result of the application of only a few elementary and 
 fundamental principles. 
 
 "Like Begets Like." Upon this principle as a foundation 
 lias rested the entire structure of standard-bred ])oultry breeding. 
 Coupled together with another principle (juite as elementary and 
 possibly quite as fundamental, namely, that defects in one parent 
 may be corrected by selecting for the parent of the opposite sex 
 one that excels in the same character in which the first was de- 
 fective, or one that fails in the same character as the first, but 
 in the opposite direction, it is responsible for the progress made 
 thus far. 
 
 This amounts to the following precepts : When two birds 
 of the opposite sex having like characters are mated, the progeny 
 will be like the parents with respect to these like characters ; 
 when the characters are unlike in the parents, these characters 
 in the progeny will vary between the extremes exemplified by 
 the parents, with a tendency for the greater number of the prog- 
 eny to show a mean between these extremes. Together these 
 simple rules account for the development of the difYerent breeds, 
 the creation of the new varieties of the same breed, and the im- 
 provement and development of those varieties already estab- 
 lished. 
 
 Why Like Begets Like. — Of this precept no fundamental or 
 scientific explanation can be offered. It is accepted as an axiom 
 to a certain extent, though to the full extent it does not. perhaps, 
 quite conform to modern theories. It is as fundamentally true 
 in the breeding of all other forms of life as in the breeding of 
 poultry. One of the first facts that any student of either plant 
 or animal life observes is that every seed produces after its 
 kind. The maxim "like begets like," then, is in a general way 
 axiomatically proved. In animal breeding, the reproducting sex 
 
I'I,\\HU Til h'OCK NV I V/> I/.'/) A\l> lil{i:i:D ROOK 57 
 
 cannot fertilize itself, hence the proof of the maxim in its en- 
 tirety cannot be expected. Breeders of poultry go this far, how- 
 ever, when male and female alike in certain particulars are mated 
 together, that it is expected that the progeny will be like the 
 parents in these particulars. For instance, when a male and 
 female both have a comb with five points, a majority of the 
 chicks from the pair would be expected to have five-pointed 
 combs. What deviation did occur would be attributed to the 
 ancestry of one or the other, or both, of the parents. Another 
 example, specimens of the four-toed variety mated together pro- 
 duce four-toed varieties in all cases, while those of the five-toed 
 variety when mated together produce five-toed chicks in nearly 
 all cases. The same applies when two specimens of the opposite 
 sex with reddish-bay eyes are mated together. Deviation would 
 be accovmted for by those of the ancestors that did not have 
 red eyes. 
 
 To Offset Defects. — As an example of the second principle 
 in general use by poultry breeders everywhere, that of correcting 
 a defect by mating with specimens of the opposite sex that fail 
 in the opposite direction, a male with a four-point comb, one 
 point short of standard requirement, would be mated with a 
 female with six points on her comb, and vice versa. If one of 
 the mated pair had light eyes, it would l)e mated to a specimen 
 with very dark reddish-bay or even with deep red eyes. A speci- 
 men of a breed which is required to have five toes that has but 
 four would be considered so faulty that it would not be used as 
 a breeder; it is a disqualified bird. (See page 16 for definition.) 
 It is just as serious a matter when the specimen of the four-toed 
 variety has five toes. It is discarded for the same reason. 
 
 In many cases this principle is modified to the extent of 
 mating birds that are faulty in certain respects to the opposite 
 sex that are as near perfection as it is possible to obtain. Faults 
 may not be corrected as speedily in this way as by the other, but 
 the method is more secure in the long run, because it is better 
 that the fowls should inherit one excellent feature than two 
 faults, even though they be of opposite tendencies. 
 
 Pedigrees. — Broadly speaking, these rules for mating have 
 been very largely depended upon by breeders of standard-bred 
 poultry, whether for exhibition or commercial purposes. In 
 practice, the pedigrees for many generations are also usually 
 kept to help the breeder in applying these precepts, especially of 
 
:,S AMI'Jh'ICW FOlLTliY ASSOCI ATlOX 
 
 the male side, as that is much more easily recorded than the 
 female side, though when a line of heavy egg-producers are 
 sought, the record of the dam becomes paramount and is invari- 
 ably kept as it is, or should be, in the female line when double 
 matings are used to produce exhibition specimens. Pedigrees 
 are of great assistance, especially if the characteristics of each 
 generation can be kept in mind, because the more generations in 
 which a certain character appears the more fixed this character 
 becomes, whether it is meritorious or defective. 
 
 Word descriptions, feathers and photographs of each sire 
 and dam are the most common means of keeping the individ- 
 uality of each generation in mind, some depending upon one or 
 two ways, while others use all three. However it is done, it is 
 essential, not only to know the pedigree for several generations, 
 but it is equally essential to have an accurate recollection of each 
 sire and dam for a number of generations, as it is the only way 
 to know how the line is producing for this or for that desired 
 (piality. 
 
 Uniformity. — Uniformity is also desired, not only in each 
 breeding pen, but in the ancestry as well. The more the chicks 
 resemble the parents and the parents resemble their parents, the 
 greater is the proportion of exhibition birds to be found in the 
 docks year after year, provided, of course, that the early ancestry 
 was such. The desire on the part of breeders has been to pro- 
 duce uniformity in their flocks, and to do so. they have often 
 bred from single pairs of birds, though the same results may be 
 accomplished by keeping a record of l)Oth sire and dam, even 
 though more than one female is allowed with the male ; the off- 
 spring are then full brothers and sisters, or half-brothers and 
 sisters, and can be recorded as such. By this method of mating 
 closely related individuals, but few generations are required to 
 establish most uniform flocks, the quality of which is, however, 
 determined largely by the quality of the parent stock and the 
 breeder's knowledge of this particular line of birds, and his skill 
 in properly weighing the power of transmission of each indi- 
 vidual. 
 
 Prepotency. — The power, which it is admitted some birds 
 ]X)ssess and some do not. to transmit their own characteristics 
 to their oft'spring is called prepotency. In reality, it may be said 
 to be the difference in tlie ability or power to transmit that exists 
 l)etween the parents. We sometimes hear of an application dif- 
 fering slightly from the above, because there is occasionally an 
 individual that is so very prepotent that one or more of its promi- 
 nent characteristics are distinguishable in the progeny for several 
 
PLYHIOITH ROCK tiTANDARD AND BREHD HOOK .V.) 
 
 generations. In such instances, the individual that originally 
 possessed and first transmitted this characteristic is often spoken 
 of as being very prepotent. 
 
 The most generally accepted theory of explanation has been 
 that by constantly selecting and breeding specimens with certain 
 characteristics, these characteristics become fixed in the progeny, 
 and after a certain numl:)er of generations, more or less, the 
 aforementioned characteristics are transmitted in a remarkable 
 degree by certain individuals. 
 
 The qualities transmitted vary. That is, a bird may be pre- 
 potent in certain characters and fail to transmit others. One 
 bird might transmit its constitutional vigor, or the shape of 
 comb only, while some birds impress their characteristics so 
 generally and perfectly upon their offspring that we note a gen- 
 eral resemblance to the parent of the same sex. It is not uncom- 
 mon for an individual of wonderful constitution and vigor to 
 throw several offspring bearing a striking resemblance to the 
 parent in a single season. 
 
 The Value of Prepotency — The value of prepotency can 
 hardly be overestimated. When that quality is possessed by a 
 female of high egg-producing capacity, its worth increases with 
 each generation, according to the egg-producing capacity, and 
 as the number of the descendants in the flocks increase. 
 
 Male One-Half the Flock. — And then, if the foregoing is true, 
 how important an asset prepotency must be in any male which, 
 because he exercises his share of influence upon each and every 
 female with which he mates, is obviously one-half the flock. If 
 the male is of unusual merit, or especially if he possesses more 
 merit than the average of the females associated with him, and if 
 through his ability to transmit his own characteristics he exer- 
 cises such an influence upon the progeny that he becomes more 
 than one-half of the flock, we can readily see the advantage of 
 prepotency in such males. 
 
 Sex Control of Characters. — Breeders generally prize prepo- 
 tency in a male. Ample explanation has been offered by pointing- 
 out how the male is one-half the flock. There is, too, the grow- 
 ing belief that the male is responsible for certain qualities, but 
 opinions as to just which ones differ materially. Some think the 
 male has most influence upon color and head points, while the 
 female controls the shape of body, etc. But it must be admitted 
 that no tangible proof of these various opinions can be secured. 
 
 Constitutional Vigor. — That constitutional vigor is a vital 
 factor in all branches of poultry husbandry will undoubtedly 
 
00 A.i//;/.*/r I A I'oi i/rin \ss<>rnri(>\ 
 
 have been inferred from several of the foregoing passages. The 
 necessity of that quaHty clescril)ed by such terms as health, vigor, 
 stamina, hardiness, ruggedness and several more, perhaps, is so 
 generally understood and recognized that it requires little more 
 than passing notice here. 
 
 It is also thoroughly understood that this quality is just as 
 vitally essential in the yards of the most exclusive fancier, who 
 rears but a few choice ])irds each season, as on the farm of the 
 commercial breeder who raises his flock for the number of eggs 
 it i)roduces or the number of pounds of flesh ; the first cannot 
 perpetuate his flock to reincarnate the ideals of his dreams, the 
 second cannot produce the eggs or the pounds of flesh without 
 fowls of rugged constitutions, which must prevail in the stock. 
 To maintain health in a flock and to hatch chicks that inherit a 
 strong vital force, weak birds must not be admitted to the breed- 
 ing yards. That is, to maintain constitutional vigor in your 
 flock, select as breeders those birds that possess that essential 
 quality. 
 
 The strongest constitutions may be undermined by injudi- 
 cious feeding, by undue exposures, poor sanitation and poor man- 
 agement generally. These are topics taken up in a later chapter 
 in this work. 
 
PART III. 
 STANDARD BRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 SECTION I 
 
 Chapter I: 
 Chapter II: 
 Chapter III: 
 Chapter IV: 
 Chapter V: 
 
 Chapter I: 
 Chapter II: 
 Chapter III: 
 
 Chapter I: 
 Chapter II: 
 Chapter III: 
 
 Chapter I: 
 Chapter II: 
 Chapter III: 
 Chapter IV: 
 
 Chapter I: 
 Chapter II: 
 Chapter III: 
 Chapter IV: 
 Chapter V: 
 
 Chapter I: 
 Chapter II: 
 Chapter III: 
 
 Chapter I: 
 Chapter II: 
 Chapter III: 
 
 PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 General Description of Plymouth Rocks — All Varieties. 
 Origin and Early Development. 
 Standard Requirements for Shape of All Varieties. 
 Common Defects of Plymouth Rock Shape. 
 Mating to Overcome Defects in Shape. 
 
 SECTION II 
 
 BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 Barred Plymouth Rock Plumage. 
 Matings to Produce Exhihition Males. 
 Matings to Produce Exhibition Females. 
 
 SECTION III 
 
 WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 Origin and Early Development. 
 White Plymouth Rock Plumage. 
 Mating White Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 SECTION IV 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 Origin and Early Development. 
 Buff Plymouth Rock Plumage. 
 Mating for Buff Color. 
 Matings. 
 
 SECTION V 
 
 SILVER-PENCILED PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 Origin and Early Development. 
 Description of Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rocks. 
 Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rock Plumage. 
 Mating Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rocks. 
 Plumage Defects and How to Overcome Them. 
 
 SECTION VI 
 PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 Origin and Early Development. 
 Partridge P ymouth Rock Plumage. 
 Mating Partridge Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 SECTION VII 
 
 COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 Origin and Early Development. 
 Columbian Plymouth Rock Plumage. 
 Mating Columbian Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 <U 
 
(52 ll//;A'/ri\ I'ol //lin iNNorv 177(>,V 
 
 SECTION I . 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PLYMOUTH ROCKS. 
 
 PLYMC )UTH ROCKS are classified as "general purpose 
 fowls." The pioneer variety, the Barred Plymouth Rock, 
 then called Plymouth Rock, was first exhibited in 1869 at 
 Worcester, Mass. They are a composite of several different 
 blood lines, the first and most prominent of which were the 
 Black Cochin and Dominique. 
 
 In size the Plymouth Rock is intermediate between the 
 Asiatic and Mediterranean Ijreeds, the most typical and useful 
 specimens being those which are nearest to Standard weights. 
 
 The six varieties are identical except in color. The color 
 of the Barred variety is exceedingly difficult to describe ; in 
 fact, the true and exact shade can be learned only by ob- 
 servation; the colors should be modified black and white in all 
 sections, each feather crossed by regular, narrow, parallel, 
 sharply defined dark bars that stop short of positive black ; 
 the overlapping of the feathers producing a bluish tinge when 
 viewed under certain light reflections. 
 
 The White variety — plumage pure white, as the name indi- 
 cates — should be free from creaminess and brassiness. The 
 combination of pure white plumage with bright red comb, face, 
 wattles and ear-lobes, and yellow legs and beak is both desirable 
 and obtainable. 
 
 The color of plumage of the Buff variety should be a rich 
 golden-bufif, free from shafting or mealy appearance, while ex- 
 tremes of light and dark shades should be avoided, and a har- 
 monious blending of buff in all sections is most desired. 
 
 The contrast of black with white in males and with steel- 
 gray in females will attract many to the Silver Penciled variety. 
 The exquisite penciling with the rich plumage and mahogany 
 surface of the Partridge female and the brilliant red and green- 
 ish-black plumage of the male, give the breeders of this variety 
 an opportunity of testing their skill in mating that is equaled in 
 but few varieties of Standard fowls. The Columbians with 
 their white breasts, backs and wing bows sharply contrasting 
 with the black markings of necks and tails, jiresent also an at- 
 tractive color scheme. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROVK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK c:'. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT 
 
 A popularity among the masses of poultry keepers that is as 
 wonderful as it is universal places the Plymouth Rock foremost, 
 and makes it preeminent as a breed in the poultry world. A 
 popularity — questioned by none and admitted by all — is not the 
 result of a mere freak of public fancy. Growing steadily in 
 favor as these fowls have for over fifty years, this popularity 
 cannot be said to be the outcome of the prearranged plans or 
 systematic efforts of any man or body of men. It has its founda- 
 tion on merit, but it is not solely because these fowls are money 
 makers in the several phases of commercial traffic that they 
 enjoy the highest favors with all classes of poultrymen. Be- 
 cause the structure was well planned, and the improvements 
 well considered and judicious, these fowls are today profitable 
 as egg-producers, as broilers, as roasters, as the all-purpose fowls, 
 and for those who succeed in producing the best type and plum- 
 age, as fancy fowls. To these qualities must be added their 
 rugged constitutions, mild dispositions and their adaptability to 
 confinement and domestication. 
 
 As fancy fowls their popularity is no doubt due to the 
 peculiarly regular and systematic markings or the pure colors of 
 their plumage, intensified by the difficulty in producing the same 
 to any degree approximating perfection. Failing to accomplish 
 this the breeder has always the market qualities to rely upon. 
 
 All these things and more have contributed to the popularity 
 of the Plymouth Rocks, but acknowledged facts do not interest 
 us. Our interest seeks to discover the foundation of these quali- 
 ties, so fortunately combined ; what combinations of blood, what 
 conditions, what circumstances contributed to the development 
 of a fowl suited to all. The explanation is l^est given in the his- 
 tory of its ancestry. We shall see as we trace the development 
 of this fowl, the source of its rugged constitution, the reason for 
 the good laying qualities, and account, we hope, in a measure at 
 least, for the approaching ])erfection of ])lumage. 
 
 The first real interest in pure-bred fowls in America, of which 
 we have any account, appeared in New England about the middle 
 of the last century. At that time all pure-bred fowls were either 
 of Asiatic or F.uropean origin. 
 
G4 .1.1/ /•;///( 'J A ]'(>! l/riy'Y ASSOCIA'I'IOS 
 
 The Popularity of the Asiatic Fowls. — The former, on ac- 
 count of their size, which in comparison with that of the com- 
 mon farm yard fowls of those days or in comparison with that 
 of fowls of European blood, appeared gigantic, and their mag- 
 nificent appearance, were extremely popular. At times this pop- 
 ularity was even sensational, and it may be said that fowls of 
 Asiatic blood were relied upon to supply the sensational features 
 for the early poultry shows — the first at Boston in 1849, the 
 several subsequent shows in the same city, as well as the one held 
 in Barnum's Museum in 1854. For years these Asiatic fowls 
 were the most sought and brought the highest prices ; l)ut even 
 at that they did not afford general satisfaction. 
 
 This Popularity Wanes. — They were large, but it recpiired 
 a greater length of time to grow a large fowl to maturity than a 
 small one. It recjuired too long a time to grow these extremely 
 large specimens. They did not lay as well for most poultry 
 keepers as the smaller birds. Mediterranean breeds had been 
 imported from Italy, Spain and England and these were acknowl- 
 edged the superior of all others as "egg-machines." Compared 
 with the Asiatic or even most of the mongrel stock, these were 
 very snrall and fell materially short of the weight desired of a 
 good market fowl. 
 
 A General Purpose Fowl Demanded. — The failures of these 
 different classes of fowls to meet l)oth recjuirements became more 
 and more apparent as time elapsed, and the more apparent the 
 failures became the stronger became the desire to find or create 
 a fowl that, while it could be depended upon for a liberal produc- 
 tion of eggs, would also meet the demands for a superior talile 
 fowl. Many attem])ts were made before success was achieved. 
 Some dated back i)rior to the middle of the century. Of these 
 we have the best account of one by a Dr. Bennett of Plymouth. 
 Massachusetts, of which we find a very good description in The 
 Poultry Book (1850), of which the same Dr. Bennett was the 
 author. 
 
 "THE PLYMOUTH ROCK FOWL" 
 
 'T have given this name to a very extra breed of fowls which 
 I produced by crossing a cockerel of Baylies' importation of 
 Cochin China with a hen, a cross between the fawn-colored 
 Dorking, the Great Malay and the Wild Indian ; having five 
 primitive bloods— Shanghae, Malay, Game, Turkish and Indian 
 —traceable by referring to the history of those breeds and their 
 crosses respectively. There are several of tliis breed in 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK aS'7'.I A'7)A7?D AND BREED BOOK 
 
 65 
 
 Plymouth, from my original stock, belonging to Messrs. John 
 H. Harlow, Samuel Shaw and myself, that are now a little over 
 one year old ; the cockerels measure from thirty-two to thirty- 
 five inches high and weigh about ten pounds, and the pullets 
 from six and a half to seven pounds each ; forming, in my 
 opinion, the best cross that has ever been produced. 
 
 "The pullets commenced laying when five months old, prov- 
 ing themselves very superior layers. Their eggs are of a medium 
 size, rich and reddish-yellow in color. Their plumage is rich 
 and variegated ; the cocks, usually red or speckled, and the 
 pullets darkish brown. They are very fine fleshed and early fit 
 for the table. Their legs are very large and usually blue or 
 green, but occasionally yellow or white, generally having five 
 toes upon each foot. Some have their legs feathered, but this 
 
 One of the earliest pictures published of the American Plymouth Rock, 
 appearing in Rural New Yorker, 1872, and in Stoddard's Poultry World. 
 1873. [Observe darker plumage of the neck feathers and coarseness of bar- 
 ring in the larger feathers, combs irregular and serrations very numer- 
 ous, tail feathers of the male are represented as being blown by the 
 wind.] 
 
MHUK'W /'(H l/rin ASSOC! \'l/()\ 
 
 IS not usual 
 lars^e cheek; 
 to their 1)0(I 
 
 Th.ev have hirge and 
 rathier short tails and 
 
 ■single conil 
 unall wino-; 
 
 V and wattles, 
 in proportion 
 
 From the following paragraph it seems that Mr. (i. P. Burn- 
 ham secured some of the fowls from the Doctor, which is (juite 
 likely, as it appears from the writings of Mr. Burnham that he 
 and the Doctor, as he alludes to him, were very friendly. In a 
 letter to the Massachusetts Ploughman, Mr. Burnham describes 
 them as follows : 
 
 "The cock here re[)resented weighs nine pounds and a (piar- 
 ter, and the two pullets thirteen pounds. The stock came from 
 Dr. Bennett and I am daily more and more pleased with this fine 
 species. I have the 'Plymouth Rocks' at all ages now — from a 
 few days up to about eight months old ; and my specimens eni- 
 
 Halftone reproduction of a colored lithograph ol" Plymouth Rocks by 
 Porter in Stoddard's Poultry World. 1879. This shape was popular dur- 
 ing the 80's and was copied to represent birds of that period. It shows 
 a substantial and rugged type. This pair represent a larger, heavier type, 
 with color of plumage and shape of comlis considerably improved over 
 those of tlie pair published in Poultry World, 1S7.3. 
 
I'LYMOl 'III h'OCK S'l'.WnAh'l) AM) lilfHHI) HOOK CT 
 
 brace five or six different broods. The color of all of them is 
 peculiarly uniform and I am satisfied that the variety (or l)reed) 
 is now well established. The body plumage on the pullets is a 
 rich deep brown, speckled with golden-tipt feathers ; the under 
 down is black (or a deep blue-black), and the tail is brown, black 
 and gold. 
 
 "The legs of the pullets are very dark colored, and one-half 
 of them or more, are five toed ; but some of them do not come 
 so. The comb is single, and the wattles thin and small. The 
 head and neck are well formed, the legs are shorter than the 
 average of fowls, and the hens are not only deep and broad- 
 chested, but the bodies are proportionately very long, as you 
 will observe in the drawing. 
 
 "The roosters are noble birds — among the finest I have ever 
 met with. The plumage of the roosters is dark red hackles on 
 neck and rump ; the legs are bright yellow, slightly feathered ; 
 the body, dark red and green relieved with stray feathers of a 
 golden tint ; and the under portion of the body and breast is a 
 rich, deep, glossy blue-black — partaking of the plumage of the 
 Wild Indian fowl, the original cross. The tail-plumes on the 
 above crower are not grown out as yet. of course, nor does he 
 yet show any spur; but he is pictured exactly as he is at this 
 time, after his first moult. When he is in full phuuage the tail 
 feathers are heavy and give the male bird not only a nnich 
 larger proportionate appearance, but very greatly improve his 
 form." 
 
 Mr. John (jiles of Providence. R. I., a prominent poultry 
 fancier and importer of those times, writes: "The 'Rocks' are a 
 splendid bird, and if their table qualities prove to be good, will 
 make a valuable ])reed of fowls." Again in the same letter he 
 says: "On more close examination of the 'Rock' chick. I am 
 more confirmed that they must prove an invaluable breed. Could 
 you not cross so as to have one distinct color of leg and plum- 
 age?" 
 
 ( )ther descriptions and testimonials follow. These fowls are 
 commended for their laying qualities as well as for their uni- 
 formity of appearance. 
 
 Did the First Plymouth Rock Become Extinct? — Neither 
 from these descriptions nor from the accompanying illustrations 
 could one agree with the deductions of Harrison Weir, the noted 
 English artist and author, in his work, "The Poultry Book," 
 London, 1871, though the logic is very j)lausible at a distance. 
 
68 AMEliK 'A A PO ( 1/1 R i ' .1 SSOCIATION 
 
 "Now it is both curious and very extraordinary, to say the 
 least of it, that Mr. Spaulding should adopt for his breed the 
 cognomen of that of Dr. Bennett's and Mr. (i. P. Burnham's 
 new variety, and which, according to the portraits in Bennett's 
 book, so much resemble in shape the New Plymouth Rock ; and, 
 further, it is not so clear that those of Dr. Bennett had really 
 disappeared, for in the last paragraph in 'the Doctor's' book 
 regarding them, Mr. John Giles distinctly states that : '1 shall 
 endeavor hereafter to produce them with uniform plumage, pre- 
 ferring the dark colour, dark legs and four toes only.' To me the 
 name thus given to a new breed, being one belonging to another, 
 is very unsatisfactory, nor does the after variations of the Barred 
 Plymouth Rock, borne out in the progeny, accord with this 
 asserted origin ; nor is it likely but that the name had some 
 notoriety, or why adopted if it was so indifferent as to ha\e 
 become extinct?" 
 
 One could hardly imagine that a possibility of developing a 
 fowl of the type and plumage of the modern Plymouth Rocks 
 from the crosses named by Dr. Bennett exists. Upon this ques- 
 tion Mr. Weir seems the only exponent of this theory of the 
 origin for the Plymouth Rock of the present day. All writers 
 during the intermediate period, even the Doctor's friend. Burn- 
 ham, seem to repudiate such a theory. 
 
 Mr. F. H. Ayer in his pamphlet (1878), after describing the 
 Bennett Plymouth Rocks goes on to state: "The modern IMyni- 
 outh Rock is quite a different fowl from the one we have just 
 described and was produced from different stock though, as is 
 too well known to need comment, it is a cross-bred." 
 
 Stoddard in The Plymouth Rocks (1880) writes: "Whatever 
 their excellencies, the incipient breed ran out completely, or ran 
 into anything or everything by admixture with adverse breeds, 
 and for years no Plymouth Rocks existed. Then came another 
 fowl of entirely new blood and finding the name ready-made 
 but the fowl 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 today." 
 
 Exactly the same views are taken by Corbin n 1879, Bishop 
 in 1880, Wallace in 1888 and many others. The periodicals of 
 that time, however, show that the new breed was quite widely 
 distributed and received its full share of publicity. Though 
 they failed to establish themselves and lacked uniformity and a 
 positive pattern in plumage, such was the call for a fowl that 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK HTAXDAh'D AM) lllii:i:n HOOK (',!> 
 
 combined prolific egg producing and good market qualities that 
 until they proved themselves, as Stoddard says they were, incip- 
 ient fowls, they were eagerly sought. 
 
 Efforts to Establish a General Purpose Fowl Continue. — 
 
 Then for some time no Plymouth Rocks existed. But we have 
 reason to believe that efiforts to establish a fowl of the general 
 purpose type continued. It was not a difficult matter, however, 
 to combine opposite types and decidedly dissimilar patterns, but 
 it proved to be a very difficult problem to breed the desired qual- 
 ities together and make the breeding hold any definite type or 
 color pattern. No blood seemed to amalgamate with that of the 
 Asiatic which was invariably the basis of these crosses. At last, 
 however, blood sufficiently strong to hold its own with the here- 
 tofore dominant Asiatic blood was mixed with it. The result 
 was most gratifying. Strange to say, this new blood — that is, 
 new in the sense of being untried — was the fowl of native devel- 
 opment, of unknown origin and commonly kept on the farms and 
 in the back yards of New England. 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE MODERN PLYMOUTH ROCK 
 
 By common consent the cross that originated the Plymouth 
 Rock was made in the yards of Joseph Spaulding of Putnam, 
 Connecticut. A few of the progeny of the first cross were sold 
 to D. A. Upham of Wilsonville of the same State who, after 
 breeding them but a few seasons, perhaps no more than two, was 
 the first to present them to the public. Plymouth Rocks as exhi- 
 bition fowls made their first appearance at Worcester, Massa- 
 chusetts, in March, 1869. The above facts are not seriously dis- 
 puted, if disputed at all, nor have they been to the writer's recol- 
 lection, which extends back to the early 80's. 
 
 It would hardly seem that a more competent or trustworthy 
 source of information as to the origin of this new race would be 
 found than the same Mr. Upham who first brought them to the 
 public's attention and but a few years after the original cross 
 to establish them was made. 
 
 Mr. Upham's Account. — Mr. Upham tells this story in the 
 Poultry World (1876), only seven years after he first exhibited 
 Plymouth Rocks and but ten or eleven years after the original 
 Spaulding cross was made. This account, as related at that 
 time, we are glad to reprint : 
 
 "Nearly ten years ago we bred, named and introduced the 
 first fowls and chicks of t-is variety ever shown to the public 
 
70 .l.l//;A'/fM \ /'Ol l//Uy ASSOCI \TI()\ 
 
 and they were produced first by a cross between a common hawk- 
 colored (so-called) single comb Dung-hill cock, with i)ure l)lack 
 Cochin hens, not Java hens (which invariably have smooth legs, 
 entirely free from feathers). From this cross a large majority 
 of the progeny were cockerels, very large and fine symmetrical 
 birds, many of them of the same plumage as their sire, some 
 with legs hea\-ily feathered, a few with legs entirely free from 
 feathers. 
 
 "The pullets, a large percentage, were l)lack, legs heavily 
 feathered, a few were very handsomely marked, black and white, 
 with legs entirely free from feathers, others' legs slightly 
 feathered. 
 
 "In the Fall of 1866 my attention was called to these chicks 
 by a friend, and we started to see them, and found them in the 
 yards of one Mr. Spaulding, who then lived in Putnam, Connec- 
 ticut. Mr. Spaulding bred fowls for market purposes only, and 
 was noted for producing the very best early and late chicks of 
 any farmer around, always obtaining higher prices than his 
 neighbors for his choice poultry. We selected and purchased a 
 cockerel and two pullets, which had clean, yellow legs and of the 
 desired plumage we wished to produce, and bred them. About 
 one-half of their chicks were of the desired plumage. I then 
 selected the best pullets and 1)red them to a cock of my own 
 raising, of the same plumage, a descendant from stock which 
 originated from eggs purchased of G. P. Burnham, about twenty- 
 five years ago, said to be Brahma Pootras, or what some fanciers 
 called Gray Chittagongs in those days, which were very large, 
 noble fowls ; but with me this variety was crossed with Cochins 
 and English Gray Dorkings, but the cockerels always retained 
 the original steel-gray plumage. 
 
 "The second cross from this strain produced very satisfac- 
 tory results. Most of their chicks were of the desired color in 
 both sexes ; very few black, and most of them with legs free 
 from feathers, and bright yellow in color. From this cross I 
 have selected and bred from the very best specimens, and by 
 judicious mating have, for the past three years, succeeded in 
 breeding them as true to feather and points, and a greater num- 
 ber of fine exhibition birds from a clutch of eggs, than from any 
 other variety we ever bred. They- are now very large, fine in 
 shape, and very handsome plumaged birds. They fledge quite 
 young, grow rapidly, mature earlier than any other fowl of their 
 size, are very hardy and easy to rear, and for early marketing- 
 there is no breed to be compared with them ; are fully equal to 
 
I'LYMoi 'I'll i,-<)('i\ N7' I A /> I /.'/> \\i) nin:i:n hook ti 
 
 the Brahnias as Winter and sujierior as Summer layers, not fre- 
 quent sitters, excellent mothers, great foragers and are truly the 
 farmer's fowl. Matured weights, on an average, from twenty- 
 five to thirty pounds the trio. Extra fine specimens have been 
 known to reach thirty-two pounds. 
 
 "This, in sliort, is the true origin and general characteristics 
 of the genuine I'lymouth Rocks of today." 
 
 Vital Points in the Upham Account, — We gather from this 
 extract several facts of which we are glad to have knowledge. 
 First, it sets the date very close to the one generally accepted 
 by interested fanciers and breeders. "Nearly ten years ago we 
 bred, named and introduced the first fowls and chicks of this 
 variety ever shown to the public . . . ." W'riting this in 
 1876 would make these statements coincide with other relialile 
 data on this point. Note in this connection the statement begin- 
 ning: "In the Fall of 1866." This, then, is the date and the Fall 
 is the season when Mr. Upham produced his foundation stock. 
 It is certain that he did nothing in the line of breeding or rearing 
 during 1866 because of the lateness of the season. "We selected 
 and ])urchase(l . . . and bred them." This accounts for the 
 season of 1867, but Mr. Upham states further: "We then selected 
 the best pullets and l)red them to a cock of my own raising 
 ." "The second cross from this strain produced satisfac- 
 tory results. . . ." If it was at this point that Mr. Upham 
 selected the specimen for the first puljlic appearance of the Plym- 
 outh Rock, and it is certainly not unreasonable to presume that 
 it was, because to quote his own language, "most of their chicks 
 were of the desired color in both sexes ; very few black, and most 
 of them with legs free from feathers, and bright yellow in color," 
 and birds that bear such a description would seem to be fair 
 show si)ecimens, especially during the formative stage in a breed. 
 March, 1869, as the date of the first appearance, coincides with 
 the facts as stated in the abstract, as chicks shown as early as 
 March, 1869, must have been reared in 1868, which coincides 
 chronologically with the above statements. W^e must not over- 
 look the statement which, on account of the controversy it has 
 occasioned, is the most pertinent, vital and hence the most inter- 
 esting of all the facts presented, that they were produced first 
 by a cross between a large common Inawk-colored (so-called) 
 single comb Dunghill cock, with pure black Cochin hens, not 
 Java hens (which invariably have smooth legs, entirely free 
 from feathers), as this statement involves the j)oint of a contro- 
 
71> AMi:h'l('A\ ]'(>! l/riiV ASSOC! \'rio\ 
 
 versy that was kept alive for years, and though the fire of debate 
 smoulders, it rekindles occasionally and burns freely for the time 
 being-. 
 
 The Ramsdell Account. — The other side of the controversy 
 rested upon the statement made in an article by H. S. Ramsdell 
 of Connecticut, j)ublished in the Poultry and Pet Stock Bulletin 
 of March, 1873. in which is found the following: 
 
 "Our modern Plymouth Rock fowl is in no way whatever 
 connected with the Plymouth Rock produced by Dr. Bennett 
 some twenty-five years since, from a cross with the Asiatic fowls. 
 None of these bloods enter into the composition of the present 
 stock. They are a different bird altogether, and were produced 
 on the farm of the late Joseph Spaulding of Putnam. Connecticut, 
 which is situated about one mile from my own. I was intimately 
 
 acquainted with the Mr. S while he lived, and I was thus 
 
 given an opportunity of knowing the facts of which I speak. 
 
 "Some thirty years since, John Giles. Esq. (well known to 
 the poultry world), introduced a fowl into this vicinity called the 
 Black Java ; its plumage was black and glossy, its size large 
 
 (Mr. G said the pullets had sometimes reached eleven 
 
 pounds), they were an unusually hardy bird, with a dark, slate- 
 colored smooth leg, and the bottom of the foot yellow. They 
 proved good layers and of extra quality for the table ; not coarse 
 like most of the large-sized birds, but fine and juicy. I sold a 
 few of these birds to a Mr. Thayer, of Pomfret, of whom Mr. 
 George Clark of Woodstock, Connecticut, purchased some — he 
 supposed the same. Mr. Clark passing Mr. Spaulding's yard one 
 day, noticed his fine flock of Dominiques and proposed bringing 
 a few of his Javas to cross with them, to increase the size. Mr. 
 
 S accepted the offer and when the chickens were grown 
 
 rejected the black ones, and those with double comb, reserving 
 to breed from only the single-comb birds which retained the 
 Dominique color or near it. They were usually darker of plum- 
 age than the Dominique, the legs sometimes resembled the Java 
 — dark with yellow feet — but were mostly yellow, or yellow with 
 a slight streak of dark -".n the front of the leg, which with the 
 feet are free from feathers. We received some eggs of this cross 
 
 from Mr. S as a present, and purchased some fowls of him. 
 
 Of the first produce, one hen weighed over eight i)uunds, and 
 another reached nine pounds and three-quarters. We soon had 
 a fine flock of them. The fowls were spread around the neigh- 
 
I'LYMOI Til /I'or/v' ,S'7M\7>. !/.'/> 1A7) Uh'EEh HOOK T.\ 
 
 borhood and were much sought after, but had, as yet, no name. 
 A gentleman asked me what I called them. Not knowing that 
 any of the Bennetts w^ere now in existence — I had not seen any 
 of them for years — I said, 'Plymouth Rocks.' The name passed 
 from one to another and they were soon generally known by 
 that name. Our opinion of the fowl is that when bred pure, as 
 it came from the hands of Mr. Spaulding, it has few equals and 
 no superiors. True, they will now and then throw a black chick, 
 resembling those we had twenty-five or thirty years since, but 
 we find they grow fewer each year and doubtless will soon dis- 
 api)ear altogether." 
 
 This article coincides in names and circumstances with Mr. 
 Upham's verbal account given the writer in the Summer of 1890. 
 except that Mr. Upham insisted that the black Asiatic was a 
 Black Cochin and not a Black Java. Both agree that a Java was 
 a large, black, smooth legged fowl, while it is well known that a 
 Cochin is and always was a feather legged fowl. 
 
 Views of the Early Writers. — F. H. Ayer in "The Plymouth 
 Rock." a pami)hlet i)ul)lished in 1878, takes the Ramsdell view of 
 the Java-Cochin controversy in the following language: 
 
 " 'Who shall decide when doctors disagree? Whatever the 
 merits of the Ui^ham-kamsdell controversy may be. the question 
 of the rival claimants has long since settled in the minds of all 
 breeders, and a review of their statements is unnecessary. The 
 Plymouth Rock is a cross of Dominique and Java blood, and this 
 fact is of more importance in ]:)reeding than the name of the first 
 breeder." 
 
 F. H. Corbin, in a i)am])hlet entitled "Plymouth Rocks." 
 1879. also accepts the Ramsdell view, or is inclined to. He 
 writes : 
 
 "The Upham-Ramsdell controversy was conducted with both 
 vigor and bitterness. The conceded ability of these gentlemen, 
 together with their readiness of pen, only magnified the contest, 
 diffused a knowledge of the question among the poultry frater- 
 nity and caused others to take up the pen, both as principals and 
 advocates. After a time it began to be uncertain whether any 
 such breed ever existed, and, if there w^as any. where or from 
 whence it sprang. 
 
 "Another question intensified the controversy. While all 
 were agreed as to the Plymouth Rock being a "cross" breed, 
 scarcely any two were agreed as to what the cross was. The 
 Black Java, Cochin, Dominique, Dunghill, Gray Chittagongs and 
 English Gray Dorkings were all named as entering into the 
 
74 .\Mi:iii('.\\ ]'()( i/im Assort \'r/()\ 
 
 cross. This disputation itself showed that the fanciers consid- 
 ered the Plymouth Rock well worthy of attention, and also that 
 it was advancing with rapid strides to the first place in the esti 
 mation of breeders generally. 
 
 "As before intimated, there were several different suspected 
 origins to this breed, and some two or three, perhaps, worthy of 
 mention. 1^he most relial)le one, however, in the estimation of 
 l)ree(lers of the present day, was the cross of a single combed 
 Dominique cock with Black |a\a hens. This may not be 
 admitted b}- all, but it has the best authority, and is now gener- 
 ally acquiesced in." 
 
 "It is now universally admitted that the Plymouth Rock is 
 th.e resultant of the j^rocess of breeding the old-fashioned Domi- 
 niciuc — the native American fowl -on Black Java hens, a sort 
 nov\' nearly or quite unknown in this country ; but who orig- 
 inated this cross is a matter of dispute which i)robably will 
 ahvays remain in statu quo. It is enough for the breeders to 
 know that the union of the hawk-color and the black was effected, 
 and few will care for purposeless search beyond Drake and 
 Ramsdell rr Upham. We are all looking forward and not back- 
 ward, and were the entire past of this breed — save the knowledge 
 of what the cross was — blotted out, breeders would be no way 
 troubled to manage their stock as successfully 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 
 aiTecting their treatment in the present." 
 
 Joseph Wallace, a little later, 1888, in "Barred and White 
 Plymouth Rocks." accepts the view of others of a Dominique 
 and Java as the first cross. 
 
 As to the statement of /Vyer, who seems to think that there 
 are several claimants for the honor of making the first cross, 
 and that Upham is one of them, the writer is in a position to 
 assure all readers that Upham did not in his later years, if he 
 ever did, claim to have made the original cross, but accords that 
 honor to Spatilding upon the suggestion of another. 
 
 Corbin rather evades a discussion, but comes to a conclusion 
 without presenting argument or facts. The same may be said 
 of all the others, except perhaps Stoddard, who qualifies by say- 
 ing that the Java involved is not the Java of the present day. 
 
I'l.YMorrii ROCK sr.wDAh'i) ,i\/> iii{i:i:it hook ir> 
 
 which would appear to be true, inasmuch as there was at that 
 time no such thing as a Standard Java, which we did not have 
 until 1883. The fact is, Plymouth Rocks antedated Javas in the-^ 
 Standard. 
 
 The argument most often advanced in favor of the Java 
 theory is that the Black Cochin was unknown in America or at 
 the best was so very scarce that it would not have been used 
 in all probability or possibility. A writer, himself a student of 
 Cochins and Asiatics particularly, makes the following state- 
 ment in the Way 15, 1901, issue of the Farm Poultry, published 
 for many years in Boston : 
 
 "Black Cochins were so very scarce from the start that the 
 few in existence were bred with Whites and Buffs to increase, 
 improve and invigorate them. Their original quality was not the 
 equal of the others. This cross-breeding injured their color so 
 much that for many years they were almost discarded. If the 
 English, who were so directly in business communciation with 
 China, could not obtain Black Cochins, how could it be possible 
 for Mr. Giles to import them ? At the same time, what were 
 known then as Black Javas are mentioned continually, and they 
 were, without doubt, what wotild be called an Asiatic fowl 
 largely Malay. 
 
 "Without any word from us we feel that the records fully 
 prove that the Dominique fowl has at all times in America been 
 known as such (the other names applied here have been errone- 
 ously used) ; that the facts show that the Spaulding or original 
 Plymouth Rock came as the result of crossing these American 
 Dominiques with what is known as Black Javas." 
 
 The scarcity or non-existence of Black CcK^hin seems to be 
 the actual basis of the Java theory, though we find inference 
 that Mrs. Spaulding was originally responsible for its circulation. 
 
 In regard to the references to the Upham-Ramsdell contro- 
 versy and their rival claims to priority, the particulars of which 
 none of them state, the writer cannot find that such a contro- 
 versy exists or ever has. Neither did Mr. Upham in his con- 
 versation with the writer bring up the question of whether he or 
 Ramsdell was the first to purchase of Spaulding. There is the 
 possibility, of course, that Ramsdell purchased first and another 
 possibility that Upham in that case might have procured his 
 stock of Ramsdell. He savs. however, in his first account, here- 
 
70 .1 Mi'JJffVA N j'oi i/rnr i N.s'or/ r/vo.v 
 
 tofore presented, and in all his subsequent accounts, that he 
 purchased of Spaulding, which should mean of Spaulding direct. 
 We have no printed or written statement to the contrary as far 
 as the author is aware. 
 
 The only incident known to the writer that seems to indicate 
 that Mr. Ramsdell did breed Plymouth Rocks before Upham 
 happened on the occasion of a visit by the writer to a poultry 
 show in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he found the exhibit- 
 ors present in a mild state of excitement over a visit of an old 
 minister who came to this show and was introduced by Mr. 
 Upham as the first breeder of Plymouth Rocks. These exhibitors 
 all expressed their regrets that I should not have been there the 
 day before, so as to meet the clergyman so distinguished. No 
 name was given, but later inquiry elicited the fact that it could 
 hardly have been other than the Rev. H. S. Ramsdell. The exact 
 date of this show cannot be given, but it must have been in the 
 early eighties or about fifteen years after the Plymouth Rocks 
 for the first time made their public appearance in the same place. 
 
 Black Cochins in England. — As to the existence and sup])ly 
 of Black Cochins in England, we shall have to rely upon the 
 English ])oultry literature of that period and for some time 
 before : 
 
 Martin Doyle in 1857 writes of Black Cochins as being rare 
 and of an instance of two black sports from a pair of light Buffs. 
 This states definitely that Black Cochins were not unknown six 
 or eight years before it is claimed they were originally used as 
 a foundation for the new Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 Richardson's book, "Domestic Fowl and Ornamental Poul- 
 try," gives some interesting points regarding the China fowls. 
 On page 70 we find the statement that : "The terms Cochin China 
 and Shanghae may be used synonomously." On page 72 : "To 
 divide them (Cochin China and Shanghae) into classes is decid- 
 edly a mistake, as no sufficient marks exist to establish them as 
 distinct varieties." On page 74, Richardson quotes Mr. Trotter's 
 prize essay of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1851 as follows: 
 "The most esteemed color of these fowls is ginger ; but as there 
 are pure bred birds of almost all colors, including black and 
 white. I am in favor of selecting them as much by their shai)es 
 as by their color. 
 
 "Shape, size, gait and weight may be assured as permanent 
 characteristics — not so, feathers. Not only do white and l>lack 
 Bantams, Cuckoo Dorkings and game fowls sport in feathers, 
 
PLYMOf Til lUX'K srWDARD AXD BREED BOOK 77 
 
 l)Ut the more uniform breeds, the Black Polanders, the Minorcas, 
 and even the Spanish take a white speck, spot and even feathers, 
 when the fit is on them ; so with the Shanghaes. The breeder 
 may start in the Spring with buffs, cinnamons or partridge col- 
 ored parents and their progeny in November will display all the 
 colors of the rainbow, except, to be sure, the blue. Nay, they 
 may put on the affirmative of due proportions of the whole as 
 white, or the negative as black specimens." So strong is the 
 writer, who Richardson styles as an acute and experienced ama- 
 teur on this point, that he goes on, on page 87. to say that this 
 tendency to sport may be checked, but never, he believes, 
 subdued. 
 
 From these statements, made as far back as 1851, we can 
 readily see what an opportunity any one had to produce in the 
 interval between about what they chose in color of Cochins. 
 
 Page 74, after quoting Mr. Trotter, the prize essay from 
 Royal Agricultural Society in 1851, Richardson, referring to 
 that essay, comments upon the statements of the same as follows : 
 
 "They are valuable, coming from a gentleman who has car- 
 ried off prizes for best Cochins. Dorkings, etc., at the Northum- 
 berland and Durham Society Shows." 
 
 In a work on fowls published in London, England. 1860, John 
 Baily mentions these diff'erent kinds of Cochin-Chinas. Buff, 
 Lemon, Cinnamon, Grouse, Partridge, White and Black. This 
 corroborates the authors cited and others and, to reiterate it 
 would seem, if they had Black Cochins (or Shanghaes) in Eng- 
 land as early as 1851, that without question Black Cochins existed 
 in England and elsewhere long before the now famous Spaulding 
 cross was made, and if they were known in that country as early 
 as 1851, it is strongly probable that they were bred in this coun- 
 try long before Spaulding created the Plymouth Rock, because 
 there was so much in common between the poultry breeders of 
 the two countries and English importations of all new varieties 
 were the fad of those times. 
 
 Black Cochins in America. — But we are not compelled to rely 
 on the fact that B^ack Cochins existed in England, as we have 
 direct evidence that they were frequently met with in our earliest 
 American exhibitions. We submit letters from Mr. C. P. Nettle- 
 ton, who, at the time of writing, was a well known breeder of 
 Light Brahmas. The letters read as follows : 
 
78 .1 l//;/.'/r I \ /'(>/ /.77.'V 1N,S(K7 I770.V 
 
 Slii'lton, Couii., Sept. IS, U)l)l. 
 Editors, Fariii I'oultry. 
 
 Dear Sirs: Yours in refeieiu-i' to Bliick Cocliiiis at Pliiladeli)hia, 
 1868, come to hand. Black Cochins were exhibited at that time hv 
 Mr. John Clapp of Philadelpliia, A. M. Halstead, Rye, N. Y., Mr. Gilbert, 
 Pennsylvania. Yours, 
 
 (Signed) 0. P. NETTLETON. 
 Shelton, Conn., Sept. 18, 1901. 
 
 Kditors, Farm Poultry. 
 
 Dear Sirs: Let me tell you about Black Coi-hius as T knew about 
 them long ago. 
 
 I tlrst bought some, as 1 called them, Black Cochins, in 1868. 
 They were commonly called by moiit people Black Javas, had feathered 
 legs, but scant feathering, hardly a bird having any feathers on the 
 middle toe. I worked at them for five or six years to get the feathers 
 on the middle toe. About this time P. Williams took them up, and 
 P. Williams and myself were the most prominent exhibitors for some 
 time of Black Cochins. Where Mr. Williams got his from at first I 
 never knew^ 
 
 Most all parties who spoke of these black birds, as long ago as 
 1868, called them Black Javas. Some of these kind of fowls were 
 shown at the New York show held in Barnum's Museum long before 
 that time (1868). 
 
 Perhaps Mr. Williams can tell you something about them. My 
 memory don 't serve me as I wish it did. 
 
 Will send you a copy of that Plymouth Rock item soon. 
 Yours truly, 
 
 (Signed) C. P. NETTLKTON. 
 
 The show at Barnum's Museum which Mr. Nettleton referred 
 to was held during February, 1854. According to this. Black 
 Cochins were found in America in ample season to become one 
 of the foundations of Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 We copy the following paragraph froiu "The China Fowl," 
 by G. P. Burnham, as further i)roof of their presence in America 
 at an even earlier date : 
 
 "The Black Shanghae is less common among us than any 
 other variety. In 1850, at the time we obtained through William 
 T. Porter from Shanghae our second lot of Light Gray birds, 
 we found an excellent trio (cock and two hens) of the B'ack 
 variety which, with the five Light Grays then obtained, and a 
 splendid trio of Dark Brown birds, we took to Melrose to breed. 
 The Black ones bred true to the originals and were of the best 
 color (for their dusky metallic hue) that we ever saw. We did 
 not fancy them greatly, however, and bred them only one or two 
 seasons. We give portaits of the Black birds here; and it will be 
 
I'LYMOl'TH ROCK ST WhMih AM) IIREBD BOOK 1'.) 
 
 seen that, excepting the change of color again, they represent 
 the same formed fowl from beak to toes — the true Shanghae, 
 though ebony-hued." 
 
 Bement, in the 1863 edition of the American Poulterers' Com- 
 panion, gives a variety of Shanghaes (afterwards called 
 Cochins), Buff, Yellow, Cinnamon, White, Gray, Black and Part- 
 ridge colored. Here is a mention of Black Cochins in an Ameri- 
 can work at a date prior to the first cross ; and in another but a 
 few years after that event in the Hand Book of P^oultry, pub- 
 lished by Pettingill, Bates & Co., New York, that mentions nine 
 varieties of Cochins, Buff, Lemon, Silver, Silver Cinnamon, Cin- 
 namon, Partridge, Grouse, Gray, White and Black. 
 
 More evidence along this line is available but enough has 
 been cited to conclusively prove that Black Cochins were bred 
 in America long enough before the event of the Plymouth Rock 
 to permit of their use in the original cross. 
 
 Were Cochins and Javas the Same Fowl? — Just why there 
 has been so much misunderstanding about this ancestry and why 
 the Java has been so often cited as a parent of the first American 
 breed seems strange indeed, but Mr. Nettleton drops a salient 
 hint in his letter : "They were called by most people Black Javas, 
 had feathered legs," etc. From this statement we may clearly 
 deduce the fact that the terms Black Cochin and Black Java were 
 interchangeable at that period, and of this fact it is possible to 
 find much more evidence. 
 
 The Premium Lists of the Nashua (New Hampshire) and 
 I'hiladelphia (Pennsylvania) shows for the year 1871 contain t: c 
 following lines in their classification of breeds to which ])rize.-; 
 would be awarded. 
 
 BLACK COCHINS (OR JAVAS) 
 
 This classification in this form can have but one interpreta- 
 tion, namely : That the two names stood for the same fowl ; that 
 they were so considered, and further, that the term Java was 
 considered to have been incorrectly applied by the best authori- 
 ties of the day is brought out by the fact that the term "Java" 
 was dropped by the first standard makers and the term "Cochin" 
 used. Black Cochins are described in the first standard and in 
 every standard that has followed it. down to the present time, 
 but Javas were not admitted and described initil the 1883 edition 
 was published. 
 
 Mr. I. K. F"elch has called attention to this Int of history sev- 
 eral times. ( )ne of his articles appeared in the Poultry Monthly, 
 
so .1 i//;/i'/r.i.Y I'ori/ruY associatiox 
 
 Deceml)er, 1891, in which he makes tlie following statements 
 concerning the relation of Cochins, javas and Shanghaes in 
 general : 
 
 "In 1852 the first heavy bhick fowls of an Asiatic tyi)e ap- 
 peared in Massachusetts as Black Javas. The females were 
 black ; some of the males were wdiolly black, others had mahog- 
 any-streaked necks with red mahogany round spots on the wing 
 coverts. The Cochin Chinas, or Shanghae — they were called by 
 both names — came to us in buff, grouse color, black-reds, the 
 black now and then appearing. From the first trio I owned, a 
 male, then called Black-Red, identical with Partridge Cochin 
 male of today, a buff colored pullet, and hen buff in ground color, 
 minutely penciled v^^ith dark l)rown, came black chicks, as well 
 as some the color of Partridge. Buff, and White Cochins, which 
 bred true to color. The first Black Cochins were a dull black. 
 When the first American standard was made, all these Shang- 
 haes were christened Cochins, and the Black put in the list ; this 
 ignored the Black Javas and forced them into the Cochin class. 
 Many breeders were striving to breed them to smooth shanks, 
 and birds were becoming more plentiful with the smooth shank. 
 The action of the fanciers was somewdiat censured for thus ignor- 
 ing a breed which some claimed were older residents of the 
 country than the Cochin. But the act pressed all the Black 
 Asiatic blood into the class ; the result was that for a while, 
 although the Blacks were less piu'e in Cochin type, they were 
 the most prolific in that they laid more and larger eggs." 
 
 From the above it appears that Black Javas were Black 
 Cochins, according to the "Standard of Excellence," at least. 
 It would further be a fair inference that two sorts of Black 
 Asiatics were being developed, one with heavy leg feathering 
 and another with less and with much lighter bodies. That those 
 who favored no leg feathering did not perfect their ideals is ap- 
 parent from the foregoing. 
 
 Several of the citations previously quoted agree upon the 
 number of different varieties of Shanghaes or Cochins, also upon 
 the character of each of these varieties, showing thereby that a 
 distinct breed with many different varieties — in conformity with 
 the modern understanding of the terms "breed" and "variety" 
 and our conception of the distinction between the two terms — 
 existed in those days. On the other hand, we hear of only one 
 variety of Java in those days, the Black. Even the Mottled is 
 not mentioned. Otherwise than through faulty nomenclature, 
 
I'LYMOI 7 11 A'OrA STWDAint AM) HliF.F.n HOOK SI 
 
 the Java of ihe early period herein alluded to leads a very douht- 
 ful existence. No definite nor authentic information for a Black 
 Java that was distinct from the Black Cochin of the period be- 
 tween 1850 and 1870 can l)e found. Coupled with this fact, the 
 absence of a Java in our first standard becomes significant, par- 
 ticularly as the first of these works was pul)lished but a decade 
 or so after the original cross that produced the Plymouth Kock 
 was made and so few years after this particular Java was sup- 
 posed to have flourished. 
 
 Well and truly did .^toddard (1880) write: "On lUack Java 
 hens, a sort now nearly or (juite unknown in this country ;" and 
 this plain admission that the dam of a great race of fowls, then 
 rapidly becoming "if not already more commonly kept than any 
 other race," was nearly if not quite unknown in this country, only 
 eleven years after the race made its first public appearance and 
 no more than fifteen probably after its creation. What could 
 have become of it in the very few years intervening is beyond 
 conception unless, as Mr. Felch has suggested, it was classed as 
 a Cochin by our best standard makers, and if men of their breadth 
 of intelligence, their long experience and reputation in the poul- 
 try world, classed them as Cochins — Cochins in reality without 
 doubt they were — for men of the calibre of our first standard 
 makers could not be mistaken upon a question of breed charac- 
 teristics — certainly not all of them, and with the characteristics 
 involved, those of a breed as commonly kept and understood as 
 the Cochin. 
 
 English Opinions as to Origin. — With our own good Ameri- 
 can breeders so feverishly excited and possibly prejudiced either 
 by their friendship for the men involved or l)y their opinoins of 
 the breeds in question, or not in question, it may be somewhat 
 refreshing to seek the opinions of those who may review the 
 heated question in a cooler atmosphere or at a distance and surely 
 with prejudice wholly removed. All these men had, when their 
 opinions were expressed, made questions of poultry cvdture the 
 study of rather long lives even then and, although each of them 
 lived for years afterwards, they were not known to advance any 
 opinion differing in any particular from those herein quoted. 
 
 Edward Brown of London, luigland, whose writings are 
 familiar to many poultrymen in America and whose war-time lec- 
 tures have been so well received recently ( 1918) in this country, 
 wrote in 1884, under the name of Stei)hen Reale, in a work en- 
 titled "Profitable Poultry Keeping," page 117: 
 
82 AMi:h'/<'A\ J'OI i/im ASSOr/A'llOX 
 
 "This is a variety of New luiglaiul manufacture, but is. 
 nevertheless, a most useful breed for general purposes and has 
 become wonderfully popular within a very short time. The fowls 
 are cuckoo in plumage and resemble a Cochin in shape more 
 than anything else, as that variety has doubtless had much to 
 do in the making of them." 
 
 Harrison Weir, in the second volume of Our Poultry and 
 -Ml About Them, discusses the American Plymouth Rock and 
 ])lainly shows that he is very much inclined to adopt a theory 
 tliat our modern Plymouth Rock is but a perpetuation of the 
 breed originated by Dr. Bennett, which all other authorities 
 regard as extinct. By so doing he certainly leans most decidedly 
 to the Cochin side of the controversy, as a quotation from this 
 discussion by Mr. Weir reads : 
 
 "The Plymouth Rock fowl, then, is in reality one-half Cochin 
 China, one-fourth fawn-colored Dorking, one-eighth Crcat 
 Malay and one-eighth ^^'ild Indian." 
 
 After quoting the vital part of the Ramsdell article in the 
 Poultry Monthly, \A'eir comments rather testily : "Then a new 
 cross between the Dominique and some Asiatics and lastly, an- 
 other cross, and that \vith the so-called Java, of which it is said 
 in Kerr's American edition of the Rev. E. S. Dixon's book 
 (1860). that no such breed existed in America. * * * .So 
 much for the Java, but the origin of the Dominique thus remains 
 unknown." 
 
 Plainly. Mr. Weir does not accept, even reluctantly, the 
 Java as a parent of the Plymouth Rock and it seems that he may 
 be equally skeptical concerning the Dominique parentage. Look- 
 ing at the Plymouth Rock fowl from all angles and weighing all 
 theories in the scales of probability and possibility, Mr. Weir 
 again states : 
 
 "* * * ]j,^^(- ^^.g j^j-g |-q]^j ^\-^^^ ^Y[Qy j^j-g ^ ^-^Q^y invention made 
 from a cross between Domini(|ues and Asiatics, and which they 
 have every appearance of." 
 
 The third eminent English authority we wish to quote is Mr. 
 Lewis Wright. It is particularly agreeable and pleasing to 
 American writers to find that a fellow countryman and contem- 
 porary of Mr. Weir contributes the strongest and ablest article 
 in refutation of Mr. Weir's theory of the perpetuation of the 
 Bennett line of Plymouth Rocks. This able and instructive 
 
I'LVMoi ■III h'di K s'i'.WDAL'i) A\i> nifi:i:i) HOOK s:', 
 
 article will be ai)i)reciatc(l thorou^yhly by all sludents of riym- 
 outh Rock history. 
 
 "The variety now known by this name has never been cor- 
 rectly described in any work on poultry ; all hitherto published, 
 both in England and America, confounding it with a creation of 
 Dr. Bennett's some twenty years ago, and described by him in 
 his well known American work on fowls. This description is 
 highly curious and well illustrates our opening remarks on some 
 American so-called 'breeds.' T have given this name,' he says. 
 'to a very extra breed of fowls, which I produced by crossing a 
 Cochin China cockerel with a hen that was herself a cross be- 
 tween the Fawn-colored Dorking, the Great Malay and the Wild 
 Indian. Her weight is six pounds seven ounces. The Plymouth 
 Rock fowl, then, is really one-half Cochin, one-fourth Fawn- 
 colored Dorking, one-eighth Great Malay and one-eighth Indian. 
 Their plumage is rich and variegated, the cocks usually red and 
 speckled, and the pullets darkish brown. They are very fine 
 fleshed and early fit for the table. Their legs are large and 
 usually blue or green, but occasionally yellow or white, generally 
 having five toes upon each foot ; seme have the legs feathered, 
 but this is not usual.' 
 
 "It is only necessary to read the aliove description to see 
 that this extra breed of fowls, which bred legs yellow, white, 
 blue-green, feathered or clean, five-toed or four-toed, could not 
 possibly last long. It was too 'extra' for this world and even 
 the inventor could not 'run the machine' long, so complicaLed 
 was it in its various parts. This Plymouth Rock, then, naturally 
 and inevitably disappeared from simple disintegration of its 
 heterogeneous materials, and though Dr. Bennett's old descri])- 
 tion has been copied by all poultry authors/ who have noticed 
 the fowl up to the present date, this has arisen from igno- 
 rance, first of the fowl itself and. secondly, of the accounts given 
 by its breeders and producers. So completely had the old P]}m- 
 outh Rock disappeared, that in the first poultry journal e-er 
 published in America, the New York Poultry Bulletin, no notice 
 whatever is taken of any fowl under that name during the first 
 two years of its issue. The description in the American 'Stand- 
 ard of Excellence,' published in 1871, states the color as dark or 
 light steel-grey for cocks, and dark steel-mottled black and white, 
 black and white bars well defined across each feather, fcr the 
 hens. 1^his is evidently intended to descril)e Dominique mark- 
 ing, and indeed the editor adds a remark in brackets that he con- 
 
H4 WIHh'K'W I'Oll/fin \ss<><'l\'l'l<>\ 
 
 siders it wrong, and that the pKmiage should ])e described 'same 
 as Dominiques,' but in any case it widely differs from Dr. Ben- 
 nett's, and accordingly, by degrees, a totally dififerent account of 
 the origin of the breed begins to appear. The first authentic 
 account we were able to obtain came to us in answer to a special 
 inquiry in a letter from Mr. W. Simpson. Jr., of West Farms, 
 New York, dated August 12, "1871. In this letter he says of 
 them: 'If l)red with care, they will make a fine variety. They 
 are an Improved Dominique, being just like them except in comb 
 and size ; they have a single comb and are larger, as they have a 
 touch of Asiatic in them.' He adds : 'They do not breed very 
 straight yet.' In another letter dated April 26, 1873, enclosing 
 the revised and corrected 'Standard of Excellence' for the vari- 
 ety, which will be found at the end, and wliich, after careful 
 study of the bird, we have also followed in our own schedule for 
 judging the fowl (no alteration being made further than to re- 
 arrange the various points in the order adopted after full con- 
 sideration throughout this work), the same gentleman adds the 
 following particulars, first premising that the 'already printed 
 Standard is very incorrect, i)articularly in color of plumage and 
 tail.' He then proceeds as follows : 
 
 " 'After a little careful breeding I think the Plymouth Rock 
 will be a grand fowl and second to none for all purposes. As 
 yet they do not breed quite true always and their eggs are all 
 colors and sizes. They are handsome, good setters, and good 
 for table, and I intend myself to stick to them and try and get 
 them right. They were produced from single-combed Domi- 
 niques crossed with Asiatics. Dominiciue fowls are the same in 
 color, and are a useful variety ; but twenty years ago when the 
 Shanghaes made their appearance, these took their place in the 
 estimation of the public, and the Dominiques were much neg- 
 lected by fanciers, so that they do not breed any straighter now 
 than the Plymouth Rocks.' " 
 
 Referring to the article by Rev. H. S. Ramsdell in the Poul- 
 try. Pigeon and Pet Stock Bulletin. March, 1873, already quoted, 
 Mr. Wright comments : 
 
 "The Black Java fowl referred to in the above extract is evi- 
 dently an Asiatic bird (either pure or cross-bred), containing a 
 great deal of the Malay. \\'e ha\'e made inquiries of other 
 American sources and. while some afiirm the Cochin crt)ss to 
 have been employed, every correspondent, without exce|)ti()n. 
 
PLYMOUTH h'OCh s'l'AXDMa) 1 \ 7> HRKFJ) HOOK S". 
 
 States that one of the parents was the Dominique fowl. Our 
 own strong opinion is that the Dominique and also the Asiatic 
 races being very common in America, many cases of crossing 
 have occurred, and that thus the same fowl — half Asiatic and 
 half Dominique — probably has been produced in various quar- 
 ters, and not in any one alone; but, however this may be, the 
 facts of Dr. Bennett's birds being extinct, and that the modern 
 fowl was originally a half-bred Dominique, are absolutely cer- 
 tain. 
 
 "Only one or two importations of Plymouth Rocks have yet 
 reached this country ; one of which, sent over by Mr. W. Simp- 
 son, arrived for the Birmingham Show of November, 1872, and 
 took honors in the 'Any V'ariety' class. The variety, as now 
 brought to something like perfection, almost precisely resembles 
 a Cuckoo Cochin with smooth legs, but has a considerably larger 
 tail and a very full and prominent breast, derived from the Domi- 
 nique ancestry. The head and comb are unmistakably Cochin. 
 As regards the flesh, the Dominique seems to predominate, the 
 fowl being juicy and good for the table. It is a moderate setter, 
 about equal to average Brahmas as regards to frequency of incu- 
 bation ; grows fast and is a capital layer. In all its economic 
 qualities, in fact, it very closely resembles the Brahma and even 
 its habits, being an active forager; but does not generally stay 
 up nearly so late from roost. The color being well adapted for 
 wear, we must pronounce the Plymouth Rock a capital fowl, 
 giving all the good qualities of the Cochin without its principal 
 drawbacks, and likely to suit the many who desire a large, 
 noble-looking bird, but whose taste does not incline to the feath- 
 ered legs and flufify proportions of the Asiatics, and who dread 
 the delicacy of the Dorking. 
 
 "In breeding this fowl, as in all others of cuckoo color, the 
 chief point .is to preserve the pure, bluish-gray and carefully to 
 avoid pure white, black or especially red feathers. Some little 
 uncertainty in this respect will be found at first in all imported 
 l)irds, but by care in choosing breeding-stock from the progeny, 
 may readily be checked, as no color is easier to breed 'true' than 
 tins Dominique marking, with a little judicious selection. The 
 combs will require the same careful breeding and the same pre- 
 cautions against premature showing, which we have already 
 treated of in Cochins." 
 
 The reader will notice, doubtless, that while Mr. Wright 
 gives equal prominence to the Cochin and Java theories of origin, 
 he frequently indulges in comparison of the Plymouth Rock with 
 
sti .i.i//;A'/r i.v j-ori/nn .i.s.s-or/.iv'yo.v 
 
 the Cochin — always with the Cochin, Init not once with the 
 Java. Evidently, the early Java is a bird with which he is not 
 familiar and, therefore, has no reason for discussing it. His 
 only comment on the Java is: "The Black Java fowl referred 
 to in the above extract (Ramsdell's article), is evidently an 
 Asiatic bird (either pure or cross-l)re(i ) containing a great deal 
 of Malay." 
 
 Mr. Wright's position upon this is not quite clear to Ameri- 
 can poultrymen, but the statement justifies the comment that the 
 Java is a fowl evidently unknown to him. To quote Mr. Wright 
 once more: "We have made inquiries of other American sources ; 
 and while some affirm the Cochin cross to have been employed, 
 every correspondent, without exception, states that one of the 
 parents was the Dominique fowl." 
 
 After a mention of the English importations from America, 
 note that Mr. Wright describes our American Plymouth Rocks 
 in this language : "The variety is now brought to something like 
 perfection — almost precisely resembles a Cuckoo Cochin with 
 smooth legs. * * * jj-^ ^\i j^-g economic qualities it closely 
 resembles the Brahma, etc. — a capital fowl, giving all the good 
 qualities of the Cochin without its principal drawbacks — the 
 combs will require the same careful breeding and the same pre- 
 cautions against premature showing, which we have already 
 treated of in Cochins." 
 
 From what does the Plymouth Rock acquire these Cochin 
 characteristics if not from the Cochin? If from the Java, must 
 not the Java have been a Cochin ? 
 
 Apply, if you please, the fact suggested by Mr. Wright's line 
 of reasoning in the sentence: "Our own strong ()])inion is - 
 Plymouth Rocks, Danver Whites and nearly, if not al'. American 
 breeds also owe much to a Cochin cross." 
 
 We are told by several of the writers of the period which fol- 
 lowed closely the appearance of the Plymouth Rock, that several 
 origins were probable. What do we find the origin to be in these 
 instances? The component parts of other strains? According 
 to all prescribed accounts. Cochin or Brahmas with the Domi- 
 nique. The Drake strain was the best known of those that were 
 developed by crossing year after year, and we have corrobora- 
 tory evidence that Drake used Dominique or hawk-colored hens 
 and an Asiatic male. His own statement which, according to 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 87 
 
 Bishop, was made to Mark Pitman and \'. C. Gilman. covers 
 this point with an out and out plain statement of fact : 
 
 "Being out of heahh, I engaged in the business of picking 
 up fowls about the country for market purposes. Coming across 
 a lot of hawk-colored pullets, I was so pleased with them that 
 instead of butchering, I bred them to an available Asiatic grade." 
 
 Other authorities mention White Cochins and Light Brahmas 
 as the probable source of Asiatic blood in the Brake strain be- 
 cause of their presence on the premises. Mr. Felch names Dark 
 Brahma. Whether Mr. Felch saw the evidence or drew con- 
 clusion after observing the result of Drake's crosses, we do not 
 know. It would not be strange, of course, if the "available 
 Asiatic grade" of Mr. Drake's was the "Dark Brahma" of Mr. 
 Felch's — as a grade with Asiatic blood might easily resemble 
 the Dark Brahma. 
 
 We see in the above no sign of a "Java," and this case is like 
 all others, so far as we are supplied with accounts. Those who 
 attempted to copy the fowls that Upham introduced and found 
 popular and profitable to breed, invariably, as far as we are 
 acquainted with the facts, used Asiatic of one kind and another, 
 but no Java blood, with Dominique. These results were, many 
 of them at least, successful. That is, these crosses produced a 
 fowl that so closely resembled the color and type of the ones 
 that Spaulding, Ramsdell and Upham were producing, that they 
 competed with them for public favor. This fact, in itself, is 
 the strongest corroboratory evidence in favor of the claim of 
 Cochin parentage. 
 
 Bishop's Opinion and the Reasons for It. — Furthermore, the 
 Rev. Mr. Bishop, who evidently gave this question much study 
 and who was editor of that Journal at the time Ramsdell's article 
 was published in the New York Poultry, Pigeon and Pet Stock 
 Bulletin, later in an article published in Farm Poultry, year 1901, 
 repudiated the Java claim, writing that upon his return (from 
 New York) to his old habitations, he became convinced that such 
 claim was not justified by facts. In his pamphlet, "Development 
 of the Plymouth Rock," Bishop makes the following pertinent 
 remarks : 
 
 "The Drake Strain, i. e., the 'Norfolk,' never had any mixture 
 of Java blood ;" which statement agrees with the foregoing. 
 
 Again, we find this statement : "Those who obtained their 
 birds from the Spaulding stock direct, never had any Java blood. 
 
SS .\.]JJJRirA\ J'OiJ/im ,INNO(7 1770V 
 
 Of these were Mr. Ramsdell, AJr. Curhelt, and many others. 
 The stock was widely diffused, entirely outside of the birds that 
 Mr. Upham manipulated. Spaulding never owned a real Java, 
 whatever they may have called a Java. . . ." 
 
 This certainly vitally aft'ects the controversy, if true, and it 
 would seem that the Rev. Mr. Bishop from his location in the 
 center of the culture of early Plymouth Rocks and by his asso- 
 ciations with so many of the early breeders, was in a position to 
 become acquainted with the facts, if a writer ever was ; further- 
 more, his experience with fowls, his writings and his former 
 position as editor of the Poultry, Pigeon and Pet Stock Bulletin, 
 all indicate that he must have possessed the attainments to 
 qualify him as an authority whose judgment can be absolutely 
 relied upon. 
 
 Bishop goes a step further and eliminates the "Java" from 
 the Oilman and Pitman stock as well as from the Spaulding. 
 Ramsdell and Drake. 
 
 The crucial point in the controversy is and always has been 
 whether Spaulding used a Black Cochin or a Black Java. Bishop 
 evidently bases the opinions just quoted upon the facts as he 
 records them in the following quotations from his work : 
 
 "So far as I can determine, whatever fowls the Spauldings 
 had in their yards, or whtaever they may have called a Java, the 
 influence of that so-called or believed to be Java was purely 
 imaginary. The Java was a clean legged bird. The chicks 
 hatched from Mr. Spaulding's yard were anything but that, and 
 those feathered legs came neither from the Javas nor the Domi- 
 niques. 
 
 "Marcus F. Town of Thompson. Connecticut, with a ten 
 years' knowledge of whatever points the so-called original Plym- 
 outh Rocks bore with them, writing in 1876, declares : "The 
 chickens of my pair' (purchased of Spaulding) 'were many of 
 them heavily feathered on legs. Next year with a better mating 
 for color, there were some feather-legged.' 
 
 "W. H. Todd of Ohio sets forth the statement in one of his 
 publications that at that time the l^est would throw some feather 
 legged chicks. 
 
 'Tndeed, so prevalent was this mark of an Asiatic infusion, 
 which could not have been from the Java, that we find Mr. C. C. 
 Corbett, who got out the first print of the Plymouth Rock ( Fig- 
 ure 8) that was ever made, and who went all through the ques- 
 tion as to their origination, writing- to the Poultry World in 
 A])ril, 1873. to ask: 'Have you anv knowledge of a stock of 
 
I'LYMOI 111 h'OCh ST AXDMx'n AM) lih'i:i:n HOOK S\) 
 
 Plymouth Rock fowls that d(j not occasionally throw feather- 
 legged chicks?' It is surprising that Mr. Corbett, getting his 
 birds from the Spaulding stock, through Mr. Ramsdell, should 
 have struck so early as this, etc' " 
 
 Mark Piiman's Opinion. — Mark Pitman also told the writer 
 \erbaUy that all the trios that Upham showed at Worcester in 
 18b9 wore feathers on the shanks, some more and some less. 
 'I'his feature, however, might be attributed to the cock bird of 
 Burnham's blood which, according to Upham's accounts, was 
 ])red for one year in Upham's yards. Here, however, we find 
 three instances of the Spaulding stock wdiich was not subjected 
 to that influence, showing a most decided tendency to show 
 feathered shanks. This tendency must have been due to the 
 influence of the Dominique or the Black Asiatic. This fault of 
 feathered shanks certainly should not be charged against the 
 Dominique ; therefore, it must be charged against the Black 
 Asiatic. That being the case, what breed other than a Cochin 
 could the Black Asiatic have been? For, according to all our 
 descriptions, a feather-legged Black Java is just what the first 
 standard makers called it — a Black Cochin. 
 
 The Modern Java. — The modern Java is of later development 
 and was recognized as a standard breed in 1883. Its origin is 
 undoubtedly the same as the Plymouth Rock and has been called 
 a Black Plymouth Rock. The book describing Plymouth Rocks 
 about 1880 gives the information that black females often occur, 
 and we obtain information of the same character from Rams- 
 dell's article, Upham and others. Such being the case, it is plain 
 that black males could have been produced by repeated selection 
 or by crossing with the Spanish or some black varietv. 
 
 The points of this Java-Cochin controversy have been pre- 
 sented fully because it seems encumbent upon a treatise of this 
 nature to present the facts as far as they can be ascertained and 
 the opinions of those who had the best opportunities to observe 
 and gain a knowledge of the facts as nearly first-handed as pos- 
 sible and who were the most competent to judge. D. A. Upham 
 and Mark Pitman, of all men living in 1900 and 1901, seemed to 
 be those men, and as their accounts, though verbal for the most 
 part, but related many miles apart and obviously at different 
 times, coinciding in every essential detail, practically put the 
 writer's mind at rest on this much mooted question.' Upham. 
 though well along in years at the time, was vigorous physically 
 as well as mentally and most positive as to the facts as related. 
 
00 .l.l//;/.'/r IV I'Ol LTliV A^HOCIArW^ 
 
 Of the truth of the statement in this previous sentence, the fol- 
 lowing letter, which was written to the writer January 1. 1900, 
 will prove convincing": 
 
 Wilsonville, Conn., 1-1- '00. 
 Friend Smith: 
 
 Eeplying to your favor received. I received two copies of Farm 
 
 Poultry, one containing your articles and one of Mr. , who 
 
 is way oif on his statement. If he is correct, where did the progeny 
 of Mr. Spaulding get their feathered legs if crossed with Black Javas 
 
 as claims. Javas Avere smooth-legged fowls, no feathers, 
 
 black in color or very dark slate color and bottom of feet VERY 
 yellow, and everybody knows that the Barred Plymouth Rocks (or 
 ought to know) had more or less feathers on legs for four or live 
 years from first cross made by Spaulding, who never bred them only 
 for poultry and eggs with all kinds of barnyard fowls. I bought my 
 birds the second year that Mr. Spaulding bred them. Bought tlie 
 cock that Spaulding bred as a cockerel and two hens. Those three 
 birds were the progeny of Spaulding 's single comb old-fashioned hawk 
 colored cock bred to two or three black Cochin hens had of David 
 Clark of Woodstock, Conn., a fact I know from Spaulding 's and ('lark's 
 sayings to me when I bought my birds, and the hens ALL had heavy 
 feathered legs. The trio I bought had feathers on legs. Mark Pitman 
 knows it to be a fact as he saw the old trio at Worcester when I sold 
 to C. Carol Loring, also Oilman of Nashua, N. H., knows that they 
 bred feathers on legs more or less for years. 
 
 My birds all bred single combs, both sexes, NOT ONE did I ever 
 have come rose comb and for two years my chicks came with more 
 or less feathers on legs — some with very few and half or more showing 
 feathers to a considerable extent. 
 
 D. A. UPHAM. 
 
 That Mark Pitman approved of the account of the origin as 
 written by Bishop will be clearly proved by the following- self- 
 explanatory letter: 
 
 79 Tliurston Street, Sonierville, Mass. 
 Mr. Smitli. 
 
 Dear Sir: Your letter came to me where I have been living for 
 nearly seven years. I have been giving away poultry matter for the 
 ].nst ten years. 
 
 I think the last I gave to Mr. Atherton, tlie proprietor of the Stock 
 Keeper, ]>rint(Ml in Boston. 
 
 Among that was a history of the Plymouth Rock by the Rev. 
 M. Bishop, an Episcopal minister living in Connecticut. That liistory 
 was accredited by Mr. I'pham and myself, which you can call upon 
 Mr. Atherton and get, wliicli will give yon the diitcs iisked for. 
 
I'LYMOITII ROCK HTANDAh'l) AND BREED BOOK 01 
 
 I never crossed the strnin since I began breeding tlieni until years 
 after I sold Mr. Felch the lot I had remaining. 
 
 That history of Mr. Bishop will be very useful to you, as he gave 
 the first history of the Plymouth Eocks. 
 
 The l<]ssex strain, which I had from the beginning, were bred in 
 .-nid in four, five or six years — being noted for the time as the Essex 
 (\iunty ytrain, the particulars of whicli no man can give you as good 
 an account as myself, which I will do if you will call upon me. 
 
 Let me suggest to you to take an early train some morning, call 
 upon Mr. Atherton, get the book, then take Electric Winter Hill car 
 in Boston, which takes you directly to Thurston Street, where I shall 
 be happy to see you at any time and give you my remembrance of all 
 you wish to know. 
 
 I am at home always as I have been an invalid many months and 
 not able to go out, and shall be happy to make your acquaintance. 
 
 Very sincerely, 
 
 MARK PIT^rAN. 
 
 June the tenth, nineteen hundred. 
 
 Per N. W. P. 
 
 THE MALE PARENT 
 
 Fortunately, for the reader, the male parentage is not so un- 
 certain. As Lewis Wright states : "All agree that one of the 
 parents was the Dominique fowl." All our American accounts 
 state that the male parent of Spatilding's cross was a Dominique. 
 Furthermore, it seems agreed that all who attempted to create a 
 fowl after the pattern of the Spaulding stock, whatever else they 
 used, always used a Dominique male. This seems to be univer- 
 sally true, except in the case of the Drake crosses. Drake states : 
 "Coming across a lot of 'hawk-colored pullets' I was so pleased 
 with them that instead of butchering I bred them with an avail- 
 able Asiatic grade." The term "hawk-colored" used by Mr. 
 Drake was one that was in common use among the breeders of 
 Massachusetts and Connecticut, for which reason the writer re- 
 luctantly applies the term "Dominique" which others have been 
 so ready to do, because the Dominique of today has a rose-comb, 
 while the fowl used in this original cross had, according to all 
 accounts, a single comb, though it is related that some of them 
 had rose-combs even in those days. The term "Dominiques," 
 though, gives the impression of a rose-comb fowl to nearly 
 every reader, but let it be understood that the term "Dominique" 
 as applied to the male parent in the Spaulding cross was a single- 
 comb bird and of an unknown origin. That there should be so 
 much disagreement in regard to the character of the female and 
 
<j2 A.Uh'h'JVAX J'OI l/rin \s,s(>('/.\'/l<>\ 
 
 such thorough accord with respect to the identity and character 
 of the male parent is certainly remarkably singular, to say the 
 least, but the matter is surely beyond explanation now unless 
 the following facts offer the solution of the riddle. 
 
 Little or nothing is known of the origin of the Dominique and 
 in this fact. perhai)s, lies the explanation of thorough agreement 
 of all our historians on all questions involving that race. Some 
 accounts of the early days of these fowls have been written and 
 some theories regarding their origin advanced, but as to the 
 latter, nothing that professes to be tangible has been preserved if, 
 indeed, it ever existed. That they must have been very long 
 known is evident, as a fairly extended account is printed in Dr. 
 Bennett's Poultry Book, 1850. This account seems to be the 
 foundation for all those published for many years afterward. 
 With this account we find illustrations of the birds of George C. 
 Pierce and Stephen Osborn, Jr., of Danvers, also a statement of 
 costs of keeping and returns for eggs from thirty-eight fowls 
 and the number of eggs obtained from them during the months 
 of December, 1848, and January, February and March, 1849. 
 which shows a net profit and labor income of $24.83. which bears 
 out the statements often made that "They are first-rate layers." 
 "They are said to be from the Island of Dominca. but I very 
 much doubt it !" This statement seems to be accompanied by no 
 more proof than appears in the similarity of names. 
 
 The claim of an English writer that Dominiques are the 
 result of crossing Scotch Greys with Dorkings is certainly within 
 reason. Other writers have noticed the similarity between Dork- 
 ings and Dominiques. Bement in the American Poulterer's Com- 
 panion, pages 121 and 122, writes as follows: 
 
 DOMINIQUE FOWL 
 
 "This well-known variety of our domestic fowl, there is good 
 reason to believe, is old and distinct, though it is generally 
 looked upon as a mere 'farm-yard fowl' ; that is, the accidental 
 result of promiscuous crossing ; but there are several forms 
 among the farm-yard fowls, so-called, that are seen to be re- 
 peated generation after generation, the counterparts of which are 
 to be met with, scattered here and there, over this country. So 
 constant repetition of corresponding features would seem to de- 
 clare that there are several unnoticed and undistinguished vari- 
 eties of fowls which deserve to be regarded and treated as we do 
 other distinct varieties. 
 
I'LYMoirii h'och sTWDAin) \\i> iiia:f]j> hook or? 
 
 "The Dominique fowl, well selected and carefully l)red, is a 
 fine and useful bird. They are distinguished as Dominique by 
 their markings and their color, which is generally considered as 
 indication of hardiness and fecundity. They are by some called 
 'Hawk-colored fowls,' from their strong resemblance in color to 
 the birds of that name. In England they are usually called 
 'Cuckoo fowls,' from the fancied resemblance of their plumage 
 to the feathers on the cuckoo's breast. We seldom see bad hens 
 of this variety, and, take them 'all-in-all,' we do not hesitate in 
 pronouncing them one of the best and most profitable fowls, 
 being hardy, good layers, careful nurses, and affording excellent 
 eggs and first quality of flesh. 
 
 "In any close grouping of the Ijreeds of poultry, the Domi- 
 nique fowl might perhaps be safely referred to the Dorkings. 
 Some of the slate-colored, barred Dorkings are scarcely distin- 
 guished from them, except by the fifth toe ; still there is some- 
 thing very permanent and remarkable in the peculiar style of 
 plumage that ought not to be lost sight of. It is with difficulty 
 got rid of by crossing. Half-bred Spanish and Dorking fowls 
 have quite retained the barred and shaded feathers of the one 
 parent, displaying the comb, ear-lobe and stature of the other. 
 And this curious and decided plumage is quite confined to one or 
 two breeds, never appearing, that we are aware, in others, such 
 as the Game, the Malays, and the Hamburgs ; a circumstance 
 which makes us believe it to indicate an ancient descent from 
 some peculiar and original parentage. 
 
 "The prevailing and true color of the Dominique fowl is a 
 light ground, undulated and softly shaded with a slaty-blue all 
 over the body, as indicated in the portrait of the cock, forming- 
 bands of various widths. In order to be more fully and better 
 understood, and to show the peculiar markings of the feathers, 
 we procured a feather from one of the hens, which is faithfully 
 delineated on the opposite page. The comb of the cock is vari- 
 able, some being single, while others are doul^le — most, however, 
 are single ; the iris, bright orange ; feet and legs light flesh color 
 ■ — some, however, are of a bright yellow or buff color ; bill the 
 same color as the legs. 
 
 "The hens are not large, but plump and full breasted. The 
 cocks are somewhat larger than the hens, some approaching the 
 smaller sized Dorkings in weight. The chickens at two or three 
 months old exhibit the l)arre(l ])lumage even more perfectly than 
 the full-grown birds. 
 
94 AMIJUK'.W J'OI l/l'h'Y ASSOC fATJON 
 
 In the foregoing, Bement cither accepts the English writer's 
 viewpoint or from his own observations has come to the same 
 conckisions. The similarity to the Dorkings is brought to the 
 reader's attention and the possibiities of a Spanish-Dorking 
 cross as the possible source of origin is intimated. 
 
 The Rev. D. D. Bishop, whose work is heretofore several 
 times referred to, and is very thoughtful throughout, presents a 
 theory of origin that is not merely possible, but quite probable. 
 On pages 5 and 6 we find related a seemingly natural method of 
 origin, the truth of which is not at all unlikely, hence we reprint : 
 
 "That the bird known by the name of Plymouth Rock should 
 have made its appearance about that time. 1866 to 1870, was 
 inevitable. 
 
 "The conditions were favorable. It was at the time of re- 
 action from the furore for simply big birds, when farmer folk 
 were discussing among themselves the failure of the mammoth 
 Asiatics to fill the bill for both eggs and marketing. They con- 
 sumed both too much time and feed in their growth. They 
 failed as foragers for want of activity. They were the reverse 
 of precocious in their development. The old-fashioned dung- 
 hill was too small. There was equal dissatisfaction with both. 
 
 "The first result was the throwing of whatever Asiatic came 
 to hand — Shanghaes, Brahmas, Cochins — what not — at random 
 into the barnyard flocks, to mix indiscriminately with a lot of 
 birds that had suffered that kind of breeding, if that could be 
 called breeding, for a generation or more. 
 
 "The next step in the process was that the more thoughtful 
 or fanciful began to pick out the colors that suited their indi- 
 vidual notions. Various farmers had local reputations for the 
 excellence of their white hens, or red hens, or whatever color 
 they might have chosen. 
 
 "Perhaps the most widely diffused of what might have been 
 called a native stock was even then known as 'old-fashioned,' 
 'hawk-colored' fowls. Their dispersion over a wide extent of 
 country was Ijrought about by two causes. First, their mark- 
 ings were much more distinct and uniform than any of the mixed 
 colors, so that by original vital strength the color was carried 
 wherever a drop of the blood foimd its way. Secondly, they 
 proved to be hardy, matured rapidly and so came quickly to use- 
 fulness as broilers, egg producers or for marketing purposes. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK f^TAXDAh'I) AM) ]! I,'i:i:i> HOOK 05 
 
 They were not so much exposed to the ravages of hawks, and 
 farmers thought much of that. The hawk could not see them so 
 plainly, and the mother hen was almost as sharp of eye as her 
 enemy in the air. 
 
 "Another point should not be overlooked, namely, the facility 
 which was manifested by this stock to assimilate the dash of 
 Asiatic blood so as to make it a genuine infusion. In other 
 words, the cross by Asiatics made 'a hit' upon the said old- 
 fashioned, hawk-colored birds, so that they reproduced them- 
 selves, throwing comparatively few reverts, and furnishing at 
 once the basis upon which to build a breed." 
 
 That the natural course of events following the general dis- 
 aj)[)ointment in the large Asiatic fowl was to throw them into the 
 scrap heap in the nature of the mongrel farm yard flock cannot 
 be questioned. There could be no other place found for them 
 unless it be the butcher's cart and all Asiatics would be no more 
 likely to be thus condemned than all mongrels. Many mongrels 
 survived, so did many Asiatics. 
 
 It must be remembered that this was a time when fowls were 
 expected to shift for themselves and pick up a living. It was 
 ])efore the days of henhouses and discussions as to glass fronts, 
 open sheds and southern exposures. A clump of trees, a cluster 
 of bushes, or some nook among a group of farm buildings was 
 all the shelter furnished. Under such conditions the ancestors 
 of Plymouth Rocks learned to thrive. It was a game in which 
 the survival of the fittest played the all-important part and won. 
 These conditions lasting for generation after generation, together 
 with the infusions of foreign blood that have been from time to 
 time introduced, account for the hardy character of this fowl. 
 
 Through some process hawk-colored fowls came into exist- 
 ence. How, no one can definitely say, but it is more probable 
 that this was a process of reincarnation rather than one of mix- 
 ing two-color types of plumage, creating a third and entirely 
 different color type. This line of reasoning fits in well with the 
 theory of a foundation of Scotch-Grey blood which, as one 
 author. Mr. F. L. Sewell, puts it. "The Scotch-Grey fowls of 
 North Britain can perhaps throw some light on the origin of 
 the American Dominique. If this very old race of 'Cuckoo- 
 colored' chickens are not the ancestors of our early Dominiques, 
 we must confess that we have as yet failed to discover them. 
 They are the nearest to the type of our old Dominique of any 
 European race of fowl." 
 
;m; .i.i//;A'/r.i \ I'oi i/iin \ss<K'i\ri(f\ 
 
 Such, then, is the parentage of tlie two component races that 
 were successfuUy amalgamated to create a third race, which 
 proved to be epoch-making, for l)y its creation pouhry cidture 
 ceased to be the one-feature possibiHty that it had always been 
 and became at once a full and well-rounded enterprise with com- 
 mercial and economic possibilities. In other words, the poultry- 
 men had found their Rosetta stone, the poultry business its Foun- 
 tain of Eternal Youth. 
 
 THE EARLY DAYS OF THE NEW BREED 
 
 The reception that these fowls were accorded was startling. 
 Entered and exhil^ited as a novelty at the most they became the 
 chief attraction of the show. Other exhibits were little more 
 than noticed. The idea of an American fowl appealed to the 
 rank and file of American poultrymen. An introduction to poul- 
 trydom was all that was necessary to establish the position of 
 Plymouth Rocks among American poultrymen. The long looked 
 for dual purpose fowl, occupying the middle ground between 
 the slowly maturing and heavy Asiatic and early maturing but 
 light Mediterraneans, had arrived and the warmth of their wel- 
 come exceeded in degree the eagerness with which a fowd that 
 would excel in egg producing and flesh producing qualities had 
 been sought. 
 
 The experts examined them minutely and discussed their 
 merits and demerits most profoundly. They prophesied futures 
 according to their individual views. That their views differed 
 widely would not excite amusement even in this day after years 
 of popular approval. They, in part, undoubtedly deserved the 
 epitaph bestowed upon them by one noted authority, who pro- 
 nounced them d — d mongrels, which appellation needs but a 
 slight alteration to become "The Great American Mongrel," by 
 which unique and expressive title they soon became known. The 
 opinion implied by the term applied at the time by the one expert 
 was not that of all, however. Mark Pitman, for luany years one 
 of the most experienced and api)reciative of ])oultry fanciers, 
 thought so much of them that he purchased one of the trios ex- 
 hibited for his patron, C. Carol Loring, of Boston and Dedham, 
 IMassachusetts, who, like Mr. Pitman, was for a lifetime an 
 ardent admirer of beautiful fowls of many breeds and varieties. 
 ( hw. too, was sold to (■a])tain V.\-du< of Manchester, New Ilanii)- 
 
I'LYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 97 
 
 shire. Mr. Upham sold over one hundred settings of eggs during 
 this show. When faced by these facts it is apparent that Plym- 
 outh Rocks won public approval almost instantly. With the 
 poultry interested public, it was and henceforth has been a case 
 of love at first sight. Mr. Upham was astounded at the price he 
 found customers willing to pay for an unheard-of mongrel, as 
 two dollars per setting was the price at which he sold the eggs, 
 though he was obliged to return much of it because orders were 
 more numerous than eggs the following season. 
 
 Mr. Upham could not sell his l>irds and maintain a monopoly 
 at one and the same time. Besides, new strains of like or similar 
 fowls might have been created had he not sold. No doubt many 
 "original" imitations did materialize as it was. In fact, we have 
 more than one clear and authentic account of one strain, so 
 created, that obtained considerable prominence. Several strains 
 soon developed. Besides the Upham, there were the Ramsdell, 
 the Drake, the Oilman and the Essex County, later the Essex. 
 We should not quite yet covmt out the Spaulding strain, for many 
 still i^rocured birds from that source. 
 
 The Spaulding Strain. — We kncjw thai the Spauldings con- 
 tinued breeding these birds for some years because we hnd refer- 
 ences of this one or that one having procured their birds from 
 them; as "such a strain is largely of Spaulding's stock, etc." 
 Upham and Bishop tell us that the Spauldings bred largely for 
 eggs as a commercial commodity. P'rom the lack of information 
 to the contrary it seems probable that they continued breeding 
 the progeny of the original cross. They had, at the smallest cal- 
 culations, the intense satisfaction of having laid the foundation 
 for a structure that would endure as the best of its kind for gen- 
 erations and of having those progressive pioneers, Upham and 
 Ramsdell, start with their original stock. 
 
 The Upham Strain. — Mr. Upham maintained a supremacy of 
 quality in Plymouth Rocks for a number of years. Of this 
 strain, Mark Pitman said : "About everything that was good in 
 these times came from Upham." Such tribute coming from a 
 successful contemporary is as much as need be spoken or written 
 of the ([uality of Mr. Upham's Plymouth Rocks. Mr. Upham 
 relates that he had no particular hobl)y. The poultry business 
 was a considerable item in his business transactions. His aim 
 was to produce a taking fowl. Such a fowl must have size and 
 distinct markings. In that stage of development males and 
 females of anything like the same shade were rarely, if ever, 
 
!)8 .l.l//;7.'/r lA I'OI l.'/in \ss<)CIAT/()\ 
 
 produced. .\s Mr. L'phani has told us, uiost of the females of 
 the first cross were l)lack and only a few were gray, or steel- 
 colored, to use Mr. Uphani's term. Males that showed color 
 enough to give any character to their plumage were almost as 
 scarce. Mr. Upham's particular desire was to produce the steel- 
 colored females, as most of them seemed to come very dark and 
 even black. He, like others, soon realized that his task was to 
 produce males and females of the same shade of color. Even the 
 breeders of the present day have found that only by the most 
 persistent and painstaking efforts can this be accom|)lished, and 
 they have also the advantages accruing frcjm the inlieritance of 
 years of l)reeding for that particular character. 
 
 Aside from such very fundamental cjualities as size, shape, 
 health, vigor and the like, this recjuirement that males and 
 females should be of the same shade of color became predomi- 
 nant very early in the life of the breed and has remained so ; and 
 while that fact may have been lost sight of in comparati\ely 
 recent years, it is merely because of its correspondingly i)erfe-:t 
 accomplishment. Faihu'e to com])ly with this demand will :it any 
 period before long result in agitation for its enforcement. 
 
 "Males and females must match in the show pen" became the 
 slogan most often rej.eated very soon after the breeding of 
 Plymouth Rocks became general. Results came slowly at first 
 because the breeding of Dominiciue color was not understood. 
 To accomplish this mr.st difficult task, breeders studied, ex])eri- 
 mented, and observed. To acc()mi)lish this, systems then new 
 were disco\ered, among them, single matings, intermediate 
 matings, extreme matings, double and special matings. All these 
 systems of matings except the first, were thought out originally 
 and practiced primarily to produce both sexes of Plymouth 
 Rocks of the same shade. The application of these principles 
 to obtain other objects in Plymouth Rocks and to the breeding 
 of other breeds and varieties came about later. The great, all- 
 absorbing desire to match the color in male and female Plymouth 
 Rocks was the incentive which led to tlieir discovery. 
 
 The Ramsdell Strain. — This was one of the earliest strains 
 and because of the time of its beginning and the source of 
 origin was more nearly contemporary with the Upham strain 
 than any of the other earlv strains. Also, because of its loca- 
 tion it was for a time more of a rival. 1"he source of his stock 
 was undoubtedly Spaulding, as Mr. Ramsdell writes " . . . . 
 which is situated about a mile from mv own. 1 was intimately 
 
I'LYMOI TH ROCK STAXDARD AXD BREED BOOK 1)9 
 
 acquainted with Mr. S ." Taking- that statement as a fact. 
 
 it was natural for Mr. Ramsdell or any one that was fond of 
 fowls to try out some of this new cross. We tind, no record of 
 Mr. Ramsdell exhibiting very often, but we do see accounts of 
 his selling birds, which indicates that he was a factor in the de- 
 velopment of the breed, but putting the two facts together it 
 seems not improbable that he was like Spaulding particularly 
 interested in the commercial side of poultry culture, though on 
 a smaller scale, Mr. Ramsdell ])eing a clergyman. 
 
 The Drake Strain. — Forced by the circumstance of poor 
 healtli, it was necessary for the originator of this strain to make 
 his living from his sales of poultry, to sell his creations rather 
 than buy the creations of others ; especially, as fashionable novel- 
 ties in poultry, as in every other product, usually command 
 prices which it is to one advantage to receive rather than to give. 
 Drake strove to breed and rear specimens that could compete 
 successfully for the remunerative business that fell to Upham, 
 Ramsdell and Spaulding. The purchase of a large number oi 
 birds was out of the question ; a few would not produce sufficient 
 numbers ; certainly it was not necessary to purchase if he could 
 devise a plan of breeding with results that were apparently the 
 same. This, we judge from all available accounts, he was able 
 to do. Some years ago the writer obtained from Mark Pitman 
 an account of his visit to Mr. Drake's place. Mr. Pitman said: 
 "We saw no Plymouth Rocks at all ; we did see hawk-colored 
 fowls, White Cochins and Light Brahmas. — It was late in the 
 Fall, and as all we saw were old fowl, we concluded that the 
 Hawk-colored fowl, crossed with Light Brahmas or White 
 Cochin, were the parents of Drake's Plymouth Rocks. This view 
 of the question coincides very well with that taken by Mr. V. 
 C. Gilman of Nashua. N. H.. whose early stock was largely of 
 the Drake strain. Mr. Gilman relates that he became acquainted 
 with Mr. Drake and found him an intelligent and honorable 
 gentleman of delicate health, but a thorough fancier. He never 
 volunteered information as to how he came into possession of 
 his first stock that Mr. Gilman remembered. Mr. Gilman relates 
 further that he was told by a neighbor while he was there that 
 Drake started his strain with Hawk-colored hens and an Asiatic 
 male bird. This statement Mr. Gilman apparently credited, as 
 he says : "I know it was a feature in his breeding to produce 
 male birds after the Brahma style." From the foregoing there 
 appears little reason to doubt that Mr. Drake did produce Ply- 
 mouth Rocks by crossing the Hawk-colored fowl, or Dominique, 
 
100 AMERICAN POILTRY AHSOCIATION 
 
 reader, if you like, with Light Brahmas and White Cochins, 
 not exactly as Mr. Spaulding produced his strain, but very simi- 
 larly, as it is still a cross of Hawk-colored fowl and Asiatic. 
 From this fact, that his stock gave excellent satisfaction, cer- 
 tainly as far as we can learn, it is fair to assume that it must 
 have progressed beyond the stage of a first cross, otherwise it 
 would have been unreliable in other hands. This does not seem 
 to have been the case. Besides Mr. Gilman, William Haywood 
 bred the Drake strain for a number of years with good results, 
 and is said to have been a better and more careful breeder than 
 the originator of the strain. Not many years ago, a number of 
 breeders who remembered the Drake stock could be found and 
 some of them had this blood in their stock. They describe the 
 Drake birds as very large, very dark, and very much inclined 
 to feathers or stubs on their shanks* and toes. 
 
 Despite this afifliction, Mr. Drake was quite successful in 
 building up a strain of Plymouth Rock that was both meritorious 
 and popular. Had he not been entirely dependent upon the poul- 
 try business for support, besides being afflicted with delicate 
 health, his success would undoubtedly have been even more 
 marked. 
 
 The Gilman Strain. — From an early circular, distributed by 
 Mr. (iilman, we quote the following, which will give a very clear 
 idea of the status of Plymouth Rocks at that time: 
 
 "My first purchase of these fowls, Plymouth Rocks, was based 
 on fancy alone. I saw them and they pleased me at once, and 
 I bought and bred them beside my Dominiques and Hamburgs. 
 
 "As a breed they were comparatively unknown, although 
 Mr. Upham had exhibited specimens at the exhibition of the N. 
 E. Poultry Club, at Worcester, a year or two before. 
 
 "I could learn nothing of the pedigree of my first purchase, 
 whether Drake or Upham or neither, but by reason of their good 
 behavior, they soon became the favorites of my poultry yards 
 and I disposed of all others and made them a specialty. 
 
 "In 1872 I Ijought a fine pair of my own selection of Mr. 
 Drake, paying him $20.00, a high price at that time. I regis- 
 tered the male bird in the Poultry World Pedigree Record as 
 'Champion,' 854. 
 
I'L i M O U'J 'II R O VK t^TANDAh'lt . I A / > /.' /.' />' i: It HOOK 101 
 
 "I also procured a fine, light-colored cockerel of what was 
 then known as Ramsdell's strain. I mated these males with 
 specimens bred from my first purchase. The result presented 
 quite a diversity in form, color and markings. Proper selections 
 and matings made speedy improvement, for the breed was in a 
 formative state, and like clay in the hands of the potter. 
 
 "Still the shape was not entirely satisfactory. Mr. Drake's 
 principle in breeding them, if I interpreted it correctly, was to 
 produce hens of Cochin form and cock of Brahma form, thus 
 perpetuating a disparity in shape between the sexes, which did 
 not commend itself to my judgment. To overcome this tendency 
 in his strain, I procured some of the 'h^ssex Co.' strain, whicli 
 was bred so successfully by Mr. Mark Pitman, and by the in- 
 troduction of this last factor to my already improved form, I 
 have solved the problem of shape and size of the Plymouth 
 Rock to my own satisfaction, and their growing popularity, I 
 think, warrants me in believing to the satisfaction also of the host 
 of admirers of this very valuable breed." 
 
 The Essex County Strain. — This was originated by Mark Pit- 
 man of Salem, Mass.. who had been for several years well known 
 for his interest and achievements in the poultry world. The 
 same Mark Pitman, who so quickly recognized the possibilities 
 of the new variety that he purchased one of the trios and turned 
 it over to C. Carol Loring, heretofore mentioned, who was very 
 much interested in poultry and who has remained so all his 
 life, took up the breeding of the new fowls, the merits of which 
 he was one of the first among experienced breeders to acknowl- 
 edge. From the very beginning he began to develop a strain, 
 the individuals of which conformed to certain well-defined ideas 
 of the originator which were somewhat advanced for those days. 
 Mr. Pitman did not look at the plumage of the Barred Ply- 
 mouth Rock as a unit. In other words, he saw more than a gray 
 fowl or a gray chicken. He analyzed the plumage of each 
 feather and studied carefully the effects of different shades of 
 both the light and dark bars, for he early found that a Ply- 
 mouth Rock needed bars to be attractive. He soon decided that 
 as far as he was concerned those birds that showed the greatest 
 contrast between the light and dark bars were the most hand- 
 some birds. Less importance was attached to the "blue" haze, 
 that the plumage of many specimens displayed in certain light 
 reflections and which so many breeders laid so much stress upon 
 and some do even to this dav, bv Mr. Pitman than to clear and 
 
1(11' AMIJh'IC.W I'OI l/l'U) ASSOCIATION 
 
 well-defined bars, such as sharply contrasting colors de\elop. 
 Though he did not neglect other qualities, as he was too keen 
 and too experienced a fancier for that, Mr. Pitman probably did 
 make a greater efifort to produce attractive plumage than any 
 breeder who was contemporary with him. 
 
 In this undertaking we assume Mr. Pitman was successful 
 because the strain soon became known as one that was very 
 strong in color. From which fact we learn that the early breed- 
 ers had not become able to distinguish between color and barring 
 or to understand just how it was that the individual specimens 
 of the Essex County strain, as it was known then, excelled in 
 color. 
 
 Mr. Pitman secured his stock by purchase from two persons. 
 One was a Mr. Lord, who had secured a trio of Mr. Upham 
 through O. M. Ives of Salem. Mr. Lord bred from one of the 
 two females only. From Mr. Lord, Mr. Pitman secured five 
 pullets and a cockerel. Another pullet was procured from Mr. 
 Loring. This was from the two bought of Mr. Upham. All the 
 Pitman birds were then of the Upham strain. To these birds 
 Mr. Pitman pays the following tribute : "Had not the pair which 
 Mr. Lord bred from been so nice, or had not the five pullets I 
 secured from him been so excellent. undoulHedly I would not 
 have obtained the uniformity in my flock that I did." In making 
 this remark Mr. Pitman clearly shows that he understood prin- 
 ciples of selection and line breeding, so much relied upon at the 
 present time and supposed to be a step in advance of the ordi- 
 nary breeder even of the present day. Of the Upham pair which 
 Lord bred from he had, years afterward, a keen recollection. 
 The birds he praised enthusiastically. The cockerel, in partic- 
 ular, left a picture in his mind that age did not fade nor time 
 erase. 
 
 Mr. Pitman had undoubtedly had more experience in breed- 
 ing, judging and handling high class fancy poultry than any of 
 the breeders of Plymouth Rocks up to that time and long after- 
 wards. It is to be regretted that circumstances compelled him to 
 dispose of his flock, though fortunately it fell into the best of 
 hands. It is the writer's recollection that it was a contract for 
 lighting, at or during the Philadelphia Centennial, that compelled 
 him to sojourn for a year in that city. For this reason he felt 
 compelled to dispose of his flock which then, in 1876, came into 
 the hands of Mr. I. K. Felch, of Natick, Massachusetts, recently 
 deceased, and who is often referred to as one of the foremost 
 
/'LYMOI Til ROCK SlWIiARh AM) liliKEh IIOOK W.'. 
 
 poultrynien of his genertaion. Soon afterwards they became 
 known simply as the Essex strain and l)y that name they have 
 been known ever since. 
 
 The Essex Strain. — Tliis, as stated above, was appHed by 
 Mr. Felch. The best of the Pitman stock came into the hands 
 of Mr. H. B. May of the same town. Probably at first Mr. May 
 was simply breeding" for or in accordance with some business 
 arrangements with Mr. Felch. At some subsequent time, just 
 when, the writer cannot say, Mr. May began to breed Plymouth 
 Rocks independently and continued for many years to be one of 
 the closest students and best judges of the original variety. 
 Without doubt the Essex strain was more sought and more 
 extensi\ely bred than any other and especially certain is the fact 
 that the May-Essex family was more sought than any other 
 family of that popular strain. 
 
 llie historv of this family, or strain, is interesting Ijecause of 
 the excellent quality of many of its best representatives, but even 
 more so because of the historic crosses involved. It has been 
 well known that at some time subsequent to their first public 
 appearance, Pl}-mouth Rocks have been crossed with Light 
 Brahma, to clear the colors as it were ; thus, not only attempt- 
 ing to carry out the idea of Mark Pitman, but also attempting 
 to improve on the Pitman method of selection and line-l)reeding, 
 from wdiich outcrossing certainly differs widely. The results of 
 this cross have l:)een heralded far and wide as wonderfully suc- 
 cessful, yet Mr. May told the writer in so many words, that the 
 cross did not amount to anything ; that all the progeny after a 
 very few generations found their way to market. In short, this 
 attempt resulted as most attempts to cross two bloods of widely 
 different temperaments do. in so complete a disintegration that 
 little of the good in either remains. 
 
 Mr. May, b.owever, was not any better satisfied with his orig- 
 inal Plymouth Rocks than before he made this cross. The 
 reason for his dissatisfaction was based upon the weak constitu- 
 tions of the individuals of this breed in general and their weak 
 disease resisting qualities. Dealers in poultry remedies, accord- 
 ing to Mr. May, were making good livings, if not comfortable 
 fortunes, selling their wares to the breeders of Plymouth Rocks. 
 This state of things Mr. May thought neither creditable nor nec- 
 essary, but the remedy did not at once appear. Later, while 
 traveling in Canada, Mr. May caught sight of a male that pleased 
 
104 AMJJ/x'lCAX f'OI l/rh'Y l.WOr'/ 1770A' 
 
 liini immensely. His pleasing parts were not his plumage, rather 
 to the contrary — that was against him — but he displayed life 
 and vigor in every move. It instantly occurred to Mr. Alay that 
 this was the identical bird to tone up his Plymouth Rocks. 
 Besides evincing strong constitutional vigor this bird had size 
 and weight, a deep breast and yellow legs. These were (pialities 
 that are desired in I^lymouth Rocks. The bird would probably 
 be classed as a grade Game or cross-bred Game. This bird was 
 purchased and bred. Three years after the cross was made all 
 visible defects resulting therefrom had disappeared. The quali- 
 ties that were infused were long bodies and long keel bones, close 
 feathering, red eyes and very solid flesh, and these were features 
 of the ]\Iay-Kssex strain for years afterwards. 
 
 The Name. — Both Mr. Upham and Mr. Ramsdell claim to 
 have named this new fowl. As we have noticed from the articles 
 of each, already quoted, whichever deser\es the credit deserves 
 not so much for originality, as it was undoubtedly suggested by 
 the old-time fowl of the same name, created by Dr. Bennett. 
 Mr. Upham really gave the bird its name as he was the first to 
 show them, and l)y so doing he exploited the name as well as 
 the fowl. Mr. l'])ham frankly admitted that he thought the 
 name a good one, and that while he had heard the name fre- 
 (luently. he had not seen the fowl, but to distinguish between 
 them and the Bennett creation, lest some should still be in exist- 
 ence, he exhibited his first trios under the name of Improved 
 Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 \'ery few of us who breed Barred Plymouth Rocks today saw 
 the early birds, and probably none of us saw the very first trios 
 shown by Mr. Upham. Curiosity is ever alive wherein our 
 interest lies, and what would we not give for a photograph or 
 for feathers from some of the best earlv birds? As these things 
 are beyond our reach, we cannot do better than to substitute 
 mental images made by the words of those who saw and reared 
 these birds. The birds shown at Worcester, two trios of chicks 
 and one of fowls, are naturally the ones we think of first. Of 
 course, Mr. Upham says the chicks were a much better match for 
 color than the fowls. They were about the size of the standard 
 weight specimens nowadays. 
 
 Of the Upham pair that founded the Essex strain, Mark 
 Pitman says that the pullet was clear color, beautifullv barred. 
 
I'lAMOrril h'OCK STWDMN) AND BHEED BOOK lO", 
 
 and with the exception of being too leggy was a fine all 'round 
 specimen. The cockerel was even superior, and for general 
 appearance as handsome as he has seen since. He thinks that 
 one exactly like him would win some of the shows of today. 
 
 From what could be learned from literature contemporary 
 with the early Plymouth Rocks and from the early breeders, 
 some of whom have been mentioned, so closely and vitally were 
 they connected with the breed's early history, an account that 
 gives a fairly comprehensive knowledge of what may be called 
 the formative stage of this breed has been given. To follow 
 further these different strains and innumerable new ones is im- 
 possible because of the rapidity with which new breeders, new 
 strains, and representative specimens of this breed multiplied. 
 From what we have learned, however, we are safe in coming to 
 the conclusion that the evolution of the Barred Plymouth Rock 
 has had five different stages of development. 
 
 First, acquiring the color and markings of the Hawk-colored 
 fowls which were, at the best, but mere suggestions of the ])Inin- 
 age of our best modern Barred Plymouth Rocks, which is in 
 comparison very near to perfection itself in color and markings. 
 
 P"rom these early accounts it is clear that the first task was 
 to breed what Upham calls the steel-colored pullets. P)Oth 
 Uj^ham and Ramsdell agree that black pullets predominated 
 among the progeny of the Spaulding cross and the writers of a 
 little later period complain of some pullets coming black and of 
 too many of the pullets being too dark. Red and black feathers, 
 light-colored tails and solid or nearly solid colored flights were 
 other features of the plumage of these birds that required time 
 and skill to eliminate. If we consider the breed to have begun 
 its career with the original Spaulding cross, the first step seems 
 to have been to secure pullets that were gray or steel-colored, 
 like the cockerels. Even then, the best of the pullets were much 
 darker than the cockerels. 
 
 The second stage was the formative period, during which the 
 early breeders were eradicating those evils which seemed the 
 greatest, each to his individual opinion. All were clearing the 
 color to a certain extent and endeavoring to produce a clean bird 
 with distinct bars on the surface. In this particular, Mark Pit- 
 man, with his Essex County Strain, is admitted to have had the 
 lead. Some, like Drake and Ramsdell, sought to develop large, 
 rangy fowls, while on the other hand. Pitman and Oilman stood 
 
10(i AMERICAN POri/riiV ASSiK'/ \'ri(>\ 
 
 out for a moderate size. Gilnian was at the same time straining 
 every nerve to produce clear yellow legs and beaks. 
 
 One of the steps of this stage was to develop a family or line 
 of birds that would breed cockerels and pullets of the same shade 
 of color. To accomplish this a constant endeavor was main- 
 tained to breed the cockerels darker and the pullets lighter. 
 This step has been described in previous pages, and will be more 
 or less often discussed in its various connections. After a time, 
 however, males and females that matched tolerably well were 
 bred by many persons and accompanying that achievement c;'.me 
 better and clearer surface color and more distinct markings. 
 
 Yet much was left to be desired in these and many other 
 directions. Underbarring, referred to at that time as under 
 color, was weak, the bars extending but little below the surface 
 of the plumage and failing by considerable to extend through- 
 out the entire length of the feathers. For a time many of the 
 females had no more than three dark bars. To develop under- 
 barring over the entire length of the feather occupied the atten- 
 tion of the best breeders for several years. 
 
 The third period was then one in which improvement along 
 the lines indicated in the preceding paragraph proceeded until 
 real excellencies were developed to such an extent that the best 
 exhibition specimens had in reality become good specimens, even 
 when measured by our present Standard. Shape became more 
 uniform and has steadily grown more so, and today, as judged 
 by our best exhibitions, no variety is as uniform in this partic- 
 ular as the Barred Plymouth Rock. In this period of the Barred 
 Plymouth Rock, undercolor became good, surface color clear, 
 bars distinct and brassiness in male birds disappeared. All this 
 has been accomplished during the first fifteen or twenty years of 
 the breed's existence. When these excellencies licgan to show- 
 signs of approaching an accomplishment in a degree of approxi- 
 mate satisfaction, more attention was paid to the sharp definition 
 and direction of the barring than heretofore. Straightening the 
 bars and acquiring sharp definition to the edges of bars may be 
 said to have been the fourth stage in the development of Barred 
 Plymouth Rock plumage. 
 
 The fifth, or present stage, seems to be occupied by an en- 
 deavor to maintain all the excellencies of the past and. further. 
 
PLYMOITH ROCK STANDARD AND HRKEI) HOOK 107 
 
 to get more bars, or finer barring, as it is called. Even now cer- 
 tain specimens have overstepped in this, as it is possible to do 
 because fine barring becomes indistinct when too fine. 
 
 The tendency of the modern breeders is toward more regular 
 barring. The straight-across-the-feather bar, and as many of 
 them as possible, is the ambition of many breeders nowadays. 
 The effect is certainly very pretty, but how far shall we sacrifice 
 shape, color of legs and beaks for perfection in barring, is the 
 question which will shortly come up. It must be granted that 
 to obtain fine and regular barring and strong undercolor, many 
 have bred the females too dark in surface color. This is not de- 
 crying straight bars and strong undercolor. They have their 
 value and efforts must be made to acquire these qualities, but it 
 is better to acquire them slowly and retain other good features 
 than to produce them in haste and lose other virtues. 
 
 After a careful survey of the accomplishments of a little 
 over fifty years, breeders of this variety can look at their birds 
 and their records with pride. Not for a moment of that time 
 has the breed stood still. Its progress has been one continued 
 ascent in public esteem, for improvement has been the watch- 
 word, and perfection the motto of those who have had its best 
 interest at heart. 
 
 The great endeavor of the breeders of the present is and of 
 the breeders of the future will be to maintain an even shade of 
 color of the individual specimen, and of both sexes, with sharply 
 defined edges and sharply contrasting colors, with underbarring 
 extending to the skin and as many bars to the feather as can be 
 produced thereon and still maintain the aforementioned qualities. 
 Needless to say that rapid growth and large &g^ yie'd will be 
 attri1)utes which the breeders will insist upon more even in the 
 future than in the past ; otherwise, the Plymouth Rock would 
 lose its well merited popularity ; which Heaven forbid. 
 
 The early histories of the Plymouth Rock and the Barred 
 Plymouth Rock are identical, inasmuch as the latter were the sole 
 member of the family until 1888. when we find the White Plym- 
 outh Rock a member of the family with official acknowledgment 
 of its parentage. 
 
108 .\mi:ri('.\\ rorr/rh'Y ix.s'or/ tvvo.v 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR SHAPE OF 
 ALL VARIETIES 
 
 Disqualifications 
 
 Positive enamel white in ear-lobes. (See general disquali- 
 fications.) 
 
 STANDARD WRKlirrS 
 
 Cock 9]/. lbs. I len 7>^ lbs. 
 
 Cockerel 8 lbs. Till let ^ 6 lbs. 
 
 SHAPE OF MALE 
 
 Head. — Moderately large. 
 
 Beak. — Stout, comparatively short, regularly curved. 
 
 Eyes. — Full, prominent. 
 
 Comb. — Single, rather small in proportion to size of speci- 
 men ; set firmly on head ; straight, upright ; evenly serrated, 
 having five well-defined points, tliose in front and at rear a trifle 
 smaller than the other three, giving the comb a semi-oval ap- 
 pearance when viewed from the side ; fine in texture ; blade not 
 conforming too closely to head. 
 
 Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Wattles, moderately long, nicely 
 rounded at the lower edges, equal in length, fine in texture, free 
 from folds or wrinkles. Ear-lobes, oblong, smooth, hanging 
 about one-third the length of wattles. 
 
 Neck. — Rather long, slightly arched, having abundant hackle 
 flowing well over shoulders. 
 
 Wings. — Of medium size, well folded ; fronts, well covered 
 by breast feathers and points well covered by saddle feathers. 
 
 Back. — Rather long, broad its entire length, flat at shoulders, 
 nearly horizontal from neck to saddle, where there is a slight 
 concave sweep to tail; saddle feathers, rather long, abundant, 
 filling well in front of tail. 
 
 Tail. — Of medium length, moderately well spread, carried at 
 an angle of forty-five degrees above the horizontal (see illustra- 
 tion, figures 25 and 26). forming no apparent angle with the 
 back ; sickles, well curved, covering tops of main tail feathers, 
 conforming to the general shape of the tail ; smaller sickles and 
 tail-coverts, of medium length, nicely curved and sufficiently 
 abundant to almost hide the stiff feathers of the tail when 
 viewed from front or side. 
 
 Breast. — Broad, full, moderately deep, well rounded. 
 
I'LYMOLTH ROVK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK lt>;» 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Body, rather long, broad, deep, full, 
 straight, extending well forward, connecting with breast so as 
 to make no break in outline; fluff, moderately full. 
 
 Legs and Toes. — Thighs, large, of medium length, well cov- 
 ered with soft feathers; shanks of medium length, smooth, 
 straight, stout, set well apart; toes, straight, of medium length, 
 well spread. 
 
 SHAPE OF FEMALE 
 
 Head. — Moderately large, broad, medium in length. 
 
 Beak. — Compartively short, regularly curved. 
 
 Eyes. — Full, prominent. 
 
 Comb. — Single, small, proportional to size of specimen ; set 
 firmly on the head; straight, upright; evenly serrated, having 
 five well-defined points, those in front and at rear being some- 
 what smaller and shorter than the other three. 
 
 Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Wattles, small, well rounded, equal 
 in length, fine in texture. Ear-lobes, oblong in shape, smooth. 
 
 Neck. — Medium in length, nicely curved and tapering to 
 head, where it is comparatively small ; neck feathers, moderately 
 full, flowing well over shoulders with no apparent break at junc- 
 ture of neck and back. 
 
 Wings. — Of medium size, well folded ; fronts, well covered 
 by breast feathers. 
 
 Back.- — Rather long, broad its entire length, flat at shoulders, 
 rising with a slightly concave incline to tail. 
 
 Tail. — Of medium length, fairly well spread, carried at an 
 angle of thirty-five degrees above the horizontal (see illustration, 
 figure 26), forming no apparent angle with the back ; tail-coverts, 
 well developed. 
 
 Breast. — Broad, full, moderately deep, well rounded. 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Body, rather long, moderately deep, full, 
 straight from front to rear and extending well forward, con- 
 nected with the breast so as to make no l)reak in outline ; fluff, 
 full, of medium length. 
 
 Legs and Toes. — Thighs, of medium size and length, well 
 covered with soft feathers ; shanks, of medium length, set well 
 apart, stout and smooth ; toes, of medium size and length, 
 straight, well spread. 
 
no 
 
 AMERIf'AX for l/rRY ASSOCIATIOX 
 
 PLATE 3 
 
 BARRED PLYMOUTH RoCK MALE 
 
I'DMOI 'III h'OCK s'f\\l)\l,'l> AM) liltRHD HOOK 111 
 
 PLATE 4 
 
 BARRED PLYMOUTH K(>(_K I- I'M \l .!•. 
 
112 A^^^■:lfl('AN povltry association 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 COMMON DEFECTS OF PLYMOUTH ROCK SHAPE 
 Common Defects 
 
 The shape description already given of Plymouth Rocks, 
 from the American Standard of Perfection, is that of a perfect 
 bird, and the further original treatise found in this work is 
 merely for the purpose of clarifying and amplifying that found 
 in that more general work. Admittedly, however, no specimen, 
 male or female, is perfect, which means that every specimen is 
 defective in some way in nature and degree ; that is, two indi- 
 viduals may have defects, but of different nature, or they may 
 have the same defect, but in dift'erent degrees. One is, then, 
 more defective than another because it has more defects, or 
 because it has greater defects, as the case may be. 
 
 It is the purpose of this work to point out the more common 
 defects, and so explain their nature, that they may be readily 
 detected and the seriousness of their nature accurately computed ; 
 also, how to mate, according to the practices of the most success- 
 ful breeders of Plymouth Rocks, so that such and such defects 
 of the parents may be eliminated in the progeny. 
 
 THE MALE 
 
 Comb. — The reader is advised to make himself at this point 
 familiar with the nomenclature of the comb and head points. 
 (See illustrations, plates 5 and 6.) The most noticeable feature 
 of the head is the comb. This, the high point of the head, the 
 top-piece, and, like the hat on a well dressed man or woman, 
 creates a good or poor impression according to its own quality. 
 Unless harmonious proportions between the comb and the head 
 exist, an unfavorable impression is created immediately. For 
 these reasons breeders pay more attention to it than to any other 
 adjunct of the head. The description in the Standard is clear 
 and is generally understood, but often too much importance is 
 attached to the clause which requires five points, evenly spaced, 
 with the front and rear points a little smaller than the other 
 three, and each of the right length to look proportionate to the 
 base, which should be firm, smooth, straight, free from folds, 
 wrinkles, indentures, or thumb marks. 
 
VLYMOl I'll HOCK S'/'.\\I).\h'J) .lA'/> BREED BOOK 11.", 
 
 Carriage of Comb. — It is ;i niatter of first importance that tlie 
 comb should set iirmly on the head, as a thin or hmber comb 
 is apt to droop and if a comb (h'oops too much it becomes a dis- 
 qualification, which clearly intimates that a drooping comb is a 
 serious defect. (See illustration, IMate 7, Figure 1.) 
 
 Turning- to one side at either front or rear is also a defect. 
 This is illustrated in Plate 7, Figure 3. Thumb marks or wrinkles 
 over the beak are quite serious defects, as the rules for cutting 
 the same clearly show. These are shown in the same illustra- 
 tions. (See, also. cha})ter on Cutting for Defects.) These faults 
 usually occur wdien the l)lade is too large or too heavy. What 
 are expressively termed "beefy" combs are inclined to this fault. 
 Twisted combs are very unsightly and undesirable. An illustra- 
 tion of a twist in the comb of a male is seen in Plate 7, b^igure 2, 
 and of a female is seen in Plate 17. b'igure 2. 
 
 Size Outline. —If the features are to be considered in the 
 order in which they affect the appearance of the bird, size and 
 outline must be next discussed. .V comb should not be so large 
 as to look top heavy or coarse. On the contrary, it should not 
 be so small that the male seems effeminate, or that the female 
 appears to lack health or vigor. Male heads of coarse tendencies 
 will be found illustrated in Plate 7, Figures 3 and 5. Refined 
 heads are demanded of both sexes in all Plymouth Rocks. The 
 outline of all combs should be symmetrical ; that is, all parts of 
 the comb, the blade, the base and the points should be in i)ro- 
 portion to give proper balance between all these parts. 
 
 Base. — The base of the comb should be straight, first of all, 
 from front to rear, heavy enough to hold the points from droop- 
 ing and the blade from turning to one side or the other ; though 
 extremely and unnecessarily heavy bases are not wanted, as 
 should be understood from the Standard description. This de- 
 scription precludes thumb-marks, wrinkles and indentures as 
 mentioned, heretofore. In Plate 7, Figure 4, the base is shown 
 too narrow or thin, while in Figure 5 the base is too coarse and 
 too heavy. 
 
 Blade. — The width or dej^th of the blade should be about the 
 same as the length of the longest points or a little more to give 
 the best setting, and the line formed by the base of the serra- 
 tions or what might be termed the top-line of the blade should 
 be nearlv horizontal, or conforming a little to the top of the 
 
.\Mi:h'lCA\ I'OI l.'I'in- ASSOCIATfOX 
 
 PLATK 5 
 
 ii)i-\L hj-:aij of stanuaru barri<:d Plymouth 
 
 ROCK MALE 
 
 Ideal in Conformation for All Varieties of I'lvniouth Rocks 
 
I'l.YMoi I'll j,-<>ch s'r.wDAh'i) AM) iti:i:i:i> hook 115 
 
 PLATE 6 
 
 IDEAL HEAD ()F STANDARD BARRI':D PLYMOUTH 
 ROCK FEMALE 
 
 L.Ieal in Conformation for All X'aricties of Plvniouth Rocks 
 
110 .n//;/.'/r'.i.Y poultry A^HOCLvnoy 
 
 skull and at the same time with the outline made by the top of 
 the serrations, and thus help to hariTionize all the i)arts. The 
 blade may be taken as part of the base, and much that has been 
 stated about the latter is true of the former ; more than that, it 
 must follow the skull somewhat to give the appearance of setting 
 on the head gracefully and it should be of such length as to bal- 
 ance with the other parts so that the comb, all in all, completes 
 its symmetrical outline. Plate 7. Figure 5. illustrates a comb 
 in which the base is too high, also the blade too deep, the points 
 too many and uneven, and the base of the serrations not in sym- 
 metrical alignment. 
 
 Points. — These should be live in number and evenly spaced. 
 The front and rear points a little smaller than the other three so 
 as to obtain a regular and symmetrical outline. 
 
 Besides e\en spacing, the right proportion in length of points 
 and depth of blade should exist. Of this, the eye is the best 
 judge, rather than a mathematical calculation. As a rule, the 
 blade should be slightly deeper than the length of the points, 
 but sometimes combs that are pronounced good by competent 
 judges have points a trifle longer than the depth of the blade and 
 other good combs have points that are perceptibly shorter. Of 
 this feature, the first impression given to the practiced eye is 
 usually the correct one. Plate 7. Figure 4. illustrates a comb 
 that has too many and too long j^oints. These points are not 
 absolutely erect, which they should be. 
 
 A phenomenon known as the double-point occurs when the 
 serration between two points is not as deep as between the other 
 points of the same comb. Sometimes the serration referred to is 
 very shallow, which gives the appearance of one broad point. 
 This defect destroys all balance between the serrations and the 
 points, and is a most marked blemish when viewed from the 
 side. An illustration of a double-point can be seen in Plate 7, 
 Figure 3. 
 
 In order to obtain a thorough understanding of what consti- 
 tutes an ideal single comb, one should make a careful study of 
 the life size illustration of a perfect Plymouth Rock male head. 
 Plate 5. as well as of the six figures on Plate 7. 
 
 Other Head Adjuncts. — Not nearly as much attention is paid 
 to defects of the other appurtenances of the head as to those of 
 the comb. The shape of the eyes, wattles and lobes are clearly 
 defined in the Standard, but unless they are very noticeably 
 defective in shape, little cutting is practiced. \\'attles may be of 
 unequal length (see Plate 7, Figure 4). too long (Figure 5). 
 
PLYMOUTH h'OCK ST.WDARI) AM) ]ilii:i:i) ISOOK 117 
 
 PLATE 7 
 
 ILLUSTRATING DEFECTIVP: MALE HEADS. COMBS. 
 WATTLES AND EAR-LOBES 
 
 1. Lopped eonib, usually overgrown, lacks stiffness or firmness of 
 tissue. To disqualify (see "General Disqualifications") ;i single comb, 
 some portion must fnll l)elow the horizontal plane where comb begins 
 its lop. 
 
 2. Twisted comb, an irregular shaped comb, falling or curving from 
 side to side, being distorted from the normal perpendicular position. 
 
 3. Comb, very coarse in texture, with thumb-marks in front over 
 nostrils. Third and fourth points grown into a double serration, rear 
 serrations partially lopped. Wattles and ear-lobes, coarse, pendulous 
 and wrinkled. Face, also wrinkled, causes bad expression. 
 
 Lower Row — 
 
 4. Head, narrow. Comb, serrations too sharp and too much elon- 
 gated; blade, too shallow; points inclined to lop. Wattles do not match 
 in length (one is shrunken). Kar-lobes too heavy to match comb and 
 wattles. 
 
118 AMERICAN POULTRY A^SHOVIATION 
 
 5. Head, very coarse. Deformed, twisted beak (a disqualification). 
 Comb, crooked in front, irregular^ short, blunted serrations. Side springs 
 on comb (disqualification). See "General Disqualifications." Wattles 
 and ear-lobes too long, coarse, wrinkled and pendulous. Face, shows 
 irregular bunches about the eye and at juncture of beak. Throat, with 
 coarse dewlap. 
 
 6. Head typical of male of weak constitution. Head too long and 
 too shallow. Beak, too long. 
 
 even too short, misshapen, coarse in texture (Figure 5), but even 
 so, unless very noticeably so, deductions from the score are not 
 often made. Wattles are most often cut for injuries from fight- 
 ing, freezing, or tearing in one way or another. These are not 
 natural defects and should not be discounted as heavily as 
 though they were. Such injuries mar the good appearance of 
 the bird most seriously. Ear-lobes in Plymouth Rocks are good 
 as a rule and seldom cut for shape. 
 
 Skull. — Occasionally the head proper, also the beak, is too 
 long and not nearly deep enough, and for these defects are cut, 
 but not heavily numerically, because the allotment to these sec- 
 tions for shape is very small. (See Plate 7, Figure 6.) 
 
 The following shape sections are important because many of 
 these denote practical qualities or the absence of them. 
 
 Neck. — First impressions are very often convincing, espe- 
 cially in a large class. One of the most important factors in 
 making an impression is style, and style depends much upon 
 the length and arch in the neck, for the latter gives the head its 
 poise. If lacking in arch, it is usually because the head is carried 
 too far forward. Note the position of head in ideal illustrations. 
 with front of beak falling vertically back of the front of the 
 breast. The vertical position of the head relative to the front of 
 breast is one of the distinctive breed characteristics in the Amer- 
 ican class. 
 
 Length is important ; if the neck is too short, the bird lacks 
 style, and the neck is also probably too thick and has too much 
 arch ; if too long, it is probably too slender and lacks arch. Too 
 long necks generally accompany birds too long in other sections, 
 especially legs. A well-arched, full neck indicates vitality and is 
 desired. Necks of males should carry an abundance of long, 
 flowing hackle feathers. Without these, neck and shoulders will 
 show an angle at the junction, which should not appear. With 
 long, flowing hackle feathers extending well over shoulders, neck 
 
I'LYMOUTII ROCK »S7' 1 \ /> I /,•/) AM) BREED HOOK 110 
 
 and back seem to merge together, a necessary feature at a vital 
 point in a beautiful top contour. 
 
 Wings. — The most common fault at the present time in this 
 section is deformed feathers. While this deformity usually lakes 
 the form of twisted feathers, other defects such as these are not 
 as unsightly, as the twisted feather or feathers nearly always 
 protrudes more or less. Often several feathers are twisted as 
 shown by illustration in Plate 8, Figure 2. 
 
 Twisted wings take on several peculiar and abnormal forms. 
 Occasionally the end of the flight or secondaries are affected, and 
 as in this case the defect is most noticeable. Again, the bone of 
 the wing, at or beyond the joint furthest from the body is 
 turned in so that the flight feathers face wrong side out. as illus- 
 trated in Figure 4. Another form of this defect is seen in Figure 
 3, in which the secondaries are abnormal, turning down at the 
 points and exposing the points of flights. Occasionally wings do 
 not fold together properly, and remain open by the side. This 
 is what is known as a slipped wing. For illustration see Figure 
 1. This undesirable phenomenon, known as the slipped wing, 
 has of recent years become common in many strains of pure- 
 bred fowls. This appears when the flights fold in reverse rather 
 than in the natural order; those nearest the body dropping from 
 their natural position just inside the secondary farthest from the 
 body and appearing outside of the lower secondaries instead of 
 inside; thus leaving a space between the folded secondaries and 
 the primaries, which give rise to the name "slipped wing" — the 
 primaries have the appearance of having slipped down. The 
 name is applied in sucli a case whether the primaries are rexersed 
 or not. 
 
 The outside appearance of such a wing is not altogether 
 unlike that of what is known as the split-wing. The latter is. 
 however, different as the flights, though folded, are not covered 
 by the secondaries. This split is caused by the primaries most 
 adjacent to the secondaries or the secondaries, most adjacent to 
 the primaries, taking the wrong direction, with the result that 
 the secondaries fail to cover the flights when folded. If such a 
 wing is spread or open, a space, sometimes a wide one, is noted 
 between the flights and secondaries. In some lines of blood, the 
 flight feathers, instead of being twisted or following the wrong 
 direction, are short and narrow and do not fold properly. (See 
 illustration. Plate 9, Figure 5.) 
 
.\Mi:in('.\\ I'Ol LTIIY AS,SO(HATJ0N 
 
 LATK S 
 
 DEFECTS OF WINGS 
 
 1. Slippod Primaries. Pri- 
 maries habitually slipped out- 
 ward from under the second- 
 aries. 
 
 -. Twisted Primaries. I'ri- 
 iiiarics twisted iu spiral form 
 ation. 
 
 ?>. Mussed Wiuj;-. Persist- 
 ciitlv failing to hold the wing 
 feathers well folded at the 
 sides when they are of form- 
 atiiiu that (•oul(i he neatlv car- 
 ried. 
 
 
 -f 
 
 4. Down-Turned Primaries. 
 Primaries bent downward so 
 that they are not folded be- 
 neatli the secondaries. 
 
I'lA MOl'/'lf RiU'K X'l'.\M>\lih AM) ItRIUm HOOK 121 
 
 PLATE 9 
 
 DEFECTS OF WINGS 
 
 5. Split Wing. Wing so ir- 
 regularly formed as to appear 
 split through between the sec- 
 ondaries and till' primaries. 
 
 
 6. Short Wing with Up- 
 turned Primaries. Primaries 
 bent upward so that they will 
 not fold neatly underneath the 
 secondaries. 
 
 7. Drooping Shoulders. 
 Shoulders and wing fronts 
 drooping too low. 
 
 8. Drooping Points. Points 
 of wings carried too low. 
 
112L' lii/ /•;/.' /f. IV I'oi i/i'jn \ss(K'i\'n()\ 
 
 Large or long wings are not called for l)y the Standard, but 
 the wing should be of moderate length, sutiicient to reach the 
 saddles in the male, and a corresponding position in the female. 
 They should be well-tucked tip and covered by the saddle or back 
 feathers, according to sex. An illustration of these defects are 
 seen in I^^igure 6. 
 
 Drooping shoulders indicate a looseness or weakness of the 
 shoulder muscles. The unnatural effect presented by this defect 
 may be seen in Figure 7. Another and equally undesirable defect 
 is seen in Figure 8 of the high or too prominent shoulder with 
 the large wing feathers held at the wrong angle, bringing the 
 points too low. This wing is too large and the point is not 
 tucked up or covered as it should be. 
 
 Back. — -This section affords an opportunity for sharp distinc- 
 tion between the breeds of the American class. Plymouth Rocks' 
 backs should be broad and of moderate length. When joined to 
 a fully feathered, correctly arched neck, and a well-furnished, 
 well-spread tail, carried at the proper angle, the back, with these 
 sections, forms a beautiful top contour. The curves connecting 
 back and neck, and back with tail, are so mild and gradual as to 
 l)e most graceful and finished. To obtain this pleasing effect. 
 the back must be just as it is described and portrayed in the 
 Standard. Faulty backs, and there are many of them, as it is a 
 hard section to breed as it should be bred, make obviously faulty 
 birds. The back may be too short ; this means a short body, and 
 the birds must lack true breed type. Shortness of body means 
 lack of weight or even a greater variance from true type. Too 
 long backs mean too long bodies, and a variance from tru-e type. 
 Such birds are apt to be too flat on the sides as well as on the 
 back. They lack grace and typical carriage. As Plymouth 
 Kocks they are plain and unattractive. Too long backs usually 
 lack the curve needed, to finish a good specimen, between the 
 back and tail. They are usually too narrow and round from 
 side to side, and again are much more apt to be "roached," that 
 is, have a tendency to make the black line convex rather than 
 concave. Breadth is needed in this section to give the sturdy 
 appearance characteristic of this breed. 
 
 The four photographs of four Buff Rock males show several 
 common faults as they appear from the top. The first, that of 
 the ideal male, the second of a male with too short a back, too 
 hea\y side fluff; a perceptible angle at juncture of l)ack and tail 
 and a ])inched tail. The third one, too narrow in back and body. 
 
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124 
 
 .1 M ERICA A I'OII/l'in- ASSOC'/ A TION 
 
 PLATE 11 
 
 
 %4.L.' 
 
 ^W^^ 
 
 DEFECTIVE CONEOEMA- 
 
 TION OF BACK, BODY 
 
 AND TAIL 
 
 1. Tail plumage too large in 
 proportioii to back and body. 
 Soniotimcs called "bushy 
 tail." 
 
 2. Back and body slope too__ 
 much toward rear. Tail plu- 
 mage too much contracted and 
 jiointed in general form of tail, 
 termed "Pinched Tail." 
 
 'A. Body shows too much 
 luff. Upper portion of tail 
 troijer feathers are bent or 
 Missing, causing bunched or 
 'Cobby Tail." 
 
 4. Back and tail form too 
 nearly a straight back and tail 
 line, or a "flat top line." Tail 
 lacks in side furnishing. 
 
 ^ --^- /:> 
 
I'LYMOi 711 h'och s'l'.wnAnn Axn bheFjI} book 
 
 125 
 
 PLATE 12 
 
 DEFECTIVE CONFORiMA- 
 
 TION OF BACK, BODY 
 
 AND TAIL 
 
 5. Back and tail line too 
 iMHicavo. Tail pluniaKO too 
 long and "fan shaped.'' 
 
 6. Body thin in front, nn- 
 derneath. Back at shoulders 
 slopes too much to roar. Cush- 
 ion and tail extend too much to 
 a point or ''Pinched Tail." 
 
 7. Type is bunchy; cushion, 
 too pronounced on top, not ex- 
 tended well to tail. Tail too 
 low, partly due to overfat con- 
 dition. 
 
 8. Excessive fat in body 
 draws rear end down too low, 
 exhibitiujo: clumsy, unsymmet- 
 rical appearance. 
 
 
120 .1 i//;/.'/r.i A I'oi i/rm Assoc/ \ti<>\ 
 
 and tlie fourtli. a crooked ])ack with the usually accompanying 
 wry tail. 
 
 For a careful study of back conformations, the reader is 
 referred to plates 11 and 12. 
 
 Tail. — This is one of the most ornamental sections of the 
 bird. Aside from the head, it is the most striking feature of the 
 male. With a beautiful tail, a bird is finished ; but, with the tail 
 lacking or faulty, the specimen is deficient. 
 
 The tail must be carried at the proper angle or the beauty of 
 the top contour is marred or entirely lost. If carried too high, 
 the curve between back and tail is destroyed and an unsightly 
 angle substituted. If carried too low, style and the appearance 
 of life and action are gone. Too long tails destroy good balance, 
 because they are out of proportion. They give too much length 
 to the bird. The tail should be of such dimensions as to length, 
 lateral spread and vertical spread that it balances the head and 
 neck. Pinched tails, or tails that do not spread vertically, are 
 very faulty, as a bird that has one is never finished or balanced. 
 A good spread between the lower or rear pair of feathers, hori- 
 zontally, is desirable, as without it the body and back appear too 
 narrow. A fully furnished tail is a rare ornament, therefore 
 highly prized by exhibitors. 
 
 The contour formed by back and tail have so much weight 
 when breed type is determined that it is very nearly impossible 
 to disassociate these two sections. The close connection between 
 them is well shown in the series of illustrations on page 124, 
 plate 11. The four illustrations are of male shape. In Figure 1 
 we see a fairly well proportioned back depicted, but the tail is 
 too long, too bushy and too large as a whole to be in correct 
 proportion to the body. 
 
 Figure 2 illustrates a body and back that slope too much 
 toward the rear. The back is too narrow at junction with tail, 
 which is too flat or carried too low and is too pinched or con- 
 tracted vertically, and also horizontally. Body not filled or 
 rounded out, front or rear, but especially shallow in front of 
 thighs. Wing-points carried too low. 
 
 Figure 3. The appearance as a whole is too solid, compact 
 or blocky. There is too much underflufT and coarse plumage on 
 saddle, in tail coverts, and rear underparts of body. Tail is car- 
 ried too low. Wing-points too low. 
 
 Figure 4 shows a common fault, more common, however, in 
 some varieties than others, of the straight back and tail contour, 
 
PLYMOr TH ROCK fiT.WDARD AM) BREED BOOK 127 
 
 extending in this case from base of neck to tip of t;ii1. The top 
 line, as a consequence, lacks gracefulness, and the si)ecimen is 
 thereby given a clumsy, coarse appearance. 
 
 The four illustrations on page 125 are of faults in the shape 
 of females. Figure 5 shows too long, shallow and narrow l)ody. 
 which is invariably too flat sided. The body and back are too 
 narrow and the tail is too long and too much spread. Sucli 
 tails are called fan-shaped, sometimes. 
 
 Figure 6 shows the body carried too erect in front, the back 
 sloping too much from base of neck to rear of shoulder. Back 
 too narrow throughout, even pinched back of shoulders. Tail 
 pinched, which means contracted vertically or both verticall}- 
 and laterally. Body in front of thighs not filled and rounded out. 
 
 Figure 7 is a comparable to the male opposite ; too blocky 
 and too coarse, too much cushion, tail carried too low. A speci- 
 men that as a whole lacks gracefulness and finish, due partly. 
 however, to being overfat. 
 
 Figure 23 (glossary) shows a tail that has been "faked." 1j}- 
 plucking, large sickles removed and main tail feathers plucked 
 and bent under smaller sickles and coverts. This is sometimes 
 done by exhibitors to hide such defects as too heavy and bush\- 
 tails. 
 
 Breast. — The best liked meat of a fowl is found on the breast ; 
 therefore, for this reason breasts that carry as much meat as 
 possible and still retain symmetrical lines are desired for all 
 breeds. The descriptive terms, "broad." "deep," "full," are com- 
 parative, however, and, when used to describe Plymouth Rocks, 
 refer to Plymouth Rocks only. Breasts are frequently fau'ty as 
 to shape. Some are too narrow, nearly all are not deep enough. 
 Many are not sufificiently full to present the "front" most breed- 
 ers like to see. Few breasts are full just in front and above the 
 end of the keel-bone. This defect is very noticeable, as it is one 
 of the first points of observation, if not the verv first, when in 
 the show coop. This fault is illustrated in outHne by Figures 
 1. 2. 3. Plate 11, showing back and tail lines. (See also Body 
 and Fluff.) By the above description we are led to expect a 
 breast outlined by a series of broad, symmetrical curves from 
 side to side, merging into the body on either side with no sharp 
 line of distinction between the sides of the breast and the sides 
 of the body. The same description holds nearly true when 
 applied vertically. In this direction the breast should be full and 
 round. The breast should be deep, so that it forms a broad, wide 
 
128 .1.1//;/.'/r 1 \ /'Ol l/l'h'Y AKSOf'fATloX 
 
 curve from loj) to holloni which i^r.-KhiaU)- nu'r^cs into tlic line 
 of the body formed l)y ihe l)ottom of tlie keel-l)one. Thus, both 
 horizontally and vertically, the outline of the breast should make 
 a broad, symmetrical cur\e that merges into the body without 
 breaks or apparent angles. For ideal conformation in these re- 
 spects see the cuts of ideal Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Technically, body does not refer to the 
 whole carcass, as in common phraseology. It refers in this con- 
 nection merely to the lower part of body extending back from 
 the front end of the keel-bone. The fluff is composed of the 
 small, soft feathers foimd between and to the rear of the thighs, 
 though the body feathers at rear of the thighs are often spoken 
 of as such. 
 
 The body must have depth, breadth and length. Defects 
 in one or all of these three dimensions are common. Defects in 
 body shape are found more often in the front than in the rear. 
 Shallow breasts are often associated with shallow l)odies, espe- 
 cially in front of the thigh. A'ery often, too, the body, in front 
 of the thighs is too short. Neither must it be too long, for the 
 body must be well balanced. Keel-bones that are too short in 
 front of the thighs carry breasts that lack in fullness. 
 
 Besides the defects noted in back and tail shape, defects of 
 breast and body in front of thighs that frequentlv occur are 
 clearly illustrated and should be carefully studied. Figure 1. 
 Plate 11, shows a want of fullness in front of thigh for some dis- 
 tance because of shallowness of the fore part of the body. The 
 corresponding defect in females is seen in Figure 5, Plate 12. 
 Figure 2 also shows a break between breast and body and be- 
 tween body and thighs ; whereas, the outlines of these sections 
 should form one continuous line and merge into one another. 
 The parallel of this defect in females is shown in Figure 6. 
 Figure 3 shows a well rounded breast outline, but illustrates the 
 "cut off" appearance seen in so many specimens immediately in 
 front of thigh, due to the fact that the body is not deep enough 
 at that particular point, even though it forms the necessary 
 depth at all other jjoints. Figure 6 shows the same defect by the 
 same cause, in females. 
 
 Narrow bodies are generally accompanied by narrow backs 
 that are often long, flat lengthwise, and what are termed "ridgy," 
 that is, too much rounded on the sides. IMate lo shows the rear 
 views of a narrowly built and a well ])uilt male. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 129 
 
 Shanks and Toes. — Legs that are set well apart, shanks 
 that have plenty of bone, but are not over large and coarse, 
 are desired, because they indicate strength and vitality. Shanks 
 that are rather large and strong are found only with large and 
 
 PLATE 13 
 
 I'UOKLi HL'lL'i MALE 
 
 Narrow bodied. Legs too close 
 together, indications of a weak 
 constitution. 
 
 WELL BUILT MALE 
 
 Good development. Wide body 
 and legs set well apart, indica- 
 tions of a strong constitution. 
 
130 AMERlCAy POULTIiY ASi^OCIATION 
 
 strong specimens. Breadth in back and l)ody indicates a strong 
 constitution, and legs that support a broad body are set well 
 apart. The toes on each leg are generally stout, straight and 
 comparatively short. Crookedness is the most common defect in 
 toes. Sometimes this is accidental, but more often it may be 
 regarded as one of the surest signs of inherent weakness. When 
 the general appearance of a bird confirms this symptom, the 
 akinship of the opposite sex should be carefully considered. 
 
 Shanks that are well set apart are illustrated in Plate 15, 
 Figure 3. In the other illustrations several defects besides those 
 of legs and toes are noted. Briefly stated, they are poor comb ; 
 too long, thin wattles ; narrow body ; shallow breast and loosely 
 folded wings. All of which, indications of a weak constitution, 
 
 PLATE 14 
 
 Correctly formed legs, spurs and toes, front (1) and rear view (2). 
 From ])hotograpli of buff cock, a first winner at Madison Square Garden, 
 New York. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK f^TAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 131 
 
 are illustrated in this sketch. This characteristic is carried out 
 in the position of legs and toes. The hocks are carried too 
 closely together ; a defect that is characterized as "knock-kneed." 
 which generally accompanies narrow bodies (Figure 1). The 
 center toe is crooked, a frequent occurrence on weak males, and 
 the rear toes turn forward, another sign of weak constitution, 
 called "Duck-foot?' (See definition in Glossary.) Contrast these 
 defective sections with the correct sections in Figure 3 (ideal). 
 
 PLATE 15 
 
 DEFECTIVE, WELL FORMED AND IDEAL FRONT VIEW 
 
 1. Comb crooked in front, serrations only four, thick, irregular; 
 shoulders not equal height; wing, twisted tlight; narrow body; legs 
 turned upward at "hock joints"; spurs turn downward; toes crooked. 
 
 2. Well shaped head points; straight comb; body, legs and toes 
 well formed. 
 
 .3. Same figure as No. 2 posed as square and firm on legs as possible 
 and idealized. 
 
132 
 
 AAIERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 THE FEMALE 
 
 In but a few sections does the shape of the female so radically 
 dififer from that of the male that it requires a different treatise. 
 What follows applies to those sections. 
 
 Comb. — The description of comb for male and female coin- 
 cides, except that the comb of the female is much smaller. A 
 female comb may easily be too large, and while small combs are 
 preferred, they should not be so small as to be difficult to observe, 
 in which case this may indicate constitutional or sexual weakness, 
 which is, however, readily determined in other ways. 
 
 PLATE 16 
 
 1. 2. 3. 
 
 DEFECTIVE, WELL FORMED AND IDEAL FRONT VIEW 
 
 1. Comb, loose, falling to one side; neck, not nicely tapered to 
 head; wings drooped; breast and body narrow and pinched underneath; 
 knee joints turned inward; crooked toes. 
 
 2. Strong, substantial shoulders, breast and body, with well poised 
 neck tapering neatly to excellent head with neat, straight comb. Strong, 
 well formed legs and feet well apart. 
 
 3. Same figure as No. 2 idealized. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 133 
 
 PLATE 17 
 
 ILLUSTRATING DEFECTIVE FEMALE HEAD, COMB, WATTLES 
 
 AND EAR LOBES. 
 Upper Row — 
 
 1. Head rather short and round; comb twisted, an equally serious 
 defect in female as well as male; side sprig at rear, small in female, 
 but nevertheless a disqualification. Wattles wrinkled and shrunken at 
 bottom below wrinkle, so curved outline of wattle is spoiled. Lobe 
 heavy, not fitting nicely to face. 
 
 2. Comb very much too high at rear and too straight along the 
 top; serrations not nicely formed, only four in number. Wattles and 
 ear lobes angular, not nicely rounded, somewhat shrunken. Throat too 
 coarse, not neatly formed. 
 
 3. Comb crooked in front, serrations too long, overgrown. Wattles 
 too small. Face wrinkled, with too much plumage covering face and 
 throat. 
 
 Lower Row — 
 
 4. Comb much too thick at rear for a single comb. [See front 
 view on following head (5).] Wattles too small to be typical. 
 
 5. Front view of comb (4), showing rear too thick. 
 
 6. Head of a thin, unhealthy female. 
 
134 AMERICAX POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 The chief defects of the combs of females are illustrated as 
 follows: Plate 17, Figure 1, twisted comb or overlapping of 
 portions of the base. Figure 2. too deep and perhaps too thick 
 a base, also too few points. Figure 3, too long and too many 
 points, inclined to lean to one side, wrinkled in front. Figure 4, 
 too few points, a blade too long, too long a space in front of the 
 first serration. Figure 5. front view, same as preceding. Figure 
 6, turning to one side, too thin, indicating an aenemic condition. 
 
 Head and Adjuncts. — These sections differ in size only. 
 
 Neck. — In this section the feathers differ in character and 
 form, one of the most noticeable sex differences in most varieties. 
 In some breeds hen-feathered males are disqualified, the presence 
 or absence of long, narrow hackle feathers is one of the tests 
 that distinguish between properly feathered and hen-feathered 
 males. In sha]:)e, the neck of the female is shorter com])aratively, 
 and not as heavy and is not as fully arched as those of the males. 
 
 Back. — Here, also, we find the same difference in the con- 
 struction of the male and female feather. The long feathers 
 from the saddle or back of a male, called expressively saddle- 
 hangers, are not found on females or hen-feathered males. (Hen- 
 feathered males occur only in a few breeds, and only sufficiently 
 often to be considered.) 
 
 These differences of feather construction between males and 
 females creates also a different conformation of back in the two 
 sexes. 
 
 The variation, however, is more of degree than kind. The 
 concave is not as sharp, as the back lacks the long, ornamental 
 saddle feathers and tail coverts of the male, and the concave 
 curve is not nearly as short. On this account and because of the 
 lower carriage of the tail, the body of the female appears longer 
 than that of the male, and the effect is that of a rather long, 
 broad, straight back, rising very gradually in a slightly depressed 
 incline to the tail. 
 
 Tail. — This section affords opportunity for distinction be- 
 tween male and female. The long, curving sickles, smaller 
 sickles, and tail coverts of the male are of a different character 
 from any feathers found on the female. The tail of the female 
 is carried at a five degree lower angle than with the male and 
 appears even lower because of the difference in character of the 
 tail furnishings. 
 
 The tail may possess the same defects as the tail of the male, 
 but it should have the same good qualities ; namely, well spread 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK I^TANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 135 
 
 
 * fe 5 
 
 
 
 aJ "5 'C 1) 
 
 8^g _.o 
 
 • ■ O ^ CO -J;^ 
 
 O 3" 
 ^ cj tc Ph 
 
136 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 base, of sufficient width vertically to avoid a pinched appearance, 
 and should be furnished with an abundance of tail coverts of the 
 same general character as the feathers of the back, though both 
 broader and longer. 
 
 Slow-Feathering. — Of late years some lines are slow in feath- 
 ering. The reason for the development of this phenomena is 
 not known, but some breeders have observed that slow feathering 
 has made its appearance coincident with the fine barring. It has 
 been observed, too, that fine barring and narrow feathers are 
 intimately associated. The two facts have led to the idea that 
 when breeding for fine barring, narrow feathers are also bred, 
 and by so doing, unwittingly, feather producing tendencies are 
 reduced. 
 
 The effect of slow feathering and of feathers that do not 
 grow normally or are of irregular formation upon the shape of 
 the fowls and especially upon the shape and appearance of such 
 sections as wings and tail is considerable. 
 
 Type vs. Shape. — Usually about the same ideas occur to us 
 whether we hear the word "type" or the word "shape." How- 
 ever, they may or may not convey the same meaning. Shape 
 may be more specific, as when used with reference to a part of 
 the bird ; that is, to one section or perhaps to more than one ; 
 while type, as generally used, refers to the bird as a whole. 
 We have distinctions here, also, as breed types and commercial 
 types ; that is, types designated according to adaptability for cer- 
 tain uses ; as egg-types, meat-types, general- or dual-purpose 
 types, ornamental types, etc. 
 
 Faulty Types. — We speak of a bird as having faulty shape 
 when one or more sections are defective ; of having faulty type 
 when one or more sections are defective in such a way as to 
 change the typical appearance of the bird from one breed-type 
 to another. A Plymouth Rock female by a combination of faulty 
 back and leg shape might become more of a Wyandotte than a 
 Rock ; that is, if too short in both sections ; by faulty back and 
 body shape, more the character of the Rhode Island Red, if loo 
 long and flat in back and too shallow in body ; a Plymouth Rock 
 that was too broad and deep in body and short in legs might 
 assume somewhat of the Cochin type. But enough has br-cn 
 related to show the importance of correct type in the bird as a 
 whole, and what is necessary to secure it — good shape in every 
 section. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 137 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 MATING TO OVERCOME DEFECTS IN SHAPE 
 
 "Shape makes the breed, color the variety." Then, as typical 
 Plymouth Rocks are primarily desired from our matings, we 
 must look closely and well to the characters required to obtain 
 better formed specimens. 
 
 The Importance of Shape. — So often does the impression 
 exist that color is of primary and shape of secondary importance 
 with the breeder of Standard fowls that a brief discourse on the 
 above topic seems advisable. Such an impression is erroneous 
 and far from the letter and the spirit of the Standard. Shape, 
 in fact, with the more practical breeds, counts more than color. 
 
 Why Shape Counts More Than Color. — We must ever recall 
 that "shape makes the breed." Without typical shape, breed- 
 types are destroyed. A Plymouth Rock is not typical Plymouth 
 Rock merely because it has a single comb, smooth legs and the 
 color and markings of one of the Plymouth Rock varieties. It 
 must first have Plymouth Rock shape. Shape is of first impor- 
 tance because breed comes first and without shape there can be 
 neither breed nor variety. Faulty color injures the variety only, 
 but faults in shape injure both our ideals. A specimen quite 
 faulty in color has no standing with the variety of which it is 
 a member, but a specimen that is seriously faulty in shape has 
 no standing with the breed which it is supposed to represent, 
 and as variety is but a "sub-division of the breed," it can have 
 no standing as a representative of either a breed or of a variety 
 of that breed. 
 
 Breed characteristics are vastly more important than those 
 of the variety ; for breed characteristics represent practical quali- 
 ties upon which the foundation of every branch of the poultry 
 industry rests. Deprive it of its economic value as a food supply 
 and this industry would assume merely the proportions and im- 
 portance of the breeding of pet dogs, pet cats, cage birds, and 
 kindred fancies. It is in recognition of this fact that the Ameri- 
 can Poultry Association has made breed characteristics, which 
 are synonymous with practical qualities, authoritatively of more 
 importance than those which apply to variety, representing the 
 attractive features only. Breed characteristics are described 
 completely by one word — shape — which embraces all the prac- 
 tical qualities of a fowl. The features that distinguish varieties. 
 
138 AMERICAN POVLTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 PLATE 19 
 
 
 DIFFERENT CHARACT! R OF PLUMAGE AFFECTING FORM AND 
 OUTLINE 
 
 1. Medium widtli ;nid length of plumage, compact form, smooth 
 surface, as called for in the Standard ideal type. 
 
 2. Extremely narrow plumage, with little undertluff. Extremely long 
 plumage flows over foim of body but does not add so much to roundness 
 and plumpness of ajjpea ranee. 
 
 3. Broad, fluflfy plumage, causing the outlines of the fowl to bulge 
 and appear lumpy. 
 
 4. Narrow p]umage, with medium amount of fluff, presenting some- 
 what angular outlines of body. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK l<!TA^WARn AND BREED BOOK 139 
 
 a difference in color, markings, shape of comb, etc., are merely 
 accessories that make fowls attractive and likable. The problem 
 of correcting faulty shape, because it is a breed problem and 
 equally applicable to all varieties of Plymouth Rocks, should 
 then receive our first and most serious consideration. 
 
 The Influence of Health on Shape and Color. — Good shaped 
 specimens are always healthy. It is useless to expect puny birds 
 to be good in shape. Deep bodies, full, round breasts, broad 
 backs and stout shanks are not developed by any but the most 
 rugged constitutions ; but these are characteristics of all good 
 Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 One factor in the production of color has occurred to but 
 few, but it, nevertheless, is a most important one because, though 
 a bird may have perfect inheritance along color lines, it will 
 count for naught if it is without health. By health is meant con- 
 tinuous health from birth. A sickness of but a week, a day or 
 an hour has its eft'ect. Loss of natural gloss and intensity of 
 color are sure to follow. Whether ill health utterly destroys 
 the chances of winning depends upon its nature and duration. 
 The best birds, both in shape and in color, are the ones that 
 besides inheriting good quality, grow normally or rapidly from 
 the start, and are always in excellent health. Health affects 
 shape as well as color. In order to grow healthy birds, breed 
 from such and give both old and young the best of care. 
 
 To produce good shape especially, parents that are ruggedly 
 healthy are absolutely necessary to succeed. 
 
 An Ideal Mating. — An ideal mating for correct form would 
 consist, if it were possible to obtain them, of a male and females 
 that were perfect according to our Standard ideals. As perfect 
 specimens never exist, ideal matings are not made. That being 
 true, a model mating would consist of both male and females 
 that nearest approached our ideals ; that is, as far as shape is 
 considered, the best mating that it is possible for any one to 
 make is to place with the best male procurable the best females 
 that can be obtained. When so mated, a large per cent of the 
 progeny will be as good as their parents average, in some cases 
 better, and in a few instances the specimens v;ould be expected 
 to excel both parents in shape requirements. 
 
 A few generations of breeding according to this plan, the 
 best shaped male mated with the best shaped females, may be 
 relied upon absolutely to establish a strain of any variety that 
 will excel in shape requirements. 
 
140 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Other Considerations. — It often seems advisable, and un- 
 doubtedly is so, to use in our matings specimens though more 
 or less deficient in shape, yet excellent in other requirements, as 
 color, markings, head points, etc., and the question then becomes 
 how to offset these shape defects. 
 
 Two General Methods. — In a general way there are but two 
 methods. One is to offset a defect by mating to a bird of the 
 opposite sex that has a defect of such a character as to counter- 
 balance the first defect. For example, a male has a comb with 
 but three or four points and is mated to a female with six 
 points on her comb. This is a fair illustration of the principle 
 of offsetting one defect by another of the opposite character. 
 This has been largely practiced by breeders in the past and is 
 yet, to a large extent, to remedy defects of all kinds, either of 
 color or shape. 
 
 Of late the most advanced idea is to offset all defects by 
 
 PLATE 20 
 
 SYMMETEY AND AWKWARDNESS 
 
 1. Symmetrical, with all sections properly proportioned in relation 
 to each other. Outlines of graceful sweeps and curves. 
 
 2. Unsymmetrical — sections forming angular junctions with each 
 other, causing awkward, ungraceful outlines.- — F. L. Sewell. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 141 
 
 mating to birds that are near perfection in the character in which 
 one is defective. In that case, a male with a four-point comb 
 would be mated to females with five-pointed combs if possible. 
 The results may not be as gratifying the first year, but later 
 they will be much more so, if the purpose is to establish a strain 
 in which a five-point comb is a well established feature. If the 
 first principle be applied for the purpose of offsetting defects, 
 besides offsetting too few points with too many, we would expect 
 to offset too large combs with too small, blades that were too 
 short with those too long, blades too broad with those too 
 narrow, that followed the head too closely with those that were 
 elevated too much, too thin combs with too thick, bases that 
 
 PLATE 21 
 
 
 ■•c?i..^ 
 
 COERECTIVE BREEDING— I 
 
 With male too short and too concave in back with tail carried too 
 high, should be mated female with back, saddle and tail showing form 
 inclined to look more flat over the top line. While always seeking to 
 avoid mating types that possess extreme differences, it will be needful 
 to avoid mating together individuals that show similar extremes. — F. L. 
 Sewell. 
 
142 
 
 AM ERIC AX POULTRY A.Sf.S'OC/AT/O.Y 
 
 were too narrow with those that are too deep, too long points 
 with too short, uneven serration with even, bulges in comb with 
 a smooth comb, and vice versa. 
 
 If the second principle was applied, all these defective combs 
 would be offset by one as near perfection as it was possible to 
 procure on a living specimen of the opposite sex, depending upon 
 a constant application of this principle to obtain satisfactory 
 results. 
 
 In some of the previous pages an endeavor has been made by 
 combining illustration and descriptive text to inform the reader 
 in regard to the most common defects of each and every section. 
 The problem for the reader, if he be a breeder, as may be fairly 
 assumed, is not only to acquire a knowledge of the faulty shape 
 in all its different phases, but to become acquainted with correct 
 and reliable methods of eliminating these faults. To make the 
 
 PLATE 22 
 
 COREECTIVE BREEDING— II 
 
 A female that is decidedly coarse, showing too strongly the Cochin 
 ancestry as being in evidence by loose plumage, short wings, pronounced 
 fluflf and side cushion, as well as too deep body and rather short legs. — 
 F. L. Sewell. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD A^W BREED BOOK 
 
 143 
 
 subject of mating to correct faulty shape as clear as possible, 
 the accompanying sketches should be carefully studied and com- 
 pared with the ideals. 
 
 The subject of corrective mating for faulty shape can be so 
 much more easily and quickly understood from the sketches pre- 
 sented that extended discourse is both unnecessary and undesir- 
 able. These sketches are graphic explanations of the application 
 of corrective mating for defective shape in several of the most 
 commonly occurring forms. The explanations are based, as is 
 stated, upon the principle of corrective mating which is an en- 
 deavor on the part of the breeder to offset a defect of one sex 
 by mating with a fowl of the opposite sex that has the opposite 
 tendencies in the same section or has most pronounced perfec- 
 tion in that section. 
 
 The Two Extremes. — As an introduction to the subject, the 
 artist has contrasted the sketch of the ideal male with the sketch 
 of a very unsymmetrical or unshapely specimen. One of the two 
 
 PLATE 23 
 
 COEEECTIVE BREEDING— III 
 
 Because of excellencies of color or markings, possibly for both 
 reasons, it is desirable to use males that are too fine in bone and too 
 light bodied. Such males must be mated to rather large, fully developed 
 and splendidly formed females. 
 
144 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 sketches presents the reader the sum of what is good or ideal, 
 while the other gives graphically almost, if not quite, a com- 
 plete conception of all the faults to which a fowl is heir, or at 
 least, all the most common ones. Each and every fault could, of 
 course, he emphasized or enlarged upon, though uselessly, be- 
 cause a specimen that in life carried a fractional proportion of 
 these faults, either in number or degree, would be useless as a 
 breeder. As a rule, specimens that are seriously considered for 
 breeding purposes have no more than one or at the most two 
 glaring faults, while this sketch represents every glaring fault 
 in each and every section from comb to tail and tail to toes. It 
 gives, however, a splendid example of what should not be, and 
 of the many bad features to avoid when selecting a breeding male. 
 ( See illustration, Plate 20.) 
 
 Perfection in Shape Unattained. — Though it is unnecessary 
 
 COREECTIVE BREEDING— IV 
 
 Very often it happens that females which are large, vigorous birds 
 and are very attractive because of excellence in color and markings 
 are not well balanced, being too long in front and too short behind 
 the hocks. This sketch represents such a female and portrays the 
 correct conformation of a suitable mate. — F. L. Sewell. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 145 
 
 and foolish to use too faulty specimens in the breeding pen, it is 
 equally impossible to secure those that are perfect in shape, 
 which means that faults of greater or less magnitude in breeding 
 birds must be condoned and corrected by skillful mating of the 
 sexes. 
 
 Mates for High Stationed, Short Bodied Males. — The artist 
 first presents the problem of mating a male that is too high sta- 
 tioned, too short in back and too long and rather pinched in tail, 
 that on the whole leans decidedly to the typical shape of the 
 Langshan. The sketch next presented shows a female with 
 opposite tendencies — a long, rather too flat back and tail that is 
 carried at a low angle ; a deep, full body, rather short shanks and 
 head too far forward in order to counteract the too upright 
 carriage of the male. (See illustration, Plate 21.) 
 
 Mates for Coarse Females. — The second sketch presents the 
 problem of mating a female that is decidedly coarse. As we 
 note the full, loose feathering and beefy characteristics, the large 
 head, too full and broad neck, closely tucked and short wings, 
 back slightly cushioned at sides, the very full breast and side 
 fluff — all told, her body is too short, broad and deep. For her 
 mate a male is selected, that while it closely resembles the Stand- 
 ard, is still a little long with a well concaved back, a little too 
 shallow and a little too long in the body. (See illustration. 
 Plate 22.) 
 
 Mates for Light Bodied Males. — The third problem in mating 
 is another that often presents itself ; that of selecting for a male 
 that lacks full development in body a female that will correct this 
 serious defect. Males that excel so much in plumage and head 
 points are often poorly developed or lack frame or bone, as the 
 expression is. Such males should be mated with females that 
 have bone, that is, size and weight, and are splendidly formed in 
 those sections in which the male is weak. Light bodied males, 
 or those that are of light frame or light in bone, are almost 
 always deficient in breast, short and shallow in front of thighs, 
 have too deep a curvature in back and carry the tail too high. 
 Compared with the body, the tail looks long. We see these ten- 
 dencies shown in this sketch and note easily the full, well- 
 rounded breast, broad, full back and short, well-spread tail of 
 the female that is carried rather low, characters that are sure to 
 have a corrective influence with reference to the faults of this 
 male upon the progeny of such a pair. (See illustration, Plate 23.) 
 
146 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Mates for Short Bodied Females. — The fourth sketch pre- 
 sents the problem of selecting the male mate for a female that 
 is too short in the rear or behind a line dropped perpendicularly 
 at the rear of the hock joints. The effect of such conformation 
 is to tip the body forward — that is, to give it, as it is often ex- 
 pressed, a "ploughy" carriage. The male is long in both back 
 and body with a slight tendency toward too upright carriage. 
 Besides the fault already mentioned, the female, as represented, 
 has others of moment ; too long a tail which is carried too up- 
 rightly, a slightly cushioned back which is also pinched at the 
 sides and a croppy breast. The male with its broad back, very 
 fully covered with saddle hangers at the sides and at the same 
 time rather flat on top, is well selected to correct what tendency 
 
 PLATE 25 
 
 COREECTIVE BREEDING— V 
 
 With female predisposed to accumulate abdominal fat too easily, 
 it is well to use a male of the opposite temperament — one that is active 
 and sprightly. 
 
 With female possessing too much fluff on the plumage, a male with 
 plumage inclined to firmness and fineness and narrower in feather should 
 help to correct and produce plumage in the offspring nearer to Standard. 
 
 Legs too short in the female should be mated to males with legs 
 slightly above the average in length. — F. L. Sewell. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 147 
 
 the progeny may have to follow the dam in this respect. The 
 breast of the male also presents a clean, true outline which 
 should counteract the too full line of the female in this section. 
 (See illustration, Plate 24.) 
 
 Males for Heavy Bodied Females. — The fifth problem and 
 the correct solution of which is particularly important in view 
 of the very general tendency among females to take on an excess 
 of flesh, particularly in the abdomen after their first year, is to 
 select males for these females with shallow bodies in rear, or 
 shallow abdomens, but with good breast development and good 
 top lines. Such males have, as a rule, rather long shanks and 
 are rather highly posted, which is desirable in a male for a mate 
 to a female of the above description. (See illustration, Plate 25.) 
 
SECTION II. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCK PLUMAGE 
 
 STANDARD DESCRIPTION 
 Disqualifications 
 
 RED in any part of plumage ; two or more solid black pri- 
 maries, secondaries or main tail feathers ; shanks other 
 than yellow, dark spots not to disqualify. (See general 
 and Plymouth Rock disqualifications.) 
 
 COLOR OF MALE AND FEMALE 
 
 Beak. — Yellow. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes.— Bright red. 
 
 Shanks and Toes. — Yellow. 
 
 Plumage. — Grayish-white, each feather crossed by regular, 
 narrow, parallel, sharply defined, dark bars that stop short of 
 positive black ; free from shafting, brownish tinge or metallic 
 sheen ; the light and dark bars to be of equal width, in number 
 proportionate to length of feathers, and to extend throughout 
 the length of feathers in all sections of the fowl ; each feather 
 ending with a narrow, dark tip ; the combination of overlapping 
 feathers giving the plumage a bluish appearance and of one even 
 shade throughout. 
 
 COLOR OF PLUMAGE AND ITS COMMON DEFECTS 
 
 From the Standard description of plumage for Barred Plym- 
 outh Rocks, one may discern immediately that it may have de- 
 fects of two general characters : first, the fundamental colors 
 may vary from the ideal ; second, the barring may be irregular, 
 but in both characters the defects may have many variations. 
 By considering the very well expressed and accurate descrip- 
 tion of the Standard, thoughtfully and wnth a strict and broad 
 usage of each and every term employed in this description, one 
 
 148 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 149 
 
 should detect every fault known to a barred feather. But it is 
 not often that a novice discovers one-half, or even one-fourth of 
 them. For this reason, instruction along this line is necessary 
 and an enumeration of all the faults of both characters that com- 
 monly occur is advisable. It is natural that we should discuss 
 the colors before the barring, because it is the difference or con- 
 trast between the two colors that is in reality the making of 
 the bars. 
 
 The Ground Color. — This is described as grayish-white and 
 we call grayish-white the ground color, not because the Standard 
 uses the term "ground color," but because the plumage is de- 
 scribed as "grayish white, each feather crossed by, etc.," which 
 indicates clearly enough that grayish-white is the major or 
 ground color. It must be considered not absolutely independ- 
 ently, but in connection with its relation to the "dark bars that 
 stop short of positive black." Grayish-white is very near white. 
 The nearer white we get the light bar or ground color, the 
 greater the contrast between the light and dark bars — that is, 
 when the dark bars retain the same intensity ; contrast, within 
 certain limits which are fittingly governed by the Standard de- 
 scription, is desired, as it adds much to the attractiveness of the 
 birds. Breeders speak admirably of this or that specimen be- 
 cause of "such a snappy contrast," and the expression is truly 
 expressive of a condition that is a creator of beauty in a Barred 
 Plymouth Rock. 
 
 Formerly the Standard description read a bluish-white, but 
 this modified the pure white more than the term "grayish" and 
 consequently was changed because it did not furnish as great a 
 contrast and therefore not as "snappy" barring. 
 
 The Dark Bar. — There is much to notice in the Standard 
 maker's selection of the term. It carefully avoids the word black, 
 except to say that positive black is what the bar must not be. 
 This clause, "stop short of positive black," prohibits all lustre, 
 sheen, or gloss. For the sake of contrast, however, it is desirable 
 to approach if not to attain a positive black. One writer has 
 stated this proposition in these words : "The whiter the white 
 bar and the darker the dark bar, the more beautiful the bird." 
 It is certainly true that the converse of what was stated about 
 the light bar is true of the dark bar — that is, the darker they 
 are the greater the contrast between the dark and light bars ; 
 provided, of course, that the light bars are of the same shade 
 in all cases. Previous Standards have described the dark bar as 
 
150 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 "bars of dark blue that stop short of positive black." This was 
 misleading, as there was no "blue" to be seen and all that ever 
 existed was the product of imagination and not breeding. Blue- 
 black was another term used, but the only reason given by any 
 one for the use of the term blue was that it excluded any brown 
 shades. This the present Standard does by explicitly stating 
 that the dark and light bars as well shall be ''free from shafting, 
 brownish tinge or metallic sheen." Brown is not a desirable 
 shade in Barred Plymouth Rocks ; in fact, any suggestion of it 
 is harmful because it mars the appearance which the overlapping 
 feathers give the plumage when viewed in certain light reflec- 
 tions. Metallic sheen is not sought, as obviously that affects 
 the bluish appearance as well as the brownish shades. Of the 
 two, however, the sheen is many, many times to be preferred, as 
 it denotes strength of the dark bar and as a breeding quality is 
 often a desirable attribute, as explained in articles on mating. 
 
 Shafting. — The shaft of the feather is often light where it 
 should be dark, for the dark bar should run through the shaft. 
 That is, the shaft should be the same color and shade as the bar 
 at right angles with it ; where the bar is light the shaft should 
 be the same shade ; where the bar is dark the shaft should match. 
 Sometimes the shafts are noticeable because they are lighter than 
 the corresponding bar. Often the shaft in the light bar is still 
 lighter than the bar. This gives the effect of three colors, 
 whereas only two are called for and only two desired. 
 
 Width of Bars. — "The light and dark bars to be of equal 
 width." This statement is clear. l)ut it does not designate the 
 width. We find the bar further defined by the word "narrow," 
 occuring in the clause, "each feather crossed by regular, narrow, 
 parallel, sharply defined dark bars," etc. This descriptive ad- 
 jective is well used, for ihe tendency for a number of years has 
 been to narrow the bars. In fact, that has been one of the lead- 
 ing aims of all progressive Barred Plymouth Rock breeders for 
 years past. By requiring narrow bars and bars of equal width at 
 the same time, both light and dark bars must be narrow. Twenty 
 years ago and previously, the light bars were much the wider of 
 the two, but the ideal of straight across, narrow barring became 
 more and more sought and the width of the light bar was grad- 
 ually reduced until the dark bar actually on many of the winning 
 specimens became the stronger or wider, and this is actually the 
 condition today on many winning specimens. This fact need 
 not be allowed to lead any one into the belief that wider dark 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 151 
 
 bars are desired, for such is not the case. Finely or closely 
 barred birds are, however, most emphatically demanded for the 
 show room, and without question specimens in which the dark 
 bar slightly predominates appear to be much more closely barred 
 than those on which the light bar is a little the broader. For 
 this reason, if one bar or the other is to predominate, all breed- 
 ers and judges as well, without dissension, prefer that it should 
 be the dark bar. 
 
 Direction of the Bar. — The ideal bar extends straight across 
 the feather — that is, at right angles to the shaft. Every bar is 
 
 PLATE 26 
 
 1 2 3 4 
 
 BARRING IN BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCK PLUMAGE 
 
 Relative width of bars: 1. Broad. 2. Medium. ?>. Narrow. 
 4. Extremely narrow. 
 
 Note — This group of feathers may lead to the conclusion that 
 broad feathers have broad bars and that narrow plumage has nnrrovv 
 bars, which does not always prove to be the case. 
 
152 
 
 AMERICA'S! POULTRY ASl^OCIATIO^' 
 
 PLATE 27 
 
 1 1' 3 4 5 6 
 
 SOME OF THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS OF 
 
 BARRING FOUND IN BARRED PLYMOUTH 
 
 ROCK PLUMAGE 
 
 1. Feather from wing-bar of a very dark colored male. Dark color 
 very predominant; bars very coarse; dark bars not shari^ly defined, 
 inclined to blend into light bars; dark bar at tip is very much narrower 
 than other bars of this feather. 
 
 2. Feather from breast of a very light male. Light ashy-gray bars 
 very coarse, only two showing plainly across the web or surface; tip 
 wide and nearly all of light color but very faintly darkened at tip; 
 fluflf or undercolor nearly white. 
 
 3. Feather from wing-bar of rather dark female. Bars few, very 
 coarse and broad; unusually broad, dark marking at tip; only two dark 
 bars and two light bars across web proper; one strong bar across where 
 web and fluff join; one faintlv colored, gray bar across fluflf. 
 
 4. Feather from wing-bar of medium colored female. Bright con- 
 trast between dark and light bars, dark bars running somewhat into 
 light bars; dark bar only a spot at tip instead of a well-defined bar 
 across the end; light bars too broad toward tip. 
 
 5. Feather from cushion of female, darker than medium. Dark 
 bars slightly inclined to be crescentic in web and even more erescentic 
 in fluflf; barring quite regular from tip to base; bar at tip shows slight 
 grayish edging (or frosting). 
 
 6. Feather from neck of medium colored, high quality female. Dark 
 and light barring very regular in web, crossing nearly at right angle; 
 bar very straight at this point; dark and light bars in web of nearly 
 same width; bar at tip quite correct; barring in fluflf not quite as regular 
 as in preceding feather. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 153 
 
 supposed to take this direction. (See definition of barring in 
 glossary.) This makes the bars parallel, with one another. Nar- 
 row bars of equal width, all parallel, certainly produce some very 
 pleasing effects, but owing to the difficulty of producing them, 
 birds that possess them are exceptionally few. Variations from 
 the rule taxe many different forms. In the first place, it is very 
 difficult to produce bars that run absolutely straight across the 
 feathers. It has been approximated in the plumage of the female 
 and to almost the same degree in some sections of the male plum- 
 age, but in. hackle and saddle there remains a very strong ten- 
 dency to assume a \'-shaped bar. Breeders have made great 
 effort during recent years to straighten out the bars in these 
 sections and not without some degree of success, for the bars 
 in these sections are certainly much more nearly straight than 
 they were a few years ago. 1 hat is, the open end of the inverted 
 V is much wider than it used to be. In fact, the \' has opened 
 to such an extent that the effect of the bars in these sections in 
 some of the specimens that excel most is that of being nearly 
 straight across the feather. That the bars are not absolutely 
 straight across is due to the difficulty of breeding bars that will 
 be straight in the center of the feathers of these afore-named 
 male sections. Bars, even in these sections, are straight enough 
 to be so-called in the border or web of the feather, but seem to 
 follow the direction of the barbs of the feather in the center. 
 Thus, the construction of the feather in these sections seems to 
 be the obstacle to overcome. Bars are much more nearly straight 
 in the sections : breast, wing-coverts, main tail and tail-coverts, 
 in which this construction of the feather is less pronounced. 
 
 Because the border or thinly barbed portion of the feather is 
 much more narrow in nearly all sections, structurally, the female 
 plumage resembles that of male breast and wing-coverts rather 
 than the hackle and saddle plumage, which is quite different. 
 If the bars are ideal, that is, coincide with the definition of 
 "barring," the two edges will be parallel and will have what 
 some breeders call "square" or "square-edged" bars ; that is, 
 bars that meet the edges of the feather at right angles, which 
 would not be the case if the bars were "curved" or V-shaped in- 
 stead of straight across. 
 
 Bars are sometimes "notched" or "scalloped," that is, while 
 they seem straight at the edges of the feathers they do not main- 
 tain this direction throughout their entire length but become 
 
154 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 FOUE DEGREES OF QUALITY IN COLOR AND BARRING ON NECK 
 
 OF BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 PLATE 28 
 
 1 2 3 4 
 
 Upper Row: Male, 1— 
 Lower Row: Female, 1 
 
 6 7 
 
 -Ordinary, 2 — Good, 3— 
 —Ordinary, 2— Good, 3- 
 
 Very Good, 4 — Idealized. 
 -Very Good, 4 — Idealized. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 155 
 
 slightly V-shaped at or near the center. This is, of course, not 
 desirable and manifestly does not conform to the description of 
 the Standard for Barred Plymouth Rock color nor the definition 
 of "barring." 
 
 Definition. — "Sharply defined" is another adjective applied to 
 "bar" in the Standard for Barred Plymouth Rocks. This means 
 that the ime of separation between the light and dark bars shall 
 1)6 sharp and definite. This line of separation should be as 
 sharply defined as though drawn with a chisel-edged pencil. Too 
 often the definition between the dark and light is gradual rather 
 than sharp. Another fault along the same line is the extending 
 of fine dark lines into the light bars. When this fault is so pro- 
 nounced that it becomes noticeable, the plumage presents an 
 appearance more speckled than barred. 
 
 Undercolor.— Underbarring is really what undercolor means 
 in a Barred Plymouth Rock. Because of the clause requiring 
 "bars extending the entire length of the feather," the under- 
 barring should be clear and distinct, though the intensity of the 
 dark underbar is never of the same degree as of the surface bar 
 and consequently the same sharp definition can not be expected. 
 Yet, the colors should be clear, the barring comparatively dis- 
 tinct and free from shafting. The regular, narrow, parallel bars 
 should extend to the skin. 
 
 Surface Color. — The surface color should be clear, clean, 
 bright and snappy. By this we mean free from foreign color, 
 any tinge of brown or yellow, etc. What are known as rusty 
 shades occur even in well-bred birds, though such must be rather 
 inferior specimens even if well bred. This means that brown is 
 mixed with the color of the plumage to a lesser or greater ex- 
 tent. This is seen most commonly in the shoulder, center of 
 back and wing-bows, more often in males than in females and 
 is more apt to be present in old than in young birds. Sometimes 
 natural fading of the dark bar is responsible for its presence 
 but more often it is in the specimen because of its inheritance. 
 On the edge of the dark bars is where this shade shows most 
 plainly. 
 
 Crocky shades are seen and the term refers to a seemingly 
 thin veneer of black over the plumage of the bird, as though 
 someone with soiled hands had stroked the bird rapidly. Need- 
 less to state, this mars the appearance of the bird so decidedly 
 that an otherwise meritorious specimen becomes of doubtful 
 value. 
 
156 
 
 AMERICAX POULTRY ASf^OCIATION 
 
 PLUMAGE SHOWING THREE DEGREES OF QUALITY IN COLOR 
 
 AND BARRING ON WING PRIMARIES. BARRED 
 
 PLYMOUTH ROCK MALE 
 
 PLATE 29 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 157 
 
 PLUMAGE SHOWING THEEE DEGEEES OF QUALITY IN COLOR 
 
 AND BARRING ON WING PRIMARIES, BARRED 
 
 PLYMOl^TH ROCK FEMALES 
 
 PLATE 30 
 
 12 3 
 
 1 — Ordinary. 2 — Very Good. 3 — Idealized. 
 
158 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Barred Plymouth Rocks, like white fowl, often show brassi- 
 ness or creaminess. This is because the ground color or light bar 
 is not clear and in this case show yellow, giving as a whole the 
 brassy or creamy appearance. 
 
 MATING TO PRODUCE EXHIBITION SPECIMENS 
 
 The breeding of Barred Plymouth Rocks, even of the high- 
 est exhibition merit, is not as difficuh as is generally thought. 
 The breeder who starts with good individual specimens and fol- 
 lows a few simple and established laws of mating can be as- 
 sured of success from the beginning. 
 
 It is admitted that the best exhibition specimens are pro- 
 duced by the double mating system, which to many seems to be 
 hard to understand, but which in practice is simplicity itself, or 
 if complicated, is no more so than the single mating system, ex- 
 cept that we have two systems to deal with instead of one. By 
 double mating, we in many ways simplify our breeding scheme 
 because we eliminate the problem of balancing the influence of 
 the two sexes as to color, which is the most difficult one involved 
 in the single or standard mating system. The double-mating 
 system is undoubtedly more universally used and understood by 
 breeders of Barred Plymouth Rocks than by those of any other 
 variety. The general principles of this system have been ex- 
 plained in the preceding section and only the special application 
 of these principles to Barred Plymouth Rocks remain to be made 
 clear. 
 
 Double matings are necessary to produce standard colored 
 specimens of both sexes because in any mating, be it according 
 to the single or double mating systems, the males will come 
 several shades lighter than the females, while the Standard, by 
 descriljing the color of both male and female in exactly the same 
 words, calls for the different sexes to match in the showroom. To 
 acconii)lish this task very dark matings are used to keep the males 
 dark enough to rnatch the females, and comparatively light 
 matings to produce females light enough to match the males. 
 
 We have a standard description for shape, such that males 
 and females correspond ; that is, males and females of stand- 
 ard shape, when mated together, produce standard shape 
 specimens of both sexes. That this statement is approximately 
 true is proved by the fact that very few breeders make special 
 matings to overcome shape differences in the sexes of any of 
 the Standard breeds and varieties. Barred Plymouth Rocks 
 are no exception to the laws that govern the breeding of other 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 159 
 
 varieties of Plymouth Rocks as far as conformation is involved ; 
 therefore, the general treatise upon that topic will apply ; no 
 special treatise being necessary. Naturally, then, this chapter 
 will be expected to omit such a treatise and deal with the prob- 
 lems of breeding exact color and correct markings. 
 
 The Chief Difficulty. — It is a well known and universally 
 recognized fact among the well informed along these lines of 
 endeavor that the Barred Rock males are as a general occur- 
 rence lighter in shade of color than the females. 
 
 This phenomenon of light colored males and darker colored 
 females from the same parents is not thoroughly understood. 
 Many have sought to explain it by stating that the male of the 
 original cross was light and the female black ; hence produced 
 light males and darker females. That this explanation is no 
 explanation at all, everyone at all familiar with the laws of 
 breeding recognizes. 
 
 The very first breeders of this variety discovered that the 
 males from the same matings were much lighter than the fe- 
 males. We have in Mr. Upham's account the statement that 
 the first cross of Spaulding's produced females most of which 
 were black and that but few were gray, while all the males 
 were gray. Mr. Ramsdell makes the same statement. Thereby, 
 we learn from the beginning the females came much darker 
 than the males and this tendency was much more pronounced 
 in the earliest days than later. It would appear that skillful 
 mating has overcome this tendency slowly, gradually and to a 
 certain extent only, because the existence of such a tendency 
 we can not deny even at the present day, over fifty years since 
 the origin of the variety ; but still, skillful breeding, certainly, 
 must be conceded, because improvement in every way, the evi- 
 dence of which is on either hand in every community in the 
 land and nearly every country on the globe, yet there must be 
 a strongly dominant influence, naturally inherent in this variety, 
 when, after fifty years, an undesirable tendency, to eliminate 
 which every effort has been made, will show itself even in the 
 slightest degree. The student is anxious to understand and de- 
 mands a plausible theory of explanation. The breeder ques- 
 tions why, so that he may overcome this tendency as fully as 
 possible or more completely than his competitor. 
 
 The Generally Accepted Explanation.— A few explanations 
 of varied character have been offered and the one that is the 
 
1(50 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 THEEE DEGEEES OF QUALITY IN COLOR AND BARRING ON 
 
 WING SECONDARIES, BARRED PLYMOUTH 
 
 ROCK MALE 
 
 PLATE 31 
 
 1 2 3 
 
 1 — Ordinary. 2 — Very Good. 3 — Idealized. 
 
PIAUOITH h'OCh ST.WDAh'l) AM) Hh'EIJD 1UK)K ICl 
 
 THREE DEGREES OF QUALITY IN COLOR AND BARRING ON 
 
 WING SKCONDAKIES, BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCK 
 
 FEMALE 
 
 PLATE 32 
 
 1 — Ordinary. 2 — Very Good. 3 — Idealized 
 
162 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 least sound in both logic and science, strange as it may seem — 
 the explanation flimsy as it is, that the tendency of the females 
 to become darker with each generation when not checked by 
 skillful mating or when unskillfully mated is explained by the 
 simple fact that the female of the first cross was so very dark, 
 black in fact, and contrawise the males are comparatively light 
 because the male of the first cross was light. This explana- 
 tion (?) is so clear, direct and logical that it has been accepted 
 by those of our breeders who demand explanations before they 
 proceed with their work as so apparent as not to require proof. 
 It has then become an axiom in their breeding code. Fortun- 
 ately,* it is the fact with which these easily satisfied persons 
 dealt and must deal, rather than a supposition or a theory. In 
 the minor details of plumage, or type characters, the people who 
 accept this superficiality do not expect the male progeny to 
 inherit all the qualities of the sire nor the female progeny to 
 inherit all the characteristics of the dam. Instead, we have a 
 case of mixed inheritance, the laws of which are so complicated 
 and mystical that they defy comprehension, not to allude to an 
 explanation. 
 
 Bishop's Explanation. — The nearest to an explanation of this 
 phenomenon of light males and darker females which the writer 
 has seen was offered by the Rev. D. D. Bishop, a breeder of 
 both Barred Plymouths and Dominiques, nearly forty years ago. 
 Yet that is hardly an explanation because the question why 
 still remains unanswered. The fact that this phenomenon is 
 characteristic in all Dominique colored fowls is, however, well 
 brought out in the following paragraphs selected from the 
 work referred to at the beginning of the paragraph, "The 
 Plymouth Rock." 
 
 "The most important and striking characteristic that pre- 
 sents itself to a student of Plymouth Rocks is the peculiar dif- 
 ference in the color effect in the two sexes. First, last and 
 always the males come lighter than the females. It is a thing 
 we must never forget in dealing with this breed. It will beat 
 us if we do but we shall never beat that. It is in the birds ; 
 it is the law of this color that the males will not only be sev- 
 eral shades lighter in color, but the width of the bars will be 
 about one-third of the light spaces between them. It is a very 
 light pullet that has the space between the bars equal in width 
 to the bars themselves, and from that the spaces grow less all 
 the way down to no space at all, or solid color. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 163 
 
 "The Dominique presents the same characteristics — in fact, 
 the Plymouth Rock inherits this peculiarity, with its color, from 
 the Dominique, and wherever you find the Dominique color, 
 in Leghorns or anywhere else, you find the same law to govern. 
 The observation of this law will be taken up in the chapter 
 on breeding, so that I shall not follow it further at this time, but 
 just here I will say that the fact must be accepted as a law and 
 not regarded as a mere eccentricity. The color difference be- 
 tween the male and the female is really much less in the Dom- 
 inique color than in many others. As soon as you get outside 
 of the solid colors — as white and black — the utmost diversity 
 is manifested. The tyro refuses to credit the statement that the 
 Partridge Cochin cock and hen are of the same breed. The 
 Dark Brahma shows as wide a difference between sexes, and 
 what could be more unlike than the cocks and hens of the 
 various Games and Pheasants, all the way to the songbirds as 
 gaily light as the butterflies themselves ? 
 
 "The law of variation between male and female is Nature's 
 law, and not an eccentricity confined to this particular breed 
 of fowls." 
 
 H. H. Stoddard, for years editor and publisher of the 
 Poultry World, of Hartford, Conn., has written so interestingly 
 on this topic of the difference in male and female color that we 
 quote from his work, "The Plymouth Rocks," of 1880: 
 
 "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 scapegoat. There 
 are, no doubt, instances in the animal kingdom where traits 
 originally introduced 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 prod- 
 ucts of the cross for three generations have proved that the 
 dark pigment still appeared chiefly in the pullets rather than in 
 the cockerels. This might have been expected in advance, be- 
 cause analogy teaches it. Nearly all our breeds whose plum- 
 age contains both light and dark feathers, or markings, nat^ 
 urally throw males whose color will average lighter than that 
 of the females. The hackle and saddle of the cock incline to 
 be lighter than the corresponding portions of the hen and 
 certain portions of his tail and wings contain relatively larger 
 patches of white, which make his average color higher than 
 
164 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 hers. For example, S. P. Hamburgs. S. S. Hamburgs and 
 Colored Dorkings. 
 
 "Again, the Black Java cocks, like the Black Cochin males 
 tend toward light or golden saddles and hackles and the Ameri- 
 can Dominique males are both lighter than the respective females 
 and as the Plymouth Rocks are based on these two breeds, will 
 the time ever ccme when our Plymouth Rocks will average 
 of the same color in both sexes?" 
 
 It must be admitted that there appears to be considerable 
 truth in these lines of reasoning that both Bishop and Stod- 
 dard pursued. Certainly many other examples could be added 
 to those given ; yet it can not be conceded to be a law of nature 
 that is ai)plicable to all varieties of our Standard bred fowls. 
 
 The Sexes Must Match in Color. — If all this be so, why not 
 accept the light m?.les and the dark females ? Why adopt ex- 
 pediencies to obviate this difficulty which is unnatural to the 
 fowl itself? 
 
 In the first place, the American Standard of Perfection is 
 the guide for the showroom and the requirements found therein 
 gives one description for the color of both sexes. This means 
 that males and females, for exhibition, must match in color. 
 Then, why have a Standard with such requirements ? Frankly. 
 for one reason, if no other, the light males and dark females 
 are not admired by the public, the breeders, the exhibitors 
 or the judges ; and upon the latter the breeder is dependent for 
 his publicity. 
 
 Advantages of Two Matings. — Again, the same female in 
 any mating of parti-colored varieties is never the dam of both 
 the best cockerel and the best pullet. This fact being true, the 
 advantage of a double-mating, or of making two special mat- 
 ings, one designed to produce exhibition males and the other 
 to produce high-class exhibition females, should be at once 
 recognized. 
 
 It lies in the fact that by mating exhibition colored males to 
 the daughters of exhibition colored males, males that are of 
 exhibition color are produced. Exhibition females are produced 
 by just as simple a process. The sons of exhibition colored fe- 
 males are mated to exhibition colored females and females of 
 exhibition color are thereby produced. This simplifies very much 
 the task of producing exhibition color because we may depend 
 upon the system of mating to accomplish our purpose. The 
 skillful adjustments of balancing the influence of the male and 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 165 
 
 of each individual female upon the color of the progeny is not 
 nearly as necessary as when the single or standard mating is 
 used. Further than that, we may rely upon the quality of the 
 males very largely to determine the quality of the male progeny. 
 Outside of her ancestry, the appearance of the female of the 
 male line as to plumage becomes of secondary importance under 
 the double-mating system ; exactly so with the male of the ex- 
 hibition female line. 
 
 These principles and facts must be ever coupled with tho'^e 
 one step in advance, namely — the higher the quality of the par- 
 ents, the higher that of the offspring; other things, of course, 
 being equal ; the more generations that quality has been main- 
 tained, the more certain and often it will reproduce itse'f. 
 
 Special Matings an Old and Established Institution. — Double- 
 mating could be and should be called "special mating," because 
 this term indicates accurately just what it is designed to be and 
 should be. Double-matings are special matings for each sex. 
 As such they become old and established institutions, as long 
 before the term "double-mating" was used, special matings to 
 overcome the difficulty of breeding males and females of the 
 same shade were employed. Descriptions of such matings are 
 found in most, if not all, the works on Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 The stage to which thought upon this question had ad- 
 vanced at this time (1880) is very well illuminated by Stoddard 
 in the following paragraphs : 
 
 "* * * 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 varying 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 num- 
 ber 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 veiy few what may be called light, or 
 about the same 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 
 
166 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 THREE DEGREES OF QUALITY IN COLOR AND BARRING ON 
 TAIL PROPER, BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCK MALE 
 
 PLATE 33 
 
 
 *^^. 
 
 
 iP*'^^^'' 
 
 .^••«^3 i#^»«i».': 
 
 
 *^i* €^N.i' 
 
 
 
 
 1 — Ordinary. 2 — Very Good. 3 — Idealized. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 167 
 
 THREE DEGREES OF QUALITY IN COLOR AND BARRING ON 
 TAIL PROPER, BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCK FEMALE 
 
 PLATE 34 
 
 12 3 
 
 1 — Ordinary. 2 — Very Good. 3 — Idealized. 
 
N. C. State CJkge 
 
 1(;8 AMERICAN POULTRY A.S'.S'Of /AT/O.Y 
 
 are desirable, but few ; being few they are in great demand. 
 Breeders wish to mate their stock in such manner as to produce 
 the greatest number of these hght-colored pullets. Every year 
 in which the lightest colored pullets are used successfully tends 
 to fix a lighter shade on the female side. The light-colored 
 cockerel and the black hen draw in op})osite directions. Can the 
 Plymouth Rocks be so changed by breeding as to approximate, 
 and finally draw together? Perhaps so and perhaps not. It can 
 only be accomplished, 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." 
 
 These paragraphs set forth clearly the work that the Barred 
 Plymouth Rock breeders had before them as well as supplying 
 a description of the tools with which they had to work. Stod- 
 dard gives us further information by describing the three 
 matings which he considers necessary to accomplish the objects 
 of the Barred Plymouth Rock breeders. 
 
 "It will be advisable for the breeder to make three matings. 
 In the first place, all the lightest cockerels and all the darkest 
 pullets should be rejected as unfit to breed. Then much atten- 
 tion should be given to the color of the legs. It is very impor- 
 tant that a breeding cockerel should have not only legs yellow, 
 but very yellow legs. The pullets at first cannot 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 cockerels, 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. 
 
 "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 breeders 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 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 169 
 
 this way. The matter of extreme colors should be discontinued 
 entirely as soon as may be. and the breeder should have in view 
 ,the bringing about of a uniformity of color in the sexes." 
 
 The reader will understand from the following paragraphs 
 that Stoddard, presumably echoing the voice of the Barred 
 Plymouth Rock breeders, advocates a special mating to produce 
 exhibition colored cockerels ; and a special mating to produce 
 exhibition pullets ; yet he does not abandon the idea of producing 
 Standard colored chicks of both sexes from one mating. This, 
 indeed, seemed to have been the idea for a time. Single or stand- 
 ard matings were maintained each year with the expectation that 
 by persistently mating together the males and the females nearest 
 to standard color, that were produced from one mating, standard 
 colored specimens of both sexes could be produced from the 
 same mating. For their immediate requirements, however, 
 breeders indulged in special matings for the sex. This general 
 plan was pursued for a number of years. The idea of producing 
 the best or nearest to standard colored specimens from one 
 mating was not given up generally until about the beginning of 
 this century. At the present time there are probab'y those who 
 have not given up the idea that this feat may be accomplished, 
 but in face of the almost universal use of and quite universal 
 success of specimens produced by the double mating system at 
 poultry exhibitions all over the land they are surely very quiet 
 about their practices. 
 
 Other forms of matings were advocated which from the de- 
 scription given we may without hesitation pronounce special 
 matings. 
 
 In Plymouth Rocks (Corbin, 1879). we find five systems and 
 from their nature, it surely would seem as though standard col- 
 ored birds would result from some of them. 
 
 "Five different matings have been advocated and practiced 
 as follows : 
 
 "No. 1 — A male, light in color, mated to dark females. 
 "No. 2 — A male, dark in color, mated to light females. 
 "No. 3 — A male, dark in color, mated to dark females. 
 "No. 4 — Birds matching in the show-pens. 
 "No. 5 — A female medium in color, mated with a male about 
 two points or shades lighter in color. 
 
 "There should be but one mating necessary. That for exhibi- 
 tion should be precisely the same as that for breeding. The 
 
170 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 trouble and annoyance of being obliged to have two different 
 styles of mating is obvious to any one, and it utterly befogs 
 amateurs. 
 
 "There is no necessity for this. The best mating for breed- 
 ing purposes is that of No. 5, and this is or should be the same 
 as No. 4. Mating No. 1 is urged by many as the proper one ; and 
 where a beginner has no really suitable birds, and does not feel 
 able to pay the prices demanded for the finest ones, he will do 
 very well with fine bred stock mated in this way ; that is, he 
 will obtain a certain percentage of the progeny fitted for a proper 
 mating the next season. 
 
 "But where you have already obtained the desired medium 
 by careful breeding, it is worse than useless to again return to 
 the extremes and expect more favorable results. Mating No. 2 
 is objectionable, and should not be practiced, except as a neces- 
 sity to utilize stock, and even then seldom proves satisfactory. 
 Mating No. 3 should never be made use of ; as the pullets from 
 such a mating would run from very dark to black, while the 
 cockerels would be splashed with black or too dark either for 
 the breeding or show-pen. Possibly a few cockerels could be 
 obtained fit to be exhibited, but they would not be suitable to 
 use as breeders, and their proportion would be very small. 
 
 "It is impossible also to obtain by this mating any number 
 of chicks having the required yellow legs and beaks. They will 
 invariably have legs either dark or spotted. This is a disquali- 
 fication in exhibition birds, and, of course, destroys all but their 
 economic value. 
 
 "If birds exactly alike could always be bred from, or if the 
 mingling of like elements always produced the same results, 
 there would be but little difficulty in breeding exhibition birds 
 by the score; but such is not the fact." 
 
 No. 1, as stated by the author, was excusable when one had 
 no better birds and no money to procure them. All will agree 
 with him. Females come too dark, males too light ; yet mate 
 the culls together. One method ; yes, the poorest that can be 
 thought of. 
 
 No. 2 is an evidently desperate method to secure Standard 
 colored specimens of both sex. 
 
 The author condemns, in toto, number three. Yet, by this 
 method of mating, the rich and beautiful males of the present 
 day are produced and more than that, it was by this method — 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STA^^DARD AND BREED BOOK 171 
 
 PLUMAGE SHOWING THREE DEGREES OF QUALITY, COLOR 
 AND BARRING ON WING BOW AND WING-BAR OR 
 COVERTS OF BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCK 
 
 PLATE 35 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 Upper Row: Male — Wing-Bow. 1 — Ordinary, 2 — Very Good, 3- 
 Idealized; Wing-Bar or Wing-Coverts, 4 — Ordinary, 5 — Very Good, 6- 
 Idealized. 
 
 Lower Row: Female Wing-Bow. 7 — Ordinary, 8 — Very Good, 9 — 
 Idealized; Wing-Bar or Wing-Coverts, 10 — Ordinary, 11 — Very Good, 
 12 — Idealized. 
 
172 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 practiced without interruption for years — that they have been 
 developed. 
 
 Mating number five, by which the excellent females of the 
 present day have been produced is also criticized severely with 
 the statement, "This is or should be the same as number four," 
 a Standard mating which is and always has been a most pro- 
 nounced failure from the beginning in producing exhi1)ition 
 birds of either sex. 
 
 One fact that these quotations from the early works does 
 bring out clearly is the importance placed upon breeding Plym- 
 outh Rocks with clear yellow legs. Breeders of the present day 
 are fully aware of the fact that color cannot be bred entirely 
 out of the shanks and toes and still bred in the feather in all its 
 intensity and beauty. 
 
 The quotations preceding serve one good purpose, that of 
 giving quite an adequate conception of the many and varied 
 methods and systems resorted to in order to breed males and 
 females that matched in color. One by one they prove them- 
 selves worthless. All that survive are number three and number 
 five, according to Corbett. and these are exactly what we are 
 using today, known as the double-mating system, one mating to 
 produce exhibition males and one to produce exhil^ition females. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 MATINGS TO PRODUCE EXHIBITION MALES 
 
 Matings for this purpose are popularly called cockerel 
 matings and consist of cockerel-bred males and females, so- 
 called. A cockerel-bred male is an exhibition male, or at least 
 one of exhibition or standard color. (In accepting this definition 
 or rule the reader must allow two exceptions or modifications ; 
 first, that the term standard color must have general rather than 
 special application — that is, some range of shades must be 
 allowed ; second, males bred from strictly cockerel matings would 
 be classed as cockerel-bred. In some cases males considerably 
 lighter and in other cases males very much darker than Standard 
 are produced from matings that are of the cockerel line.) 
 
 A cockerel-bred female is the daughter of an exhibition or 
 standard colored male. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 173 
 
 DEFECTS IN BARRING OF PLUMAGE 
 PLATE 36 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 Upper Eow: 1 — Bars: Weak at tip and sides; crescent shaped; 
 light quill. 2 — Very irregular; bars join at quill; bars turn backward 
 at sides like inverted V ( j\ '). -i — Barring coarse, smirched badly. 
 4- — Two sides of web dissimilar, barring irregular in extreme; light bar 
 joints dark bar at quill, mis-matched barring. 5 — Barring extremely 
 V shaped. 6 — Barring M shaped toward sides. 
 
 Lower Row: 7 — Barring too coarse; bars too few; undercolor lacks 
 barring. 8 — Dark bars wider at sides and joined at edges of feather. 
 9 — Quill white through the dark bars; light and dark bars run together. 
 10 — All but part of bars near tip end, black. 11 — White on most all 
 of one side of web. (Much worse fauJt than black in barred plumage.) 
 
174 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 175 
 
176 AMEJi'JCAX I'OI LTh'Y A.^t^OVlATION 
 
 The Cockerel-Bred Males. — These, as stated, are standard 
 colored and are sons of standard colored sires and their dams are 
 daughters of standard colored males. Males from these matings 
 vary in shade of color somewhat. Seme will come too light to 
 be classed as standard colored, while some will be too dark to 
 pass standard requirements. The former, because males are 
 inclined to breed too light, are wcn'th little or nothing as breeders 
 for exhibition males. 
 
 Too Light Males. — They are too light generally because the 
 dark bars are not dark enough or wide enough to create the in- 
 tensity required of standard colored males, or because the light 
 bars are too wide which is, however, making about the same 
 statement as that the dark bars are not wide enough. 
 
 Too Dark Males. — The over-strong colored male, that is, 
 the one that is too dark for a first class exhibition specimen, is 
 useful as a breeder, sometimes extremely useful. The male may 
 be too strongly colored because of one or mere of the follow- 
 ing faults. The dark bar may be too wide or "heavy." as it is 
 called. A dark bar much wider than the light bar is frequently 
 seen in cockerel-bred males and is not considered a serious fault 
 because of the real need of extra color in breeding males of the 
 male line. A breeder-exhibitor must bear in mind that this is the 
 real purpose of a cockerel-bred male which has dark bars of 
 this description, but that such a male is not of the very highest 
 exhibition quality. The dark bar may be too intensely dark, in 
 which case it has a gloss known among breeders as "sheen." 
 Usually this is a lustre of greenish shade. This is not desirable, 
 though when only faintly visible in certain sections, counts very 
 little against the specimen possessing it, and may add to its 
 breeding value with females of certain descriptions. 
 
 The light bar may be, and very likely is, too narrow as 
 measured by Standard requirements. It may also be too dark. 
 By that is meant — not a clear, grayish white. Light bars may 
 be smoky, that is, mixed wdth dark pigment, thus creating a 
 slaty shade. It may have a brownish tinge which gives the 
 specimen a rusty color, especially noticeal)lc if the dark bar also 
 has a brownish tinge. 
 
 Every cockerel-bred male that is to l)e mated or that is being 
 considered for a breeder should be examined to determine how 
 he deviates from standard color and how much ; that is, in which 
 direction — is he too light or is he too dark — what makes him 
 so? The correct answer is comparatively easy to find if you are 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 177 
 
 observing and patiently studious. When the cause of deviation 
 from standard color is determined, it must be kept in mind 
 during the mating process, for females that have faults of the 
 same character should not be selected as mates. 
 
 The Cockerel-Bred Females. — These are, if true to name, 
 daughters of exhibition-colored males. They differ from exhi- 
 bition-colored females only in color; they are darker — often very 
 much darker. Upon analysis, the dark bar is found to be much 
 more intensely dark. Greenish lustre appears occasionally, which 
 is usually referred to as "sheen." This is an objectionable fea- 
 ture in exhibition females, but not necessarily so in cockerel-bred 
 females ; for many males, females that possess a dark bar of that 
 character are necessary in order to breed high class males. 
 
 The dark bar is usually much wider than the light bar, 
 usually twice as wide and sometimes as much as three times as 
 wide. This feature differs from the reciuirements for exhibition 
 females in this particular, but inasmuch as the light bar of the 
 males has a tendency to be too wide, this quality is desired in 
 cockerel-breeding females. The dark bar should be strong and 
 there should be a sharp definition between the dark and the light 
 bars. This line of definition will not be as sharp as in the plum- 
 age of exhibition-colored females because the contrast in color 
 between the two bars is not as sharp. 
 
 The light bar, as it appears in plumage of the cockerel-bred 
 female, is not as wide, being, as the reader will conclude from 
 the foregoing, only one-half or one-third as wide. Furthermore, 
 the light bar is not as clear as in the plumage of the exhibition 
 female and it is not desired that it be so, for the reason stated 
 repeatedly that males are prone to come too light. Some cock- 
 erel-bred females do show a very clean-cut barring, the light 
 bar while narrow, is bright and clean and the dark bar, while 
 wide and strong in color, has well defined edges and is free from 
 greenish sheen and brownish shades. Such females are very 
 pretty and are of the sort that are usuaHy exhibited when classes 
 are provided for them. As breeders, they are not always a success. 
 That depends upon how they are mat-ed. If mated to males 
 that are very strong in surface color as well as in underbarring, 
 good results should be expected and often will be realized. They 
 would be particularly well mated to males whose plumage 
 showed rusty or brownish tinges or salty light bars. If we 
 
A.MERTCAX POULTRY Af<SOCIATIOX 
 
 SICKLE AND LARGER TAIL COVERTS, BARRED 
 PLYMOUTH ROCK MALE 
 
 PLATE 
 
 Sickle — Vcrv Good 
 
 Three Larger Tail Coverts — Very Good 
 
PLYMOTTII ROCK ,^TAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 179 
 
 SICKLE AND LAEGER TAIL COVERTS, BARRED 
 PLYMOUTH ROCK MALE 
 
 PLATE 40 
 
 Sickle — Idealized 
 Three Larger Tail Coverts — Ideal (natural) 
 
180 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 BREEDING FOR EXHIBITION COLOR IN MALES 
 
 PLATE 41 
 12 8 4 5 6 7 
 
 9 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 Specimen feathers from 1 — Head. 2 — Neck. 3 — Back. 4 — Saddle. 
 5 — Breast. 6 — Wing-bow. 7 — Wing-bar. 8 — Wing primary. 9 — Wing 
 secondary. 10 — Tail proper. 11 — Tail covert. 12, 13 — Rear body, often 
 called fluff, showing color of male used to produce high quality exhibi- 
 tion Barred Plymouth Rock Males. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 181 
 
 BEEEDING MALES OF EXHIBITION COLOR 
 
 PLATE 42 
 
 12 3 4 5 6 7 
 
 8 !) 10 n 12 13 
 
 Specimen feathers from 1 — Head. 2^Xeck. 3 — Back, between 
 shoulders. 4 — Cushions. 5 — Breast. 6 — Wing-bow. 7 — Wing-covert. 
 8 — Primary. 9 — Secondary. 10 — Main tail. 11 — Smaller tail-covert. 
 12, 13 — Two from rear body, often called fluff, showing high color mark- 
 ings of female used to produce high quality exhibition Barred Plymouth 
 Rock males. 
 
182 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 want to breed males that are rich colored or deep blue in general 
 appearance, it is not desirable that the birds of both sexes should 
 have absolutely clear, light bars in their plumage, but it is advis- 
 able that it should be present in one side of the mating. 
 
 Selecting the Male. — Standard colored males are placed at 
 the head of all niatings intended to produce exhibition males. 
 The nearer they are to perfection in form, color and markings, 
 the more valuable they are as sires of exhibition males. This 
 statement holds with the single exception of shade of color. In 
 that particular, a male that has a slight tendency towards an 
 overly strong shade, is, in other words, inclined to be too dark 
 or has an overly strong, dark bar, should be given the preference 
 for females whose dark bar shows little or no sheen. A male 
 of the same description should be selected fcr females that have 
 the clean, light bar. As a mate for females with plumage of this 
 description, males that have rich blue appearance, together with 
 the strong, dark bar, should be selected. 
 
 Close attention to the type of barring is necessary. Those 
 males that have the straight-across-the-feather bar with little 
 tendency to show the V-shaped bar comply with standard re- 
 quirements and are very valuable assets in any l^reeder's yards. 
 The breeding of this type of barring in male plumage is one of 
 the ambitions of the Barred Rock breeders that is not fullv real- 
 ized as yet. 
 
 The Undercolor. — The underbarring is a feature that must 
 be made a matter of moment. The strength of this feature is an 
 indication of the breeding strength of the male. Underbarring 
 should be strong in all sections. Do not fail to examine critically 
 these sections for this characteristic : Neck, back its entire 
 length, wing bows, and insist that the bars extend to the skin. 
 This should be true also of the breast and as nearly true of the 
 long, rear body feathers as possible. The straighter and clearer 
 these underbars of a male are, the better he is, both as an exhihi- 
 tion specimen and as a breeder. 
 
 The Surface Color. — Evenness of surface color is one of the 
 first essentials of good exhi]:)ition male and it is just as essen- 
 tial in a breeding male. 
 
 For females that are otherwise very good but are too light 
 in the neck, males that are very strong in barring of this sec- 
 tion and even in color of all sections are very desirable. For 
 females that are extremely dark, that is, dark to a point where 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK NTAyOARD AND BREED BOOK 188 
 
 they appear "crocky," males that are even in all sections, clear 
 in the light bar and free from rusty or brownish dark bars, are 
 necessary for good results. If the breeder can go one step fur- 
 ther and insist upon sharply defined as well as clear bars when 
 selecting the male, he will be sti 1 more fortunate. When mating 
 females of the above description, the back and shoulders of the 
 male are the scclicns to examine especially closely. 
 
 Selecting the Females. — The first thing to consider in select- 
 ing the females to produce exhil^ition males is their ancestry. 
 They should be daughters of high class exhibition males and. if 
 l)Ossible, the sisters of high class exhibition males. Two facts 
 besides their individuality, which are highly indicative of their 
 cuality as producers of desirable males are: First, the length of 
 the line from which they come or the number of generations of 
 high class, exhibition males which precede them in their ancestry 
 and, second, the ([uality of these male ancestors. The value as 
 a producer of any cockerel-bred female will depend upon the 
 number of generations and the quality of high class male ances- 
 tors. The value of a female will be indicated most clearly by 
 her individuality ; that is, to a breeder with experience in pro- 
 du'ing high class males, and by the quality of her own brothers.. 
 The merits and defects of these own l)rothers. particularly 
 those of her own age. furnish strong clues as to how to mate 
 a cockerel-bred female. Furthermore, as it is a recognized fact 
 that, though several cockerel-bred females may be full sisters. 
 they are not identical, the question comes up as to which to 
 select. Referring to the above descrii)tion. it is not essential that 
 cockerel-bred females should hnvQ clear, yellow shanks and toes, 
 as the shanks and toes of the males are usually yellow even when 
 those of their dams and sisters show considerable dark color. 
 The same is true ■?s to color of beaks of cockerel-bred males and 
 females. 
 
 The Wing Section. — The flights of the cockerel-bred females 
 need not be as clearly marked as those of an exhibition female, 
 because from females with flights that show but suggestions of 
 markings, that is, that are but indistinctly marked, come males 
 with splendidly marked flights. 
 
 The secondaries of cockerel-bred males should not only be 
 distinctly barred, but the bars in each feather should be so placed 
 that when the wing is folded, they will form distinct lines across 
 the wing-bay. This is a very pretty feature of a Barred Plym- 
 
184 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY A^SOCIATIOX 
 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 185 
 
 outh Rock wing and, as a rule, there is no difficulty in breeding 
 it to an approximate state of perfection. 
 
 The markings of the shoulders, wing-fronts and wing-bows 
 partake of the nature of those of the back, breast and rear body. 
 
 The Undercolor. — The underbarring of the cockerel-bred 
 female should be very strong, clear and distinct. The light bar, 
 of course, will not be as clear as that of the exhibition colored 
 female, but the dark bar is so much stronger that we obtain 
 very distinct underbarring in the best selected cockerel-bred 
 females. This, of course, is very desirable because of the neces- 
 sity for underbarring in our exhibition males, which it is im- 
 possible to secure without strong underbarring on both sides of 
 the mating. 
 
 The alternate bars of light and dark should color the shaft 
 as well as the fluff of the feather. \'ery often the dark bars 
 particularly stop at the quill. This is an indication of weak and 
 irregular barring. The males bred from such females will not 
 show the strength and regularity in barring that exhibitors 
 desire. 
 
 The Tail. — The larger the feathers, the coarser is the barring. 
 Constant observation teaches us that this feature of barred p'um- 
 age is natural. Bars that are comparatively narrow, straight, 
 clean and sharply defined are desired just as much in this as in 
 any section. A slight amount of greenish sheen is not objection- 
 able in either sex. because this section is fully as much inclined 
 to weakness in color as any section of the male plumage. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 MATINGS TO PRODUCE EXHIBITION FEMALES 
 
 Matings for this purpose are popularly called puHet-matings 
 and consist of pullet-bred males and females, so-called. A pullet- 
 bred male is a son of an exhibition female, or at least, one of 
 exhibition or standard color. (In accepting this definition or 
 rule, the reader must allow two exceptions or modifications : 
 first, that the term "standard color" must have general rather 
 than special application — that is, some 'range of shades must be 
 allowed ; second, males bred from strictly pullet-matings would 
 be classed as pullet-bred. In all cases, males considerably lighter 
 than Standard are produced from matings that are of the pullet- 
 line.) 
 
180 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY A>S>S0aiAT10\ 
 
PLYMOrrH ROCK STAXDARD AXD BREED BOOK 
 
 181 
 
 BREEDING FOR FEMALES OF EXHIBITION COLOR 
 PLATE 45 
 
 8 
 
 1(1 
 
 11 
 
 Specimen feathers from 1 — Head. 2 — Neck, o— Back. 4 — Saddle. 
 .' — Breast. 6 — Wing-bow. 7 — Wing-coverts. 8 — Primary. 9 — Second- 
 ary. 10 — Main tail. 11 — Lower breast. 12, 13 — Rear body, often called 
 fluff, showing color markings of male used to produce high quality ex- 
 hibition Barred Plymouth Rock females. 
 
188 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 A pullet-bred male is the son of an exhibition or standard 
 colored female. 
 
 The Pullet-Bred Males. — These are lighter than standard 
 colored males and are sons of standard colored females. 
 
 Sons of good exhibition females are the diametric opposites 
 of daughters of exhibition males. The sons are invariably much 
 lighter in surface color than exhibition males ; the light bars 
 are broader than the dark (Plate 45), giving the bird a much 
 more cpenly barred appearance than the exhibition male pre- 
 sents. 
 
 The legs and beak are usually a much deeper and clearer 
 yellow. The underbarring is not as strong and does not often 
 extend ta the end of the feathers nearest the skin. 
 
 The aim of the breeders with the most advanced ideas is, 
 however, to produce exhibition females with light and dark bars 
 of even width, but both quite narrow (Plate 45). In doing so, 
 the sons of such females have quite naturally become more nar- 
 rowly, barred as their dams improved in Standard requirements 
 or met' these advanced ideas. The result is that we have today 
 much mere presentable males in our female lines than were 
 found some years ago, though they do not yet reach the ideals 
 required of an exliil^ition male. 
 
 Selecting a Male to Produce Exhibition Females. — If capable 
 of producing females which breeders, exhibitors and judges 
 desire at the present time, an ideal male for pullet matings must 
 possess barring of nearly equal wddth, evenly spaced over a 
 large portion of the feather, be evenly colored on the surface anl 
 not weak in neck or breast, as they are likely to be. They should 
 have well-marked secondaries, as these show beautifully on the 
 females if the barring on each feather is properly placed, so 
 that they overlap and run parallel to one another. 
 
 A good wing-bay will often show these clear, distinct bars. 
 The flights of the male should also be distinctly marked, with 
 the black markings predominating, but the white should be 
 quite clear and the black very strong, stopping short of a lustre, 
 however. 
 
 Males whose dams are nearly ideal exhibition specimens, 
 when mated to splendid exhibition females, seldom fail to pro- 
 duce a fair proportion of exhibition females. Some are, how- 
 ever, much better producers than others. There is a tendency 
 for the light bars to become cloudy or indistinct and the finer 
 the bars become, the greater this tendency. To obviate this 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STA^WARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 BREEDING FEMALES OF EXHIBITION COLOR 
 
 PLATE 46 
 
 12 3 4 5 6 7 
 
 illsMB 
 
 ,*-*«*-"( i**" 
 
 
 ;—•:-' ^^ 
 
 1 
 
 f| 
 
 
 M 
 
 
 "^^ 
 
 ■ m 
 
 
 H 
 
 ■■1 
 
 '/ ' ^ 
 
 1 
 
 "^-..^ 
 
 ^ 1 
 
 "'^t' 
 
 ■ i^Hi' ^ 
 
 
 PS 
 
 r 
 
 «sr 
 
 * JS9lil"^# ■'-'-%«, -r"^ 
 
 
 r 
 
 ^r 
 
 ' ^ :•■ 1 
 
 ^m 
 
 i 
 
 
 r^ 1 ' 
 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 Specimen feathers from 1 — Head. 2 — Neck. 3 — Back near should- 
 ers. 4 — Back at cushion. 5 — Breast. 6 — Wing-bow. 7 — Wing-covert. 
 8 — Primary. 9 — Secondary. 10 — Main tail. 11 — Smaller tail-covert. 12, 
 13 — Rear-body, often called Huff, showing color markings of female used 
 to produce high quality exhibition Barred Plymouth Rock females. 
 
190 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASf^OCIATION 
 
 PLATE 4^ 
 
 Illustrating the progress of Barred Plymouth Rock females during 
 the past twenty years. Four prominent winning females, separated by 
 periods of about five years. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STAA'DARD AND BREED BOOK 191 
 
 PLATE 48 
 
 Illustrating the progress of Barred Plymouth Eock males during 
 the past twenty years, four prominent winning males, separated by 
 periods of about five years beginning with 1898 Boston winner. 
 
1!)1' A.yER/CAy POVLTRY AHHOCIATJOX 
 
 trouble, be sure that the light bars of particularly finely barred 
 males are extremely clear. 
 
 Females to- Produce Exhibition Females. — The ideal females 
 for the productioii- of- exhibition females are ideal exhibition 
 females ; but in practice the uncertainties in breeding are such 
 that this does not always work out. Females that are not them- 
 selves the very best of exhibition specimens are often the dams 
 of very high class, winning specimens. Such dams, however, 
 possess many of the attributes of winning specimens and, as a 
 rule, require only a little alteration to become very attractive 
 fowls. As an instance, females whose plumage may be a little 
 coarse in barring, lack an underbar or so, whose feathers are 
 improperly tipped, need but to be properly mated to produce 
 progeny the equal of any. A finely barred male that is, at the 
 same time, the son of an excellent female, is probably all that is 
 required for the coarsely barred female with the desired con- 
 trast in colors, the well-defined bara, the strength of underbar- 
 ring, the wing markings described in the Standard, to produce 
 exhibition females of high quality. A female with too strong 
 a dark bar can be easily mated to correct that fault, and if she 
 is highly meritorious otherwise, her progeny should equal the 
 best. So we might give instance after instance, but after all it 
 is but a matter of breeding generation after generation from first 
 class birds, and of corrective matings, as both these principles 
 must be applied and with the skill born of good judgment and 
 constant and careful discriminating observation. 
 
SECTION III. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 THE ORIGIN AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT 
 
 FROM the first, White Plymouth Rocks came as white chicks 
 from Barred Plymouth Rock parents. This departure from 
 the general appearance, expected according to the laws of 
 heredity, has been variously explained. 
 
 THEORETICAL EXPLANATIONS 
 
 Atavism. — One claim is that it is due to a phenomenon known 
 as "atavism." This phenomenon consists in the recurrence in a 
 descendant of characters that were possessed by a remote ances- 
 tor, instead of characters found in an immediate or near ancestor. 
 The word is derived from the Latin atavus. which originally 
 meant the father of a great-great-grandfather, but which was 
 later applied to any remote ancestor. This tendency of ancestral 
 characters to reappear in offspring, either immediately or after 
 laying dormant for several generations, is due to a mysterious 
 vital principle known as heredity. If the qualities appear after 
 a long dormancy, the heredity is atavistic. Atavism implies that 
 the recurring characteristics were actually found in a remote 
 ancestor or in several of them ; otherwise, their appearance 
 would not be a manifestation of heredity, but of an effort with- 
 out a cause — an "absolute commencement." 
 
 Possible Influence of Black Fowls. — However, in the at- 
 tempts to account for white chicks from Barred Plymouth 
 Rocks, other theories have been propounded. It was even sug- 
 gested that they resulted from the influence of Black Java or 
 Black Cochin whichever may have been ancestors. This theory, 
 however, is in contravention of the well known laws of heredity ; 
 unless, indeed, it is a case of atavism from a white ancestor far 
 back along the line of descent of the Black Javas or Cochins. 
 
 The Influence of White Fowls. — Another explanation is that 
 white fowls known as Birminghams were the determining factor, 
 
 193 
 
194 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Upon the supposition that they had been bred into one strain, at 
 least, of Barred Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 Edward Brown's Explanation. — Still another and quite rea- 
 sonable explanation is that offered by Edward Brown in "Races 
 of Domestic Poultry," page 153, as follows: 
 
 "This breed is a sport from the Barred variety. It is easily 
 seen that a failure of pigments, so far as the black marks are 
 concerned, would yield white plumaged fowls, and wherever we 
 have the mixed markings, which is sometimes known by the 
 term "cuckoo" there will occasionally be specimens which either 
 show pure white on the one hand, or are entirely black. It is in 
 this way that many of the varieties have been secured, and the 
 tendency to variation is very great in every kind of poultry." 
 
 D. A. Upham's Statement. — The following facts would sub- 
 stantiate Mr. Brown's explanation. As first bred, Plymouth 
 Rocks came with the males very light and females very dark in 
 color. We have Mr. Upham's statement that most of the pullets 
 of the Spaulding cross were black and all the cockerels grey, 
 but that he succeeded in finding a certain number of grey pullets 
 to go with a grey cockerel he selected. 
 
 Rev. D. D. Bishop in his book, "The Development of the 
 Plymouth Rock," calls attention to the light males and darker 
 females as "the law of Dominique color" and makes this state- 
 ment : 
 
 "The most important and striking characteristic that pre- 
 sents itself to a student of Plymouth Rocks is the peculiar dif- 
 ference in the color effect in the two sexes. First, last and 
 always the males come lighter than the females. It is a thing 
 we must never forget in dealing with this breed. It will beat 
 us if we do but we shall never beat that. It is in the birds, it is 
 the law of this color that the males will not only be several 
 shades lighter in color, but the width of the bars will be about 
 one-third of the light spaces between them. It is a very light 
 pullet that has the space between the bars equal in width to the 
 bars themselves, and from that the spaces grow less all the way 
 down to no space at all, or solid color." 
 
 The Editor's Experience and Observations. — Moreover, the 
 fact that males from the same matings, even though the matings 
 be restricted to pairs, are of much lighter shades than the females 
 is known to all those who are in the least familiar with the char- 
 acteristics of Barred Plymouth Rocks. This difference was, in 
 the recollection of the writer, much greater in years past than 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 195 
 
 at the present time. It is, then, reasonable to suppose that in 
 their endeavor to get the females lighter, which endeavor nat- 
 urally followed where too dark females were in the majority and 
 even black ones sometimes appeared, lighter and lighter matings 
 were used. In fact, within the Editor's recollection, males nearly 
 white in color were used by breeders in their efiforts to produce 
 exhibition pullets of the desired shade. The result was what 
 might have been expected, a few white chicks. 
 
 As an instance of such an occurrence, a certain mating of 
 Barred Plymouth Rocks made by the Editor in 1895 produced 
 five white chicks, four cockerels and one pullet. During the sea- 
 son, following the advice of a prominent breeder, the male 
 had been changed. No white chicks were produced by the first 
 male, a much darker one , than the second, which was very 
 coarsely barred and \ery light colored. The year previous, the 
 writer saw three white sports in the yards of Mr. D. J. Lambet, 
 of Rhode Island, well known as a breeder of Barred Plymouth 
 Rocks exclusively. The same year another prominent breeder 
 won first, fourth and fifth on White Plymouth Rock cockerels 
 which he said were sports from his Barred Plymouth Rock pullet 
 matings. The Editor assisted him in showing these birds, and 
 that they were found in the same flock or pen as the pullet breed- 
 ing Barred Plymouth Rock males, he can attest. Furthermore, 
 these sports were of the same strain as the five bred by the 
 Editor. That white sports did occur from the lighter or pullet 
 matings was well understood by the breeders of Barred and 
 White varieties of that period. This much can be noted — all 
 species or nearly all have produced an albino, some frequently, 
 others very rarely. An albino from Barred Plymouth Rocks is, 
 for that reason alone, not to be considered an improbability, even 
 though a white ancestry is not proved. 
 
 FACTS ABOUT THE ORIGIN 
 
 The Originator. — The credit for having originated the White 
 Plymouth Rocks has been accorded to Mr. Oscar F. Frost of 
 Monmouth, Maine. This has been, perhaps, because he was the 
 first to proclaim their appearance. Directly following his ad- 
 mission of their existence, other breeders began to report their 
 presence in their flocks. One breeder in Indianapolis wrote to 
 me prior ^to 1876, telling of the hatching of white chicks from 
 Barred Plymouth Rocks. I went to see them and induced him, 
 
JH. C. Stale Uuzge 
 
 196 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 quite against his will, to mature and mate the white chicks. The 
 greater part of all the white chicks obtained from the Barred 
 Plymouth Rocks came from the Essex or Drake strains, orig- 
 inated through the union of several kinds of fowls. 
 
 An Early Account. — From "Barred and White Plymouth 
 Rocks," by Joseph Wallace, 1888, we obtain in substance the 
 following account of the foregoing occurrence. Mr. Frost re- 
 ceived a pair of these W'hite Plymouth Rocks (sports of Barred 
 Plymouth Rocks) of a neighbor who was breeding the Essex 
 strain of Barred Plymouth Rocks. These he bred the first year 
 and according to several accounts he had a poor looking lot for 
 some years, but finally succeeded in producing very fine flocks 
 of fowls. According to some authorities quoted in that work, 
 1878 is the date that Mr. Frost started to breed them, though 
 it is generally thought that white sports from Barred Plymouth 
 Rocks had not been an infrequent occurrence. The same author 
 pays this nice tribute to the new variety : 
 
 "The mind cannot conceive of a more handsome and appro- 
 priate companion for the Barred Plymouth Rock than the White 
 Rock. Often in our boyhood days, while reading the stories of 
 Sinbad, the Sailor, in the 'Arabian Nights' Entertainments,' we 
 pictured to ourselves the size, strength and power of flight of 
 that formidable and fortuitous bird, the White Roc, that was 
 capable of lifting elephants from the plains, that rescued so 
 many travelers, heroes, cast-aways and adventurers from the 
 jaws of death, and carried them in its huge talons over seas and 
 mountains to other lands, where pleasure, wealth and beauty 
 awaited them. Little did we think then that the day would come 
 in our time when the great White Rock of the western world 
 would carry off thousands at a time, not in its talons, but in 
 admiration of its grandeur, beauty and usefulness." 
 
 Clamor for Recognition. — Directly following the public an- 
 nouncement of the presence of these fowls, there was a persistent 
 clamor for recognition as the originators of them, and for the 
 right to name them. This claim was conceded to the person who 
 could prove that he was the first to see and breed them. They 
 were variously named White Plymouth Rocks, Puritans, Dirigos, 
 and other names for the less important strains. The real strife 
 for supremacy came when admission to the Standard of Perfec- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 197 
 
 tion was sought for them. Then began their official existence, 
 as told in the records of the proceedings of the Indianapolis 
 meeting of the American Poultry Association, January, 1888. 
 
 RECOGNITION BY THE AMERICAN POULTRY 
 ASSOCIATION 
 
 The Committee on New Breeds reported to the convention 
 Wednesday morning, January 25, 1888, that they would recom- 
 mend the admission of the White Wyandottes. White Plymouth 
 Rocks. White Alinorcas, White Javas and Dirigos. As to the 
 fundamental difference between White Plymouth Rocks and 
 Dirigos, George P. Coffin, of Freeport, Maine, writes as follows : 
 
 "Replying to your letter of May the 28th, would say the first 
 White Plymouth Rocks that I knew of were those bred by Mr. 
 Oscar F. Frost, Monmouth. Kennebec County, Maine, who is 
 
 PLATE 49 
 
 ONE OF THE EARLIEST ILLUSTRATIONS OF WHITE 
 PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
198 AM ERIC A^^ POULTRY ASl^OCIATION 
 
 generally considered the originator of the breed. As early as 
 1880 these were called White Plymouth Rocks, as I remember 
 of my father having some of them when I was a small boy. 
 While I am not positive about the matter, I incline to the belief 
 that the Dirigo was the same strain of birds. The name, Dirgio, 
 which is the motto on the State seal of Maine, would indicate 
 the breed to be of Maine origin. At that time the idea of sports 
 had not come to be understood and there were many of the 
 breeders who doubted the sport origin of the breed. At the 
 same time, as often occurs when a new breed is in the making, 
 others besides the originator attempted by cross-breeding or in 
 other ways to produce birds with similar characteristics, yet 
 with different or partially different blood lines, and then, as 
 sometimes happens, if these birds are bred with the originator's 
 stock, it makes it much more difficult to trace the breed history." 
 
 Other breeds and varieties were included in that report, a 
 little of which should be mentioned here. The presentation of 
 five new varieties of white fowls for admission to the Standard 
 was a matter of vital importance, and there was considerable 
 opposition to the admission of the White Plymouth Rocks, the 
 Dirigos, and the White Javas. This was because it was plain 
 that there could not be so many kinds, all true to breed charac- 
 teristics. Ultimately, White Wyandottes, Golden Wyandottes, 
 White Plymouth Rocks, Jersey Blues, White and Black Minor- 
 cas and Pea-comb Plymouth Rocks were, all of them, admitted 
 to the Standard under one resolution. 
 
 Later, a resolution was offered asking for the admission of 
 the Dirigos to the Standard, although they were the same as the 
 White Plymouth Rocks. A memorial was presented to the meet- 
 ing demanding their admission, and great claims were made for 
 their qualities. An argument developed the fact that Mr. Ferris 
 had first shown these fowls in Bangor in 1875. They were 
 judged and admitted to be the first White Plymouth Rocks ever 
 shown. They came from the farm of Mr. Ferris, this being 
 called Dirigo Farm. Mr. Beal, Mr. Ferris and others claimed 
 the credit of originating the fowls and the right of naming them. 
 An attempt was made to read the memorial. This, however, was 
 denied and the document was never admitted to the records of 
 the meeting. I now regret that it was not preserved, although 
 at that time I objected to its admission to the record. It would 
 doubtless reveal some interesting facts concerning the origin of 
 this fowl. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STA^'DARD AND BREED BOOK 199 
 
 The objection raised to the admission of all these fowls was 
 that they had been shown as three separate breeds — White 
 Plymouth Rocks, White Javas and Dirigos — whereas they were 
 in reahty three separate strains only. i\bout the only difference 
 between them was that the White Plymouth Rocks and Dirigos 
 had yellow shanks ; some of the Javas had shanks of willow- 
 color like those of the Game Fowls ; still others had yellow 
 shanks. By agreement, both the White Plymouth Rocks and 
 the White Javas were admitted, the White Javas to be disquali- 
 fied for shanks of any color but yellow. The White Plymouth 
 Rocks were required to have yellow shanks. These disquali- 
 fications supplied a method for and influenced a speedy separa- 
 tion between the two. The White Plymouth Rocks have im- 
 proved continually since their admission to the Standard, while 
 the White Javas have become obsolete. 
 
 The Result of Recognition. — The admission of so many 
 white varieties to the Standard of Perfection was the signal for 
 unusual activity among those who bred white-plumaged fowls. 
 This influence extended even to turkeys, ducks and geese. So 
 much was written about them that many who had kept or were 
 keeping other fowls forsook them, and turned to the breeding 
 of white-plumaged fowls. The advocates of the White Plymouth 
 Rock were so ardent and so apt in presenting the merits of that 
 variety to the public that there was a general reaction in favor 
 of them During the years that followed, many efforts were 
 made in behalf of other varieties, but in the melting pot of public 
 opinion, the White Plymouth Rock has continued to gain until 
 its true value is recognized in every land. 
 
 It is certainly true that there is no one best breed or variety 
 of fowls ; the best for all is the kind best suited to the needs and 
 pleasure of the one who selects them. The real quality of any 
 breed or variety has been, and will continue to be, built up by 
 the energy and skill of those who breed it. Those who have 
 chosen the White Plymouth Rock have chosen well. They have 
 succeeded in satisfying their ambition as well as in gaining the 
 favor of the general public. However, no one breed or variety 
 ever gains unchallenged supremacy, although the White Plym- 
 outh Rock has become a favorite as a- fowl for exhibition, for 
 table purposes, and for profitable egg production. (T. T. McG.) 
 
AM ERIC AX POULTRY Afif^OCIATION 
 
 TLATE 50 
 
 WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCK MALE 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 201 
 
 "LATK r,l 
 
 WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCK FEMALE 
 
202 AMERICAX POFLTRY Af<SOCIATIOX 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCK PLUMAGE 
 
 STANDARD DESCRIPTION 
 Disqualifications 
 
 Red, buff or positive black in any part of plumage ; shanks 
 other than yellow. (See general and Plymouth Rock disqualifi- 
 cations.) 
 
 COLOR OF MALE AND FEMALE 
 
 Beak. — Yellow. 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Bright red. 
 Shanks and Toes. — Rich yellow. 
 
 Plumage. — Web. fluff and quills of feathers in all sections, 
 pure white. 
 
 DESCRIPTION 
 
 The Standard of Perfection confines itself to one description 
 of shape for each breed. All varieties of that breed must con- 
 form to this description. The most difficult problems in select- 
 ing for exhibition and in judging fowls arise from the marked 
 differences in shape among the specimens in the show rooms. 
 We do not imagine that there ever has been shown, even in the 
 keenest competition, any number of any breed or variety, all the 
 males of which conformed to the Standard shape description. 
 Nor will such conformity ever be obtained. The same is true of 
 the females. Therefore, those who breed White Plymouth Rocks 
 for exhibition should study carefully the description of shape 
 for that variety, in a preceding chapter. 
 
 White Plumage. — The plumage of the White Plymouth Rock 
 is just what the name implies — pure-white in every section ; pos- 
 sibly no other color that can be as simply and briefly treated in 
 text is as diflicult to breed. Because the skin, beak and legs are 
 yellow, pure white plumage is hard to obtain. The yellow pig- 
 ment necessary to color the skin, beak and legs is inclined to dis- 
 tribute itself where it is not desired, as well as where it is re- 
 quired. The color problem is then to restrict the yellow pigment 
 to those sections in which it is required. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 203 
 
 The Standard requires that the web, fluff and quill of the 
 feathers in all sections shall be a pure white. Another statement 
 to the same effect would be that the surface, undercolor and quill 
 of all sections should be pure white. 
 
 Defects of White Plumage. — \'ery often the quills will be 
 slightly creamy, even when the web and fluff are pure white. 
 Yellow and creamy tinges seem to cling most tenaciously to the 
 largest quills and will appear in the quills of the flights and 
 secondaries of the wing if they appear in any section of the 
 plumage ; thus the quills of the primaries may be taken in a 
 measure as an index of the color of the bird, relatively as be- 
 tween pure white and creamy white ; that is, if these quills are 
 white the entire plumage is usually pure white. 
 
 Black plumage is apt to come in the whitest fowls. This 
 cannot always be avoided, nor is a small quantity of black con- 
 sidered a breeding defect. What is known as ticking, small 
 specks of grey, slate or black, occurs to a certain extent in white 
 specimens. 
 
 The Breeders' Problem. — The problem for correctly mating 
 for color would then seem to be solved by mating the whitest 
 birds together. This problem would then, if color alone were to 
 be considered, be very easily and quickly mastered. However, 
 because of the requirements in shape, color of legs, eyes, comb 
 as well as consideration of size and vigor, which must be taken 
 into account, the problem becomes more intricate than it at first 
 appears. (T. F. McG.) 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 MATING WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 On the above subject we quote the following from U. R. 
 Fishel, an experienced and successful breeder of this variety. 
 
 Mating White Plymouth Rocks. — "The greatest pleasure to 
 be obtained in breeding fancy poultry is to produce by careful 
 mating of your fowls some excejjtionally fine specimen or speci- 
 mens. We are never satisfied with the results obtained, but each 
 breeding season an effort must be and is made to so mate our 
 fowls that we may expect better results from the breeding yards. 
 We know one must produce better specimens each season or fall 
 behind the great army of successful breeders. 
 
204 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 "That 'Like produces like,' we do not dispute, but in pro- 
 ducing Standard White Plymouth Rocks it is not the fact that 
 we want like to produce like, but we want to produce better 
 specimens each and every seasons ; that is, specimens nearer the 
 standard requirements. 
 
 "With this in view we must mate our breeders, not to pro- 
 duce birds of the same general make-up, but specimens better 
 than those we already have. 
 
 "It is not necessary to use the double mating system to pro- 
 duce high grade White Plymouth Rocks. Just as good males 
 as females can be reared from the same mating providing, of 
 course, that the mating has been made properly. The color 
 required in White Plymouth Rocks is a clear white ; therefore, 
 in selecting your breeders, see that the plumage throughout is 
 white." 
 
 Difficulties. — Pure white is quite difficult to maintain in the 
 plumage of fowls and birds. It is less difficult to produce in 
 some kinds than in others. With the White Plymouth Rock it 
 is a difficult problem to produce yellow beak, shanks, feet and 
 skin. The less brilliant the color of the skin and shanks, the 
 more likely will be a pure white plumage. Any variety of white 
 fowls may be selected and bred in line for pale lemon beaks, 
 shanks and skin and the color of the plumage will become grad- 
 usually whiter as the color fades from these parts. There is no 
 other combmation in the breeding of solid colored plumage that 
 is as difficult as producing the rich, yellow colored shanks and 
 skin with the pure white plumage. 
 
 But few can select pure white to a certainty. Few have seen 
 it in its purity. The purest white comes from bleaching and, as 
 in the manufacture of paper, as soon as it is exposed to the air 
 and light, it begins to lose its purity. This is equally true of 
 white-plumaged fowls during the molt or the growing of new 
 feathers. This impurity is apt to disappear as the feathers grow. 
 The plumage shows a stronger yellow tint when the feathers are 
 growing than after the bird is fully fledged and the feathers 
 have aged. 
 
 Color Relation in Shanks and Skin. — The heredity that pro- 
 duces the rich yellow tint in shanks and skin has its influence 
 upon the color of the plumage as well. The deeper the shade of 
 yellow in these parts, the more likely is the plumage to have 
 a creamy tint. To avoid this, one must select fowls that have 
 the least color in shanks, skin and quills. The yellow pigment 
 that sustains the color of shanks and skin disappears gradually 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 205 
 
 from these sections when the hen lays eggs. Therefore, when 
 selecting for color, the stage of growth in which you find the 
 feathers and the length of laying period should be taken into 
 consideration. 
 
 Excel in Conformation. — Breeding White Plymouth Rocks 
 differs in no particular from breeding the other varieties of 
 Plymouth Rocks as far as conformation is concerned, but it is 
 understood that White Plymouth Rocks are of one color and 
 should be of a single tone or shade of that color and on that 
 account particular attention may be paid to shape characteristics. 
 The White variety is expected to excel in shape. Shape features 
 of importance in which they may be expected to excel are : The 
 full, round, deep breast, long and deep body and well-propor- 
 tioned abdomen. The best formation is a body that is evenly 
 poised on shanks with about an equal proportion of breast and 
 body in front, and a like amount of body and abdomen in the 
 rear of the shanks. 
 
 In the breeding of fowls of all kinds it must be remembered 
 that size, shape, general formation and color, must all of them 
 have due consideration. If any one of the first three is lacking, 
 the fowls do not conform to breed description ; if the color is 
 poor, the variety distinction is faulty ; the best quality in all of 
 these features is demanded for white fowls. 
 
 Size and Quality. — Hens that conform to the Standard de- 
 scription are the best. They should be fully as large as Standard 
 requirements suggest, not large by weight through being overly 
 fat, but large and well proportioned for the breed. These hens 
 must be true Plymouth Rocks in every sense. They will answer 
 best if almost entirely free from shape defects. 
 
 Overcoming Defects. — ^There may be a possible chance to 
 overcome a defect in one section of a hen by having superior 
 quality in the same section of her mate, but the continued prac- 
 tice of mating good or true quality on both sides will bring the 
 best results. 
 
 Selection. — To succeed in the breeding of pure white plum- 
 age, fowls with this kind of plumage should be selected, and, if 
 in addition, they have produced offspring with pure white plum- 
 age, these are the best selections possible. Careful attention 
 must be given to both breeding and feeding, as well as to the 
 selection year after year for the shade of color most desired, 
 which in this case is pure white. 
 
 The best way to produce pure white plumage in White Plym- 
 outh Rocks is to select for breeding such fowls as show Standard 
 
206 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 PLATE 52 
 
 ILLUSTRATING FOVli TEEIODS IN' THE I'EOGRESS OF WHITE 
 
 PLYMOUTH ROCK FEMALES DURING THE 
 
 LAST FIFTEEN YEARS 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 207 
 
 PLATE 53 
 
 FOUR WHITK PLYMOUTH ROOK ^L\LKS, KAUH TYPICAL OF 
 
 THE PERIOD IT REPRESENTS, ILLUSTRATING THE 
 
 PROGRESS OF THIS VARIETY DURING 
 
 THE PAST FIFTEEN YEARS 
 
208 AMERICAN POULTRY A^tiOCIATlON 
 
 qualities and especially pure white plumage. No fowl of this 
 variety should be used for breeding that has pinkish white 
 shanks, which is a disqualification. Lemon-colored shanks are 
 permissible, but there must be enough of the yellow shade in 
 the shanks to prevent the possible loss of a prize in consequence 
 of the shanks being called another shade than yellow by the 
 judge, which would disqualify the specimen. 
 
 It is quite a problem to breed the pure white so much ad- 
 mired in the plumage of White Plymouth Rocks, a clean, clear 
 color down to the skin, with the quill of the feathers of the same 
 shade of white; but it is one that is being accomplished by close 
 selection of breeding stock and sound common-sense methods of 
 rearing. Beyond selection, good care must be accorded both the 
 breeding and the young stock. The breeding stock must be kept 
 in the best of condition or inferior chicks will be produced. 
 Chicks that have not strong constitutions are never winning 
 specimens in strong competition nor do they make good breeders. 
 
 Breeders of White Plymouth Rocks, almost without excep- 
 tion, use the single mating system, even when seeking to pro- 
 duce the very highest class of exhibition specimens. (T. F. McG.) 
 
 FEEDING WHITE BIRDS 
 
 Because foods of an oily nature have a perceptible influence 
 on the color of the plumage, only the minimum amount required 
 for the growth of the young should be given. These include 
 corn, and corn meal, principally among cereals, and beef scraps 
 among animal food products. Cottonseed and linseed meals are 
 foodstuffs that should be restricted or omitted altogether. Wheat, 
 when available, barley and oats, are all proper grain foods for 
 adult birds. The wheat by-products — bran, shorts and middlings 
 — are the best selections for ground foods. White corn is also 
 considered much less injurious to white plumage than yellow 
 corn. For growing chicks, oats or barley must be hulled and 
 cracked. 
 
SECTION IV. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 THE ORIGIN AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT 
 
 THE Bufif Plymouth Rocks were admitted to the Standard 
 of Perfection in 1892, and were the third of the Rock 
 family to be so honored, preceding by fifteen years the 
 Silver Penciled, the next variety to follow, which was in turn 
 closely followed by the Partridge and Columbian varieties. We 
 have, then, two groups separated from one another by the dates 
 on which they were recognized by the American Poultry Asso- 
 ciation, the older comprising the then more plainly garbed vari- 
 eties. Barred, White and Buff, the general effect of each being 
 that of a solid color; and the later group, Silver-Penciled, Part- 
 ridge and Columbian, which display more intricate and striking 
 markings. 
 
 The Origin. — The first Buff Plymouth Rocks were undoubt- 
 edly derived fro'm stock that was contemporary with the pro- 
 genitors of Rhode Island Reds, a breed, though then unnamed 
 and unauthorized by the American Poultry Association, that 
 was being developed by certain communities of Rhode Island, 
 located not far from Fall River, Massachusetts, where the Buff 
 Plymouth Rock originated and where one of the earliest strains 
 was developed. This association by location of the early Rhode 
 Island Reds with our American-made buff varieties and the nat- 
 ural outcome is at once noteworthy and later becomes significant. 
 
 The First Exhibit. — The credit for first showing Buff Plym- 
 outh Rocks under that name belongs to R. G. Bufiington of Fall 
 River, Massachusetts, who gave the variety its initiatory exhibi- 
 tion experience at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1890. At the 
 same time and place Dr. Aldrich, also of Fall River, showed 
 fowls of similar breeding and type which he called "Golden 
 Buffs." 
 
 Though Golden Buffs and Buff Plymouth Rocks were similar 
 in breeding and appearance in every way. Golden Buffs failed 
 signally to command public attention. It would be difticult to 
 
 209 
 
210 AM ERIC AX POULTRY AS^^OCIATION 
 
 imagine an incident that could better attest the hold that the 
 Plymouth Rock breed had on the poultry-keeping public at that 
 time, and has had since, than this radically practical demon- 
 stration. This incident alone enables us to understand that this 
 high regard in which the name Plymouth Rock has been held 
 probably accounts for the fact that we have six varieties instead 
 of one only. Indeed, it may be said that the intrinsic worth of a 
 good name and of a popularity richly deserved has. perhaps, 
 never been so forcefully presented in poultry circles as by this 
 incident at the Providence, Rhode Island Show in 1890. 
 
 The Fall River Strain. — According to Mr. Buffington. the 
 Fall River strain was created by crossing Rhode Island Reds and 
 White Plymouth Rocks, and by the breeding of such single comb 
 Rhode Island Reds as were buff or nearly Inift' in color and ap- 
 proached a satisfactory Plymouth Rock type. 
 
 Mr. Daniel Shove of Fall River, who was working along 
 much the same lines as Mr. Buffington and Dr. Aldrich, wrote 
 of the origin of the Buff Plymouth Rock under date of October 
 9, 1917, that "It was along about the year 1888 that the late 
 William Penn Shepard. R. G. Buffington. Dr. N. B. Aldrich and 
 the writer first began to go to Westport, Massachusetts, and pick 
 up a few of the above birds ; the single combs we called Buff 
 Rocks, the rose combs. Buff Wyandottes. The writer from 1889 
 to 1895 kept the Wyandottes (buff), and exhibited quite a few 
 at Philadelphia in 1893. and at that time they were coming very 
 good and the demand for them was also good. I had always 
 bought most of the above of a Mr. Tripp, of Central Village, 
 Westport, and by the way, this was not the Rhode Island Red 
 founder at all ; he was another man farther over by the same 
 name, as the name Tripp at that time was quite common." 
 
 It is probable that many early Buff Plymouth Rocks were 
 bred by crossing White Plymouth Rocks with Buff Cochins and 
 that true Rock type, together with fairly good color for the 
 times, was afterwards developed by careful selection. It is very 
 unlikely that all those interested in Buff Rocks would let escape 
 the very apparent opportunity to obtain buff color by crossing 
 some variety that possessed Plymouth Rock type w^ith the Buff 
 Cochin, which is known to be the source of all our best buff 
 color. 
 
 The Joslin Strain.— In the decade between 1890 and 1900, 
 several strains were prominent. One of these strains was de- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 211 
 
 veloped by the late J. O. Joslin, Tiashoke, New York. Of this 
 line, the book, The Plymouth Rock (Reliable Poultry Journal 
 series), states that it was a fine strain, of good size and true 
 Rock type, that the color was quite even on the surface and 
 sound underneath, and the tail and flights showed very little 
 black peppering or markings. Mr. Joslin claimed that his strain 
 had no Cochin, but was largely of Plymouth Rock blood. This 
 statement arouses curiosity in two connections, namely, what 
 then was the source of buff color, and what was the method of 
 crossing or breeding that could create or develop Buff Plymouth 
 Rocks that were largely of Plymouth Rock blood, when only 
 two other varieties. Barred and White, then existed, from which 
 it is inconceivable that buff could be derived ? 
 
 Other strains were developed in the early days of this variety, 
 two of the most prominent of which, the Nugget strain and the 
 Wilson strain, were originated and developed in New York state. 
 
 The Wilson Strain. — (From the l)ook. The Plymouth Rock, 
 Reliable Poultry Journal series). Another strain of Buff Plym- 
 outh Rocks was originated by J. S. Wilson, Worcester, New 
 York, who writes about the origin and development as follows : 
 "I was reading about the new variety of Buff Leghorns in The 
 Fancier's Gazette, London, England, that strongly suggested the 
 possibility of producing a Buff Plymouth Rock fowl, too. I 
 was at once vigilantly looking over the various yards in this 
 vicinity. After many disappointments in my searches, I was 
 finally successful in finding in a relative's yard a male bird that 
 gave me great joy from seeing so typical a Rock. It was the 
 result of a cross between the American type of Buff Cochin and 
 a Light Brahma. He was a beautiful, even, golden-buff color 
 throughout, except that his tail was nearly black. He had clean, 
 yellow legs, small comb, etc., and weighed twelve pounds. I 
 selected from the same yard two of the best hens, having an even 
 surface color and the least feathering on legs. From these birds, 
 the foundation of this popular variety of the Rock family was 
 produced. 
 
 'T raised that year about forty chicks, the result being beyond 
 my most sanguine expectations. I selected two yards of very 
 creditable ones from these. I was puzzled over the amount of 
 ticking that showed on their hackles, as the parent birds were 
 perfectly free from that defect. However, I came to the con- 
 clusion that it was probably the result of the Light Brahma 
 blood they contained asserting itself. 
 
212 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 "The next season brought about a more satisfactory outlook, 
 and they continued to improve until the World's Fair (Chicago. 
 1893), tirst prize cock, hen, cockerel, pullet and pen were pro- 
 duced. Not any of these birds were ticked and two hens were 
 nearly solid buff. Of course, they had their defects. Some ex- 
 celled in one section and some in another, no one specimen 
 having the much desired whole that was close to the ideal. The 
 advancement since their creation reaching a point in breeding 
 where not a bird showed any ticking or feathers on legs, with a 
 uniform covering of golden buff plumage, is certainly phenom- 
 enal in so short a space of time as ten years." 
 
 The Nugget Strain. — One of the most popular strains fifteen 
 years ago was originated by H. S. Burdick, Rome, New York, 
 who named it the "Nugget Strain," a happy choice, as speci- 
 mens of the latter were particularly strong in the golden buff 
 surface color and were also noted for the soundness in color of 
 their tail and flight feathers, the latter being free from black or 
 
 PLATE 54 
 
 Sketch of early Buff Plymouth 
 Rock hen exhibited at Madison 
 Square Garden, New York, 1896, 
 by their originator, J. D. Wilson. 
 (First Prize Winner.) 
 
 Sketch of early Buff Plymouth 
 Rock cockerel, exhibited at Mad- 
 ison Square Garden, New York, 
 1896, by their originator, J. D. 
 Wilson. (First Prize Winner.) 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK .STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 213 
 
 white Many of the winning specimens of today have the old 
 "Nugget" blood flowing in their veins, and owe their soundness 
 in surface and undercolor to this source. 
 
 By combination of the blood of these different strains and 
 selection of the best specimens. Buff Plymouth Rocks that are 
 true to both the color and shape descriptions of the variety have 
 been and are being produced. 
 
 The foregoing gives a history in brief of the origin and 
 early development of Buff Plymouth Rocks. From beyond this 
 point it is difficult to follow the development of the different 
 strains and diversing lines of each in the hands of the many who 
 take up the breeding of a popular variety. That the blood of 
 these (lift'erent strains has been mingled repeatedly is an assured 
 fact. The good quality of present day Buff Plymouth Rocks 
 may be attributed to the intelligent selection and crossing of 
 individual specimens from these prominent early strains. 
 
 PLATE 55 
 
 First prize Buff Plymouth 
 Kock cockerel at Boston 1903, 
 that sold for $300. Probably the 
 highest price paid for a Ply- 
 mouth Rock up to that time. 
 
 (Cockerel bred bv Millvillc 
 I'oultry Farm, Millvillc, N. Y., 
 M. F. Delano, manager. Sold 
 to Mr. Weimer of Pennsylvania, 
 who named him "Gold Force.") 
 
214 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 PLATK ofi 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH ROCK MALE 
 
PLYMOHrH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 215 
 
 BTTFF PLYMOUTH ROCK F KM ALE 
 
216 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH ROCK PLUMAGE 
 
 STANDARD DESCRIPTION 
 
 Disqualifications 
 
 Shanks other than yellow. (See general and Plymouth Rock 
 disqualifications.) 
 
 COLOR OF MALE 
 
 Beak.— Yellow. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Bright red. 
 
 Shanks and Toes. — Rich yellow. 
 
 Plumage. — Surface throughout an even shade of rich golden 
 buff, free from shafting or mealy appearance, the head, neck, 
 hackle, back, wing-bows and saddle richly glossed ; undercolor 
 a lighter shade free from foreign color. Different shades of buff 
 in two or more sections is a serious defect. A harmonious blend- 
 ing of buff in all sections is most desirable. 
 
 COLOR OF FEMALE 
 
 Beak. — Yellow. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Bright red. 
 
 Shanks and Toes. — Rich yellow. 
 
 Plumage. — Surface throughout an even shade of rich, golden 
 buff, free from shafting or mealy appearance, the head and neck 
 plumage showing a luster of the same shade as the rest of the 
 plumage ; undercolor, a lighter shade, free from foreign color. 
 Different shades of buff in two or more sections is a serious 
 defect. A harmonious blending of buff in all sections is most 
 desirable. 
 
 DEVELOPMENT OF BUFF COLOR 
 
 To fully comprehend the faults of buff color and the diffi- 
 culties of eliminating these faults, an understanding of the evolu- 
 tion of buff color in the plumage of domestic fowls would be 
 helpful, even if it is not wholly necessary. 
 
 That the bright, clean, uniform and pleasing shade now de- 
 gcribed and required by the Standard for all recognized buff vari- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 217 
 
 eties was not the result of a decision arrived at or a selection 
 determined upon quickly, but rather that it was the result of a 
 gradual development in the tastes and education of those expo- 
 nents of true beauty as revealed in the buff varieties, becomes 
 most apparent after a brief perusal of any of the authentic de- 
 scriptions of our first importations or early American and Eng- 
 lish productions of Bufif Cochin, which was the original bufif 
 fowl of all lands, so far as known, and which descriptions we 
 take in order that comparisons may be made with the present 
 standard description of these varieties ; or. more clearly con- 
 vincing yet is a comparison of these descriptions of the early 
 importations and native productions with living specimens of 
 the truest color types. Judging from these comparisons, the 
 almost incredibly wide contrast between the two must have 
 developed gradually, and this evolution is perhaps nowhere bet- 
 ter or more clearly indicated than in the successive editions of 
 the American Standard of Excellence and its successor, the 
 American Standard of Perfection, brief extracts from which will 
 be sufficient, not only to make this point clear, but to show the 
 progressive steps by which the present popular buff shade was 
 acquired. 
 
 Color requirements in the 1875 edition are placed on each 
 section along with the shape requirements for that section, and 
 in some instances strangely mingled, and only on a few occasions 
 do we find the color requirements of one section identical with 
 those of another. ". . . Rich clear bufif" — "rich, abundant, 
 clear buff hackle" — "rich, clean buff" — "a clear, deep buff" — are 
 the color descriptions found of some sections for the male, while 
 such sections as wings and fluff have no color description for 
 plumage, except that wings are required to be "quite free from 
 a mealy appearance." 
 
 All the evidence that we may obtain from the successive 
 Standard descriptions indicates that the greatest advance that 
 has been made in nearly half a century is most clearly brought 
 out by the difference in the descriptions of the color for the tail 
 section. In 1875, "a rich, dark chestnut, or bronzy-chestnut 
 mixed with black — dark chestnut preferred ;" needless to say 
 there is no admiration expressed for chestnut colored tails, to 
 ignore completely those that contain any amount of black, in 
 either males or females of any buff variety at the present time, 
 when the tail is expected not only to be bufif. but to be of the 
 same shade as the rest of the plumage. This description of color 
 for this section remained practically unchanged until the 1898 
 
218 AMERICAN POl LTRY ASSOf'IATIOX 
 
 edition became effective, which fact, together with the knowledge 
 that this admixture of black and the existence of chestnut shades 
 even at the present time in the tails of many specimens (though 
 not the best ones, thanks to the skill of the breeders of buff 
 varieties, past and present), emphasizes the weM knov,-n diffi- 
 culty of producing clear, golden-buff tails. 
 
 The color descrijjtion of the female in this (1875) edition 
 shows greater uniformity, being restricted to such expressions 
 as "rich buff" — "clear, rich buff" — "clear, pure buff" — "and in 
 color, buff." Even then the description required a tail, "in color 
 buff" without modification. Evidently, females with clear buff 
 tails were not unknown even in those days, and judging from 
 the different Standard descriptions of male and female, must 
 have mere frequently occurred in females than in males. 
 
 In this connection, it may be well to note that the short lived 
 1874 Edition also required a uniformly c'ear, deep buff through- 
 out, tail included. It may be surprising to learn, now when buff 
 necks are the rule, that the 1874 Edition contained the following- 
 sentence : "A clear, buff hackle preferred, but a slight marking 
 on the end of feathers of neck not a disqualification." This 
 modification was not discontinued until 1898. 
 
 Prior to 1898, a marked difference of opinion as to what con- 
 stituted real "buff" had existed. It was seldom that the judges 
 arreed upon the exact shade that was most desirable or the most 
 l?eautiful. The lack of uniformity in the shades of the winnincr 
 specimens when judged by different persons was commented 
 upon and deplored by the breeders generally. These discussions 
 lerl to the appointment by the Standard Revision Committee for 
 the 1898 Edition, of a special sub-committee which, among other 
 duties, was to determine just what real buff color was. and then 
 to describe it comprehensibl}-. As a result of their investiga- 
 tions, we have the Standard phraseology, descriptive of buff 
 color as found in the 1898 Edition for all buff varieties, five in 
 number, very nearly as it is in the present edition. This descrip- 
 tion was a distinct advance in that, first of all. it decided upon 
 "golden-buff" as the most desirable shade and the most accurate 
 and expressive terminology ; second, it demanded "one even 
 shade throughout," that is, in all sections, but allowed undercolor 
 of a lighter shade, though restricting the force of this clause 
 appreciably by further qualifying that "all things being equal, 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 219 
 
 the specimen showing the richest undercolor shall receive the 
 preference" ; the word "richest" was generally interpreted to 
 mean the darkest. This was, however, the beginning of an ad- 
 mission that undercolor in buff varieties was naturally and would 
 always be lighter than the surface color. In explanation of this 
 phenomenon, we quote the following extract from an article 
 written by the late Ezra Cornell in "The Leghorns," as follows : 
 
 "Leghorns have comparatively hard, close fitting feathers. 
 In such feathers the coloring matter always concentrates in the 
 surface or harder part of the feather; this is according to nature, 
 and you cannot change it. Look at some of our most highly 
 colored wild birds — the Scarlet Tanager, the Oriole, or even the 
 Canary, and you will find an under color which appears white in 
 comparison to the surface. Take these same brilliant feathers 
 and lay them in the sunlight over a darker under color and you 
 wiU deaden the color. The rays of light pass through the sur- 
 face plumage, and on striking the light under color are reflected, 
 much intensified, which gives the plumage its extreme brilliancy ; 
 whereas if the rays of light on penetrating the surface were to 
 strike a dark under color, they would be absorbed and the sur- 
 face color deadened. * * * That I have just written applies 
 especially to the females ; the males have a deeper under color, 
 but it is not so apt to be solid. Cockerels are sometimes found 
 with seme white in under color of hackle, which, as the bird 
 grows older, will probably appear on the surface. A male bird 
 should have sound under color. This is important, although it 
 makes little difference whether it is light or dark. The shade 
 will, as a rule, correspond with and depend on the shade of the 
 surface color." 
 
 The reader will see no inconsistency here, because the flowing 
 plumage of the males is not as hard as that of the shorter female 
 plumage. 
 
 The description in the 1898 Standard was better than that 
 found in the one that preceded it by ten years, in that it do 
 mandcd a plumage which required more skill in mating to pro- 
 duce, because absolute uniformity of color in all sections was 
 required, while chestnut tails in males were still allowed in the 
 1888 Standard, though more uniformity was demanded in this 
 edition than in those that in turn preceded it. 
 
 From this form of progression, we perceived that a general 
 tendency toward acquiring uniformity of color in all sections 
 
220 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 existed continuously from the date of the first edition until it 
 became a requirement of the 1898 Standard. Then, too, the term 
 "golden-buff" was more accurate and descriptive than "rich, 
 clear, deep buff," and that it, as a descriptive term, met popular 
 approval is amply attested by the fact that it has continued to be 
 the descriptive color term in all subsequent Standards. In the 
 light of the now known general acceptability of this color de- 
 scription, it can be wondered that it was not used before in the 
 Standard, since it appears in the description of hackle, back, 
 wings, and saddle feathers of females in the first or 1874 Edition, 
 and is frequently used in descriptions found in the early books, 
 notably Burnham's "New Poultry Book," published in 1871, 
 from which we quote the two following extracts : "The color of 
 the Buff Cochin is more of a golden hue than simply buff. The 
 under shade upon the downy or fluffy portions of their plumage 
 is pale, but to look at when in their best feather, they are of a 
 rich, luminous yellow shade, sometimes aptly called lemon- 
 colored." * * * "In the cock of this variety portions of his 
 plumage are red. or darker, as the wings, neck, hackle j, etc., but 
 the yellow color prevails in both." To show how early this de- 
 sire to produce specimens even in color of all sections developed, 
 we quote still further from the same work. "A very desirable 
 recommendation to the Buff Cochin is that the fowl be strictly 
 uniform in color to answer the requirements of the present aimed 
 for standard." 
 
 Contrast the description of male and female, which is almost 
 identical, found in the Standard of 1898 and the subsequent edi- 
 tions, with the descriptions found of the importations from for 
 eign countries a little later than the middle of the nineteenth 
 century, and we can recognize the wonderful skill of the Ameri- 
 can breeders, even had this been their sole accomplishment. 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH ROCK COLOR 
 
 In years past, a diversity of opinions existed as to what con- 
 stituted a golden buff, and at an earlier period, the same diversity 
 of opinion existed as to what shade of buff was most desirable. 
 Prior to 1898 Buff Plymouth Rocks had varied from cream to 
 very deep shades that were often so deep that red and even 
 brown cropped out on the wing-bows and even on the back. This 
 variation is not at all surprising now that the different sources 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD A^W BREED BOOK 221 
 
 of ancestry have been related, as an equitable adjustment be- 
 tween the white of the White Plymouth Rocks and the red of 
 the Red fowls, contemporary w-ith and analagous to the pro- 
 genitors of our present Rhode Island Reds, that Buffington, 
 Aldrich and probably others used for the foundation of Buff 
 Plymouth Rocks, was not possible during the early stages of its 
 development. 
 
 This description as first found in the 1898 Standard, and the 
 agreement upon this shade and description was the result of ex- 
 tended research and investigation of certain prominent breeders 
 of Buff Cochins. It has met general approval, as shown by the 
 fact that the slightest change has never been suggested. 
 
 Aside from its beauty, this shade of buff is one that can be 
 bred from and reproduced with much more certainty than some 
 of the delicate shades that were popular years ago. Further- 
 more, it is a shade that holds from year to year, while the light 
 shades in vogue years ago lose color very appreciably with age. 
 This fact lends aid to establish and maintain the popularity of 
 the rich, golden buff of the last three Standards. 
 
 COMMON DEFECTS OF BUFF COLOR 
 
 Too Dark or Too Light in Shade of Surface. — The popular- 
 ity of all the Buff varieties is largely due to the unique beauty 
 of the shade of surface color required by the Standard, which is 
 described as a "rich, golden buff." 
 
 A word description of rich, golden buff that can be accurately 
 understood is almost if not quite unattainable, as word descrip- 
 tions capable of conveying an accurate conception oif color to the 
 mind without the aid of the eye are absolutely impossible. But 
 we may state early in this treatise what it is not : It is not the 
 cream, nor lemon, nor is it the deep buff' shade, so common 
 during the early years of the variety, which bordered on red in 
 the males' and cinnamon or brown in the females' plumage. It 
 can hardly be described as a mean between these extremes, yet it 
 approached it. The term "golden buff" qs used in the Standard 
 is as accurate in its suggestion to the eye as any of the color 
 terms that have been used. This description clearly suggests 
 that the surface of both males and females be the same color as 
 unalloyed gold, which is described in our old books on chemistry 
 as a "bright yellow" metal. This is suggestive of the true shade 
 
222 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 of color, yet it is unsafe as a description without modification, 
 because there are many shades of bright yellow. The best way, 
 if not the only way, to grasp the idea of real golden bufif is to see 
 a specimen that some reliable authority has pronounced about 
 right in color. The phrase, "one even shade of rich, golden 
 buff," explains itself as well as words seem adequate, but it must 
 be admitted that to fully appreciate the significance of the term 
 "golden buff" and to see in your mind just what shade is de- 
 manded, it becomes necessary to see a specimen of ideal of very 
 nearly ideal color, or at least, feathers from such a specimen. 
 While it cannot be said that judges agree always as to the most 
 desirable shade of golden bufif, it can be said that the best and 
 most experienced judges do agree tolerably well. 
 
 Unevenness in Color. — The words of the Standard, "surface 
 throughout, one even shade of rich, golden buff," when given a 
 second thought, aptly present the breeders' problem : To produce 
 specimens that are one shade on the surface of every feathered 
 section, including the wings when extended and the tail feathers 
 when examined, for these sections are considered part of the sur- 
 face — certainly not undercolor. 
 
 Individuals that are even in surface, including wings and tail,' 
 are produced quite often, but while endeavoring to breed such 
 specimens, many that are uneven in surface color to a greater 
 or lesser degree are produced. These variations include too 
 dark, and too light necks ; dark wing bows in males ; mealiness 
 in females, more often on the wing bows than in other sections ; 
 shaftiness, especially noticeable in females ; light colored edging, 
 sometimes referred to as straw edging on females ; dark edging, 
 much often on the backs of females ; the shade of top surface 
 darker than the breast and fluff, most often in males, besides 
 defects in color of wings and tail. 
 
 During the early history of the breed an even colored male 
 was very rarely seen. This fact was particularly noticeable in 
 both the extremely light and extremely dark specimens. The 
 chief fault in the strongly colored specimens was the highly 
 colored wing bows, which were often decidedly red instead of 
 buff. This pronounced defect is not seen at the present time in 
 males of even ordinary merit. The very light buff, usually more 
 explicitly designated by the term "lemon buff" males, have been 
 received with highest favor in the show room at times, and in 
 certain localities, but have of late years passed into discard in 
 
PLYMOITH ROCK STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 223 
 
 favor of a particular shade of buff, expressly described as 
 "golden buff'." which once seen usually meets with instant ap- 
 proval. The invariable tendency of lemon buff males is to fade 
 and lose color after the first year, or after the first moult; to 
 become too light on the back and breast and to breed a large pro- 
 portion of males too light in these sections. Light colored 
 females now known by the apt description of "cream" were also 
 })opular in certain sections of the country, but only for a short 
 time. From a breeder's standpoint, these are as undesirable as 
 the lemon males. 
 
 PLATE 58 
 
 Buff riyiiiouth Eock male of the old sIvUmI iiluiiiage, showing most 
 pronouncedly the too dark shoulder and wing bow. In the early days 
 of the variety, a most common example of unevenness "^f color. 
 
224 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Mealiness. — This objectionable feature is quite common in 
 females, generally in the wing bow or coverts, though it is found 
 in other sections of females, and in breast and fluff of males. 
 Inasmuch as no specimen that has this defect can appear to be 
 even in surface color, this is a most serious defect and particu- 
 larly serious because it is very difficult to breed out. It consists 
 of rather small specks, spots, or stipples of lighter color. It is 
 not always so pronounced that it is noticeable by casual observa- 
 tion, but it is easily detected upon examination of the specimens 
 in the hand. See illustration, plate 59. Also definition, page 20. 
 
 Shaftiness. — This is another fault that causes uneven color. 
 When shafting appears, it is caused by the shafts of the feathers 
 being lighter or darker than the webs. In most cases they are 
 lighter. They are objectionable because with them an even sur- 
 face is impossible. It is more noticeable in the plumage of 
 females than of males, except in the breast and body. See defi- 
 nition, page 21. Also illustration, plate 60. 
 
 PLATE 59 
 
 A Buflf Plymouth Eock fenu 
 ing the too dark wing bow. 
 
 )wing uneven plumage, includ- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 225 
 
 Light Edging. — This fault occurs when the edges which are 
 not as dense in structure as the body of the feathers are Hghter 
 in color. It is found usually in the back section of females, but 
 infrequently in other sections of the females and in the breast 
 and body of males. See illustration, plate 60. 
 
 Foreign Color. — Both black and white are found in the tails 
 and wings of both sexes. Black is the more common in tails and 
 secondaries and white in primaries. Both are decidedly objec- 
 tionable as the rules for cutting for defects plainly show, by re- 
 quiring a cut of from one-half a point to the color limit of the 
 section. Black in the tail is a most common fault and a little at 
 the base is not dealt with severely. The color itself is usually 
 modified, in reality a reddish-brown or brownish black and gen- 
 erally appears in broken field or in large dots or small spots, 
 and sometimes in a few of the main tail feathers, but not all. 
 It appears in tails of both sexes. White is equally objectionable 
 and to some breeders more so than black and indicates weak 
 color. Individuals that show considerable white in wing or tail 
 are rarely used in breeding, though some white might be toler- 
 ated, possibly, if the surface color was even and the undercolor 
 strong. On the whole, white as a color defect is more easily 
 overcome than black. 
 
 PLATE 60 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH KOCKS 
 
 Showiug (1) shafting in each feather, and (2) light edging. 
 
226 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Silver-Gray in Tails. — A peculiar color effect is often seen in 
 the tails of both sexes of buff' varieties. The main tail feathers 
 of some individuals are entirely silver-gray in color, while those 
 of others show this shade only on one side of the quills. Again, 
 it is observed on the inside of the tail feathers, while the outside 
 will appear buff, or nearly buff. 
 
 Wings. — Black is found in the wing, generally on the upper 
 web of the secondaries, though it is often seen in the little 
 feathers that cover the bases of the flights. White appears in 
 both flights and secondaries. Poor health sometimes is account- 
 able for white in plumage of all varieties, but it is inadvisable 
 to find such an excuse for placing birds with this defect in the 
 breeding yards. Brownish colored spots often appear in the 
 flights, a most undesirable characteristic. 
 
 The presence of white is not restricted to the web of the 
 feather, as the shaft of the flights very commonly shows white 
 at base. The best specimens of the present day show no black 
 or white in wings, and but little black and no white in tails, 
 while occasionally specimens with wings and tail of as good buff 
 color as any part of the plumage are produced. See Plate 64 
 for an illustration of clean, even buff tail feathers. 
 
 Tail Plumage of Darker Shades. — Passing from the presence 
 of black, white, or black and white in tail plumage, we often find 
 the plumage of this section too dark, though neither ]:)lack nor 
 white are present. The color, though dark, resembles buff, yet 
 it is plainly not buff, but rather more brown than the golden 
 shade desired. This shade has been very aptly termed chestnut, 
 and we have what are commonly termed chestnut-colored tails. 
 Sometimes that applies very well to the tail color as a whole, 
 but more often as shown by illustration. Plate 61, it appears in 
 patches on one or more feathers, while the remainder of the 
 feather or feathers may be buff, as shown in illustration, Plate 63. 
 
 Undercolor. — In buff varieties, undercolor is considered 
 largely from the breeder's standpoint and valued according to 
 its necessity in breeding the shade and the evenness required in 
 surface color. However, undercolor is considered important. It 
 is impossible to breed specimens with undercolor that is as 
 strong as the surface color. The undercolor should be buff, but 
 though buff, it is invariably of a much lighter shade than the 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 227 
 
 surface. Some of the specimens which show a splendidly even 
 gold surface of buff are very light in undercolor. This does not 
 prevent such specimens from winning, however, though a shaft 
 that is buff to the skin is much desired. 
 
 PLATE 
 
 BVVV PLYMOUTH ROOKS 
 
 Half -tone from jjliotograph of .snuiller sickle (1) and tail covert 
 (2), showing the defect of being marked with "chestnut" color. Also 
 a tail-covert feather (15) of pure even shade of buif. [See illustration 
 of complete tail (page 229), showing same defect.] No. 2 shows the 
 defect of very light undercolor. 
 
228 AMERICAN POULTRY AftSOCIATION 
 
 COLOR DEFECTS OF BUFF ROCKS ACCOUNTED FOR 
 
 After analyzing their ancestry and simply remembering that 
 all the early strains were subject to the process of amalgamation 
 sooner or later, and mostly sooner, we can most readily account 
 for the prevailing color defects. For every breeder, no matter 
 how well satisfied with his strain, very soon recognizes the good 
 (pialities of others, and as quickly as he discovers a weakness 
 
 PLATE 62 
 
 EXTENDED WING OF BUFF T'LYMOUTH ROCK MALE 
 
 Clear, even sliade of huff, with excoptioi 
 in front row of feathers on wing- bar. 
 
 of darker shade sliowing 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 229 
 
 in his own flock acquires in some way the blood of another that 
 possesses the quality in which his strain is deficient ; so the blood 
 of all meritorious strains is quickly passed around and it is well 
 it is so, because then the variety acquires something of uni- 
 formity. 
 
 Stock that showed black in tails and wings would naturally 
 follow from the same ancestry that developed the Rhode Island 
 Reds (The Fall River Buff Rocks). Flecking and white in the 
 wing and undercolor from Light Brahma. (Wilson strain). The 
 same defect would be expected from stock that contained the 
 White Plymouth Rock blood, and the white blood of both strains 
 would account for light undercolor and unevenness of surface. 
 
 PLATE 63 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH EOCKS 
 
 Half tone from ]>hotograph of tail of Buff Plymouth Kock cock 
 (winner of first at Madison Square Garden, New York, show), show- 
 ing smaller sickle and larger tail covert marked with chestnut color, a 
 not uncommon blemish in fine buff colored males. This color is very 
 much less defective in buff varieties than gray, black or white. 
 
230 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATIOy 
 
 PLATE 64 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH ROCK TAIL PROPEE AND TAIL COVERT, 
 MALE 
 
 Ideal color, even shade of buff throughout. 
 
 1. Tail proper. 
 
 2. Upper tail proper. 
 
 3. Tail covert. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 231 
 
 Silver-gray, which appears in the tail, would seem to be an ad- 
 mixture of a little black with considerable white, or, perhaps, 
 some buff, comparable perhaps to the production of blue plum- 
 age sometimes, sometimes a black and a white mottled plumage 
 by the crossing of white and black birds. The Buff Cochin is the 
 source from which all buff varieties obtained their color and to 
 the color defects inherited from other varieties that were not 
 buff used in creating the Buff Plymouth Rocks must be added 
 the defects of the Buff Cochins, employed in the various crosses. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 MATING TO PRODUCE BUFF PLUMAGE 
 
 Buff' is classed as one of the solid colors, to produce which 
 breeders seldom employ more than one mating. In the earlier 
 history of this variety, perhaps fifteen years or more ago, double 
 mating was practiced. 
 
 Early System of Mating. — We find in the early treatises on 
 breeding buff varieties that advice as to how to double mate for 
 buff color conforms closely to our ideas of double mating today. 
 Nowadays, little double mating is done to produce buff or any 
 solid color. Double mating for buff was excusable and perhaps 
 advisable in those days, because of the unsettled condition of the 
 buff variety, their composite character and short existence, to 
 overcome several glaring faults, such as dark neck, dark or red 
 shoulders, black in tails and black in wings, wings and tails in 
 which white was prominent, a wide difference in color of top and 
 lower sections, and also a wide difference in color of males and 
 females. The early breeders had to contend with these and other 
 faults and to breed them out ; and then undercolor was more im- 
 portant in the eyes of the judge and breeder than now. Is it any 
 wonder that these early breeders adopted the quick method of 
 correcting one defect by using its antidote — a defect of opposite 
 character to counteract it, and of trying to correct in one sex at 
 a time ; as, for instance, attempting to produce sound surface 
 and strong undercolor on the females by breeding males alto- 
 gether too strong in color, especially in the shoulders and back ? 
 Such males were even then useless as show birds because of 
 these dark or red sections and the unevenness of the color of 
 
232 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 their plumage. The early breeders did succeed, and admirably, 
 in improving color and this improvement removed the necessity 
 of double mating. 
 
 At present and for some time back, the very best standard 
 Buff Plymouth Rocks have been produced by the single mating 
 system, which has been described heretofore as the mating 
 together of as nearly standard colored specimens of both sexes 
 as could be procured. A male of ideal color would make the 
 ideal mate of a female of ideal color, in the opinion of those 
 breeders who believe in this system, while others on account of 
 
 PLATE 6.5 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH EOCK 
 
 Two hackles, two back and two saddle feathers showin| 
 even shade of buff throughout surface and undercolor. 
 
PLYMOITH ROCK STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 233 
 
 the tendency of bufif to lose color, would prefer that one sex or 
 the other in any mating should be a shade or two darker or 
 richer than that which is regarded as ideal or standard. Un- 
 doubtedly, if standard-colored specimens were backed with a 
 sufficiently long ancestry of like characteristics, standard-colored 
 specimens of both sexes would together form ideal matings. 
 
 A Composite Variety. — But as related in a previous chapter, 
 the Buff Plymouth Rocks, as well as most of our buff fowls, are 
 composites of different breeds, varieties and strains, obviously 
 of birds of dift'erent types and colors. Though type is once 
 established, as it is recognized to be in degree, yet color remains 
 to be established, and if that, too, is established in degree also, 
 both must be maintained and furthermore perfected. The trea- 
 tise on type has, however, preceded this chapter, and we may 
 deal now with color alone, which, from its composite origin, in- 
 herits favilty tendencies to overcome and offset which becomes 
 the special problem of the breeder. 
 
 To Hold Color. — (Jne of the tendencies of buff color is to 
 become too light cr "faded out," as it is often expressed by 
 breeders cf buff varieties, a tendency that we readily understand 
 after a stiulv of the ancestry of the varietv. To offset this 
 
 PLATE 66 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH ROCK FEMALE 
 
 Back and breast feathers. Illustrating the breeding value of rich 
 buff-colored quill, though undercolor may be very pale buff. 
 
234 
 
 AMERK'.W I'OlLTRy ASSOClAriOX 
 
 PLATE 67 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH EOCK COLOR DEFECTS, COMMON IN WING 
 PRIMARIES OF MALE OR FEMALE 
 
 1. Black or brownish black, shading to large portion of bufif, pep- 
 pered with dark spots where black and buff meet. 
 
 2. Largely black at base and along the quill, remainder buff. 
 
 3. Buff, with considerable black, shading to gray, with white at 
 
 ain portion 
 
 end. 
 
 4. Root of feather white and web next to root white 
 of webb buff, with white at end. 
 
 Ideal, clear buff. 
 
PLYMOTTH ROCK f<TAynARn A^D BREED BOOK 
 
 PLATE 68 
 
 BUFF PLYMOUTH KOCK COLOR DEFECTS COMMON IN 
 WING SECONDARIES OF MALE OR FEMALE 
 
 1. Bliic'k or brownish black, shading to large portion of buff, pep- 
 jiercd with dark spots where black and buff meet. 
 
 2. Largely black at base and along quill, remainder buff. 
 
 3. Buff with considerable black, shading to gray, with white at end. 
 
 4. Root of feather and web next to root white, main portion of 
 webb buff, with white at end. 
 
 5. Ideal, clear buff. 
 
236 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 
 mi 
 
 ^ O"- 
 
 Jig g-js 
 
 
 
 
 
 O CJ3 
 
 o « o 
 
PLYMOrrH ROCK STAyOARB AND BREED BOOK 237 
 
 
 
 
238 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 tendency to lose color, breeders often, as stated, select specimens 
 for one sex in the mating that are a little richer or stronger in 
 color than that described by the Standard. Breeders do not find 
 it advisable, however, to go too far in this direction. Faults and 
 tendencies to faults must be corrected, but not over-corrected. 
 The latter is as liable to occur as is the former. 
 
 To Maintain Evenness. — Many faults of the progeny in color 
 are attributed to too wide a variation in color of the parents. 
 Specimens of extremes of buff color mated together seldom pro- 
 duce a mean. The progeny are mostly extremes and seldom are 
 they sound, even colored specimens at that ; patches of dark and 
 light buff are often found on the same specimens. Mealiness and 
 light or dark edgings are attributed to the mating of extremes 
 in buff shades. Shaftings in the plumage of one or both sexes 
 in the mating is due to weak undercolor of the quill. By reading 
 the preceding chapter, the undesirability of these characteristics 
 will be clearly understood. 
 
 Black in Tails and Wings. — Other expediencies are occasion- 
 ally resorted to to be hold to the desired shade of color. The 
 impression that the strength of color may be preserved by breed- 
 ing males or females that show black in tail and perhaps in 
 wings has been a common one. On this point, one writer^ takes 
 the view that buff is largely yellow modified slightly by red and 
 white, and that black is nowise a component of buff; that in 
 choosing one of two evils, black or white, the latter is to be 
 chosen without hesitation. Among the faults caused by breeding 
 from specimens that show black are lacing or ticking in necks, 
 black in tails, black in wings, smutty undercolor and a muddy 
 surface color, and it will not counteract white, according to this 
 writer, who further states "you will get plenty of red and white 
 without breeding for them," but that either red or white are 
 much more readily bred out than black. In closing, this breeder 
 gives this advise : "Remember, yellow and black will not mix 
 and produce a pleasing color, while yellow, red and white will 
 mix and give you that beautiful shade called buff." This view 
 has since been taken by other writers of experience in breeding 
 buff varieties.2 
 
 1. W. W. Browning, book, R. P. J., The Wyandotte. 
 
 2. M. F. Delano, The Orpington, R. P. J. A. O. SchUling, A. P. W. 
 for January, 1913. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 239 
 
 Some, of course, differ or have differed with this writer, and 
 while both opinions are held, it is admitted by all that black is 
 difficult to breed out and keep out. As for white in wings and 
 tail, the same may be said, though the amount of white can be 
 perceptibly reduced from one generation to another by selection. 
 
 The correct shade and evenness of color are qualities of most 
 importance in breeding birds of both sexes. Of the two, even- 
 ness, if the color is not too far removed from the desired shade, 
 is perhaps the most important, because when persistently selected 
 for generations, this quality will correct such faults as mealiness, 
 shaftiness, light edging, and finally will influence the color of 
 main tail feathers and the flights and secondaries. When select- 
 ing specimens for evenness of color, all sections should match. 
 Such a specimen is hard to find. The neck may be lighter or 
 darker than the other sections, and the breast, body and fluff 
 are often lighter than back, wing and tail. We desire, first, uni- 
 formity in the shade of all sections of the specimen, and then, 
 if the specimen be of the desired shade, it is desired that the gen- 
 eral shade of the female should match the breast, body and fluff 
 of the male. 
 
 Black in tail or wings may be bred out in time. The breeder 
 should not expect to eliminate any great amount of this strong 
 colored pigment in one generation. This is often attempted. 
 There is a general impression that black may be offset with 
 white. This is, perhaps, true but in a comparatively small num- 
 ber of the progeny of matings in which this expediency was re- 
 sorted to. By mating birds with black in plumage to those with 
 white in corresponding sections, blood that has a tendency to 
 produce black is mingled with blood that has a tendency to pro- 
 duce white, and the result is blood that has a strong tendency to 
 produce both black and white in the plumage ; black in some, 
 white in some, and both black and white in others. 
 
 The breeding out of white involves the same principle. It 
 should not be offset in matings by using specimens of the oppo- 
 site sex that have black in the plumag'e. A safe rule and one 
 that produces the most pure buff plumage in the individual and 
 the most buff in individuals of number, is to offset either black 
 or white by selecting for the breeding specimens of each suc- 
 cessive generation those in which these undersirable colors are 
 not present, or those with as little of either as possible. 
 
240 AMEliWAN POVl/rRY AS^'^OCIATION 
 
 1 PLATE 71 2 
 
 11 
 
 
 1 
 
 V V 
 
 
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 1 
 
 I 
 
 
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 ILLUSTRATING FOUR MODERN BUFF PLYMOUTH ROCK 
 
 FEMALES 
 1, 3. Winners at Chicago (Fanciers' Show). 2. Winner at New 
 York (Palace). 4. Winner at New York (Garden). 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 241 
 
 1 PLATE 72 2 
 
 3 4 
 
 ILLUSTRATING FOUR PERIODS IN PROGRESS OF BUFF 
 
 PLYMOUTH ROCK MALES 
 1, 2, 4. Winners at New York (Garden). ?>. Winner at Chicago 
 (Fanciers' Show). 
 
242 AMERICAN POJU.TRY Af<SOCIArJON 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 MATINGS 
 
 / 
 To summarize from the foregoing, the best mating for color 
 viewed in the light of the most modern thought would be the one 
 that included the best colored specimens, that is, those that have 
 the required standard shade of buff, the most even from head to 
 hock and tip of tail. This description implies absolute absence 
 of black, white or any foreign color, and of mealiness and shafti- 
 ness as well. 
 
 This is practically the method of mating that the best breed- 
 ers employ at the present time, but it is subject to one modifica- 
 tion, which some breeders use to protect themselves against loss 
 of color. To hold to the rich, golden shade and to prevent a 
 relapse to lemon, cream and other undesirable shades formerly 
 common, breeders use matings in which the male is one or per- 
 haps two slight shades richer than what is generally consid. 
 ered "rich, golden buff." Sometimes the strength of color is 
 maintained by the matings first described with standard buft" 
 males and females for the greater number, and a lesser number 
 of females that are a shade or possibly two shades richer than 
 standard buff. For evenness of color and other requisites, such 
 females must be fully as desirable as standard specimens. 
 
 Specimens that approach the cinnamon shades or those that 
 are muddy or brown to the slightest degree are not tolerated in 
 the matings by any recognized breeder of the highest class. 
 
 Undercolor is secondary to surface color in buff varieties, 
 and while quite perceptibly lighter than the latter, some strength 
 is demanded in all specimens that are selected for breeding birds. 
 The quill particularly is required to be buff to the skin and as 
 near in shade to the surface color as it is possible to select, other 
 things being equal. By breeding from such specimens, shafti- 
 ness is eliminated or reduced to the minimum. 
 
 These methods of breeding are comparal)le with the principle 
 of single or standard matings, and it is from such that the best 
 Buff Plymouth Rocks of today are produced. 
 
SECTION V. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 SILVER-PENCILED PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 THE ORIGIN AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT 
 
 THE first Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rocks came from the 
 Cornell line of penciled fowls. While that gentleman was 
 developing a Silver-Penciled Wyandotte, both Mr. Cornell 
 and Mr. Shey, who had charge of \'alleyview Farm at Ithaca, 
 New York, sent to Elmwood Farm single comb specimens from 
 their flocks. These were mated by George B. Randolph, the 
 owner of Elmwood Farm, with some single-comb specimens of 
 the same strain that he had hatched and reared at Elmwood. 
 
 It was in the year of 1894 that Mr. Ezra Cornell of Ithaca. 
 New York, became interested with Mr. George H. Brackenbury 
 of Auburn, New York, in producing a Silver-Penciled Wyan- 
 dotte. Mr. Brackenbury had, prior to this, made a cross of a 
 Golden-Penciled (Partridge) Wyandotte male with a Dark 
 Brahma hen. Mr. Cornell selected a Silver-Laced Wyandotte 
 male, which he mated with a Silver-Penciled Hamburg female. 
 He also mated a Dark Brahma hen of the Newton Adams strain 
 with this Silver-Laced Wyandotte male. Some of the pullets 
 from both of these hens were mated to the Silver-Laced Wyan- 
 dotte male and other pullets from the same hens and to some of 
 the progeny produced by Mr. Brackenbury from his mating of 
 the Golden-Penciled male with the Dark Brahma female. 
 
 Then Mr. Cornell gave some of the progeny from these 
 matings to Elmwood Farm, Weston. New Jersey, from which 
 was bred the Silver-Penciled Wyandotte female illustrated by 
 Mr. Sewell in the American Poultry Journal and in the Reliable 
 Poultry Journal of January, 1902. This female shows plainly 
 the Brahma shape. Some of the pullets from the same lot of 
 fowls had single combs. Mr. Cornell and later Mr. Wyckoff, 
 through Dennis Shey, sent a single-comb male and two single- 
 comb females from their flock to Elmwood Farm. These, with 
 
 243 
 
244 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 eight or ten others, were turned out at free range ®n the farm 
 and for three years were bred under these conditions. The poor- 
 est of those produced each year were culled out and sold to mar- 
 ket, until finally there were ten or twelve females and one male 
 that were good enough in shape to be called Plymouth Rocks. 
 The females were beautifully penciled and had backs and tails 
 that were typical of the Plymouth Rocks. This flock and their 
 offspring were sold to James Forsyth of Oswego, New York, 
 and by him to Mr. F. F. Corey of ( )ssining, New York. 
 
 Another strain of Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rocks was made 
 by the mingling of Dark Brahmas. Silver-Grey Dorkings and 
 Mottled Javas. It was asserted at this time that this was the 
 only true strain of Penciled Plymouth Rocks, but just why any 
 one should claim that a mixture of this kind had or could pro- 
 duce true Plymouth Rock is far from clear. The claim is made 
 ridiculous by the fact that the strain created in this way used 
 some of the original Elmwood stock in its make-vip, as many of 
 the Penciled Plymouth Rocks from Elmwood Farm went to 
 breeders of the Brahma-Dorking-Java strain. 
 
 The best of all the Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rocks can be 
 traced to the Dark Brahma females supplied by Newton Adams. 
 Many of the best females of this variety now have very much 
 the same shape as the Brahma female ancestors. The hens used 
 were rich in color, beautifully penciled and fairly close feathered. 
 Indeed, as compared with the Light Brahmas of today they were 
 closely feathered. The question of egg production and the size 
 of the egg produced has been used as proof for or against the 
 quality of the fowls. The originals of this variety that were 
 sold from Elmwood Farm to James Forsyth were of good size ; 
 they had fairly good Plymouth Rock shape ; they had good color 
 and markings ; they were prolific layers ; and their eggs averaged 
 more than two ounces each. (T. F. McG.) 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 245 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 SILVER.PENCILED PLYMOUTH ROCK 
 PLUMAGE 
 
 STANDARD DESCRIPTION 
 
 Disqualifications 
 
 Shanks and toes other than yellow or dusky yellow. (See 
 general and Plymouth Rock disqualifications.) 
 
 COLOR OF MALE 
 
 Head. — Plumage, silvery white. 
 
 Beak. — Yellow or dusky yellow. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Bright red. 
 
 Neck.— Hackle, web of feather, solid, lustrous greenish-black, 
 with a narrow edging of silvery white, uniform in width, extend- 
 ing around point of feather ; shafts, black ; plumage in front of 
 hackle, black. 
 
 Wings. — Bows, silvery white ; coverts, lustrous greenish- 
 black, forming a well-defined bar of this color across wings when 
 folded ; primaries, black except a narrow edging of white on 
 lower edge of lower webs ; secondaries, black, except lower half 
 of lower webs which should be white, except near end of feathers 
 at which points the white terminates abruptly, leaving end of 
 feathers black. 
 
 Back. — Silvery white, free from brown ; saddle, silvery white, 
 with a black stripe in each feather, tapering to a point near its 
 lower extremity. 
 
 Tail. — Black ; sickles and coverts, lustrous greenish-black ; 
 smaller coverts, lustrous greenish-black edged with white. 
 
 Breast. — Black. 
 
 Body and Fluff.— Body, black; fluff, black slightly tinged 
 with gray. 
 
 Legs and Toes. — Thighs, black ; shanks and toes, yellow or 
 dusky yellow. 
 
 Under-Color of All Sections. — Slate. 
 
 COLOR OF FEMALE 
 
 Head. — Plumage, silvery gray. 
 Beak. — Yellow or dusky yellow. 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
240 
 
 AMERICAN I'OULTRY ASfiQCrATION 
 
 PLATE 
 
 SILVp]R-PKNCILEr) PLYMOUTH ROCK MALE 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 247 
 
 PLATE 74 
 
 Sll.\ I i; l'i;\('ILEP PLYMOUTH EOCK i' KM ALL 
 
248 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Bright red. 
 
 Neck. — Silvery white ; center portion of feathers, black 
 slightly penciled with gray ; feathers in front of neck, same as 
 breast. 
 
 Wings. — Shoulders, bows and coverts, gray with distinct 
 dark pencilings, outlines of which conform to shape of feathers ; 
 primaries, black with narrow edge of gray penciling on lower 
 webs • secondaries, upper webs, black ; lower webs, gray with dis- 
 tinct dark pencilings extending around outer edge of feathers. 
 
 Back. — Gray, with distinct dark pencilings, outlines of which 
 conform to shape of feather ; feathers, free from white shafting. 
 
 Tail. — Black, except the two top feathers, which are penciled 
 on upper edge ; coverts, gray, with distinct dark pencilings, out- 
 lines of which conform to shape of feather. 
 
 Breast. — (jray, with distinct dark pencilings, outlines of 
 which conform to shape of feather. 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Body, gray, with distinct dark pencilings, 
 reaching well down on thighs ; fluff, gray, penciled with a darker 
 shade. 
 
 Legs and Toes. — Thighs, gray, with distinct pencilings ; 
 shanks and toes, yellow or dusky yellow. 
 
 Under-color of All Sections. — Slate. 
 
 Note. — Each feather in back, breast, body, wing-bows and 
 thighs to have three or more distinct pencilings. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF PLUMAGE 
 
 The Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rock should have the same 
 size, shape and body proportions as other Plymouth Rocks, and 
 the same color and markings as the IDark Brahma. 
 
 The combination of silvery white and black in the male and 
 silvery white, gray and black in the female is pleasant to the 
 eye. When of fine quality there is no other fowl more beautiful 
 when at her best and when shown in perfect condition. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK ^STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 240 
 
 PLATE 75 
 
 FEMALE, WTNG FEATHERS FROM WELL MARKED 
 SPECIMENS 
 
 Male: 1. 
 Female: ;'.. 
 
 Primal 
 Prim 
 
 Secondary. 
 Secondary. 
 
 THE MALE 
 
 The silvery white top color of the male forms a covering for 
 
 the black in breast and underlying colors. The lower edge line 
 
 of the silvery white extends to the point of the breast and follows 
 
 the fold of the wing-bow back to the extreme point of the wing 
 
250 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 which, when properly folded, is hidden beneath the lower line 
 of the saddle plumage and the plumage of the upper part of the 
 abdomen. This top color should be clear silvery white, that is, 
 striped in hackle and in saddle with lustrous black. The word- 
 ing of the Standard is : "Head plumage, silvery white ; hackle, 
 solid lustrous greenish-black with a narrow edge of silvery 
 white, uniform in width, extending around point of feather; 
 plumage in front of the hackle, black ; shank and toe, yellow or 
 dusky yellow." 
 
 Hackle. — In plainer language, this means that the hackle 
 feathers and the saddle feathers of the male shall have a black 
 stripe extending almost to the point of the feather ; this black 
 should be completely surrounded with silvery white. "Plumage 
 in front of hackle, black," means that if you part the hackle in 
 the center below the beak, you will find that the black feathers 
 of the breast extend up to the throat ; thus the plumage in front 
 of the hackle is black. 
 
 Wings. — The bows of the wings are silvery white. The wing- 
 coverts are lustrous. greenish-l:)lack. forming a well-defined bar 
 of black across the folded wing. The primaries of the wing are 
 black with a narrow edge of white on the lower edge of the lower 
 web of the feather. The secondaries of the wing are black, ex- 
 cepting the lower half, which should be white. The ends of these 
 feathers are black. See illustration. Plate 75. 
 
 Back and Saddle. — The back, from beneath the hackle and 
 almost to the end of the saddle, is silvery white. The striped 
 feathers of the saddle extend up and over the sickle feathers, the 
 silvery white plumage of the back merging into these striped 
 feathers. 
 
 Tail. — The main tail feathers are black, and the sickles and 
 tail-coverts are black emblazoned with a lustrous greenish sheen. 
 This sheen must have a greenish-black and not a purplish shade, 
 which is most undesirable. 
 
 Breast. — The breast, the body, the underbody plumage about 
 the thighs and the fluff are black ; the latter may be slightly 
 tinged with gray. 
 
 Undercolor. — Undercolor in all sections should be slate. The 
 same shade of undercolor is desirable in the females for breeding. 
 
 Toes. — Shanks and toes are vellow or duskv vellow. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 251 
 
 THE FEMALE 
 
 The best quality of female must have an even shade of gray 
 throughout. Each feather of back, wing-bow and coverts, tail- 
 coverts, breast and body, should be penciled with a darker shade, 
 which is described as dark penciling ; it should not be black, 
 because this destroys the even shade of gray so desirable in the 
 plumage of the female of this variety. The Standard requires 
 gray, with distinct dark pencilings, outlines of which conform 
 to shape of feather ; the feathers should be free from white shaft- 
 ing. This would indicate that the female should be of a gray 
 shade, penciled with a darker shade deep enough in color to 
 show the outlines distinctly, and these outlines must conform to 
 the shape of the feather. The breast of the female, while 
 usually somewhat lighter in shade just below the throat, should 
 deepen into the same shade of color down under the body and 
 between the thighs. While the fluff is gray penciled with a 
 darker shade in some specimens, the shade is with most speci- 
 mens lighter than in the body plumage. 
 
 The penciling of the feathers of the breast and body, the 
 wing-bows, and the thighs should have at least three distinct 
 rows. Some of the feathers on some specimens have even more 
 than this. For illustrations, see Plates 76, 77, 78. 
 
 The Neck. — The neck plumage should be silvery white ; the 
 center portion of each feather black, slightly penciled with gray ; 
 the feathers in front of the neck like those on the breast. The 
 black centers of the neck feathers should be almost as large as 
 the feather and edged with silvery white. The neck plumage of 
 the finest females are frequently penciled almost as distinctly as 
 are the feathers of the back. See illustration, Plate 80, Page 257. 
 
 Wings. — Besides the shoulders, bows and coverts, the color 
 and markings of which conform with those of breast and back 
 and have already been described, the primaries and secondaries 
 should be considered. When commendable, primaries are black 
 with a narrow but distinct single line of gray on the edge of the 
 lower web. A correctly marked female flight feather is shown in 
 Plate 79. The outer web of each of the longer secondaries should 
 be penciled with gray in lines which run parallel with the lower 
 or outer edge of the feather. The shorter ones, or those nearest 
 the body, should be penciled on that portion of the feather that 
 
252 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
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PLYMOUTH ROCK STAyOARD A^D BREED BOOK 
 
 253 
 
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 AMERICAX POULTRY ASSiOCIATION 
 
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PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 255 
 
 is exposed to view when held in its natural position or, in other 
 words, on the surface. Plate 79 shows an illustration of one of 
 the longer secondaries. 
 
 Shank and Toes. — Shanks and toes are yellow or dusky 
 yellow. 
 
 The best surface color in females and the best markings are 
 associated with a lighter shade of undercolor. (T. F. McG.) 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 MATING SILVER-PENCILED PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 It should be well understood that the first step for breeding 
 this variety must be the selection for proper size, shape, and 
 general requirements for the breed. 
 
 But, in addition to this, color must have more than ordinary 
 consideration. There are two systems practiced in the breeding 
 of Dark Brahmas, and the same may be followed in the breeding 
 of this variety of Plymouth Rocks which corresponds with the 
 former in plumage. It is needless to say more than has been 
 said under these subjects in Part II on line-breeding, in-breeding 
 and double-mating, or on the general laws of breeding. These 
 three methods of single, intermediate and double mating seem 
 open to breeders of this variety with good promise of success. 
 
 Single Mating. — The simplest and perhaps the best plan to 
 follow is to mate together continually, year after year, the very 
 best show specimens that are produced in each flock. 
 
 Two Female Color Types. — A system of double mating can 
 be practiced in one pen of fowls by having a male that possesses 
 show qualities to a marked degree mated with three or more 
 females that are perfect or nearly perfect, according to the 
 Standard description for the female of this variety, while in this 
 same pen can be kept one hen or more for the purpose of pro- 
 ducing exhibition males. This hen must be a direct descendant 
 for at least two years, and if for longer she is much better for the 
 purpose, from a cockerel breeding line ; that is, by knowing 
 the male and females that produce each specimen you can select 
 the hen that produces the best cockerel and mate her or her off- 
 spring year by year with the best male that is produced from the 
 female line referred to in Part II as the Intermediate Mating. 
 
256 
 
 AMERlCAy FOT'LTRY A.^SIOCIATION 
 
 Double Mating. — For extreme double mating, select the hens 
 that have produced the best exhibition males and mate them with 
 the best exhibition males that you have or that you can secure. 
 Toe-mark all the chicks from this mating and from them estab- 
 lish a cockerel breeding line; keep them separate and apart and 
 use them only for producing male birds for the exhibition. This 
 line should be as carefully separated as are the matings to pro- 
 duce cockerels in the Barred variety. 
 
 PLATE 7<i 
 
 SILVER-PENCILED PLYMOUTH ROCKS, FEATHERS OF 
 FEMALES 
 
 1. Wing primary. 2. Wing secondary. .''.. Lower main tail. 
 
 4. Upper main tail. 5. Top tail feather 
 
 (Best obtainable.) 
 
I'LYMOI 'I'll HOCK S'l'AXnAh'n AM) li RIJl-JI) fiOOK 257 
 
 To produce females of the most beautiful color and markings, 
 the best hens should be mated with a male descendant from an 
 exhibition female. The offspring from this mating should be 
 kept separate and be mated together continually year after year ; 
 the best females so obtained should be mated with the best males 
 that are produced from this same line of l)reeding. 
 
 PLATE 80 
 
 SILVER-PENCILED PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 NECK FEATHERS OF FEMALES 
 
 vSolid, for prodiK 
 bitiou males. 
 
 ig- best exhi- 
 
 1, 2. Solid bhu'k stri 
 colored hackles on males. 
 
 Penciled, as seen on females, 
 for ]iroducing' females with best 
 ])encil('d bodv sections. 
 
 necessary to prodnce Standard exhibition 
 
 ;'.. 4. Penciled stripe, as found on females possessing the finest 
 jienciling over breast, back, wing and body sections, necessary to pro- 
 duce tlie best exhibition colored females. 
 
 Note: — This section, neck, presents the most marked variance in 
 plumage of the females of the cockerel-breeding and pullet-breeding 
 lines. A solid black stripe in hackle, especially in the lower portion 
 of the lower or longest hackle feathers, is required and very much 
 desired in an exhibition male. To obtain such, it is generally neces- 
 sary to breed from females that possess the same character. — (Ed.) 
 
258 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 PLATE 81 
 
 ular. 
 
 SILVEJM'i;\(|l,i;i) I'l.V.MOlTlI EOCK 
 
 Illustrating defects in color of male as follows: 
 
 Hackle — Weak in striping. 
 
 Shoulders — Irregularly splashed with black. 
 
 Wing-Bows — Splashed with black markings. 
 
 Wing-Bars — Splashed with white. 
 
 Wing-Primaries — White at root, also white at tips. 
 
 Primary Coverts — White tips. 
 
 Wing-Secondaries — White edging in upper secondaries, very irreg- 
 
 Saddle Feathers— Weak, indefinite striping. 
 Tail-Coverts — Stripe too weak, laced edging irregular. 
 Tail, Sickles and Smaller Sickles — White at root. 
 
PLYMOr TTI ROCK STAXDARD AXD BREED ROOK L'59 
 
 PLATE ,82 
 
 SILVEE-PENCILED PLYMOUTH EOCK 
 
 RL'"Jj'"If r "" ,'"'C^"'=1^^« Standard-bred male: 
 Head Back and Wmg-Bows— Clear, silvery white 
 edging feather showing clear black striping an. 
 
 .iv^l;^^^ '^^^'^^^^^, iS^^n^^i^er side 
 
 whit! ^^^'^^ ^'^"'^' ^^^'^'•'y ^t'-'P^I ^"h black, edged with silvery 
 
 ^fn^.V^l^^^^f';^' ^'M*^^ ^ith silvery white. 
 «^ii T Jt^ Sickles— Glossy, greenish black. 
 Breast— Glossy, greenish black. 
 Body — Black. 
 
 silvery whit< 
 
 ith 
 
260 
 
 AMEIUCAX POT LTRY ASSOC/AT/0\ 
 
 PLATE 83 
 
 SILVEE-PENCILED PLYMOUTH EOl'K 
 
 Illustrating defective female color, as follows: 
 
 Neck feathers weak in striping. 
 
 Back, wing-bows and fluflp irregularly and coarsely penciled. 
 
 Shafting showing on the wing-bows; many feathers in back and 
 fluff not penciled; penciling lacking in secondaries. 
 
 Primaries do not show the correct gray edging; splashes of white 
 and gray at ends of primaries. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK l^T.WDARD AND HREEI) BOOK 
 
 261 
 
 PLATE 84 
 
 SILVKR-PENCILED PLYMOITTH ROCK 
 
 Markings on a high-class, Staiid.-ird-brt'd fciiiah'. 
 
 Head — Silvery gray. 
 
 Neek — Silvery white, black stripe penciled witli j;ray. 
 
 Wing Primaries — Black, lower edge penciled witli gray. 
 
 Tail Proper — Black, penciled with gray. 
 
 All remaining plumage silver-gray, with distinct dark pencilings, 
 outlines of which conform very closely to shape of feathers. The light 
 and dark pencilings as nearly as possible equal in width, giving a steely 
 gray effect, free from buff or brownish color in any part. 
 
262 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 The chicks from both these lines must be toe-marked for 
 identification. The males and females from the one line must 
 be used for breeding cockerels and cockerel-breeding pullets ; 
 the males and females from the other line for producing exhibi- 
 tion females and pullet-breeding males. 
 
 Whenever it may be necessary to introduce new blood into 
 either one of these lines, the best hen that can be secured from 
 an outside strain that produces good specimens can be intro- 
 duced into the flock. She can be mated first with the male breed- 
 ing line and a clutch of eggs secured, which can be hatched and 
 reared by a mother hen. The best females produced from this 
 mating should be mated back to the male that produced them. 
 If good specimens of both male and female come from the sec- 
 ond mating, it will be safe to breed this new line into the cock- 
 erel line that has been established. From the same hen mated 
 to the best pullet-bred cockerel eggs may be secured and hatched 
 in like manner, and the best pullets from this mating re-mated 
 to the male that produced them. The offspring produced 
 from the second mating may be bred into the pullet-bred line. 
 (T. F. McG.) 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 PLUMAGE DEFECTS AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM 
 
 The influence of the Partridge Cochin that was bred years 
 ago into the Dark Brahma, and that of the Partridge Cochin 
 bred into the Penciled Wyandottes have cast their shadow over 
 the plumage of all American varieties of silver-penciled fowls. 
 Although the cross of the Partridge Cochin was made with the 
 Dark Brahmas almost fifty years ago, the shading of reddish- 
 brown continues to come into the plumage of both the male and 
 the female of the Dark Brahmas, and while there is much less 
 now than formerly, it still exists. 
 
 The cross of the Partridge Cochin with the Penciled Wyan- 
 dottes came in the original process of the penciled varieties. A 
 female of the Golden-Penciled or Partridge variety was crossed 
 into the Silver-Penciled variety to improve color and markings. 
 This was the mistake that was made by one of the most success- 
 ful breeders, and the one who is credited really with the best 
 accomplishments toward the establishment of Sdver-Penciled 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 263 
 
 VVyandottes. The Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rocks having de- 
 scended from the same line of breeding, carry with them more 
 or less of this influence, from which reddish-brown or brick color 
 is, at times, found in the plumage. This color shows much more 
 plainly in both the male and female while they still have their 
 chick feathers. 
 
 Perhaps it is this same influence that brings brassiness in 
 males and dark shading in the shanks of both males and females. 
 Both of these defects are to be deplored ; yet they exist, and it 
 requires considerable care and judgment to prevent their in- 
 creasing or to keep them entirely out of the plumage of both 
 sexes. Brassiness in the top plumage of the males detracts con- 
 siderably from their appearance, and renders them unfit for use 
 in the breeding pen. This same influence makes it more difficult 
 to produce clean, clear gray or silver gray in the female. 
 
 Other defects that must be avoided are : Too much penciling 
 in the neck feathers of the female, any penciling in the neck of 
 the male, and too much white in the wings of the male. Some of 
 the best females of this variety have almost as much penciling 
 in their neck feathers as in the body plumage ; this shows an ex- 
 cessive amount of penciling and detracts from their quality as 
 exhibition specimens. Such females may be safely bred to a 
 male not so strongly penciled and they may produce females 
 better than they are themselves ; but there is danger from the 
 use of such females, because, where the lines are not kept per- 
 fect, injury may be done to an almost perfect male breeding 
 strain by bringing this penciling into the neck and plumage of 
 both the male and the female of that strain. There is also 
 danger of losing the desired penciling in the females unless the 
 lines are kept true to blood. 
 
 White in Wings. — Too much white in the feathers of the 
 wings of the male is apt to come from the female line, especially 
 so if light gray or white undercolor is present in the female 
 plumage. To produce males with almost perfect wings requires 
 the use of both males and females tliat have slate undercolor. 
 See illustration, Plate 81. 
 
 The Lower Fluff. — Perhaps the most difficult problem is to 
 obtain females with even fairly good penciling in the fluff of the 
 plumage that covers the abdomen. To have this to any extent 
 requires extreme care and watchfulness of the breeding lines 
 
264 AMh'h'/C.W POrLTRV ASSOCt \TIO\ 
 
 PLATE 85 
 
 SILVER-PENCILKI) PLYMOUTH E0CK8 
 
 Typical modern winning males. Typical modern winning females 
 At Madison Square (inrden, New York, T)ec. 29, I916.-Jan. 3, 1917. 
 2nd Cock. 1st Pullet. 1st Cock. 1st Hen. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROOK 1'<TA\J)ARD AND BREED BOOK 205 
 
 with the object of producing beautiful color markings or pencil- 
 ings in the feathers throughout the entire body. 
 
 The Tail Feathers. — Some of the most exquisitely penciled 
 females, especially in the Dark Brahmas. have gray markings in 
 the greater part of all the main-tail feathers. In some instances 
 these pencilings will show in the smaller sickles and coverts of 
 the male, as well as in the breast and body plumage. These same 
 defects will show in the Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rock males 
 that are bred strongly in the female producing line, and while 
 such are excellent for breeding pullets, they would not be likely 
 to wm prizes in the show room. (T. F. McG.) 
 
 One of the best examples of the possibility of penciling in 
 the neck plumage will be seen in the illustration of the Dark 
 Brahma female, in the Standard of Perfection of 1915. Less of 
 it is shown in the Silver-Penciled Plymouth Rock female of the 
 same Standard ; and while the Standard prescribes that the cen- 
 tral portion of the neck feathers of the female shall be black, 
 slightly penciled with gray, the illustrations themselves admit 
 that more of this may come than is described by the Standard 
 description. See illustration, Plate 80. 
 
 (Note. — There is a growing tendency among breeders of both 
 Siher-Penciled and Partridge varieties to allow the penciling in 
 the neck feathers of the female to become stronger and more 
 pronounced, provided they secure the desired penciling on the 
 feathers of the other sections. The art of breeding correct pen- 
 ciling is very similar with both colors, the Silver-Penciled and 
 the Partridge, and most of the lessons taught in either chapter 
 in this work may be applied to the breeding of either of the 
 penciled varieties. — Ed.j 
 
SECTI ON VI . 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 ORIGIN AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT 
 
 THE rich, warm colors as exemplified by the red and black 
 color patterns of the Partridge varieties of our Standard- 
 bred fowls never fail to win the admiration of all lovers of 
 the beautiful in animal life. The combined warmth and richness 
 of the brilliant-red and glossy-black of Partridge males is quite 
 sufficit'ut to arouse the interest of any person who has the slight- 
 est admiration for feathered pets. None the less attractive, and 
 to many even more so, are the unique and strikingly beautiful 
 markings of the female sex in the charming contrast of rich ma- 
 hogany-brown and black. 
 
 Further consideration of the intricacies of this color pattern 
 increases the interest of the student at a pace which accelerates 
 the more rapidly as these complexities are understood. The 
 breeding problems, especially when breeding is pursued for any 
 length of lime and with any degree of success, become so all- 
 absorbing that many continue the fascinating work for life or 
 until some vital occurrence prevents. 
 
 It is not strange, then, that we find admirers of several 
 breeds of acknowledged intrinsic merit, of which the Plymouth 
 Rock is an example, endeavoring to make what is known to be 
 serviceable, beautiful at the same time by transcribing the 
 color and markings of the oldest and best known exponent of 
 this particular type of beauty, the Partridge Cochin, to breeds of 
 different types and temperaments. Such was the incentive be- 
 hind the originators and early breeders of Partridge Plymouth 
 Rocks, though to accomplish this self-imposed task they adopted 
 different methods and used somewhat different means. 
 
 The Origin. — It is always difficult to say just who was the 
 first to begin the development of any breed, for in nearly all 
 instances several breeders are imbued with an idea at about the 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 267 
 
 same time. Only a few months or, at the most, a year or two 
 separates them at the starting points. It takes several years to 
 attract popular attention, and by that time a matter of a year or 
 two in priority is difficult to determine. After the advent of the 
 Partridge Wyandotte it was but natural that a Partridge Plym- 
 outh Rock should suggest itself to some one; and if to one, 
 why not to several persons? And that appears to be just what 
 occurred, for we find records of two or three early strains that 
 were developed in the East, and one that was originated and 
 developed in the West, all of which became very prominent. 
 The incentive in the latter case was the admiration or love of 
 the originator of this strain for the Partridge plumage combined 
 with the desire or necessity of keeping a variety that would 
 develop flesh rapidly and that would produce large egg yields. 
 This line was originated, developed, and bred for many years 
 by S. A. Noftzger of Indiana, and for the following facts and 
 particulars we are indebted to him. 
 
 (Note. — We find this story corroborated in several other pub- 
 lications. See catalogue of Mr. M. N. Perkins of Freeport, 
 Illinois.) 
 
 THE NOFTZGER STRAIN 
 
 Acting upon the incentive just related, Partridge Cochin 
 females of scanty leg-feathering, which had proved to be great 
 layers, were selected as the foundation from which to derive the 
 Partridge plumage. The first cross was with a Cornish male, 
 then called Indian Game. The following account is given in Mr. 
 Noftzger's own words, excepting for a few minor alterations in 
 language. 
 
 The Original Cross. — "The first matings were made in 1898, 
 and consisted of scantily feathered Partridge Cochin females and 
 Indian Game males. The female offspring from this first cross 
 were mated (in 1899) to Golden Wyandotte males, most of which 
 were single-comb sports. The young of this second cross were 
 then, in 1900, mated l)ack to the opposite sex that were bred 
 from the original scantily feathered Partridge Cochins. 
 
 "The result of the first cross was quite satisfactory in some 
 respects, but simply disheartening in others. It was wonderful 
 how the feathers disappeared from the shanks, some of the first 
 cross being almost free from feathers on legs, but nearly every 
 one had the shape and high station of the Game, besides the 
 
268 AMEIflCAX POULTRY AS^^OCIATIOX 
 
 males were almost black in hackle and saddle, and the females 
 inclined to open lacing. 
 
 The Second Year. — "How to overcome these defects was the 
 problem of the second year. In order to get brighter color. 
 Golden Wyandotte males were used, even in preference to Part- 
 ridge Wyandotte males, because the latter were then so dark 
 and devoid of bright color as to make them very undesirable to 
 use with fowls already too black. The majority of these were 
 good in eyes, legs and top color. They were mated principally 
 in pairs and trios, but one or two of the most desirable males 
 were given an extra female. Some of these cockerels had fairly 
 good combs, but most of them either had side sprigs or very 
 irregular combs with too many serrations. 
 
 "The results from the second year's matings were surprising. 
 The cockerel line had been improved at the expense of the female 
 penciling. For the first time clay breasts appeared in plenty 
 among the females, but now fowls with even stubs were not 
 much in the majority, and shape as well as male color, except in 
 breast and body color, which were somewhat mottled in many 
 cases, was greatly improved. 
 
 The Third Year. — "Aside from color difficulties much trouble 
 was found in selecting enough breeding fowls with fairly good 
 combs for the third year's matings, for it was fully determined 
 to use only the foundation stock. For, while some of the mat- 
 ings of the past year had resulted in fairly good colored birds 
 of one sex, there were but few that improved the color in both 
 sexes (reader should note here the first inclination to single mat- 
 ings) and strange as it may seem, most were troubled with stubs 
 on shanks and toes. 
 
 "The third year nine matings were made, but as all the 
 progeny of three pens were sent to market we have to do with 
 but six. It might be well to add that each subsequent year the 
 number of matings that figured in the production of the Part- 
 ridge Plymouth Rock fowl had a tendency to grow less, show- 
 ing conclusi\ely the wisdom of carrying as many matings as 
 possible at the early stages of a new breed of parti-colored fowls. 
 For the originator must become more critical and may elimi- 
 nate the offspring of whole pens in order to advance rapidly. In 
 time it is wise to reject some of the parent fowls for breeders, 
 but not until the desired characteristics are somewhat estab- 
 lished, and only close observation can assist in determining when 
 to do this. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK ,srA\DARD AND BREED BOOK 269 
 
 Produced Exhibition Quality.— "The progeny of the six 
 fairly successful matings of 1900 showed better color of both 
 sexes as a rule and some improvement in comb. At the end 
 of this season several specimens of each sex were exhibited at 
 small poultry shows, attracted some attention, and several sales 
 were made. 
 
 "Realizing the necessity of a sufficient number of matings 
 in order to improve rapidly, ten pens were mated in 1901, using 
 cock birds and hens tor the first time. Special attention was 
 given to shape in these matings, with the result that little ad- 
 vancement was made in color, but the improvement in shape 
 was noticeable. This year was quite discouraging, and much of 
 the stock was marketed. On the other hand, there was con- 
 siderable interest shown in the Partridge Plymouth Rock and 
 a number of matings were sold. Some of the very best oi 
 these were placed in this vicinity, as it was evident that their 
 offspring might subsequently be of value in getting 'new blood' 
 for future matings. 
 
 More Satisfactory Results. — "A few of the fowls produced 
 in 1904 were quite satisfactory. There were now some pretty 
 good colored males and fair colored females. As a whole they 
 were much better in Rock shape than previously. Several birus 
 were sold for breeding purposes. 
 
 "For 1905 six matings were made, using two of the cock 
 birds which had proved to be fine breeders, and four cockerels, 
 two each from these two cock birds. With each male were 
 from two to four females. In one of these pens a single-comb 
 Partridge Wyandotte pullet was placed, keeping her eggs sepa- 
 rated and carefully marking all her chicks, as had been done 
 with all from the beginning. 
 
 "The result this year showed that blood began to tell, for 
 the males not only improved, but there were actually some good 
 Partridge colored females, while with the exception of the 
 chicks from the Wyandotte sport they were fairly good in 
 shape. These youngsters were culled down very closely, al- 
 though real culls were now in the minority, and every chick with 
 stubs, with other than good shape or with a poor comb was 
 discarded. The chicks from the Wyandotte sport, together 
 with their mother, were all disposed of, as most of them had 
 dark legs and very few of them even passable shape, so they 
 were considered worthless as breeders. 
 
 "At minor shows where a few of the best specimens were 
 placed on exhibition, the judges complimented their quality, and 
 
270 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 for the first time encouragement was received from expert au- 
 thority. This year inquiries came for the new variety, and 
 some nice specimens were mated and sold at good prices. Dur- 
 ing the year Partridge Plymouth Rock fowls were shipped to 
 five different states. 
 
 Quality Is Established. — "Eight matings of quite respect- 
 able quality were made for 1906. The breeders were actually 
 selected for standard requirements and in several of the pens 
 as many as five females were used. Even this number indicated 
 great progress. Those now chosen were of good shape and color, 
 and had good bay eyes, as a rule. Owing to the foundation 
 stock used, no difficulty had been experienced with leg color, 
 so the chicks showed on the whole by far more improvement 
 than at any previous year and were quite even in quality. Breed- 
 ing fowls for next year were selected from all these pens. In- 
 terest in the new fowls was growing rapidly, sales increased 
 proportionately and show birds began to sell. 
 
 "For 1907 ten pens were mated, using sixty females, and 
 the new breed made the greatest progress in its history. This 
 was natural, however, as several of the matings were headed 
 by males richer in color than the Wyandottes, and the females 
 were the equal of the other breeds in this respect, while in 
 eyes and legs the new breed was better than either Partridge 
 Cochins or Partridge Wyandottes. From these matings many 
 fine specimens were produced. 
 
 "In one flock of youngsters, hatched from April first to 
 April fourteenth, 1906, there were just twenty-four pullets, the 
 quality of which was such that every pullet was used for breed- 
 ing purposes. 
 
 "For 1908 fourteen matings were made. These pens pro- 
 duced over a hundred choice show fowls, besides numerous win- 
 ners for minor shows, and a number of fine show birds won in 
 the hands of fanciers at America's leading exhibitions. Judges 
 unhesitatingly approved of them. There might have been a 
 shorter road to success. It may be that the Partridge Plymouth 
 Rock could have been produced in less time, by simply taking 
 the American Partridge Cochin and breeding the feathers from 
 the shanks, selecting from time to time the specimens with 
 least feathers on legs for the breeders. It is noticeable that 
 as the feathers disappear from the legs of fowls there is a 
 tendency of the cushions and the depth of breast to go with 
 them so that it would have been comparatively easy to have 
 perfected Plymouth Rock shape in this way. Or, at the start. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 271 
 
 by taking Partridge Wyandotte Sports, the path might have 
 been temporarily strewn with roses at many places where there 
 were thorns only, but in that event we would not have had the 
 true Partridge Rock today." 
 
 THE EASTERN STRAINS 
 
 While this new variety was being developed as related above 
 in the West, Indiana being regarded in New England and Nev/ 
 York as the West, in consequence of which the Noftzger strain 
 is known in the East as the Western strain, it was also under- 
 going the ordeals of a formative period in the eastern states, 
 New York and Pennsylvania surely, if not in others. 
 
 George H. Brackenbury of Auburn, N. Y., who was so 
 prominent in the origin and development of the Partridge and 
 Silver-Penciled Wyandottes, in the American Fancier of Janu- 
 ary, 1900-1901, credits E. O. Thiem with being the first to 
 breed this variety, but states that he had some time before 
 discontinued and gives real credit to Dr. W. C. Crocker of 
 Foxboro, Mass., with being the first to establish a true strain of 
 Partridge Plymouth Rocks. W. F. Fotterall, the owner of 
 Hillcrest Farm, also credits the same party, but states that 
 the first he ever saw were shown by R. G. Bluffington of Fall 
 River, Mass. Mr. Buffington's name appears in other pages 
 of this work as one of the originators of early breeders ot 
 Buff Plymouth Rocks. Originating or developing a new 
 variety was a constant occupation of Mr. Buffington's through- 
 out life. 
 
 The Dr. Crocker referred to relates his experience in the 
 Poultry Tribune of 1904. From this it appears that he had 
 bred Partridge Cochins in the early seventies, 1870, and while 
 he admired their plumage, he came to the conclusion that he 
 wanted an up-to-date American fowl and formed a concf-ption 
 of his ideal. As he told it, "It was one with the beautiful plum- 
 age of the Partridge Cochins, but without feathers on the shank 
 to be draggled in the mud and filth, and second, my ideal fowl 
 must be an active, up-to-date, wide-awake American fowl, and 
 not so lazy that it had to be put to bed on the roost every 
 night." 
 
 "For some years I dropped the poultry subject, but in 1899 
 I again took up the matter, and this time determined to make 
 what I wanted. For this purpose I procured a trio of Partridge 
 
272 AMERICAX POf J,Th'\ ASSOffATfOX 
 
 Cochins, and after some comparison of notes with Mr. Richard 
 Hooper, who was breeding Partridge Cochin and Brown Leg- 
 horn crosses, I went to the Boston Poultry Show for 1900, and 
 while there was surprised to find that someone had anticipated 
 my plan, for there was first shown by Messrs. Cornell and 
 Brackenbury. the beautiful new variety that Mr. Brackenbury 
 had bred, with the plumage of the Partridge Cochin. In talking 
 to Mr. Brackenbury I revealed to him my plan for a Partridge 
 Plymouth Rock, and later procured from him and from Mr. 
 Cornell all the single combed sports from their Golden Penciled 
 Wyandottes. These single combed sports were bred with a half- 
 blood Partridge Cochin male that Mr. Brackenbury bred from 
 his stock, and also with a cross-bred cockerel of Mr. H()i)])cr"s 
 stock, bred three-fourths Partridge Cochin and one-fourth 
 Brown Leghorn. From these matings 1 have bred some very 
 fine specimens of a Partridge Plymouth Rock — an American 
 type of fowl with the clean shanks and the beautiful Partridge 
 Cochin plumage. I have also bred a strain in connection with 
 Hooper from my trio of Partridge Cochins of 1900. and an 
 Indian Game cockerel bred by Mr. Charles D. Cotton. From 
 this strain we now have some very fine specimens with very rich 
 plumage. My strain of Partridge Plymouth Rocks are now bred 
 closely as follows: Golden Penciled Hamburg. 1-16; (iolden 
 Laced Wvandotte. 2-16; Brown Leghorn. 1-16; Partridge Cochin. 
 12-16." 
 
 From these accounts it appears that the honor of originating 
 Partridge Plymouth Rocks is really divided between the Eas- 
 tern and Western strains, as they were afterwards known, or 
 the Crocker and Noftzger strains. According to these accounts. 
 Mr. Noftzger made the first mating with a Partridge Plymouth 
 Rock in mind only one year before Dr. Crocker began breed- 
 ing with the same ideal in mind. We are very fortunate to 
 have these accounts by the originators themselves, preserved 
 in such a manner that certain uncertainties that hang over the 
 ancestry of some of our American varieties do not obscure the 
 lineage of this one. 
 
 One strain is Partridge Cochins. Dark Cornish and Golden 
 Wyandottes together, while the other is a composite of Part- 
 ridge Cochin, Golden Wyandotte, Brown Leghorn and Golden- 
 Penciled Hamburg blood. The former would seem to be su- 
 perior in flesh and the latter in laying qualities, as it has the 
 blood of two of the best of laying breeds in its makeup. Part 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 273 
 
 ridge Cochin blood was so predominant in both, however, that 
 one should expect a very great resemblance to that variety in 
 form as well as in color. 
 
 OTHER EASTERN STRAINS. 
 
 Though not real originators, but still so intimately associ- 
 ated with the early development of this variety and so nearly 
 contemporary with the originators that they are classed as 
 pioneers, are several other breeders who were making Partridge 
 Plymouth Rocks by methods of their own very soon after 
 Crocker and Noftzger had started theirs. Among these, the most 
 prominent, perhaps, and one that was exhibited constantly 
 until very recently, was the Hillcrest Strain. 
 
 THE HILLCREST STRAIN 
 
 This strain was created and developed by W. F. FotteraH, 
 of Philadelphia, on his estate at Oakland, Pa. Mr. Fotterall 
 states that prior to 1902 he had tried to produce Partridge Plym- 
 outh Rocks by several different crosses. Finally, two crosses, 
 first, Brown Leghorn and Partridge Cochins, and second. Barred 
 Plymouth Rocks and Partridge Cochins were made, and the 
 progeny mated together the following year. The females ob- 
 tained from this mating were then mated with a cock bird that 
 was a cross of Brown Leghorn and Partridge Cochin. 
 
 At this stage Mr. Fotterall bred birds obtained from Buff- 
 ington and others with his own up to within less than a decade. 
 
 THE HAGEMAN STRAIN 
 
 Mr. J. A. Hageman, of Michigan, originated and developed 
 what he termed a laying strain of Partridge Plymouth Rocks 
 early in the history of the variety. According to his account, 
 his strain was developed by amalgamating the result of a cross 
 of Partridge Cochins and Brown Leghorns made by W. H. 
 Bryan, of Brooksfield, Mich., and of another cross of Part- 
 ridge Cochins and Indian Games, now known as Cornish, by Mr. 
 F. H. Lynd, Middleville, Mich., with Partridge Plymouth Rock 
 blood supplied from the flock of a Mr. Randall, of Mt. Pleas- 
 
274 AMERICAN POULTRY .-i.SVS'OC/.lT/O.V 
 
 ant, Mich., which flock, however, Mr. Hageman opines is noth- 
 ing more nor less than Partridge W'vandottes breeding, using, 
 of course, the single-coml) sports. 
 
 Similarity Between the Old and New Varieties. — This state- 
 ment of Mr. Hageman gives evidence that the Brown Leghorn 
 and Cornish blood cross is employed in more than one instance. 
 This is not surprising, as the striking similarities between the 
 plumage of the Brown Leghorn and the Partridge Cochin males 
 and the not very unlike plumage of the females of these two 
 varieties, taken together with the fact that the type sought, 
 Plymouth Rock, is about a mean between the Leghorn and 
 the Cochin, suggests very favorably the possibilities of such a 
 cross. The possibilities of a Cornish cross, too. are clearly ap- 
 parent because of certain similarities, particularly the shade of 
 color of both male and female and the penciling of the latter, 
 very similar in fact, though not of the required number. 
 
 It is noteworthy that each one of the originators and early 
 breeders lays great stress on the efforts made to quickly per- 
 fect type by selecting only those specimens that were the best 
 Plymouth Rock shape. The impression given is that type was 
 ever given the preference over color and penciling, but to some 
 of those who have watched the variety develop, and not only 
 this but other penciled varieties, it appears that many sacrifices 
 in type must have been made for the sake of true pencilings. 
 that is. unless type refers to comb. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK ST.WDAND AXD BREED BOOK 275 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCK PLUMAGE 
 
 STANDARD DESCRIPTION 
 
 Disqualifications 
 
 Positive white in main tail feathers, sickles or secondaries ; 
 shanks other than yellow or dusky yellow. (See general and 
 Plymouth Rock disqualifications.) 
 
 COLOR OF MALE 
 
 Head. — Plumage, bright red. 
 
 Beak. — Dark horn, shading to yellow at point. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes, — Bright red. 
 
 Neck. — Hackle, web of feather solid. lustrous greenish-black, 
 with a narrow edging of rich, brilliant red. uniform in width, 
 extending around point of feather; shaft, black; plumage in 
 front of hackle, black. 
 
 Wings. — Fronts, black ; bow, rich, brilliant red ; coverts, 
 lustrous greenish-black, forming a well-defined bar of this color 
 across wings when folded ; primaries, black, lower edges, red- 
 dish-bay ; secondaries, black, outside webs, reddish-bay, termi- 
 nating with greenish-black at end of each feather. 
 
 Back. — Rich, brilliant red with lustrous greenish-black stripe 
 down the middle of each feather, same as in hackle. 
 
 Tail. — Black ; sickles and smaller sickles, lustrous greenish- 
 black; coverts, lustrous greenish-black, edged with rich, brilliant 
 red. 
 
 Breast. — Lustrous black. 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Body, black ; fluff, black, slightly tinged 
 with red. 
 
 Legs and Toes. — Thighs, black ; shanks and toes, yellow. 
 
 Undercolor of All Sections. — Slate. 
 
 COLOR OF FEMALE 
 
 Head. — Plumage, mahogany-brown. 
 
 Beak. — Dark horn, shading to yellow at point. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear Lobes. — Bright red. 
 
AMERICAX POVLTRV iNNOr/ 1770.V 
 
 PLATE Sfi 
 
rLYMOl Tfl ROCK N7' 1 .\7> 1 /.'/> .WD HREED ROOK 
 
 PLATE S( 
 
 PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCK FEMALE 
 
278 AM ERIC A\ POTl/PRY A.S.S'Or/ 1770.V 
 
 Neck. — Reddish-bay, center portion of feathers black, sHghtly 
 penciled with mahogany-brown, feathers in front of neck, same 
 as breast. 
 
 Wings. — Shoulders, bows and coverts, mahogany-brown, pen- 
 ciled with black, outlines of pencilings conforming to shape of 
 feathers ; primaries, black with edging of mahogany-brown on 
 outer webs ; secondaries, inner webs, black, outer webs mahog- 
 any brown, penciled with black, outlines of jiencilings conform- 
 ing to shape of feathers. 
 
 Back. — Mahogany-brown, distinctly i)enciled with black, the 
 outlines of pencilings conforming to shape of feathers. 
 
 Tail. — Black, the two top feathers j^enciled with mahogany- 
 brown on u])per edge ; coverts, mahogany-brown penciled with 
 black. 
 
 Breast. — Mahogany-brown, distinctly penciled with black, 
 the outlines of pencilings conforming to shape of feathers. 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Body . mahogany-brown, penciled with 
 black ; fluff, mahogany-brown. 
 
 Legs and Toes. — Thighs, mahogany-brown, i)enciled with 
 black ; shanks and toes, yellow or dusky yellow. 
 
 Under-Color of All Sections. — Slate. 
 
 Note — l^'.ach feather in back, breast, body, wing-bows, and 
 thighs to have three or more distinct pencilings. 
 
 COLOR OF THE MALE 
 
 The Desired Shades. — There are, or should be. but two colors 
 in an ideal Partridge male and there should be Init one shade 
 of each color. 
 
 The neck or hackle, shoulder or wing-bow, back, saddle, and 
 saddle hangers may be called the red sections, though we must 
 understand that the .Standard recpiires that each feather in neck, 
 back and saddle should be stri})ed with black. 
 
 The Correct Shade of Red. — The red is nevertheless the color 
 that is responsible for our first impression because it is visible 
 at as great a distance as the bird itself. For this reason, the 
 correct shade of red for the sections enumerated above will 
 be first considered. To use the words of the Standard, these 
 sections should be "rich, brilliant red." The term "rich" as used 
 in such a connection is taken to mean deep, or dark, perhaps. 
 This description would exclude a light, thin, or shallow color, 
 such as orange shades which would not meet the requirements, 
 'i'he word "rich" alone might also, as understood in this con- 
 nection, lead us to produce some very deep or dark shades of red 
 
PLYMOrTH ROCK STAXDARD AXD BREED HOOK 279 
 
 but for the fact that when the red becomes too dark it obscures 
 the black striping in hackle and saddle which, in the eyes of 
 most breeders and fanciers, mars the beauty by diminishing the 
 brilliancy of the plumage. For this reason, the modifying word 
 "brilliant" is included in the Standard description. When the 
 red becomes so dark in shade that it obscures the black strip- 
 ing, it becomes dull — perhaps dingy describes its appearance 
 more fittingly — and the color is therefore no longer brilliant 
 and fails to meet the Standard description, which prevents varia- 
 tion within these limits that, either the red must have body 
 enough or must be dark or deep enough to l)e "rich," but not 
 so dark that it is not "brilliant." 
 
 The red shade which is preferred is perhaps difficult to de- 
 scribe, and perhaps it is fair to make a statement to the ef- 
 fect that there is one opinion as to the shade of color among 
 breeders, as to state that all the males are of one shade in plum- 
 age. The "rich, brilliant red" demanded by the Standard cer- 
 tainlv gives a positive idea as to color, but one cannot from 
 this description settle upon an exact shade that is to be pre- 
 ferred to all others. From the word "rich," one is justified in 
 ruling against the yellowish shades of red, and because of the 
 "brilliant." one can conclude that too dark or dull shades are 
 not to be given preference. It seems that what we might, for 
 lack of a better term, designate as a "happy medium," is per- 
 haps the desired shade, for all agree that the yellowish shades 
 are not desired and very dark shades make dull and unattrac- 
 tive plumage. As a guide as to whether the red shades are be- 
 coming too dark or not, the degree in which they obscure the 
 black striping in neck, back and saddle may be considered. A 
 sufficient contrast between the red and black to enable the ob- 
 server to distinguish between them, upon fairly close inspection 
 only, should be maintained. 
 
 Correct Striping. — In order to maintain the desired contrast, 
 two essential color characteristics must be maintained. First, 
 as already pointed out, the red must be of the desired shade 
 and not too dull. Second, the black stripe must be a lustrous, 
 greenish-black, sometimes described as a metallic black. 
 
 Neck, — The striping in this section should be sound, that is, 
 unbroken ; as explained, the stripes should possess a greenish 
 lustre and should be found even in the smaller feathers near 
 the head. Too often, only the larger and longer feathers at 
 the base of the neck are thus striped. 
 
280 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Broken stripes are often seen and very often in males that 
 are from well-penciled females. This is another characteristic 
 that breeders who are endeavoring to produce strongly pen- 
 ciled females like to see in a male because it indicates strong 
 penciling in the ancestry. It is not an exhibition quality, how- 
 ever, especially when it appears near the lower end of the feather. 
 (See illustration, Plate 88.) 
 
 The Border. — Brilliant red should run evenly down the side 
 of that portion that is known as the surface, and also around 
 the end of each feather. That is. the black stripe should termi- 
 nate in a V-shaped point near the end of each feather, not at the 
 
 PLATE 88 
 
 m 
 
 p^ 
 
 PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCKS, HACKLE FEATHERS 
 (P'rom different individuals.) 
 
 1. Weak Stripe. 
 
 Too dark, black running into fringe. .3. Fairly 
 good. 4. Idealized. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 281 
 
 end. Black often runs through to the border, forming a black 
 edge at the tip. This is undesirable, and while a little black 
 edging will be tolerated for the sake of strong striping, any 
 noticeable amount is discounted heavily. Occasionally a male, 
 that is otherwise very good indeed, will have a neck so very 
 strongly black that a ring of this color is formed at the base, 
 where it meets the shoulder. This defect alone makes a male 
 practically worthless. 
 
 The shafts, particularly in the lower portion of the feathers, 
 should be black. 
 
 Back and Saddle Striping. — In this section, the same mark- 
 ings and the same shades of color as in the hackle should be 
 
 PLATE 89 
 
 PARTEIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCKS, SADDLE FEATHERS 
 OF MALES 
 
 (From diflferent individuals.) 
 
 1. Weak stripe. 2. Too dark, black running into fringe. 3. 
 good. 4. Idealized. 
 
 Fairly 
 
282 
 
 AMERfCAX POf'LTIfY AHSOCrATfOX 
 
 found. The striping in the broad feathers of the l)ack will, of 
 course, and should be much broader than those in the hackle. 
 The striping- on the narrow feathers of the saddle will be nar- 
 rower, but both should be sound, that is, unbroken and possess 
 that metallic luster which creates such a pleasing contrast be- 
 tween the rich red and the lustrous black. The same state- 
 ments about the character of the striping and the relations be- 
 tween the borders, edging and color of the shaft that were made 
 about the hackle, apply to the back and saddle. (See illustra- 
 tion, Plate 89.) 
 
 The Wings. — The shoulder is rich, brilliant red without black 
 markings and, as stated, should be of the same shade as the 
 
 PLATE f)0 
 
 ^^^k. 
 
 1 2 3 
 
 PAETRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCKS, SHOWING DIFFERENT 
 
 PLUMAGE OF WING-BOW, BACK AND BREAST OF 
 
 MALES 
 
 1. Wing Bow. Black, broad, arrow-shaped marking at base of 
 web. Web and fringe rich, brilliant red. 
 
 2. Back. Broad, black stripe of black, well-pointed, following quill 
 nearly to tip. Fringe, rich brilliant red. 
 
 3. Breast. Lustrous greenish black. All underfiuff, slate color. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AXD BREED BOOK 
 
 283 
 
 Other red sections. Very often it is of a deeper shade, which 
 fault must be corrected as far as possible by breeding. The 
 coverts are greenish-black, forming a well-outlined bar across 
 the wing. This line between the wing-bow and wing-bar is one 
 of the beauty points of the male if it is distinctly outlined, as 
 it should be. When seen at its best, this line is not only sharply 
 defined, but very regular in outline, either running straight across 
 the wing or curving slightly ; either line if regular and distinct 
 is very beautiful. The wing-bay should also be sharply de- 
 fined, though but little difficulty is experienced in this particu- 
 
 PLATE !tl 
 
 1. PrimaTv. 2. Secondary. 3. Top main-tail. 4. Main-tail. 
 FEATHERS OF PARTEIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCK MALES 
 
IV. C. SiaU CJhge 
 
 2M AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 lar. The wing-bay is about the same shade as the shoulders, 
 but seldom shows luster and frequently is lighter than the other 
 red sections. (See illustration, Plate 86.) 
 
 The wing-bows should be of the same shade of bright, rich 
 red that is found in head, neck and saddle sections. The fronts 
 of the wings should be black, showing a decided greenish lus- 
 ter; the primaries black with the lower side of the feathers 
 edged with bay ; secondaries, upper part black and lower side 
 with sufficient bay to form a beautiful triangle when wing is 
 folded. The end of each of the secondaries should terminate 
 with greenish black. (See illustration, Plate 91.) 
 
 PLATP: 92 
 
 PAETEIDGE PLYMOUTH EOCKS, PATTP^ENS OF MAEKINGS 
 
 FOUND IN NECKS OF FEMALES 
 
 1. Solid, single stripe down center, edging of reddish bay, most 
 desirable for breeding exhibition males. 
 
 2. Double penciling, solid center stripes, edging reddish bay. 
 
 3. Double penciling, light colored quill, edging reddish bay. 
 
 4. Triple penciling. Quill red in undercolor, edging reddish bay, 
 most desirable in females for breeding exhibition females. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 285 
 
 Legs and Toes. — The thigh is, of course, subject to the rule 
 which governs the other black sections. The legs and toes 
 should be yellow, but some of the richest colored and best pen- 
 ciled strains still show dark color on the shanks and toes. 
 
 The Lower Sections. — The under sections, breast, body and 
 Hurt', should all be lustrous, greenish black. The best example 
 of what the color of these sections should be will be found in 
 the tail, which is most often highly lustrous. Brown is permitted 
 in the fluff and is often seen in the rear body feathers. Breeders 
 rather like its presence in the latter section as it seems prevalent 
 in lines or strains that produce strongly penciled females. 
 
 The faults of the black section are purple sheen and bronze 
 bars, both of which are highly objectionable. This will be well 
 understood after consulting the chapter in the Standard on 
 "Cutting for Defects." 
 
 THE COLOR OF THE FEMALE 
 
 The novice would hardly regard the female of the Partridge 
 varieties as of the same variety as the male, so different are 
 the males and females in both color and markings, and we must 
 note at once the change in the Standard color requirements from 
 the rich, brilliant red of the males to the mahogany-brown of 
 the females. 
 
 The Color of Female. — The Partridge female is or should be 
 most uniform in color of all plumage, as one description an- 
 swers for all sections of plumage except the neck. Mahogany- 
 brown penciled with black is the color description for all sec- 
 tions. The head is mahogany-brown, much like the body sec- 
 tions. Only for the neck do we find a dift'erent color descrip- 
 tion and a different color term, golden bay. 
 
 Penciling surreptitiously appears in the neck, the one lone 
 section in which it was not required. The beauty of the neck, 
 according to the old ideal, was thus sacrificed to contribute to 
 the beauty of the other sections. That being the object, ideals 
 as to the particular form and number of pencilings have become 
 very definite or exact. If these conform to the shape of the 
 feather, without any breaks, so much .the better, but regular- 
 ity in penciling is usually given but slight notice, so if the 
 neck has a single penciling, well and good, if as a rarity, two. 
 so much the better. On a small feather the three that are 
 required can hardly be expected and but rarely occur. 
 
286 AMERICAN POII/FRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 The plumag-e is uniform in pattern in nearly all sections, 
 that is, nearly all the sections are alike in color and markings. 
 Only the neck and larger feathers of wing and tail are excep- 
 tions to this, and even these features show a tendency to follow 
 the color patterns of the feathers of the other sections. This 
 tendency is very pleasing to all breeders of penciled varieties. 
 
 PLATE 93 
 
 PABTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCKS, DIFFERENT PATTERNS 
 OF PENCILING ON WING SECONDARIES OF FKMALES 
 
 L Oil lowor (loft hand) edge, nearly parallel, then turning irreg- 
 ularly outward to edge, on upper side breaks up into irregular cross 
 penciling, whicli sliould be nearly solid black except near end of the 
 smaller upper secondaries. 
 
 2. Is barred instead of peiu-iled parallel to edge. 
 
 3. Penciling runs parallel to edge nearly nil through lower (left 
 hand) web. Approaches ideal marking. 
 
I'LYMOl TH ROCK STAXDARl) AXD BREED BOOK 287 
 
 PLATE 94 
 
 PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCKS, SHOWING THE DIFFERENCE 
 
 IN MARKINGS OF PRIMARIES AND SECONDARIES 
 
 OF MALES AND FEMALES 
 
 Male: 1. Primary. 2. Secondary. Exhibition specimens. 
 Female: 3. Primary. -4. Secondary. Exhibition specimens. 
 
288 AMERICAN' POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 and proportionately as such a tendency manifests itself. (See 
 illustrations. Plates 92 and 93. ) 
 
 The Desired Shade. — This must, of course, be carefully con- 
 sidered. For the color of the wing-bow, secondaries, back, 
 tail-coverts, breast and body, the Standard requires a rich, ma- 
 hogany-brown. Obviously, this term allows some latitude for 
 individual preference and, as the writer looks at the matter, there 
 s no objection to that, rather the contrary, because it will be 
 i regrettable occurrence when color reciuirements are made so 
 ^.rbitrar}' that breeders cannot play their fancies within reason- 
 able limits in this particular. Furthermore, judging for co'.or 
 may be overdone and very easily, as frequently has been the 
 case when the Standard has described the color over-exactly. 
 
 We may state, then, that the shades of mahogany-brown as 
 they appear even upon different winning individuals vary some- 
 what, some being a little lighter, approaching, perhaps, a deep 
 orange-red. others being very much darker or richer, the latter 
 being the term commonly used by breeders and exhibitors of 
 these varieties. The lighter shades are popular with some be- 
 
 PLATE 9;1 
 
 i^Smitk^iSiii. 
 
 FEATHERS OF PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCK FEMALES, 
 IDEALIZED 
 
 1. Uijper breast. 2. Lower breast. 3. Back. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 289 
 
 cause the darker pencilings are, on account of greater contrast, 
 more prominent. Though this feature is conceded an important 
 one by all, others favor the deeper and richer, that is. the darker 
 shades which undoubtedly are regarded with greater favor by 
 a majority of breeders, exhibitors and judges. This is an in- 
 dication that the deeper shades in the eyes of a greater number 
 are more beautiful. 
 
 Pencilings Required.- — The markings of the sections named 
 in the preceding paragraphs are known among breeders and de- 
 scribed in the Standard as pencilings. Of these, we have two 
 forms ; the crescentic, the pattern which conforms to the outline 
 of the featherS; and the straight across, which runs at right 
 angles with the shape of the feathers. The pencilings of the 
 Partridge feathers take the crescentic form. (See illustration, 
 Plates 95 and 96.) 
 
 That these pencilings should be distinct and regular is the 
 crowning ambition of all breeders of all Partridge varieties. 
 
 PLATE 96 
 
 FEATHERS OF PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCK FEMALES, 
 IDEALIZED 
 
 1. Cushion. 
 
 Wing-bow. 8. Wing-bar. 
 
200 
 
 AHfERICAN POULTRY Ai^SOCIATION 
 PLATE 97 
 
 PARTRIDGF] PLYMOUTH ROCK FEMALES, VARIOUS PATTERNS 
 
 OF PARTRIDGE MARKINGS 
 
 DEFECTIVE FEATHERS FROM FEMALE 
 
 UPPER ROW LEFT TO RIGHT — 1. Shows about the right proportion 
 of brown and blacli. The break in outline of the center penciling is a de- 
 fect. 2. Too much brown. Outlines of pencilings good. 3. Too narrow 
 brown pencilings. Too few pencilings, being two only. Center penciling 
 badly broken. 4. Brown pencilings too narrow, and too few, leaving too 
 much of the web black. This is one example of coarse penciling. 
 5. Slightly different form of number four. 
 
 SECOND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT — 6. Brown pencilings, too narrow 
 and very faulty in outline, do not follow the outline of feather. 7. Brown 
 penciling entirely absent. 8. Brown penciling straight across, not the 
 crescentic shape. Usually seen on young pullets before adult plumage is 
 developed. 9. A long feather near the junction of back and tail, showing 
 penciling without the crescentic form, more resembling coarse striping 
 than penciling. 10. Top, main-tail feather, showing irregularities in pen- 
 ciling on upper web. Also, penciling on lower web not required by the 
 Standard, therefore a defect technically, though not objected to very seri- 
 ously, if at all, by breeders. 11. Main-tail feather showing brown patches 
 and little penciling. Main-tail feathers, except the top ones, should be 
 black. 
 
PLYMOTTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED ROOK I'ltl 
 
 PLATE 98 
 
 PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCKS, EXAMPLES OF DEFECTS IN 
 ]'LUMAGE OF EARLY SPECIMENS OF THE VARIETY 
 
 Showing- different forms of irregular pencilings in different sections. 
 
292 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Many qualities are sacrificed to obtain these peculiar and unique 
 markings. Even the shade of color is of secondary importance, 
 and it is a noteworthy fact that the longer one breeds this vari- 
 ety, the more he admires and strives to produce these pencilings 
 in the highest state of perfection ; and in natural consequence, 
 wing or curving slightly ; either line if regular and distmct 
 he comes to regard the exact shade of mahogany as of corre- 
 spondingly less importance. (See illustration. Plates 97 and 98 
 for examples of irregular penciling.) 
 
 The Markings Required. — As already stated, these should 
 conform to the outline of the feather. This is true of the surface 
 of the feather, and a little below. The undercolor or fluff" should 
 be a slaty color. 
 
 The Undercolor.— Formerly, considerable importance was 
 attached to the shade of slate below the surface, but of late little 
 attention is paid to that feature. The regularly and strongly 
 penciled surface is what is desired — and for undercolor? Why, 
 take whatever comes with the surface, which is usually slate of 
 one shade or another, is the line of reasoning usually applied l)y 
 breeders. To be a little more explicit : Dark slate undercolor 
 was formerly desired very much because it was thought that by 
 breeding for and from specimens that possessed it, the disquali- 
 fying white, so prone to appear in males, was most eff^ectively 
 eliminated. The fundamental reason why it is no longer insisted 
 upon lies in the fact that the best penciled specimens are inclined 
 to have light slate in the undercolor and males from the best 
 specimens may have light slate, or even white, at the base of the 
 feathers, yet both would be tolerated for the sake of producing 
 superior female plumage. Another reason is that more brilliant 
 surface color accompanies the lighter shades of undercolor ; or, 
 at least, many think so. 
 
 The Color of the Pencilings. — Because the ground color of 
 mahogany-brown is marked with broad, black lines or narrow 
 bands, which, when approximately ideal, may have the appear- 
 ance of having been sketched with a pencil, these markings are 
 known as pencilings. 
 
 To be ideal, the color must be black. This quality gives 
 strength to the pencilings, by virtue of the strong contrast, as 
 true black give prominence to the pencilings. Lustrous, green- 
 ish-black pencilings sometimes appear and are very pretty, 
 though the Standard does not require penciling of such pro- 
 nounced black. Brown shades or any shade that gives the pen- 
 ciling a weak, or, as fanciers express it, a "washed out" appear- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED ROOK 293 
 
 ance, are not desired for the reason that there is Httle contrast 
 between the mahogany ground color and the pencilings. 
 
 Irregularities of Pencilings. — Aside from being weak in 
 color, irregularities take many and varied forms. In substance, 
 however, one description, namely, failing to follow the outline 
 of the feather, covers them all. Occasionally, pencilings will 
 vary so from their true course that they will run straight across 
 the feathers as barring does. This is far from what is desired. 
 Other pencilings will break, leaving a space, while others zig- 
 zag around instead of having a clean, straight outline. Again, 
 one edge, usually the outer, will have sharp definition, while the 
 other is inclined to rather gradually run into the ground color. 
 All these faults and others must be bred out by selection of both 
 male and female parents. (See illustration, Plate 98.) 
 
 Too Few Pencilings. — The Standard requires each feather in 
 the penciled sections to have three or more distinct pencilings. 
 As a rule, when the pencilings are more than this number, they 
 are not as distinct as if reduced to three or less. The fewer the 
 pencilings. the more prominent they Ijecome because they are 
 heavier or coarser. Fineness is usually acquired at the expense 
 of prominence, and on this point some difference of opinion has 
 existed as to which characteristic was the most desirable. The 
 advocates of fine pencilings have proven to be the most numer- 
 ous as well as the most influential. This much can be said as to 
 the merits of each side in the controversy. Both were trying for 
 an attribute that created beauty. The question was, which type 
 was the most striking? The advocates of more pencilings won 
 because of the particularly pleasing effect of the remarkable 
 regularity of the unicpie markings in even and richlv contrasting 
 colors. 
 
294 AMERICAN POTILTRY ASSOC fATION 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 MATING PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 The widely divergent shades found on the male and female of 
 this variety, to which attention has already been called, together 
 with the complicated and intricate system of markings of the 
 female plumage makes the Partridge Plymouth Rock one of the 
 most difficult varieties in the Standard to breed to an approxi- 
 mate degree of perfection. Therefore, experience and skill in 
 selecting and mating on the part of the breeder are assets of 
 considerable value. 
 
 The Partridge variety of any and all breeds furnishes one 
 of the most pronounced examples of the necessity of double- 
 mating, according to the principles of mating as related in Part 
 II, that a special mating for each sex is necessary when the 
 sexes have different color patterns. In neither color nor in mark- 
 ings are the Partridge sexes alike. If one is not familiar with 
 the Partridge markings, it is inconceivable that males with solid 
 colored feathers in breast, shoulders, wing anrl tail coverts will 
 breed females, the feathers of which sections are of two widely 
 contrasting colors, and furthermore, diverge so widely from a 
 solid colored web as to show three distinct crescentic pencilings. 
 Yet, a knowledge of the difference in color and color patterns of 
 male and female in Partridge varieties was handed down to us 
 with our first information about Asiatic fowls. 
 
 Single Matings. — Many of the breeders today practice, or 
 claim to practice, single mating. The requirements of the latest 
 (1915) Standard are much more favorable to this method than 
 were the Standards before. First, because penciled necks are 
 permitted on the females. It has always been difficult to breed 
 penciling in all soft and semi-soft feathers, except those of the 
 neck and exclude it from those. By accepting necks that are 
 slightly penciled, we receive more and better pencilings in all 
 other sections. Second, because the males that are the sons of 
 the best penciled females have also been prone to show brown 
 edging in the soft fluff feathers, which the present standard 
 allows, and very often, also, in the breast, we have a beginning 
 toward the acceptance of the son of the best penciled female as 
 the ideal male. But this son of the female goes further and has 
 more or less brown in the rear-body feathers, and sometimes in 
 breast, and the striping in hackle and saddle is sometimes broken 
 
I'LYMOI TH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 295 
 
 and weak, failing in continuity and lacking in strength, intensity 
 and lustre. Often, only at the end and then for no greater extent 
 than an inch or less does a real stripe appear. So that if we 
 adhere to the ideals of old, or to present ideals in males, there 
 are still advantages to be gained by the double-mating system, 
 because we can more easily conform to Standard requirements 
 in these sections, that is, we can more easily obtain solid black 
 breasts, and rear body sections, as well as stronger or more 
 metallic striping in male hackles and saddles. 
 
 The Popularity of Single Matings. — Some breeders object to 
 double matings because amateurs cannot understand them, and 
 small breeders have no room for them. This causes the novice 
 to look for simpler problems, or, in other words, to take up the 
 breeding of some variety regarded as less difficult. The idea is 
 prevalent that double mating is a disadvantage to any variety. 
 Single mating is then practiced to create or maintain popularity 
 rather than to produce superior specimens. As a commercial 
 expediency, it may be wisdom to develop Partridge Rocks along 
 single mating lines. That will manifestly depend upon the senti- 
 ment of the times. This much is granted : that as long as breed- 
 ers will adhere to the practice of single matings, they will meet 
 in the show room upon even ground, because all their specimens 
 will be produced by single mating. There can be no complaint 
 of unfair advantages. In breeding, much attention must be paid 
 to the penciling and color of the females. Should the develop- 
 ment of these female characters produce males that are not of 
 sufficient exhibition merit to be satisfactory to the breeder, it is 
 obvious that females with stronger striping and with less pencil- 
 ing in the hackle must be selected to produce males of greater 
 exhibition merit. 
 
 The Ideal Mating. -The mating sought at the present time is 
 one that will produce both exhibition males and females of suffi- 
 cient quality to win. Such a mating usually consists of a male 
 of rich red. though not dark enough nor deep enough in shade 
 to obscure the l)lack stripe in neck and saddle ; as even in the 
 red shade of neck, shoulders, back and saddle as possible; with 
 some red in fluff feathers, and possibly a little in body and lower 
 breast feathers may be tolerated in -many matings and even 
 sought in a few. Such a male is now considered fairly good 
 exhibition color, notwithstanding minor discrepancies when com- 
 pared with the Standard description. It will be noticed that the 
 fluff or soft feathers back of and between the thighs may be 
 
296 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 "tinged with red." Generally, the red extends beyond these 
 limits and is found in the body feathers. This is tolerated by 
 most judges, though not permitted in the words of the Standard 
 as interpreted literally, because penciling is both desired and 
 required in this section of the female plumage and it is conceded 
 that females with pencilings which extend well to the rear of the 
 body produce males with red in this section. In a general way, 
 it may be stated that the sires and brothers of the most perfectly 
 and consistently penciled females show considerable red in those 
 sections that correspond to the penciled sections of the females, 
 breast and wing coverts possibly excepted ; though the better the 
 pencilings of these female sections, the more apt are the corre- 
 sponding sections on the sires and brothers to show red or 
 brown. (See illustration, Plate 99.) 
 
 The female desired to mate to such a male is the one that 
 conforms most closely to the Standard of Perfection in color and 
 markings, and shape also, of course, but this feature is treated 
 under that head, and one treatise does for all varieties of 
 Plymouth Rocks. 
 
 The Standard Partridge Plymouth Rock female should pre- 
 sent a rich, glossy appearance. In color she should be neither 
 too light nor too dark. 
 
 The penciling in each penciled section should follow the gen- 
 eral profile of the feathers and consist of three or more distinct 
 pencilings ; each feather free from shafting ; and the feathers in 
 each penciled section to be a rich mahogany-brown, penciled with 
 black. 
 
 The head should be a mahogany brown ; the neck feathers 
 bright red, closely matching the shade of color desired on the 
 neck of the male ; wing bows, back, breast, tail coverts, body, 
 fluff and thighs a rich, mahogany-brown, penciled with black ; 
 the wing primaries black, with an edging of mahogany-brown 
 on the outer web ; the inner web of the secondaries, black ; the 
 outer web, mahogany-brown penciled with black. 
 
 The main tail feathers black, except that the two top feathers 
 should be mahogany-brown on upper edge. (See illustration, 
 Plate 100.) 
 
 Beak, eyes, comb, face, wattles, ear-lobes, shanks and toes 
 should be the same color as that required for the male. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 297 
 
 Different interpretations will, naturally, be placed upon such 
 color terms as reddish-bay and mahogany-brown, but on the 
 whole, breeders, exhibitors and judges agree very well as to the 
 correct and incorrect shades. Lighter shades of mahogany- 
 brown are, of course, preferred if the male is inclined to be too 
 dark, and darker and richer shades if the male of the mating is 
 rather too light or bright. Females that have the required 
 number of distinct pencilings which conform closely to the out- 
 line of the feather and which are carried out in detail in all 
 sections, particularly in body and thighs in which the penciling 
 is usually the weakest, are as highly prized for breeding as for 
 exhibition purposes, and even more so, though they may be one 
 or two shades removed from the shade of mahogany-brown most 
 accepted as ideal, and will be selected for the best matings. 
 
 The conclusion will be rightly drawn that such matings will 
 produce splendid females, but there must exist a tendency toward 
 weak hackle and saddle striping which may become so much in 
 evidence that the high quality of the males is very seriously 
 impaired. 
 
 In that case, and if one is determined to breed males of the 
 highest exhibition merit, special matings for that purpose must 
 be employed. (See illustration, Plate 101.) 
 
 Of the male for this mating little or nothing need be added 
 to the description in the Standard of Perfection and the explana- 
 tions already offered herein. It is merely necessary to repeat the 
 old rule so often repeated, to use the best male available ; that 
 is, the one that most nearly conforms to the Standard require- 
 ments, other qualities, particular lines of breeding and length 
 of the breeding lines being on par. This means one with a 
 strongly striped saddle as well as hackle and solid, lustrous black 
 breast, body and wing-bar. (See illustration. Pate 103.) 
 
 The females selected would, of course, as far as the color is 
 considered, be those which had particularly rich, red color and 
 strength of black striping in the neck. In making selections for 
 richness of color, do not overlook the short, small feathers under 
 the throat. A rich color or medium to rather rich shade is very 
 desirable for females that are to be used for breeding exhibition 
 males exclusively. (See illustration, Plate 102.) 
 
 A Word of Caution. — "Two dangers must be avoided if we 
 wish to succeed, either in perfecting or improving fancy fowls. 
 
AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCf \TfO\ 
 
I'l.YMO! TTI ROCK STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
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 AMERICAN POULTRY A>^SOCIATION 
 
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302 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 One is mating those with the same defect, and the other is going 
 outside of a strain for 'new blood.' One is equally as disastrous 
 as the other. This idea of getting stock of absolutely no rela- 
 tion to the fowls with which they are to be mated has ruined 
 more good flocks than we at first imagine. It is almost a custom, 
 and the idea that it is necessary is prevalent, even among 
 fanciers, while the very opposite is the case. Seldom, although 
 j^racticed with the very oldest breeds, will matings of entirely 
 different strains of a breed produce much better than culls, and 
 their progeny is very inferior foundation stock. Careful 
 observation and experience with nearly half the varieties of 
 pure-bred poultry convince me that there are as few exceptions 
 to this as other rules." (S. A. Noftzger.) 
 
 The greater the difficulties presented by a variety in breeding, 
 the greater the care should be to i)ractice the above principles 
 of breeding. 
 
 As to Both Sexes. — "There is no question but that some 
 fanciers select their fowls of this breed too dark, both male and 
 female, while in other sections of the country the color of both 
 sexes is without doubt too light. There is a rich, bright, medium 
 color for the male and an exquisite, glossy mahogany for the 
 female that should be universally adopted, and when all become 
 better posted in this respect, the high color of the 'Beauty Breed' 
 will be more ai)preciated." (S. A. Noftzger.) 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK UTAl^DAED AND BREED HOOK 303 
 
 PLATE 103 
 
 FEATHEES FEOM PARTRIDGE PLYMOUTH ROCK MALE, 
 USED IN BREEDING EXHIBITION MALES 
 
 1. Saddle feathers. Solid black stripe. 
 
 2 Breast. Solid lustrous black. 
 
 .;. Wing-bar. Solid, lustrous greeuisli black. 
 
304 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 PLATE 104 
 
 TYPES OF MODERN i'AliTiinXJE PLYAIOUTII EOCKS 
 
 Upper right hand, a Garden winner. 
 
 Other models furnished by State Agricultural College of Minnesota. 
 
SECTION VII. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 ORIGIN AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT 
 
 THIS and the Partridge Plymouth Rocks are the latest 
 among- the Plymouth Rock varieties to receive Standard 
 recognition. By accepting the variety prefix "Columbian," 
 which up to that time applied only to the variety of Wyandottes 
 which carries the same color scheme as the Light Brahma, a 
 term was established that is now universally understood to be 
 applicable to all varieties of all breeds which, now or will here- 
 after, bear the color scheme of that old and much admired 
 Asiatic variety. The term Columbian had already been applied 
 to a variety of Wyandottes which made their first appearance in 
 1893, the year of the World's Fair at Chicago, known as the 
 Columbian Exposition, was in progress and from that fact the 
 term was, seemingly, appropriately applied to this, then a new 
 variety. 
 
 The Incentive. — The incentive back of the endeavor to effect 
 a creation of this kind in life is apparent to all who understand 
 poultry problems. It was but another attempt to transfer beauti- 
 ful plumage to a type that had already proven most useful. On 
 the one hand we have a color design best exemplified by the 
 Light Brahma fowl, the plumage of which is a wonderfully 
 eff^ective and striking combination of black and white. All con- 
 cede its wonderful beauty which had held from the time of its 
 introduction, the admiration of poultry fanciers, breeders and the 
 public generally, yet it is a fowl which is adaptable to special 
 purposes under special conditions. It is the largest and most 
 magnificent of our recognized varieties, but it is known that the 
 larger the fowl, the longer the time required for maturity, all 
 conditions being the same. The variety did not, therefore, meet 
 the demands of some of its admirers in that it was not a variety 
 that was included, commonly, among the general-purpose breeds. 
 A general purpose fowl with the same color scheme was but the 
 
 305 
 
306 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 natural desire of those who admired the plumage of the Light 
 Brahma. On the other hand, then, Plymouth Rocks had proved 
 their worth and, popularity as such, and those who desired a gen- 
 eral purpose fowl with Light Brahma plumage, naturally thought 
 of a Plymouth Rock-Light Brahma combination or amalgama- 
 tion. This idea can hardly be called purely original, inasmuch as 
 this identical task had been before successfully accomplished by 
 breeders of Columbian Wyandottes. and this accomplishment 
 may have convinced Plymouth Rock admirers that the same color 
 scheme could be transferred to their chosen favorite. We have 
 noticed, heretofore, that the later Plymouth Rock varieties did 
 not originate as early as the corresponding varieties of Wyan- 
 dottes, as well as the fact that there are not as many of them. 
 This does not, necessarily, indicate a lack of interest or initiative 
 on the part of Plymouth Rock breeders ; it may, on the contrary, 
 indicate the state of very general satisfaction with varieties 
 already existing. 
 
 The Foundation. — Seemingly, the most direct way to combine 
 Light Brahma beauty and Plymouth Rock usefulness was to 
 cross the Light Brahma and White Plymouth Rock. All that is 
 desired above and beyond what the White Plymouth Rock 
 already had, was the acquisition of black in certain sections. 
 With this acquisition, some very undesirable features such as 
 the Brahma shape, the comb too, and too heavy body and leg 
 feathering were bound to be transmitted to the offspring of such 
 a cross to a greater or less extent which features could, of course, 
 be eliminated by years of a selective breeding. And this was 
 the process by which the variety was originated and in part 
 established. There was some doubt as to whether the offspring 
 of such crosses could be so mated from generation to generation 
 as to gradually eliminate the undesirable features and at the 
 same time retain those qualities that were so much sought after. 
 The plan was feasible, however, even though perplexing and is 
 the process by which certain strains were originated and in part 
 established. 
 
 Advantage was naturally taken of the pre-establishment of 
 Columbian Wyandottes and the fact that we have spasmodically, 
 from this, as from all rose comb varieties, single comb sport= 
 and, as if nature wished to assist, some of these were much more 
 like Plymouth Rocks than like Wyandottes. Many of the 
 Columbian Rock breeders were eager to secure these sports, and 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 307 
 
 their frequent occurrence gave many opportunities to use them 
 in crosses with lines that had been originated in the manner 
 described. 
 
 Still another cross was used to establish this variety with 
 more or less success. This was the cross of Barred and White 
 Plymouth Rocks. The results when the cockerel-line of Barred 
 Rocks was used are said to have been unsatisfactory, but good 
 results did come from the pullet-line cockerels mated with White 
 Plymouth Rock females. 
 
 The Influence of the Columbian Wyandotte. — Seldom is it 
 that credit for the creation of a breed or variety can be given 
 to one individual. Usually, one new creation in the poultry 
 world suggests another similar in many respects, but unlike in 
 some, to the first. 
 
 This Columbian Plymouth Rock variety probably furnishes 
 as striking an instance of this as is found among the Standard 
 varieties, but it is but one of many, and in no way differs from 
 the many. Columbian Wyandottes were exhibited nine years 
 before the first cross to perpetuate these Plymouth Rock cousins 
 was made. No doubt the Columbian Wyandotte had suggested 
 the possibility of a Plymouth Rock of the same color pattern, 
 long before the suggestion was acted upon by the originators of 
 Columbian Plymouth Rocks. Many of us may be wondering 
 hov/ Columbian Leghorns or Columbian Dorkings or scores of 
 other varieties would look, but we do not act upon this sugges- 
 tion until we are confident that such a variety will be worth 
 while. To be worth while, a new variety must be better in one 
 or more respects than those that are already established, or 
 handsomer. It must be admitted that most of our new varieties 
 have been an outcome of a conviction in the minds of one or 
 more persons, that the beauty of one breed can be combined with 
 the usefulness of another. By the creation of the Columbian 
 Wyandotte, a fowl, much smaller but yet of medium size, of 
 good laying qualities, with smooth legs and with the same 
 color pattern as the Light Brahma, was established, btit an im- 
 portant fact, the one which must have crystallized the sugges- 
 tion of a new variety of a different breed along these lines into 
 an actuality, was that the Columbian Wyandotte had proved 
 during this trial decade that it was worth while. 
 
 Who Was the Originator?— On this point Mr. D. M. Green, 
 one of the early breeders of this variety, for several years secre- 
 tary of the Columbian Plymouth Rock Club, since connected 
 
308 AMERICAN POTLTRY Af^f^OCfATION 
 
 with the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, who has 
 access to most of the manuscript on Cokmibian Plymouth Rocks, 
 writes : 
 
 "To no one individual is due all the credit, as it is a conceded 
 fact that several fanciers, and not any one particular breeder, 
 took part in the origin and early development of the variety. 
 However, to Mr. F. M. Clemans, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and Mr. 
 George H. Sweet, East Aurora, New York, is due the honor of 
 taking the first steps with this object in view, Mr. Clemans 
 making the first cross in 1902 and Mr. Sweet about two years 
 later. These two earnest fanciers were the pioneers, although 
 several other breeders did as much or even more perhaps in per- 
 fecting and introducing the variety to the public. 
 
 The Mr. F. M. Clemans of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, mentioned 
 in the above, is said to have been the first to create this variety 
 and the first to advertise them. Another of the early breeders 
 claims that the honor of originating the Columbian Plymouth 
 Rocks belongs to several who actually originated this variety 
 by crosses of their own selection. These selections have been 
 previously named in this article. 
 
 THE EARLY STRAINS 
 
 Light Plymouth Rocks. — Mr. Clemans, however, positively 
 asserts that he was the first to make the crosses that proved to 
 be the foundation of this variety ; and these crosses antedate 
 any others that were made with the same object in view, and, 
 in justice to him, it must be said that no one seems to claim a 
 definite date prior to that of Mr. Clemans' first cross. You will 
 note that Mr. Clemans did not call them by their present name, 
 but combined the names of the original parents as well as the 
 blood. We quote from an article of Mr. Clemans' as follows : 
 
 "As the date of my original crosses takes precedence of all 
 others, I can fairly claim to be the originator of Columbian 
 Plymouth Rocks. This honor is practically accorded to me by 
 the latest authoritative work on The Plymouth Rocks, published 
 in 1911. It is true that other breeders by independent crosses 
 later formed other strains (and I have no desire to detract from 
 them), but my crosses of 1902 antedate all others. Mr. Sweet, 
 practically the only rival for the honor, did not begin his work 
 until 1905. 1 was also the first to introduce the breed. This was 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 309 
 
 in 1907, when I 'brought out' the breed through the columns of 
 the American Poultry Journal, naming them 'Light Plymouth 
 Rocks' in honor of their Light Brahma Plymouth Rock origin. 
 My early crosses were made with the best obtainable blood of 
 the Light Brahma, Barred Plymouth Rocks, White Plymouth 
 Rocks and good boned Columbian \\'yandottes. I also used at 
 that time a male bird of unknown origin, but almost ideal mark- 
 ings which I was so fortunate as to find in the flock of a friend. 
 The years of breeding have since obliterated undesirable mark- 
 ings of the original blood used, and I have been signally suc- 
 cessful in holding to the true Plymouth Rock type. This has 
 been the aim in my breeding — to secure real Rock type and com- 
 bine it with the beautiful and much desired color of the Light 
 Brahma." 
 
 Type Important in Early Columbians. — How great impor- 
 tance Mr. Clemans attached to true Plymouth Rock type — that 
 is, the large-boned sort, in distinction to fine-boned birds obvi- 
 ously of Wyandotte origin, is well brought out by the following 
 extract taken from a report of the Philadelphia (1911) show: 
 
 "The 'Columbian' Plymouth Rocks shown by the originator 
 show the results he has attained in establishing his Big-Boned 
 Rock type of Columbian Rocks. His first and third cocks, each 
 weighing 10^-2 pounds, were regular models in Rock type, also 
 showing grand color. His cockerel weighed 9 pounds, was also a 
 rare beauty and a most desirable bird. His pen, with cock 
 weighing 11 pounds and hens from 7^ to 83^ pounds each, was 
 a rare collection of the best of quality ; in fact, we were much 
 pleased to see this size with excellent color and very choice 
 shape." 
 
 The following discussion of type should be accredited to Mr. 
 Clemans : "The value of Rock type cannot be too strongly em- 
 phasized. It is even more important than color. The beginner 
 must avoid being led into the purchase of the modern Wyan- 
 dotte 'sports.' The popularity of Columbian Rocks has brought 
 upon the market these little imitations of the breed. Some of 
 them are bred by unscrupulous breeders who wish to get money 
 out of the demand for the breed and then drop out. Others are 
 being bred and sold by amateurs who know no better. The 
 breeding of such stock can only end in disappointment. 
 
310 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 "It is true that there is some Wyandotte blood in all good 
 strains, but it was combined with the Brahma and Rock blood 
 and produced quite a different fowl from the modern 'sport.' 
 The true Rock type of the breed is 'a thing of beauty.' Its popu- 
 larity is perfectly assured. The demand for good specimens will 
 be on a rising scale for years to come. Already I have sold ex- 
 ceptionally fine male birds as high as $100.00. While this is a 
 phenomenal price for a new breed it will be greatly exceeded for 
 choice specimens in the future, just as it has been in the older 
 breeds." 
 
 The above is printed to indicate the conditions at the time. 
 These statements show clearly and convincingly that there was 
 a tendency to use Wyandotte sports, which was perhaps legiti- 
 mate, if used judiciously and not over practiced because type 
 must then be destroyed. That this expediency was practiced to 
 the detriment of the breed as a breed for a time, there can be no 
 doubt. There was, however, the usual reaction against an unwise 
 practice. The advertisements of the leading breeders of the 
 early period just following their admission to Standard clearly 
 bring out the disrepute in which strains that showed the eft'ects 
 of a Wyandotte cross were held. The breeders of Columbian 
 Wyandottes had for a short period reaped a harvest on their 
 single-comb sports that was quite remunerative, perhaps as much 
 so as on the specimens that came true to lineage. The writer 
 once heard a prominent breeder of Columbian Wyandottes de- 
 clare, upon being asked as to the future of the Columbian 
 Plymouth Rocks, that the only purpose of that variety was to 
 absorb the single-comb Wyandotte sports at a price. That 
 profitable period, as pointed out, was passed when Columbian 
 Plymouth Rocks became as well established as their older rivals. 
 
 The Royal Strain. — The Mr. Green referred to in a preceding 
 paragraph was one of the very first l^reeders and gives the fol- 
 lowing account of how his strain, afterwards called the "Royal," 
 was built up from the original cross of Light Brahma and 
 Plymouth Rocks. It is the plan for a foundation to which refer- 
 ence was made in Mr. Green's own language, written into this 
 copy as "feasible, even if perplexing" ; namely, of adhering to 
 the straight cross of Light Brahma and White Plymouth Rock, 
 as the following account clearly relates : 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 311 
 
 "The first crosses and the results obtained were as follows : 
 Light Brahma males with strong markings were mated to extra 
 large White Plymouth Rock females with small, well-defined 
 combs, bright, clean yellow legs and true Rock type. The result 
 was large, vigorous, sturdy youngsters with no particular fixed 
 type or color markings to any certain degree, yet Rock type 
 predominated and the Brahma color in many specimens showed 
 clearly that it was firmly seated. There was a variety of combs 
 and feathered shanks were a prominent defect, but some few 
 male birds were exceptional specimens showing the latter fault 
 in only a moderate degree and with color nearly equal to their 
 sires. These males were mated in two ways, back to their dame, 
 which were designated as Flock A, and to the best pullets 
 selected from the original cross, which were designated as Flock 
 B. Flock A produced birds especially good in type, good comb 
 and fairly clean shanks, but weak in color of hackle, wing and 
 tail. The offspring from Flock B averaged good in color, show- 
 ing exceptionally strong hackles and tails, but with poor combs, 
 type and more leg feathers. The next mating consisted of the 
 more desirable specimens reared from Flocks A and B ; also 
 pullets from Flock A back to the best male from the original 
 cross. The specimens from these matings showed a decided 
 improvement, some individuals having clean legs with good type 
 and color and quite even, well balanced combs. At this point 
 the best specimens were still far from what was desired, yet it 
 was evident that the new variety had been created." 
 
 We have, then, clear and authentic accounts of the different 
 sources of the foundation stock of this variety. They are, as 
 nearly as we can determine, principally Light Brahmas and 
 White Plymouth Rocks, with a strong influence of single-combed 
 Columbian Wyandotte Sports and a somewhat less influence of 
 Barred Plymouth Rock blood. Besides these established lines 
 of blood we have the unknown male of Mr. Clemans' that in 
 some unaccountable way betook to himself very much the ap- 
 pearance of the, as yet, unestablished ideal. 
 
 After the variety reached a stage wliere a general interchange 
 of birds occurs between breeders of the different strains, it 
 became impossible to trace blood lines. Accounts must then re- 
 late the progress of the breeds as to quality, popularity, etc. 
 
312 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH ROCK PLUMAGE 
 
 STANDARD DESCRIPTION 
 
 Disqualifications 
 
 One or more solid black or brown feathers on surface of 
 back of females ; positive black spots prevalent in web of feathers 
 of back except slight dark or black stripes in saddle near tail of 
 male or in cape of either sex ; red feathers in plumage ; shanks 
 other than yellow. (See general and Plymouth Rock disquali- 
 fications.) 
 
 COLOR OF MALE 
 
 Head. — Plumage, white. 
 
 Beak. — Yellow, with dark stripe down upper mandible. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Bright red. 
 
 Neck. — Hackle, web of feather solid, lustrous greenish-black 
 with a narrow edging of white, uniform in width, extending 
 around point of feather ; greater portion of shaft, black ; plumage 
 in front of hackle, white. 
 
 Wings. — Bows, white except fronts, which may be partly 
 black ; coverts, white ; primaries, black, with white edging on 
 lower edge of lower webs ; secondaries, lower portion of lower 
 webs, white, sufficient to secure a white wing-bay, the white 
 extending around ends of feathers and lacing upper portion of 
 upper webs, this color growing wider in the shorter secondaries, 
 sufficient to show white on surface when wing is folded ; re- 
 mainder of each secondary, black. 
 
 Back. — Surface color, white ; cape, black and white ; saddle, 
 white, except feathers covering root and sides of tail, which 
 should be white with a narrow V-shaped black stripe at end of 
 each feather tapering to a point near its lower extremity. 
 
 Tail. — Black ; the curling feathers underneath, black laced 
 with white ; sickles and coverts, lustrous greenish-black ; smaller 
 coverts, lustrous greenish-black edged with white. 
 
 Breast. — Surface, white ; undercolor bluish-white, at juncture 
 with body, bluish-slate. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 313 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Body, white, except under wings, where it 
 may be bluish-white ; fluff, white. 
 
 Legs and Toes. — -Thighs, white; shanks and toes, yellow. 
 Undercolor of All Sections Except Breast. — Bluish-slate. 
 
 COLOR OF FEMALE 
 
 Head. — Plumage, white. 
 
 Beak. — Yellow, with dark stripe down upper mandible. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Bright red. 
 
 Neck. — Feathers beginning at juncture of head, web, a broad, 
 solid lustrous greenish-black, with a narrow lacing of white 
 extending around the outer edge of each feather ; greater portion 
 of shaft, black ; feathers in front of neck, white. 
 
 Wings. — Bows, white ; coverts, white ; primaries, black, with 
 white edging on lower edge of lower webs ; secondaries, lower 
 portion of lower webs, white, sufficient to secure a white wing- 
 bay, the white extending around the ends and lacing upper por- 
 tion of upper webs, this color growing wider in the shorter 
 secondaries, sufficient to show white on surface when wing is 
 folded ; remainder of each secondary, black. 
 
 Back. — White ; cape, black and white. 
 
 Tail. — Black, except the two top feathers which are laced 
 with white ; coverts, black with a narrow lacing of white. 
 
 Breast.- — Surface, white ; undercolor bluish-white, at juncture 
 of body, bluish-slate. 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Body, white, except under wings where it 
 may be bluish-white ; fluff, white. 
 
 Legs and Toes. — Thighs, white ; shanks and toes, yellow. 
 
 Undercolor of All Sections Except Breast. — Bluish-slate. 
 
 COLOR OF COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 A chapter under this heading will, as a matter of course, be 
 expected to discuss defects of both color and markings when 
 dealing with parti-colored varieties. 
 
 The Color. — Both male and female of this variety have but 
 two colors, white mainly, with markings of black in certain sec- 
 tions. In all sections where white is required, a surface of clear, 
 pure white is desired and required. The black should be a 
 positive black in all sections where required. The black strip- 
 ing of the neck, tail-coverts and sickles should have that beau- 
 
314 
 
 AMENJCAX J'OLJ/rRY At^l^OCIATION 
 
 PLATE IOC 
 
 COLUMBIAN PLYMOFTH ROOK i\rALE 
 
PLYMOUTH ROVK .STANDARD AND BREED HOOK :n5 
 
 PLATE 106 
 
 COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH EOCK FEMALE 
 
31G AMERICAN POULTRY AStiOCIATION 
 
 tiful green gloss which sets off the white section to so much ad- 
 vantage. The black of the flights, secondaries and main tail 
 feathers has no greenish sheen as a rule, which is, moreover, 
 not required. Strong, positive black is necessary to give quality 
 to the specimen and it must be borne in mind at all times that 
 strength of color is always required. Black sometimes fades or 
 rusts ; that is, instead of being positive in character, it loses the 
 intensity necessary to be so classified in the list of colors. That 
 color which the Standard would call black, or positive black, is 
 sometimes described as coal black. The shade of black thus de- 
 scribed is the shade usually referred to in the Standard, when it 
 does not specifically mention a lustrous, greenish-black. Some- 
 times, black will take on a luster of bronze and sometimes of 
 purple, neither of which is desirable. 
 
 The black found in the plumage of the Columbian varieties 
 has not so often the character of defects enumerated above as a 
 general weakness because of an admixture of white. Often, 
 feathers that should be black are only partially black ; often, the 
 portion of a feather that should be black is broken with a bar 
 or a splash of white or gray, while again, an admixture of a cer- 
 tain amount of white makes a dark gray or slate colored feather 
 or part of a feather, rather than a black. 
 
 The white portion of the plumage on the surface is supposed 
 to be a pure white ; though, perhaps, a clear white expresses the 
 idea better. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining the amount 
 and intensity of black desired in neck, primaries, secondaries, 
 tail-coverts, etc., white undercolor, even in the sections that are 
 described as white on the surface, is not desirable. On the con- 
 trary, because of the difficulty of maintaining the intensity of the 
 black in those sections in which black is required, and also, in 
 order that black may be distributed in the right proportion in 
 these sections, slate of a stronger or lighter shade is required in 
 the undercolor of all the sections, even in those which are pure 
 white on the surface. In all sections except breast, the shade of 
 slate required is of sufficient intensity to be described as bluish- 
 slate, while that of the breast is bluish-white, a lighter shade of 
 slate. That is natural because the breast, when both sexes are 
 considered, is collectively the purest white section of the bird, 
 and farthest remo\ed from the tail, the section that sliould con- 
 tain the most black. By this means alone can the lustrous 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 317 
 
 greenish-black striping of the hackle, neck, sickles and tail- 
 coverts of both sexes be produced and maintained from genera- 
 tion to generation. 
 
 An understanding of the color faults and excellencies of each 
 of the principal sections is necessary in order that the breeder 
 may mate his birds in a manner that will produce satisfactory 
 results. Therefore, a discussion of these features will be entered 
 into in some detail. 
 
 Neck of Males. — Because of its beauty when approaching the 
 ideal in color and markings, and the difficulty encountered in 
 breeding the neck feathers to such an approximation of the ideal 
 that they can be called beautiful, this section when it possesses 
 quality enough to deserve it, is very much appreciated and is, 
 therefore, very important. 
 
 The Black Stripe. — The Standard calls for feathers of "solid, 
 lustrous, greenish-black, with a narrow edging of white, uniform 
 in width, extending around the point of the feather" ; in other 
 words, this calls, as former Standards have stated it, for a "solid, 
 lustrous greenish-black stripe down the center of the feather 
 and with a narrow, white border extending around the point of 
 the feather." 
 
 From this description it would be easy to infer that the black 
 must not be dull and lifeless, neither must it have a brown 
 shading ; it must not be broken, at least near the surface, because 
 if any of these attributes are present, the description of the 
 Standard, i. e., solid, lustrous, greenish-black, is not complied 
 with. 
 
 The Border. — As to the border, this should be white above 
 all things. Straw color or brassy shades are not tolerated and, 
 if present, should be cut so severely that the class in which a 
 specimen with this fault can win must be a very inferior one, 
 indeed. Besides, the border must be narrow. Narrow is, of 
 course, used comparatively. It refers to the border according to 
 the Standard description, and as the remainder of the feather is 
 black, the black stripe in the center must be relatively broad. 
 Such are the ideals of the present time ; a broad, black stripe 
 edged with a narrow white border. 
 
 The white border should extend around the point from both 
 sides of the feather. This results in a feather with a white 
 border around a V-shape point of black, near the lower extremity 
 of this feather, but not at the extremity. This is one of the 
 difficult features to establish, because there is a strong tendency 
 for the black to run through the border to the point of the 
 
AMERrCAX POTLTRY ASf<OriATIOy 
 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK .S'T.l .V/M /<•/) AND BREED BOOK 319 
 
 feather ; first, just on the shaft, perhaps. Then, with this ten- 
 dency, is one to extend along the very outer edges of the feather. 
 Thus, we have a black tip and a narrow black edge outside the 
 white border. Such a defective feather is shown in Plate 107, 
 Figure 2, while Figure 1 shows weak black striping, with a white 
 shaft and a border that is too wide and with it. of course, a 
 black stripe that is too narrow. 
 
 The light shafting noticed in this figure is also defective 
 inasmuch as the Standard states, "greater portion of the shaft, 
 black." The third feather in the row is a good natural feather, 
 but even in this, the black extends too low or too near the point. 
 The fourth feather from the left in the row shows very nearly 
 the ideal feather. Feathers in front of neck are white, the same 
 as the breast. 
 
 Neck of the Females. — The neck feathers of the female are 
 shorter and comparatively broader than those of the male. The 
 black center is also broader and the white border narrower com- 
 paratively. Such a comparison between the male and female 
 neck feathers is found to exist in a great majority of specimens 
 of this variety and such the Standard calls for, as the word 
 "broad" occurs in the Standard description of the neck of the 
 female and this word is not found in the description of necks of 
 the male. Narrow black striping with the V instead of the 
 rounded points are frequently seen in the neck feathers of 
 females and, though not strictly in accordance with the Standard 
 description, are to be much preferred to striping that, though 
 broad, is weak in color. The pkunage of this section of the 
 females is very striking because of the broad, metallic black 
 with the very narrow but sound edging of pure white. A per- 
 fect resemblance between both the pattern and the color of the 
 neck and tail-coverts of the females is a noteworthy and taking 
 feature when ideals are approached. (See illustration, Plate 117.) 
 
 Cape. — The cape, or that portion of the back that falls under 
 the hackle feathers of the male and the neck feathers of the 
 female, is black and white. This portion of the back is not seen 
 when the bird stands in its natural position and on that account 
 it draws less attention than other parts of the plumage. The 
 feathers have, as a rule, a broad black center with white edging. 
 The exact proportion of black to white is not as rigidly pre- 
 scribed or enforced as in the more prominent sections, but if the 
 edging is narrow, yet clear and sound, the feathers in the cape 
 
320 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASl^OCIATION 
 
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322 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 correspond more closely to the description of neck and tail- 
 coverts than when not so proportioned. 
 
 The Back. — The back proper of both sexes is white on the 
 surface. The importance placed upon this requirement is em- 
 phasized by the color disqualifications for this section in both 
 sexes, as two out of the three disqualifications named apply to 
 the back only of male or female. "One or more solid black or 
 brown feathers on surface of the back of females ; positive black 
 spots prevalent in web of feathers of back except slight dark or 
 black stripes in saddle near tail of males or in cape of either 
 sex ;" these requirements must give the reader a very clear idea 
 of the importance of a clear white surface in this section, that is, 
 the entire back of female from the rear of the cape to the front 
 of the tail-coverts ; and the same for males, except for the slight 
 dark striping in lower part of the saddle hanger, "covering the 
 root and sides of the tail." 
 
 The clause which requires this particular form of saddle 
 striping in those feathers that cover root and sides of tail is a 
 new one that was first introduced in the 1915 Standard. It was 
 not found in the 1910 Revised Edition. A clause of similar im- 
 port is found in both the 1898 and 1905 Editions, as follows in 
 the latter, relating to Light Brahmas, the plumage of which is 
 acknowledged to be the plumage after which that of the Colum- 
 bian is patterened in all details, except leg plumage, which has 
 been, of course, obliterated. "Saddle white, except where saddle 
 hangers take on the character of tail-coverts which, if black in 
 the web and laced with white, shall not be considered defective ;" 
 which, though not actually demanding black stripes in the rear 
 and lower saddle feathers, clearly permitted them, and unques- 
 tionably for the reason that is advanced for requiring the same 
 now, namely : that better black points, especially the tail-coverts, 
 may be obtained in both sexes, and a more perfect blending of 
 back and tail color is thereby obtained. 
 
 That such saddle striping in the males will and does produce 
 the black feather or feathers that are pronouncedly spotted with 
 black or dark color approaching black in the back of the 
 female, most of the best authorities deny ; that is, if the char- 
 acter of such black striping is as described in the Standard, 
 "with a narrow V-shaped black stripe at the end of each feather, 
 tapering to a point near its lower extremity." Obviously a 
 "V-shaped black stripe" is not the solid, lustrous, greenish-black 
 stripe of the hackle. This description would signify a pointed 
 
Pf.YMOTTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK H23 
 
 or narrow \'-shaped center of white, inside the black stripe at 
 the upper end ; and this particular stripe must have the border 
 as the clause, "tapering to a point near its lower extremity" 
 would signify, because otherwise, the black stripe would termin- 
 ajte at the extremity. Two saddle feathers are shown, Plate 108, 
 the first one weak in striping, and the second an ideal or nearly 
 ideal feather. 
 
 It will be observed that this stripe has not the same character 
 as the saddle stripe of the males of other parti-colored varieties 
 and does not, as stated above, correspond in the pattern to the 
 hackle striping of parti-colored males of this or of other vari- 
 eties. The hackles and saddles of all other varieties of Plymouth 
 Rocks do, however, correspond as to color patterns. 
 
 Between the upper termination of the V-shaped stripe and 
 the bluish slate of the undercolor, a white band of greater or 
 less width should intervene. This is desired because it is consid- 
 ered that if the stripe extends to the slate of the undercolor, the 
 male that carries it will throw females with black on the surface 
 of the backs. This is demanded, not only as a point of indi- 
 vidual exhibition merit, but as a safeguard in breeding. A better 
 and clearer idea of how the feathers of the back and saddle very 
 gradually acquire the character of the tail feathers is shown by 
 the series of six feathers in Plate 109, 1 from center of back, 2 
 small saddles, 3 saddle, 4 tail-covert, 5 large tail-covert, 6 smaller 
 sickle. All are ideal or nearly ideal feathers for the positions 
 on the back and tail which they occupied. 
 
 The Wings. — The fronts, wdiite except that portion which is 
 covered with breast feathers which may be partly black. The 
 bows, coverts, and outside of the secondaries are white ; when 
 spread, both primaries and secondaries should show black. With 
 the exception of a narrow edge of white on lower web, each pri- 
 mary should be solid black. Such flights are hard to produce 
 because a mixture of white with black in one or more of various 
 ways is but natural in a variety that has a predominance of white 
 in its plumage ; splashes of white very often occur in the center 
 of the upper or broader web of flight feathers, as shown in Plate 
 110, feather No. 1, while gray splashes near the end of the 
 feather and white at the base are faults that are frequently seen. 
 The latter two defects are shown in Plate 110, feather No. 2, 
 white feather No. 3 shows the white at base, which is a defect, 
 though it is, on the whole an illustration of a very good feather. 
 
324 
 
 i.i//;/.'/r 1 V j'oi i/rrn associ ATioy 
 
 PLATE 110 
 
 COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH EOCKS, WING T'EIAFARY 
 irP^ATHERS OF DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS 
 
 1. Old style, too light in color. 2. Dark but gray m-ar end 
 white at root. 3. Correct, excepting white at root. 4. Idealized. 
 
PLYMOriTH HOCK STAM) I /.'/> 1 V/> BREED BOOK :?2fi 
 
 PLATE 111 
 
 1 2 :J ■; 
 
 COLUMBIAN PLYMOUT}! KOCKS, WING HECONDAKIES 
 
 1. Old style, too liglit. 
 
 2. Too mucli white at tip. 
 l^. Too much white at root. 
 4. Ideal (natural). 
 
326 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Feather No. 4 shows an idealized flight feather from a male, 
 from which sex are taken all these flight feathers, which show 
 the improvement of a period of fifteen or twenty years, as at that 
 period feather No. 1 was a very good flight feather indeed. The 
 improvement during the period is shown l^y comparing feathers 
 No. 1 and No. 4. 
 
 PLATE 11: 
 
 (COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH KOCKH, MALL, 8MALLLR 
 
 8T(1KLL8, ])P:FECTIVE AND CORRECT, FROM 
 
 DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS 
 
 1. Glo.ssy black, with white at root. 2. White breaking across the 
 center. ,3. Idealized. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 327 
 
 The upper web of the secondary feathers, that is, the nearer 
 web to the body, is supposed to be black, while the lower or 
 outer web should be white. As the body is approached the pro- 
 portion of black in the upper web diminishes and the white 
 increases, so that the wing shows only white when folded or, to 
 localize the description still more, the wing-bay is white. Previ- 
 ous Standards have described secondaries in these words: "Sec- 
 ondaries, lower portion of lower web, white, sufficient to secure 
 a white wing-bay, the white extending around the ends of 
 feathers and lacing upper portion of web, this color growing 
 wider in shorter secondaries, the five next to body being white 
 on surface when wing is folded; remainder of each secondary, 
 black." This description, though laborious and encumbered 
 somewhat by phraseology, will, nevertheless, be found to be 
 accurate upon analysis. From it might be deduced the fact that 
 the amount of black in the secondaries is relatively proportionate 
 to the length of the feather, the shorter ones next to the body 
 being white or having a lesser amount of black than those that 
 are larger and more remote. Black, however, whatever the 
 extent, should be black and not a modified shade of that color. 
 Where the secondaries, or primaries for that matter, are black 
 they should be black, and where white is required, white that is 
 nowise modified should be found. Furthermore, between the 
 two, a sharp line of definition should exist. Feather No. 2 in 
 l^late 111, the second feather from the left, shows gray shading 
 in with the white, also too much white at the end of the feather 
 for a secondary near the center of the wing; the third feather 
 from the left, too much white at the base ; the fourth is an ideal 
 secondary near the center of the wing. The flights of the males 
 as a usual occurrence are stronger in color, that is, the black is 
 more perfectly distributed than in the flights of the females. 
 Flights splashed with white are, then, much more seriously 
 defective in males than in females and in the young than in the 
 old females. 
 
 Tail. — The main tail feathers of both sexes should be black 
 from top to base ; often, of course, white creeps in, but compara- 
 tively little difficulty is experienced in this particular. The real 
 difficulty lies in another direction, to produce tail-coverts of 
 lustrous greenish-black with narrow lacing or edging of white. 
 Particularly in the females it is difficult to breed the black 
 entirelv across these broad coverts and maintain the uniform 
 
328 
 
 AMERICAN POULTRY A^f^OCIATION 
 PLATE 113 
 
 COLTIMBIAN I'LYMOUTH EOCKS, UNDERCOLOR OF AN 
 EXHIBITION MALE 
 
 L Center of breast, white without bluish wliite undercolor. 
 
 2. Near center of breast, id?al bluish white undercolor. 
 
 ;5. Breast near wing, with very dark bluish slate undercolor. 
 
 4. Middle of black, bluish white und?icolf)r. 
 
 5. Body, bluish white undercolor. 
 
 PLATE 114 
 
 12 3 4 r, 
 
 FEMALE, CORRESPONDING TO SECTIONS IN ABOVE MALE 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK HTAA'DARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 •32\) 
 
 strength of color and lustre. It is also some task to maintain 
 the very narrow edging so much sought and keep both colors 
 well defined, generation after generation. Very similar in color 
 and pattern, but lacking somewhat in the lustre of black portions 
 are the broad, curly feathers at the rear of and between the 
 main tail feathers. 
 
 These smaller sickles are shown on Plate 112; feather No. 1 
 is defective because of white on base ; No. 2, defective because 
 of splashes of white ; No. 3, ideal. 
 
 BreaS', Body and Fluff. — These sections of both sexes should 
 be pure white on the surface, but show the bluish-slate under- 
 neatli. It is highly desirable that they do so, because with this 
 slate undercolor lacking in all sections of white surface, color 
 points arc sure to be weak, losing thereby the chief beauty of the 
 
 PLATE 115 
 
 COLUMBIAN PLYAIOI'TH KOCK, MALE, DEFECTS IN 
 SUEFACE COLOE 
 
 Neck too dark. Hackle feathers black ou edge of borders. Breast, 
 next to wing-fronts and wing, near front, with too much black. Black 
 tips on wing-bar. Irregular gray striping in side of saddle. Black 
 showing on fluff and hocks. 
 
330 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 variety. (Jver-dark specimens would be sought more eagerly 
 and prized more highly than over-light or white specimens, both 
 for breeding virtues and exhibition merits ; however, there is 
 grave danger in using birds that are too dark. 
 
 The Undercolor. — The Standard describes undercolor of both 
 sexes in like phrases, "bluish-slate in all sections except breast 
 which may be bluish-white except at juncture" with body ; 
 there bluish-slate is required, thus calling for lighter color 
 than if it used the simple term "slate," which would allow 
 an extremely large range of undercolor from medium slate 
 that might be almost white to very dark slate that approaches 
 black. Too dark undercolor as well as too light is dangerous 
 in the breeding pen, as white-surfaced sections would, in many 
 cases, show black or dark color on the surface of the back of 
 the female and in the sides of breast of the male or in the body 
 feathers of one or both sexes. In the breast of both sexes, a 
 lighter shade of undercolor is required, but at the junction with 
 body the Standard again demands a bluish-slate. A very clear 
 idea of the undercolor of the lower or under sections of the body 
 is presented by the series of feathers in Plates 113 and 114. 
 
 The undesirable black that occasionally will crop out in sides 
 of breast, near shoulder or wing, wing-fronts and coverts, and 
 fluff is illustrated in Plate 115. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 MATING COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 For the following we are largely indebted to F. M. Clemans, 
 to whom reference has been made heretofore, as one of the 
 pioneers in the development of this variety : 
 
 "The color markings of the Columbian Rock are practically 
 the same as those of the Light Brahma. When we consider how 
 long the breeding of Light Brahmas has been reduced to a 
 science it would be folly to ignore the valuable lessons we can 
 learn from a study of results heretofore obtained by Light 
 Brahma breeders. 
 
 "Those who have had most to do with the advancement of 
 the Columbian Rock have not failed to take advantage of this 
 record of achievement in Brahma breeding and our breed has 
 greatly profited thereby. The beginner can profit largely by 
 following the course of the successful Light Brahma man and 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 333 
 
 advise with him and study the best product of his art at the 
 shows. 
 
 "The requirements for color and markings of each section 
 have been so carefully weighed and considered with relation to 
 breeding tendencies, ascertained by years of experience of breed- 
 ers, not only of Columbian Plymouth Rocks, but Columbian 
 W'yandottes and Light Brahmas as well, by the framers of the 
 present (1915 Revision) Standard for the Columbian varieties, 
 that the desired strength of color may be maintained by using 
 exhibition specimens exculsively in these matings. This happy 
 state of affairs has been brought about largely by reqviiring 
 stronger undercolor in certain sections, while still demanding a 
 surface of clear white in these sections. Undoubtedly, however, 
 the endeavors of breeders of this variety to more thoroughly 
 establish the strength and stability of the color in the required 
 sections have made a substantial contribution to the advance- 
 ment we find this variety has made during the past decade. 
 
 "In the past so much importance has been attached to a clear 
 white surface and many times to a clear white undercolor, that 
 those sections in which black was required have been weakened, 
 for it is recognized that color is lost in succeeding generations 
 to a certain extent and occasionally a little excess must be added 
 to maintain the balance. While such study of the methods of 
 the pastmasters in breeding Light Brahmas will be a great 
 benefit in mating for color, equally important knowledge can be 
 acquired from old breeders of Barred and White Rocks. Here 
 we learn much of value in producing shape and true Rock char- 
 acteristics. A Colimibian Rock of almost perfect color is of 
 little value if lacking in Rock character, for in Rock type lies 
 more than half of the beauty and utility of the breed. 
 
 "In mating this or any breed, consider well the ancestry of 
 the fowls being mated. It is an old saying that 'chicks generally 
 favor the grandsire.' It is important then that individual quality 
 be backed by ancestors selected for years for their individual 
 merit. Otherwise, we must combat the law of reversion to unde- 
 sirable type. 
 
 "Being satisfied as to ancestry, next in importance is the indi- 
 vidual type of birds to be mated. The true Rock is a bird of 
 good size that will make Standard weight or better without 
 crowding ; in other words, birds that have the bone to carry 
 Standard weight or over without being fattened to an injurious 
 
XV2 .i.u/;/?/r'.Lv poultry assooiation 
 
 PLATE 116 
 
 COLUMBIAN PLYMOI Til IMx h:s, MAl.K, FOR IDKAL 
 SINGLE MATINtiS 
 
 Illustrating the black markings of standard I'xliiliitiou male for 
 breeding both males and females: 
 
 Upper row: Neck, back, saddle, saddle (hanging at side near tail), 
 smaller tail-covert, larger tail-covert, smaller sickle. 
 
 Below: Wing, primary; wing, secondary; main tail. 
 
ri.YMOf rU h'OCN STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 383 
 
 PLATE 117 
 
 COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH EOCKS, FEMALE, FOR IDEAL 
 SINGLE MATING 
 
 Illustrating the black markings of Standard exhibition female for 
 breeding both males and females: 
 
 Upper row: Neck, top tail-covert, smaller tail-coverts, larger tail- 
 coverts. 
 
 Lower row: Wing, primary; wing, secondary; main tail, under-tail- 
 covert. 
 
334 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 extent. The shank is a good indicator of weight-carrying 
 capacity. A small light shanked bird in a flock is an indication 
 of the blood of a Wyandotte 'sport.' The true Rock has a 
 broad, deep breast, a long, broad and deep body, with only a 
 slight concave rise of back to the tail. The thighs and shanks 
 are strong and of medium length, avoiding either the low-set 
 Dorking or stilty Langshan. 
 
 Color. — "We have learned from Brahma breeders that the 
 tendency of this color is to breed lighter unless kept well rein- 
 forced by strong colored males at the head of pens, and that a 
 flock of birds of this color will, if turned loose without intelligent 
 mating, gradually revert to white. 
 
 "The breeder of a Columbian variety should l^ear the follow- 
 ing fundamental facts constantly in mind when mating his breed- 
 ing fowls : 
 
 "That while a pullet with a clear white back and white under- 
 color is a bird to be admired, she should be mated to a male with 
 strong black in neck and wings, well-striped saddle, with cape 
 full of black and white dark slate undercolor, if we would sustain 
 the color of the chicks. 
 
 "That the male has much to do with producing and empha- 
 sizing color, and, therefore, very light and faded males should 
 invariably be sent to the block. 
 
 "That by the use of strong colored males, females that are 
 somewhat weak in color can be profitably utilized." 
 
 Mr. Clemans describes several matings utilizing different 
 grades of birds. These descriptions will be of service, especially 
 to the beginners : 
 
 The Ideal Mating. — "This mating requires birds of rare show 
 quality. Many, of course, cannot afford such a mating, but the 
 breeder with a good sized flock to select from can often make a 
 number of such matings. For the male, select either a cockerel 
 weighing seven to nine pounds or cock nine to ten pounds, when 
 in good breeding condition, with big, strong, bright yellow 
 shanks, bright reddish-bay eye and in general type as nearly 
 Standard as possible ; wing flights, nearly solid black ; cape, over 
 one-half black ; hackle, flowing full over the shoulders and with 
 broad, deep black stripe ; saddle showing some black striping 
 near tail ; sickles solid black, with lesser coverts nicely edged 
 with white. 
 
 "For females choose either six to eight-pound hens or five to 
 six-pound pullets showing clear yellow, strong-boned shanks, 
 good eyes, flights over half black, stripe in hackle strong and 
 
PLYMOVTH ROCK STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 335 
 
 running well down the feather, laced tail coverts, and undercolor 
 bluish-white. The comb in both sexes should be of excellent 
 type. While such a pen is worth a strong price it will be worth 
 the money for future results. 
 
 Females Lacking in Color. — "A male bird as described in the 
 ideal mating, but darker in plumage, the black in cape showing 
 well into the back, and some feathers of back may even show a 
 tendency to black striping. Undercolor, dark slate. Mate to 
 females considerably lighter than in the ideal mating. This is a 
 good mating for results, often producing ideal show birds. 
 
 Females of Too Strong a Color. — "To utilize very dark, even 
 smutty necked and ticked backed females. This mating is better 
 adapted to practical purposes, but by its use good results can be 
 obtained where it is necessary to use such birds. To females of 
 this character, mate a male with flights about one-third white ; 
 neck and cape rather light, but hackle showing fairly good stripe 
 and clear white edging ; back, clear white and undercolor light. 
 While this mating will throw some culls, it will produce a very 
 fair percentage of good birds. 
 
 Extremely Light Females. — "This is also a mating that 
 should be chiefly relied upon to produce birds for commercial 
 flocks and utilizes very light colored females which often have 
 light or pearl-colored eyes. Mate these to a male bird that 
 would be discarded as a show bird for too much color in back. 
 He should show very dark hackle, even smoky edge ; cape and 
 undercolor so dark as to show in web ; wing as near solid black 
 as possible in flights ; eye. very strong bright red. Remember, 
 a red eye is a strong breeding eye. It is very desirable in a male 
 bird. Such a cockerel as here described will often moult the 
 second vear into a great show bird, though almost disqualified 
 as a cockerel. 
 
 "This is an extreme mating, but it makes reasonably valuable 
 females that would otherwise have to be discarded, and very 
 often it will produce a percentage of show birds. 
 
 "Matings like numbers three and four and other matings in 
 which the defects of one sex are offset in the opposite sex often 
 meet the wants of a beginner whose purse will not reach a more 
 desirable mating, and from such matings a very good flock is 
 often started. A greater percentage of culls can be expected, but 
 many good birds will also be produced, and from these the 
 
336 AMFEfCAX rOT'LTRY ASi^OCIATION 
 
 beginner can build up. When the amateur can afford it, how- 
 ever, let him invest in a mating like one or two. 
 
 Double Mating. — "Many ask about double matings and how 
 to make them. Columbian Rocks do not require that system and 
 it would be foolish to inaugurate it. However, such matings can 
 be made and occasionally circumstances might make them de- 
 sirable. 
 
 "A special mating for pullets would be one in which the 
 females of the pen conform closely to the Standard in all points, 
 while the male should be equally good except that he should be 
 exceptionally clear of black in web of back and with few striped 
 feathers in saddle, while his tail-coverts should be exceptionally 
 nicely laced. This would throw fine pullets and at the same time 
 a good percentage of good males. 
 
 "A mating for show males might be made by mating very 
 dark pullets showing nearly black flights and smoky or ticky 
 backs, and such a mating should produce some grand males, no 
 doubt, but many of the females probably would be ticky in back. 
 On the whole, matings that will produce a good proportion of 
 good chicks of both sexes cannot be too strongly adhered to." 
 
 Double matings are now rarely used in solid-colored breed 
 varieties or in those varieties in which the color pattern is the 
 same in both sexes. 
 
 As already pointed out, the tendency to use the last three 
 matings diminishes as the variety improves, until nearly every 
 breeder has one, at least, that approaches an ideal mating. 
 
 Two groups of feathers, plates 116 and 117, show feathers 
 from different sections of male and female of an ideal single 
 mating, conforming with the best ideal for the best matings of 
 the present day, practically as described in paragraph under 
 heading of "Ideal Matings." 
 
 The following article on mating is taken from a recent 
 American Plymouth Rock Club catalogue and was written by 
 T. J. Enslin, Secretary of the club at that time : 
 
 "Unlike some breeds, it is not necessary to resort to double 
 matings to obtain best results. Single matings will answer every 
 requirement. 
 
 "In selecting breeders the question of type is the first essen- 
 tial from both an exhibition and utility point of view. Also, 
 because the Rock type best exemplifies the beautiful black and 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 337 
 
 white color markings of our breed, the specimen should be big- 
 boned and have a long body, broad breast and legs, neck and 
 tail to conform. 
 
 Hackle 
 
 "To my mind there is nothing so beautiful in the makeup 
 of a Columbian Rock as a well-defined, distinctly marked hackle, 
 with feather having broad black centers, edged ofif with the 
 narrow white stripe. The hackle seems to outshine all parts of 
 the body and naturally should have the most consideration. I 
 do not know of any other section of the body which implies or 
 has so much meaning, consequently every effort should be made 
 to produce good hackles. The black markings should be carried 
 well up to the head, and should meet in front. I have heard 
 many judges say that unless the hackle is at least fairly good 
 they would not go to the trouble to take the bird out of the 
 exhibition coop for closer examination. A smutty or smoky 
 hackle is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, defect to out- 
 l)reed, but it can be done by line-breeding two or three genera- 
 tions on A-1 hackled specimens. A tendency today is to have 
 the white border of female hackle feathers too wide. The narrow 
 stripe in my judgment is the ideal. 
 
 Tail and Saddle of Male 
 
 "The main-tail feathers of both male and female should be 
 solid black, also sickle feathers of male. The tail-coverts of 
 both male and female constitute one of the most important, as 
 well as most beautiful sections of the color markings. The 
 male tail-coverts should have the greenish-black center in web, 
 edged off with a narrow white border, giving it the appear- 
 ance of a highly polished feather. Female tail-coverts should 
 have solid black centers edged off with a narrow white border. 
 
 "One of the most important sections of male bird is the 
 saddle. The saddle feathers should be white with a distinct, 
 very narrow V-shaped, black stripe at end of feather, tapering 
 to a point near its lower extremity. Many judges disagree as 
 to the amount of collective feather striping there should be in 
 the saddle. In my opinion about one-half or at most two-thirds 
 of feathers is sufficient. 
 
 Wing 
 
 "Primaries should be black, with white edging on lower edge 
 of lower web and secondaries should have much wider white 
 
338 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Stripe in lower portion of lower web, producing clean white 
 surface color when wing is folded. 
 
 General Color Markings 
 
 "The standard Columbian Rock cc^lor markings harmonize 
 with each other. It seldom occurs that a bird is light in one 
 section and dark in another. A very dark liird generally runs 
 very dark in all sections including undercolor. My experience 
 has been that it is a serious mistake to mate a very dark male 
 bird to a very light colored female. By very dark males, I refer 
 to birds having slate or black surface color in fluff and a super- 
 fluous outcropping of black in surface of breast just below and 
 adjoining front of hackle. Such a mating wid produce any- 
 thing but a uniform lot of birds and due to the well known 
 fact that the male bird has a predominating influence in color 
 of offspring the result will be a very large percentage of smutty 
 or smoky colored birds, which to my mind is the most dis- 
 tasteful as well as discouraging experience a beginner can have. 
 On the other hand birds too light in color, although more pleas- 
 ing to the eye, also have a number of defects such as poor wing 
 color and undercolor, which today are carefully considered by 
 the judge. The standard calls for "bluish-slate" undercolor for 
 all parts of body except breast, where "bluish-white" is called 
 for. Good undercolor invariably accompanies not only good 
 surface color but good wing color, and when both male and 
 female (as well as generations before them) possess these charac- 
 teristics, there is little chance of offspring breeding lighter in 
 color. My experience has been it is not necessary that the birds 
 in the breeding pens should have stronger color markings than 
 that which it is desired to produce in the offspring. This idea 
 originated with the old-time Light Brahma breeders, who, 
 although they accomplished wonders, and to whom we are 
 indebted for many good points in Columbian Rocks, paid little 
 attention to saddle striping, and still less to undercolor such as 
 is required by the latest Plyniouth Rock Standard Breed Book. 
 These features were carefully considered by the 1915 Revision 
 Committee of the American Poultry Association, which required 
 that stronger undercolor should prevail in certain sections while 
 still demanding a surface of clear white in these sections. I 
 believe in the principle. 'Breed as you exhibit and exhibit as 
 you breed.' Both brassiness and gray in sickle feathers can be 
 overcome by using stronger undercolored birds as breeders." 
 
PIAMOTTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 330 
 
 PLATE 118 
 
 \\l.\.\i.\(. COLUMBIAN PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
340 AMERICAN FOfLTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 BLUE PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 Disqualifications. 
 
 Shanks other than yellow. (See general and Plymouth Rock 
 lisqualifications.) 
 
 COLOR OF MALE. 
 
 Head. — Plumage, slaty blue. 
 
 Beak. — Yellow, shading to horn. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes.- Bright red. 
 
 Neck. — Very dark, lustrous blue. 
 
 Wings. — Bows, very dark, lustrous blue ; coverts, a clear, 
 even shade of slaty blue, with a well-defined lacing of darker 
 blue ; primaries, a clear, even, medium shade of slaty blue ; 
 secondaries, inner web, a clear, even shade of slaty blue, outer 
 web, slaty blue ; each feather having- a clear, well-defined lacing 
 of darker blue. 
 
 Back.— Very dark, lustrous blue. 
 
 Tail. — Sickles, very dark, lustrous blue ; tail-coverts, lustrous 
 blue ; main tail feathers, a clear, even slaty blue, each feather 
 having a well-defined lacing of darker blue. 
 
 Breast. — A clear, even, medium shade of slaty blue, each 
 feather having a clear and well-defined lacing of a darker blue. 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Body, a clear, even, medium shade of slaty 
 blue, each feather having a well-defined lacing of darker blue ; 
 fluff, slaty blue. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 'Ml 
 
 Legs and Toes. — Thighs, a clear, even shade of slaty l)lue. 
 each feather having a well-defined lacing of darker blue ; shanks 
 and toes, yellow. 
 
 Under color of all sections. — Slaty blue. 
 
 COLOR OF FEMALE. 
 
 Head. — Plumage, slaty blue. 
 
 Beak. — Yellow, shading to horn. 
 
 Eyes. — Reddish-bay. 
 
 Comb, Face, Wattles and Ear-Lobes. — Bright red. 
 
 Neck. — Slaty blue, laced with darker blue. 
 
 Wings. — Primaries, a clear, even, medium shade of slaty 
 blue ; remainder of wing an even shade of slaty blue, darker 
 than that of primaries ; feathers in all sections, except primaries, 
 having a clear, well-defined lacing of darker blue. 
 
 Back. — Slaty blue, each feather having a clear, well-defined 
 lacing of darker blue. 
 
 Tail. — Slaty blue, laced with a darker blue. 
 
 Breast. — Slaty blue, each feather having a clear, well-defined 
 lacing of darker blue. 
 
 Body and Fluff. — Body, slaty blue, each feather having a 
 clear, well-defined lacing of darker blue ; fluff, slaty blue. 
 
 Legs and Toes. — Thighs, slaty blue, each feather having a 
 clear, well-defined lacing of darker blue ; shanks and toes, yellow. 
 
 Under color of all sections. — Slatv blue. 
 
PART FOUR 
 
 PLYMOUTH ROCKS FOR AND IN THE 
 SHOW ROOM 
 
 SECTION I.— AN EXPLANATION OF THE JUDGE'S 
 PART IN THE SHOW ROOM 
 
 Chapter I. THE SCALE OF POINTS. 
 
 Chapter II. JUDGING PLYMOUTH ROCKS. 
 
 SECTION II.— THE EXHIBITOR'S PART. 
 
 Chapter I. THE EXAMINATION OF CANDI- 
 DATES FOR SHOW HONORS. 
 
 Chapter II. CONDITIONING FOWLS FOR THE 
 SHOW. 
 
 Chapter III. SHIPPING TO THE SHOW. 
 
 Chapter IV. CARE IN THE SHOW ROOM. 
 
 Chapter V. RETURNING FROM THE SHOW. 
 
 Chapter VI. CARE OF BIRDS AFTER SHOW. 
 
 342 
 
SECTION I . 
 
 EXPLANATION OF THE JUDGE'S PART 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 STANDARD SCALE OF POINTS 
 
 THOROUGHBRED races of horses, cattle, sheep and 
 swine, as well as domesticated breeds of dogs, are measured 
 in value by a fixed scale of points formulated for each 
 breed and, with poultry, applicable to each breed even to every 
 variety. 
 
 The American Standard of Perfection describes the ideal 
 specimen in shape and color and this description is the guide for 
 the breeder, exhibitor and judge. It is the supreme law which 
 controls all judges of Standard-bred poultry in making- their 
 decisions between contesting specimens in the show room or the 
 breeders' yards. 
 
 All breeds of poultry must be bred to the standards formu- 
 lated by the American Poultry Association and published in the 
 American Standard of Perfection, for without such Standards 
 advancement in the art of breeding poultry would have been 
 impossible. 
 
 First Poultry Standard Published in 1865. — The history of 
 standard-making in the poultry world would make a long chap- 
 ter, for it dates as far back as 1865, when the first "Standard of 
 Excellence" was compiled in England. The late Lewis Wright. 
 one of the most thorough students of the poultry problems, as 
 well as the most successful writer on poultry topics in Great 
 Britain, in his authoritative "Book of Poultry," comments on 
 the first Standard as follows : 
 
 "About 1865 a poultry club was formed in England, but it did 
 not secure many adherents and was speedily wrecked by the 
 personal animosity which developed between two or three of its 
 members. But it issued a description of the recognized breeds, 
 with numerical values for the points, under the title of "Standard 
 of Excellence," which was a landmark in the judging of poul- 
 try. In spite of many faults, it embodied the principle that fowls 
 
 .343 
 
344 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 ought to be bred to definite points and judged by them, and that 
 the points could be and ought to be defined. This was a great 
 idea and a great service, though the first club's existence was 
 brief and its Standard very crude. The scale of points only 
 added up to a total of fifteen, through all the breeds, 
 which quite shut out the modern system of "cutting" a portion 
 off for defects ; and in the descriptions themselves there were 
 several errors — such as attributing red eyes to Malays — which, 
 however, could scarcely be avoided at that early period. The 
 existing judges ostentatiously declined to be bound by this 
 Standard, which had, in fact, no authority ; yet, nevertheless, 
 its definitions or descriptions undoubtedly had great influence in 
 bringing about greater uniformity of type and more general 
 acceptance of a real type in many breeds." 
 
 A. M. Halstead, Rye, New York, issued a reprint of this 
 English Standard in 1867, but it did not prove satisfactory to 
 American poultry breeders. A year before the above made its 
 appearance, I. K. Felch, Natick, Massachusetts, devised a Stand- 
 ard and Score Card, with a scale of points, for Light Brahmas, 
 that proved to be the forerunner of an American Standard of 
 Excellence. Mr. Felch claims that his score card was the first 
 to be used in America. 
 
 The Lockwood Standard, adopted in New York City in 1871, 
 was the result of the embryonic scale of points on Mr. Felch's 
 first score card, embodying his valuation for shape and color, 
 but the Felch scale was raised to 100 points and, instead of four 
 sections, eleven were allotted to each breed. The bulk of this 
 Lockwood Standard was made up from the English Standard, 
 however. A. M. Halstead, in the fall of 1871, also published an 
 American Standard of Excellence, but neither of these Standards 
 proved satisfactory. 
 
 It was not until the American Poultry Association was organ- 
 ized, February 15, 1873, at Buffalo, New York, that the work of 
 compiling a Standard of Excellence which would meet with the 
 approval of American breeders of pure-bred poultry was begun. 
 
 At a meeting of the reorganized American Poultry Associa- 
 tion held at Buffalo, New York, January 15, 1874, the first Amer- 
 ican Standard of Excellence was adopted. This standard con- 
 sisted of 102 pages. At the third annual meeting of the Ameri- 
 can Poultry Association, held at Buffalo, New York, January 21, 
 1875, a larger and more complete Standard was adopted, con- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 345 
 
 taining descriptions of seventy-nine varieties of fowls, and con- 
 sisting of 243 pages. Revisions of this Standard of Excellence 
 were made at Chicago, 1876; Buffalo, 1877, and Portland. Maine, 
 1878. The 1878 edition remained unchanged for many years, as 
 did the Scale of Points. Further revisions of more or less im- 
 portance were made at Indianapolis, 1888; Buffalo. 1889. and 
 Chicago, 1893, but the most thorough revision of the Standard 
 occurred at Fishers Island, New York, in 1897, when many 
 important changes were made, among them being the separation 
 of the shape and color descriptions to the breed it belonged to. 
 "Typical Carriage" was substituted for "Symmetry" in the Scale 
 of Points. This Standard was adopted at the twenty-second 
 annual meeting of the American Poultry Association, held at 
 Boston, Massachusetts, January, 1898. Additions to this Stand- 
 ard were made at Chicago, 1901 ; Charleston, South Carolina, and 
 Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1902. But the above revisions, as well 
 as all subsequent ones, did not affect the Scale of Points. 
 
 FIRST SCALE OF POINTS 
 
 The first Scale of Points printed were those in the Halstead 
 Standard in 1867. They were called "Points in Brahmas." 
 "Cochins." "Dorkings" and other breeds in vogue at that time. 
 As no Plymouth Rocks or Wyandottes were recognized by the 
 Standard at that time, we reproduce below the Scale of Points 
 given for "Light Brahmas" : 
 
 Points in Brahmas 
 
 Size 3 
 
 Color 4 
 
 Head and Comb 1 
 
 Wings, Primaries well tucked under Secondaries 1 
 
 Legs and Feathering, ditto 1 
 
 Fluff 1 
 
 Symmetry 2 
 
 Condition 2 
 
 15 
 
346 AMERICAX POULTRY ASSOflATIOX 
 
 For White Leghorns the Halstead Scale of Points ran as 
 follows : 
 
 Points in White Leghorns, Single and Rose Combed 
 
 Comb 2 
 
 Face and Ear-Lobe 3 
 
 Purity of Plumag-e 3 
 
 Size 3 
 
 Symmetry 2 
 
 Condition ; 2 
 
 It is significant to note that breeders of Brahmas fifty years 
 ago placed the paramount value in their Scale of Points on size 
 and color, while the Leghorn fanciers of that time went even 
 further in making color, face and lobes, and size of the greatest 
 valuation in their Scale of Points, symmetry and condition play- 
 ing minor roles in the scale. 
 
 The above early, albeit crude, measures of value given to the 
 various breeds by breeders of a half century ago indicate quite 
 clearly, however, that their idea of valuation of points in the 
 respective breeds was founded on what they deemed the salient 
 features, and it seeins to us that the foundation was a good one. 
 
 First Scale of Points in the American Class. — In the Amer- 
 ican Standard of Excellence, as revised by the United Poultry 
 Fanciers of America, convened under the auspices of the Amer- 
 ican Poultry Association, at their convention held in Buffalo, 
 New York, January 15, 1874, the first standard description of 
 Barred Plymouth Rocks is printed, with the following Scale of 
 Points : 
 
 S\mmetrv :. 20 
 
 Size ' 20 
 
 Color of Plumage 25 
 
 Head 5 
 
 Comb 10 
 
 Tail 5 
 
 Leg 5 
 
 Condition 10 
 
 100 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 347 
 
 Size played an important role in the early days of the stand- 
 ard-bred fowl industry, judging by the instructions to judges 
 found in the 1874 Standard, as the following extracts will prove: 
 
 "In figuring size or weight, the fowls which shall be compara- 
 tively small in proportion to a weight that indicates excessive 
 fat shall be estimated in the same ratio as those which present 
 large size and are deficient in weight compared to size." 
 
 "Judges must in all cases make a pro rata reduction for any 
 fractional part of a pound that a specimen falls short of the 
 largest or Standard bird." 
 
 In the Asiatic class, the specimen largest in size and weight 
 was deemed the perfect specimen and allowed full number of 
 points in size and weight, provided always that the cocks did not 
 weigh less than eleven pounds, cockerels less than ten pounds, 
 liens less than ten pounds, and pullets less than eight pounds, 
 under the 1874 Scale of Points. As an illustration : 
 
 "When the largest cock specimen in size and weight weighs 
 thirteen pounds or more, the remaining specimens shall be fig- 
 ured comparatively, losing two points for every pound they fall 
 short of the weight of the per Standard specimen. When the 
 largest cock weighs under thirteen pounds, and not less than 
 twelve pounds, then the remaining specimens shall lose four 
 points for every pound they fall short of the weight of said 
 best or Standard specimen." 
 
 The same rule was applied to y\siatic cockerels, hens and 
 pullets, and all judges in other classes were instructed to first 
 establish a corresponding size and weight that shall apply to 
 their class and shall be in keeping with the spirit of the fore- 
 going : 
 
 MODERN SCALE OF POINTS FOR PLYMOUTH ROCKS 
 
 (An Adaptation From Mr. Drevenstedt's Article on Wyandottes) 
 
 But what Plymouth Rock breeders are interested in today is 
 the valuation placed on their breed by the American Standard 
 of Perfection. In 1888 the Scale of Points for the three varieties 
 of Plymouth Rocks then recognized — Barred, Pea-Comb and 
 White — allotted to the different sections relative valuation as 
 indicated : 
 
348 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Symmetry 8 
 
 Weight 6 
 
 Condition 6 
 
 Head — Shape 3, Color 3 6 
 
 Comb 8 
 
 Wattles and Ear-Lobes.... 6 
 
 Neck — Shape 4, Color 6. 10 
 
 Back — Shape 4, Color 4.... 8 
 
 Breast — Shape 5, Color 5. 10 
 
 Body and Fluff — Shape 5. Color 3 8 
 
 Wings — Shape 4, Color 4. 8 
 
 Tail — Shape 4, Color 4 8 
 
 Legs and Toes 8 
 
 100 
 
 This scale of points applied to all varieties in the American 
 class. Plymouth Rock breeders of today will note that the 
 valuations given placed too low a value on color of plumage, 
 only 26 points being designated to this important feature. But 
 the Scale of Points in the 1898 Standard was practically the 
 same, with the exception that "Typical Carriage" supplemented 
 "Symmetry." In the Scale of Points of the 1910 Standard we 
 find some important changes. Twenty-eight points are allotted 
 to color of plumage and the shape of the important body sections 
 gains three points. Weight counts less and failure to approach 
 Standard weight is more severely penalzied. By the allotment it 
 will be seen that more credit for merit was accorded to the sec- 
 tions which were in most varieties the most difficult to breed. 
 Plymouth Rocks were now recognized in six different colors and 
 color patterns, or six varieties, three of which were compara- 
 tively new. The color patterns of two of these were admittedly 
 difticult to i)roduce, especially at that stage of development. 
 
 1910 Scale of Points. 
 
 Symmetry 4 
 
 Weight 4 
 
 Condition 4 
 
 Comb 8 
 
 Head — Shape 2, Color 2 4 
 
 Beak— Shape 2, Color 2 4 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 349 
 
 Eyes — Shape 2, Color 2 4 
 
 Wattles and Ear-Lobes — Shape 2, Color 3 5 
 
 Neck— Shape 3, Color 5 8 
 
 Wings — Shape 4, Color 5 9 
 
 Back — Shape 6, Color 5 11 
 
 Tail — Shape 5, Color 5 10 
 
 Breast — Shape 6, Color 5 11 
 
 Body and Fluff — Shape 5, Color 3 8 
 
 Legs and Toes — Shape 3, Color 3 6 
 
 100 
 INSTRUCTIONS TO JUDGES. 
 
 Under the above heading, on page 35 of the American 
 Standard of Perfection, the following paragraph instructs 
 judges, as well as breeders and exhibitors, how to apply the 
 "Scale of Points" : 
 
 "Merit : The merit of specimens shall be determined by a 
 careful examination of all sections in the "Scale of Points," 
 beginning with symmetry and continuing through the list, de- 
 ducting from the full value of each section of a perfect bird 
 for such defects as are found in the specimen. Judges must 
 familiarize themselves with the scale of points of each breed 
 they are to pass upon, to intelligently award prizes. And it 
 must be understood that no more and no less value can be 
 placed on any section than is provided for in the "Scale of 
 Points." And it shall be further understood that this system 
 must be applied whether judged by score card or comparison. 
 The minimum cut for any section shall be one-fourth of one 
 point." 
 
 On page 41, under "Cutting for Defects," the Standard 
 reads : 
 
 "These cuts should not be confused with nor take prece- 
 dence over the valuation given each section in the Scale of Points 
 of all varieties." 
 
 Owing to the fact that all of the largest shows are judged 
 by comparison today, the above paragraph is of greater im- 
 portance than the succeeding ones, giving cuts to be made in 
 the various sections. In other words, the "Scale of Points" is 
 the true measure of value which the judge must apply when 
 selecting the winners in the Plymouth Rock classes in the show- 
 room or in the breeders' yards. In all sections, except weight 
 and condition, the relative value of shape and color are clearly 
 
350 AMERICAN POULTRY At^SOCIATION 
 
 defined and, if adhered to, will determine tlie ratings of the 
 competing specimens correctly as a rule. But the size or weight 
 and condition of an exhibition specimen often decide its stand- 
 ing among the winners in the show-room, and great care must 
 be exercised by the judge when handling birds that appear large 
 and look in the pink of condition. 
 
 Size is a relative term, so when two specimens are com- 
 pared the one that apparently looks the larger will often win, 
 other points being equal. But, applying the weight clause is 
 the safest rule in all such decisions. 
 
 It is also well to bear in mind that a Plymouth Rock when 
 over standard weight, though larger in size, may be coarser in 
 type. Size and overweight has a tendency to destroy the type 
 by making the specimen coarser. In defining Standard size. 
 l)age 39 of the present Standard of Perfection reads : 
 
 "In delermining size, the judge shall decide by comparing 
 tlie specimens in competition, with due regard to weight in all 
 l^reeds and varieties, where weight is required by the Stand- 
 ard. When a bird fails to attain, or in case it exceeds, the 
 size proportionate with the type or shape, it must be discounted 
 quite severely." 
 
 Symmetry is valued at four points in the Scale, so a bird 
 approximately closely the Standard ideal can be rated 100 
 per cent or the full four points of value in the Scale of Points, 
 which will make the ratings of less typical specimens a mat- 
 ter of comparative percentages. But in comparison judging 
 today, as in the past, symmetry is rarely, if ever, computed 
 by a Scale of Points. Where one specimen which is almost 
 identical with another in typical shape or symmetry, has one 
 minor shape defect only, as for instance, a head too narrow, 
 or a comb too large for a Plymouth Rock, that defect should 
 be discounted under head points, as are all minor or serious 
 faults in the different sections, and the cuts to be made when 
 the score card is applied should comply with the rules given 
 in the Standard of Perfection under "Cutting for Defect." 
 
 Condition, like symmetry, is valued at four points, and is 
 equally difficult of application when measured by the "Scale 
 of Point" valuation, as no definite rule to determine the rela- 
 tive value of condition in competing specimens can be laid down, 
 for it is a duty of the judge to determine this matter. 
 
 The Standard defines Condition as follows : "The state of 
 a fowl as regards health, cleanliness and order of plumage." 
 Frosted combs, broken feathers and scaly legs are discounted 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 351 
 
 in their respective sections, and handicap seriously the speci- 
 men that may be in good heahh and feather otherwise ; rough 
 and soiled plumage, if caused by poor washing and handling, 
 handicaps an otherwise fine specimen severely, but if the plumage 
 of a well-conditioned bird becomes soiled in the show pen, due 
 allowance must be made by the judge. 
 
 The relative values of color and shape in the neck, back, 
 wing and breast sections, given in the 1915 Standard, are more 
 just and equitable than those in the older Standards, as color 
 in parti-colored Plymouth Rocks is of paramount importance, 
 especially in Silver Penciled and Partridge, varieties that have 
 run less true to shape requirements than the Barred and White, 
 due to the extreme difficulties experienced by breeders in per- 
 fecting the penciled feather pattern demanded by the Standard. . 
 To a certain extent, shape had to be sacrified in order to obtain 
 the desired Standard color markings. It is, therefore, neces- 
 sary to place as high a valuation on these color sections as 
 possible in order to protect the male or female specimens which 
 show superior color markings, but that fail somewhat in the 
 shape of different sections. (J. H. D.) 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 JUDGING AMERICAN BREEDS — PLYMOUTH ROCKS. 
 
 The philosophy of judging Standard breeds of poultry is 
 the same as that which must apply for all other animate or 
 inanimate exhibits found in nature or produced by the art and 
 skill of man, for it is based on the knowledge which governs 
 the valuation of all such matter examined, or specimens ex- 
 hibited. In other words, the Standard-bred specimen in the 
 yard of the breeder, or in the show pen of the exhibitor, is 
 the matter to be considered by the mind of the judge. And 
 the mind of the poultry judge is governed by the American 
 Standard of Perfection, which is the only safe guide for the 
 breeder, exhibitor and judge in selecting breeding or exhibition 
 specimens. This Standard is the law which every judge must 
 obey. 
 
 The fads of breeders and exhibitors must be ignored by 
 the judge, for no conscientious adjudicator of live stock is or 
 ever will be a faddist. Fads of any description are short-lived. 
 
352 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Furthermore, there are the dangers of the advanced types in 
 certain popular breeds or varieties to carefully guard against. 
 They may seem to be in advance of the present Standard for 
 the special variety in some one section of color marking which 
 has been produced by skillful and progressive breeding, and 
 beautiful as such may look to the producer and other admirers 
 of this particular variety, they cannot be justly considered by 
 an American Poultry Association judge until they have been 
 recognized, authorized and printed in the edition of the x\mer- 
 ican Standard of Perfection that is in force at the time of 
 judging. 
 
 To recognize any one particular so-called advanced section 
 is to become a slave to a single idea, for the poultry judge 
 with a fad is usually the one who ignores the Standard by plac- 
 ing too much valuation on some particular section in one speci- 
 men and overlooking the general all-around excellencies of the 
 competing specimens. 
 
 With some judges of Barred Plymouth Rocks, under- 
 barring is a dangerous fad, one that is shared by breeders not 
 infrequently. A Barred Plymouth Rock, beautiful in surface 
 color, will often be passed because the undercolor is not barred 
 strongly and deeply down to the skin, notwithstanding the fact 
 that deficient underbarring and lighter, less sharp'ly defined 
 barring in the undercolor is discounted from one-half point to 
 one and one-half points only. 
 
 Exhibitors or judges who cultivate this special fondness for 
 superior development in any one section of a breed or variety 
 will sooner or later realize their mistake ; for it is the exhibitor 
 and judge that stick to the Standard, obey its laws and require- 
 ments, who will win out in the short or long run always. 
 
 The Standard Is the Judge's Guide. — The American Stand- 
 ard of Perfection describes the shape and color sections in each 
 variety of all recognized breeds of poultry, gives the general 
 and specific disqualifications for which exhibition specimens 
 are to be disqualified by the judges, defines under "Instruc- 
 tions to Judges" the most important laws which govern the 
 selection of prize winners, while under "Cutting for Defects" 
 and "In Applying the Comparison System," rules are laid 
 down for the judge's guidance when examining and adjudi- 
 cating all specimens in whatever classes they may be as- 
 signed to. 
 
 The foundation of American poultry culture rests upon the 
 American Standard of Perfection and every poultry judge 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 353 
 
 should bear this in mind. The Standard is supreme law, first, 
 last and all the time. The breeder, exhibitor or judge who 
 fails to recognize it as such destroys whatever chances he may 
 have to make good. 
 
 Judging by the Standard. — The American Standard of Per- 
 fection being the law, as well as the guide, for the poultry 
 judge, he must be thoroughly posted on its requirements be- 
 fore attempting to adjudicate in any classes at a poultry exhi- 
 bition. A thorough study of the rules which govern judging 
 is of the greatest importance, as more protests against awards 
 are based on the failure to observe these rules than on errors of 
 judgment. Never overlook a disqualificaiton of any kind, no 
 matter how trivial it may be, or how much the mind rebels 
 against throwing out a surpassingly fine bird. The judge sim- 
 ply has to do it or invite protest. The Standard may seem 
 wrong to him, but that should make no difference, as all the 
 specimens entered in his classes have, or should have, been 
 selected by the exhibitors according to the same Standard. 
 The judge has no right to disregard any of its rules if he de- 
 sires to remain in good standing in his profession. 
 
 Another important point, however, and one that must never 
 be overlooked is : The Standard permits the judge to give 
 the benefit of any doubt he may have in his mind to the bird. 
 A superior specimen, the best in its class, may have some 
 defect so near to the disqualifying limit that an over-zealous 
 judge will exercise arbitrary powers and disqualify the bird. 
 This is placing a radical or literal construction on the laws 
 laid down by the Standard certainly not intended by its fram- 
 ers. A judge must exercise his common sense in interpreting 
 all such laws. To throw out the gem in any class because a 
 pinhead spot of black or red appears in a white feather is both 
 suicidal to the breed or variety and the judge. 
 
 Lastly, a judge should follow Davy Crockett's advice — 
 "Be sure you're right, then go ahead" — when judging poultry 
 at exhibitions. Under any circumstances he must make his 
 decisions without fear or favor and care naught for what 
 exhibitors inay say. A judge is an individual having but one 
 opinion. That one he should adhere to. Others may have 
 different ones, but that need not influence him in the least. 
 It is, however, his duty toward exhibitors that may be pres- 
 ent and who courteously ask him for explanations of his awards 
 to satisfy them. It is well to remember that many exhibitors 
 are as well posted on the merits of the birds entered at the 
 
354 AMEKICAX I'Ol LTRY AHUOCIATIO^' 
 
 shows as the judge himself, and some may know even better 
 the strong points of the best birds. Such exhibitors are not 
 kickers, as a rule, and it benefits a judge to associate with them 
 after the show is over. 
 
 First Impressions Are Best. — First impressions of any 
 specimen are usually the most reliable, and other things being 
 equal will govern final decisions of the thoroughly competent 
 judge, one who is thoroughly "up" on the breeds or varieties 
 he is called to adjudicate and no other should ever be engaged. 
 
 The real judge is one who — plus training and experience — 
 has a natural instinct for discerning the best, which a noted 
 English authority claims is a quality given to but few men 
 and fewer women, adding: "Well do I remember many years 
 ago one such man, though there have been several others, but 
 I mention him because he seldom acted as judge, although one 
 of the best I ever knew. Put before him a dozen birds or 
 animals of any breed, even though he had never seen the like 
 before, and he would assuredly pick the winners, placing them 
 in correct order. He had the instinctive capacity which enabled 
 him to gauge the type and idealize it." 
 
 This bears out the adage: "Judges are born — not made," 
 but which does not imply that training and experience are 
 not required, for without these valuable assets, no man should 
 accept the position of judge of important classes at any exhi- 
 bition of poultry. 
 
 It is the experienced eye of the judge that selects, often 
 at first glance, the bird which stands out among all the rest 
 and this one and the others must be measured by the Standard 
 ideal as it exists in the mind of the judge, provided on closer 
 inspection no serious defects are discovered, which would debar 
 them from winning. We call attention to this because some 
 good breeders, who have attempted to pass judgment on poultry 
 in the show room, have failed to look at the good points of the 
 fowl but have started right off hunting for defects. They wanted 
 all that was bad and overlooked all that was good in the 
 birds. 
 
 As an illustration, we will cite the case of an old and noted 
 breeder who did not think the judge placed his Buff' Leghorn 
 cockerels correctly, contending that the second and third prize 
 birds were better than his first, just because the latter had a 
 tinge of bluish-gray in the undercolor of the back. Yet this 
 cockerel was far superior in surface color and shape to the 
 other two. All the owner could see was one little hidden defect 
 
PLYMOVTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK Hoo 
 
 in color. He forgot all about the other fine qualities of the 
 winning cockerel. He judged not by first impressions, but 
 with a mania for discovering imperfections. 
 
 A poultry judge should be an optimist always, see the good 
 and then discount the bad points of a specimen. He must 
 bear in mind that there are twelve sections for shape and 
 nearly as many for color, besides weight and condition, which 
 must figure in the complete and final examination of every 
 specimen. However, in a well finished and matured specimen, 
 typical shape is readily seen at a glance, in fact a real top- 
 notcher stands out from the rest. Other things being equal, 
 such a bird will win. 
 
 Yet it may so happen that an ideal bird in type and size 
 is handicapped by a bad comb, which, with the faddist judge, 
 may result in its being passed by without further examination 
 or patient consideration of its superior merits in both shape 
 and color. And therein lies the chief danger in awarding 
 prizes at a poultry show, for this one glaring defect obscures 
 the vision of the judge who happens to be a confirmed defect 
 hunter, at the same time being oblivious to the existence of 
 the Standard which describes the entire bird, even to placing a 
 limit upon penalties for defects. 
 
 General Disqualifications. — The American Standard of 
 Perfection, under "General Disqualifications," describes and 
 enumerates the defects which will disqualify the specimens on 
 which they are discovered by the judge. In most instances 
 the descriptions of such disqualifying defects are defined in 
 clear and unmistakable language, but in several others there 
 is considerable room for doubt, requiring intelligent interpreta- 
 tion and generous application by the judge. 
 
 For instance, where it reads : "In varieties where positive 
 white in ear-lobes is a disqualification, judges shall disqualify 
 for unmistakable evidence of an attempt to remove the de- 
 fect." The words "unmistakable evidence" should be carefully 
 weighed before proceeding to disqualify a specimen, as the 
 burden of proof rests with a judge, should an exhibitor demand 
 an explanation in the event of having a specimen disquali- 
 fied for removal of white from the lobes. To be on the safe 
 side, the specimen should be given the benefit of all reasonable 
 doubt. 
 
 But there is another disqualification clause which is even 
 more delicate of adjustment, as it is more difficult of inter- 
 pretation, and that is : "Faking in any manner shall disqualify 
 
356 AMERICAN POULTRY A.S.SOGIATION 
 
 the specimen." This will bring up the perennial query, "What 
 constitutes faking?" 
 
 To define "faking" in terms that will prove satisfactory to 
 all good poultry breeders is a difficult matter ; as the dividing 
 line between real faking, such as bleaching or coloring of the 
 plumage, trimming of combs, pulling feathers from shanks of 
 clean-legged birds, and the methods of preparing birds lor 
 the show room, is a very narrow one, especially when it is 
 considered legitimate to pluck many feathers from a parti- 
 colored specimen in order to bring out the color markings more 
 distinctly and efifectively, or to fluff up the feathers of a 
 Cochin, pull tails of a Cochin bantam a certain length of time 
 prior to a show, and a few other little aids or "tricks of the 
 trade" in fixing up exhibition specimens. It will keep the 
 judge guessing just where to draw the line in most of the 
 instances stated above. 
 
 However, the disqualifying clause that has caused judges 
 more trouble and annoyance than all others in the past reads : 
 "In all breeds required to have unfeathered shanks, any feather, 
 or feathers, stubs or down on shanks, feet or toes ; or unmis- 
 takable indication of feathers, stubs or down having been 
 plucked from same." The difficult part the judge must play 
 is in determining whether feathers have been plucked from 
 the shanks. The defect-finding judge will do the microscopic 
 act in order to discover the hole or incipient stub. The experi- 
 enced judge will obey the Standard admonition at the foot of 
 the rule for "General Disqualifications," which reads : "Under 
 all disqualifying clauses, the specimen shall have the benefit 
 of the doubt." If the naked eye of the judge cannot detect 
 a stub or "unmistakable evidence of feathers having been 
 plucked," no magnifying lenses or pen knives need be resorted 
 to in order to discover a puny stub located somewhere on the 
 otherwise clean shanks of a specimen. Exhibitors are human 
 and will do all in their power to prepare a bird which will 
 pass muster with the average judge, but they will frown on 
 the adjudicator who calls to his aid magnifying glasses or 
 surgery when examining the legs or toes of fowls. 
 
 Size and Condition. — The size and condition of an exhibi- 
 tion specimen often determine its fate in the show room, but 
 great care should be exercised by the judge when handling 
 birds that appear large and look immaculate in their feathered 
 garb. Looks are often delusive, especially in the artificially 
 prepared exhibition specimens such as judges are confronted 
 
PLYMOCTH ROCK STAXDARD A\D BREED BOOK 357 
 
 with in the white-pkimag-ed varieties, and not infrequently in 
 the parti-colored ones. Cochins which appear immense in size 
 in their very loose feathering which has been curled and 
 fluffed up by the skilled hand of the exhibitor, may fall short 
 of the Standard weight, although they look to have both size 
 and weight. 
 
 Size is a relative term, so when two specimens are com- 
 pared, the one that is apparently the larger will win, other 
 points being equal. But the weight clause is the only safe and 
 correct rule to apply in such close decisions. 
 
 It is also well to bear in mind that the specimen over 
 Standard weight, while larger in size, may be coarser in type. 
 As the veteran Light Brahma breeder and judge once remarked 
 to an old judge who awarded a twelve-pound Light Brahma 
 hen a prize over one that fell a trifle under the Standard 
 weight : "When we want meat, we go to market for it where 
 we can buy it for a shilling a pound." Size and overweight do 
 not make Brahmas, and every pound over the Standard weight 
 destroys the type by making the specimen coarser. 
 
 What applies to Light Brahmas will apply with equal force 
 to Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Rhode Lsland Reds and other 
 breeds subject to weight clauses, where it is desirable to main- 
 tain the correct typical form of the brood. 
 
 The size and weight allotted the various breeds in the Ameri- 
 can Standard of Perfection is based on the careful judgment 
 of the poultry breeders of the United States and Canada, so 
 that a strict adherence to the weight clauses, when judging 
 standard-bred varieties, is compulsory. 
 
 Relative Value of Condition. — Condition is given but four 
 points in the "Scale of Points," for nearly all breeds, the 
 exceptions being Sumatras, Games and Malays, which have 
 ten, six and eight points allotted to them. As the last three 
 mentioned breeds possess special characteristics in plumage, 
 condition is a most important factor when specimens of these 
 fanciers' breeds are exhibited in the show room. 
 
 But in the American classes four points are sufficient, as few 
 breeders and exhibitors will send poorly feathered or ill- 
 conditioned specimens to a winter show. However, at a summer 
 or fall show, due allowance must be made for the condition 
 of adult specimens, as few if any are through their natural 
 molt, consequently will not "shape up" like a finished speci- 
 men, one that has molted in a completely new garb of feathers. 
 Nevertheless, shape can be approximately gauged by care- 
 
858 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 ful inspection of the body, the breadth and length of the 
 back and breast sections, as a rule, furnishing a good indi- 
 cation of what the bird will develop into when in full plumage. 
 It is well to bear in mind that an adult specimen exhibited at 
 an early show, albeit in full plumage and exhibited in excellent 
 condition, may be greatly inferior in color markings to one 
 heavy in molt. 
 
 Typical Shape and Color.— "Shape makes the breed, and 
 color the variety." is an old accepted belief among poultry 
 breeders which obviously makes types or shape all important 
 in a breed, and no judge can afford to sacrifice shape for 
 color alone. American poultry judges in most instances have 
 accepted and followed this belief, but in England the type 
 has not received the consideration at the hands of English 
 judges the Standard demands, a fact which has led progress- 
 ive poultry edi/tors and breeders to issue warnings in the poultry 
 press, demanding that greater value be placed on type and lesser 
 consideration be given to color. 
 
 The American Standard of Perfection in the Scale of 
 Points for the American classes, allows nearly an equal num- 
 ber of points for color and for shape, aside from comb, which 
 places each on an equal footing, consequently both must receive 
 the same consideration when specimens are judged at a poultry 
 show. But great care must be taken in balancing defects, 
 especially in varieties where color markings may be so strik- 
 ingly beautiful that the judge must accord to such their full 
 value always, no matter what the defects in shape may be. 
 To pass by a magnificently Penciled or Barred Plymouth Rock, 
 simply because it may have a short back or lean neck, is not 
 consistent with careful and sound judgment. 
 
 The Standard demands that such consideration be given 
 to both shape and color, and what applies to Silver Penciled 
 Rocks, for instance, whether English or American bred, will 
 apply to all other varieties in the American, English, Mediter- 
 ranean, French or other Standard classes. The Standard rule 
 in applying the comparison system when judging typical shape, 
 reads : 'Tn awarding prizes by comparison, judges must con- 
 sider carefully each and every section of the specimen and not 
 allow color alone to influence their decision. The vital im- 
 portance of typical shape is to be borne constantly in mind, 
 at the same time giving due consideration to color in all sec- 
 tions, including under-color." 
 
I'LYMOLTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 359 
 
 And in judging size, the rule to be followed is : "In de- 
 termining size, the judge shall decide by comparing the 
 specimens in competition, with due regard to weight in all 
 breeds and varieties where weight is required by the Standard. 
 When a bird fails to attain, or in case it exceeds the size pro- 
 portionate with type or shape, it must be discounted quite 
 severely." 
 
 If poultry judges will obey and carry out these two rules 
 when adjudicating their classes at poultry exhibitions, satis- 
 factory judging will be the rule. For a thorough knowledge 
 of the Standard requirements of all breeds and their varieties 
 and of the rules governing the awarding of prizes to same, 
 poultry judges (especially the younger ones) should make it 
 a point to visit the larger winter shows for the purpose of 
 studying the winning specimens in the different classes ; a 
 surpassingly beautiful bird in shape and color will make a 
 lasting impression on the minds of close observers, and a poultry 
 judge should be the closest observer of all. (J. H. D.) 
 
SECTION II. 
 
 THE EXHIBITOR'S PART 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR SHOW 
 HONORS. 
 
 CHAPTERS upon this topic are generally written under 
 the title of "Selecting- for the Show Room," but selection 
 is always accomplished by examination ; in reality it is 
 the result of several examinations from different angles, the 
 candidate for show honors passing successfully through at 
 least four successive examinations before it is finally crated 
 and shipped to the show room, where it is to undergo final 
 examination at the hands of the official arbiter, whose decision, 
 should it be final as it usually is, will determine whether this 
 particular specimen was worth while, or whether it was a 
 "misfit" in that particular select company, and whether your 
 energy was well directed or misspent. Chances of misdirected 
 effort or of selecting to little purpose increase with com- 
 petition, but so do also the benefits you derive from winning 
 in such competition and in such proportion as the competition 
 is keen. Your interests demand that misdirected effort in all 
 directions be as far as possible eliminated. That l)asic law 
 of success is just as applicable when selecting for the show 
 room as at any other time and in any other place. To select 
 wisely and well, your best candidate means much to you and 
 something to the poultry-loving public. To you it means the 
 saving of labor, expense and perhaps chagrin. To the public. 
 the elimination of poor and mediocre specimens means a better 
 impression and increased interest, attitudes worth cultivating. 
 
 The Processes of Selection. — The process of selection of 
 show birds as it is practiced by the experienced exhibitor, if 
 analyzed, consists of four steps : the candidates are quite loosely 
 selected, then examined closely, and carefully and critically 
 compared one with another, after which the selection by casual 
 observation is confirmed or rejected. 
 
 360 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 361 
 
 The First Step. — Selection is dependent upon examination, 
 casual at first and superficial, necessarily, as it is the superficial 
 attractiveness of a bird that must first catch the eye. An ex- 
 ceptionally good comb, stylish carriage, symmetrical form, 
 strikingly handsome markings, or brilliant colors, are super- 
 ficial qualities that please and win the specimen possessing them, 
 almost instantly, a first consideration. 
 
 "Catchy Quality." — This "catchy quality" should figure 
 largely in the selection of show specimens when not accom- 
 panied by too serious faults as it means beauty, and beauty 
 coupled with utility is the keynote of the Standard. 
 
 To explain the phrase "catchy qualities" would be difficult, 
 though to define it would be easy. It simply means beauty or 
 attractiveness. To state exactly of what it consists is prac- 
 tically impossible. However, it is a quality recognized by both 
 the professional and the amateur and must always be reckoned 
 with. Many birds with the catchy quality lack in certain 
 ((ualities and they become what is known as "fillers." 
 
 "Fillers." — -Fillers are used, however, in the keenest com- 
 petition and one expects to take chances with a few of good 
 quality if they have characteristics to which the judge is known 
 to be partial. Fillers are, in general, birds of three classes, 
 first : birds of no more than average merit but one phenome- 
 nally good section, or quality, which, if it is located in some 
 prominent section, makes the specimen very attractive ; sec- 
 ond : often, however, a specimen having such phenomenal 
 qualities in one or perhaps more sections is correspondingly 
 poor in possibly an equal number, yet it is possible that the 
 judge and even popular opinion will be overawed by the excel- 
 lence of the section of phenomenal merit, while the faulty 
 sections will be overlooked ; third : the class of birds that are 
 known as good all around specimens, though they have no 
 serious defects, they are very fair in all particulars and meet 
 technical requirements very well, but they lack attractiveness. 
 While the analysis is satisfactory, the catchy qualities are decid- 
 edly lacking. Without these, it is seldom that a bird is returned 
 a winner in close competition. 
 
 The Second Step. — Close Examination. — A winning speci- 
 men needs more than the power to attract admiration. It needs 
 also the power to retain it after examination, which with one 
 who has accepted certain standards of beauty means that the 
 specimen must meet the requirements of such a standard as 
 the person who conducts such an examination has adopted. 
 
362 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 The first step, the selection of candidates by casual observa- 
 tion, usually at a distance, is followed by an examination which 
 should involve the closest and most critical scrutiny, section 
 by section, as to their conformity with the requirements of the 
 Standard of Perfection. 
 
 Mental processes, even with the best trained minds, are 
 too restricted to attempt to accomplish this as a whole or in 
 one operation. The specimen must be examined carefully, 
 section by section, for both color and shape, beginning with 
 symmetry and ending with legs and toes, forgetting none. 
 Both the merits and defects of each must be accurately weighed, 
 the defects because they count against the specimen, the merits 
 because upon these depend its position in the awards. The 
 examiner must expect to find both merits and defects. These 
 are two qualities that all birds possess. None are perfect. 
 and no well-bred specimen is entirely devoid of merit. Unusual 
 merit in one or more sections will offset defects in others. 
 Good color will offset good shape, and vice versa. In some 
 varieties good undercolor offsets to a certain extent defective 
 surface color, while in other varieties undercolor may be so 
 universally good that but little attention is paid to it in esti- 
 mating comparative merits of two or more exhibition speci- 
 mens. In still other instances, undercolor is almost wholly 
 a breeder's point, not considered very seriously in the esti- 
 mation of show merit. The actual consideration of the different 
 phases of each section of each variety obviously cannot be 
 treated in this chapter, as such consideration forms a large part 
 of the entire treatise. 
 
 But it is in place, however, to call particular attention to 
 the chapters on common defects of plumage and the accom- 
 panying illustrations, which should be studied minutely after 
 a good mental digest of the standard requirements of the par- 
 ticular variety in question. Many other chapters in this work 
 would assist the exhibitor in selecting the strongest candi- 
 date for show honors, as there is much correlation between 
 breeding and exhibiting, and the understanding of the origin 
 and development of a breed or variety increases the capacity of 
 an individual to comprehend the trend of public opinion, which 
 as well as the Standard has its influence on the judge's con- 
 ception of what an ideal fowl of any variety should be, as it 
 has had. heretofore, its influence upon the Standard's printed 
 description of the same thing. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK :^63 
 
 Prime Requisites Overlooked. — There are. moreover, some 
 qualities which must be considered that are usually overlooked 
 as Standard qualities, though they should not be. Health, 
 vigor and a generally attractive appearance are surely most 
 essential considerations in final selection by exhibitors of long 
 experience. It is clearly the intention of the Standard to make 
 these requirements of prime importance. Health is demanded 
 under the section of "condition," with but an allowance of 
 four points, it is true, but even at that it is next to impossible 
 for a bird to win unless it is in perfect health, or we might 
 better say, in good condition, which means more, including 
 both good health and good feather. It is not necessary that a 
 specimen should lose the total allotment of four points to 
 have a cut on condition fatal to his chance of winning. Often 
 a loss of one point or even of one-half a point in this section is 
 fatal. It is generally essential that the bird be perfectly con- 
 ditioned, if it is to be a possible winner, and such a condition 
 is acquired only by perfect health, which is confirmed, per- 
 haps, by the fact that it has already been selected as a candi- 
 date, which should be reafiirmed by closest examination. To 
 win in close competition without this quality would be difficult, 
 but alone it is not enough to win in good competition, though 
 it is sufficient many times to win the admiration of both the 
 novice and the expert ; that of the latter for only a limited 
 period, however, and that period comparative to the degree of 
 his proficiency. 
 
 Comparison of Candidates. — During this process many things 
 must be taken into consideration besides comparing one section 
 with another for shape, for color, or for both. These are : The 
 condition of the bird, the health, development in regard to shape, 
 in regard to plumage, weight, time of show, or length of time 
 available for process of conditioning. 
 
 When the time for the final consideration of the different 
 candidates with these requisites in mind draws near, much 
 depends on whether the show is to be judged by score cards or 
 comparison. For one thing, when the score card system is 
 to be used, weight becomes of much importance. A bird that 
 is a pound underweight loses according to standard rules two 
 points, and the ones which are so handicapped must excel one- 
 half of one point in four sections to get on even terms with 
 one not thus handicapped. This statement gives the reader an 
 idea of the handicap of underweight, yet it is not unusual to 
 see specimens on exhibition more than a pound underweight. 
 
364 AMERfCAN POULTRY ASSOCfATION 
 
 and then the handicap becomes even more serious. Very often 
 birds of naturally very superior plumage are justly defeated 
 by fully matured, up-to-weight specimens. x\s a rule, well- 
 balanced birds, or birds of good even qualities do well in 
 score card exhibitions. High scoring birds are often those 
 whose fundamental qualities are perfect. If a specimen be fully 
 up to weight, in good plumage, in perfect health, and perfect 
 in beak, eyes, and legs, and has a nearly perfect comb, it is a 
 hard bird to score low, even if it has only fair plumage. The 
 foregoing attributes are what we term the fundamental quali- 
 ties, and the previous statement is particularly true, if, in addi- 
 tion, the specimen has good shape. 
 
 When the Comparison System is Used.— At exhibitions 
 governed by the comparison system, first impressions un- 
 doubtedly carry more weight than under the score card sys- 
 tem, which compels minute inspection, not merely invites it. 
 First impressions are, therefore, important and such birds 
 as described near the beginning of this chapter are the ones 
 which catch the eye at first glance and are good selections as 
 a rule. Not only do first impressions count more but if a speci- 
 men under the comparison system fails to "score" with the 
 first impression, that specimen is, then and there, down and 
 out. It must possess some strongly attractive feature, and it 
 must be one that impresses the judge quickly. What that fea- 
 ture must be varies widely and depends somewhat upon the 
 likes and perhaps the dislikes of this or that particular judge. 
 It might be shape or it might be color. It should be without 
 question even all-around quality. Thus it will be seen that a 
 study of judges as well as a study of standard requirements is 
 very often important in the solution of the big problem, "HOW 
 to WIN prizes." Again, the excellence of the markings of 
 one or more sections, possibly the condition or behavior of the 
 specimen in the show coop, the ability to pose, very likely will 
 have considerable weight with the judge that is just a little 
 emphatic about shape requirements. 
 
 It would be well at this stage for the novice to take from 
 the Standard a mental or written list of all possible defects 
 for each section for color and markings. Defects of shape are 
 not so complicated and are, therefore, more quickly seen. For 
 example, if a specimen of the Buff variety was to be examined. 
 a list something like this would assist the novice : Correct 
 shade of color, form, uniform surface color, edging, mealiness, 
 shaftiness, sections too dark, sections too light, undercolor too 
 light, black or white in tail, in wing, etc. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 365 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 CONDITIONING FOWLS FOR EXHIBITION. 
 
 Successful showing consists of two things, having the quaHty 
 and showing it properly. The gardener who raises roses for 
 the market strives to place them on the market when they 
 bring the greatest price. The man who raises broilers for a 
 living times his product for the highest market. It is the 
 exhibitor's business to time his birds for the exhibition just 
 as the gardener and market poultryman time their products to 
 be at their best at the most advantageous season. 
 
 Regulating Development. — The second principle involves 
 the science or art (may we say knack?) of properly rearing a 
 bird and timing it for the exhibition. 
 
 The phrase "Every dog has his day," will never be applied 
 to anything more forcefully than to exhibition poultry ; the 
 bird that was a "Never Beaten" last week is a "Has Been" 
 this, and we see it exemplified time and time again. There 
 comes a time in the life of every young bird when, seemingly, 
 a transformation from the awkward, angular lines and short, 
 scant, rough garb of the chicken to the full, round contour and 
 abundant, sleek, profusely flowing feathered dress of maturity 
 takes place, which, on account of its brevity, appears almost 
 magical. It is well then, to estimate the time, even the mo- 
 ment, which you can from years of experience with your own 
 strain of birds, when your birds will be fully matured in form 
 and fully fledged, as the growing proclivities of two strains 
 are seldom the same. Note mentally the progress and de- 
 velopment of your birds each year. If your memory is in- 
 capable of carrying the relative progress of your birds with 
 reference to age and development, keep accurate notes. They 
 will be both interesting and instructive if kept in connection 
 with a feather album, which is always a valuable asset to any 
 breeder's library. 
 
 Condition, All-Important. — A good exhibition specimen 
 must have, first, a certain degree of excellence in size, shape and 
 plumage. Excellent quality in all of these particulars except 
 size passes unnoticed in poorly conditioned birds. 
 
 We see then that condition is an all-important, overshad- 
 owing essential to a winning bird and without approximate 
 perfection in this particular, specimens even of great quality 
 
30G AMERICAN POULTRY A>^HOVlAT10N 
 
 naturally will seldom win in close competition. With some 
 varieties, the relative places on the award list are but expres- 
 sions of the degree of perfection of condition of the specimens 
 shown. To win, some varieties are more dependent upon con- 
 dition than others. Most prominent of these varieties that de- 
 pend largely upon condition to win are all black and all white 
 varieties, and varieties of the red-black color patterns. Some 
 will object to this statement as too broad and certainly condi- 
 tion with nothing back of it will never win ; but just as cer- 
 tainly will perfect condition cover many defects and enable 
 a bird of average exhibition quality to win over one naturally 
 superior. 
 
 Condition, Examined. — What, then, does condition mean? 
 What does the word embrace? Many things and various 
 things : in some birds, it means the proper fluffy effect or 
 looseness of feather; in others, it may mean the opposite or 
 hardness of feather, and in still others, the American varieties 
 for instance, a mean between these two extremes ; in all varie- 
 ties, the necessary weight, the health and vigor that gives a 
 bright eye, glowing face, slick appearance and gloss of plum- 
 age. The shape that a specimen displays in an exhibition cage 
 depends upon condition, for without good poise no specimen 
 appears to good advantage and poise is in most every instance 
 dependent upon condition. Condition of exhibition specimens 
 consists of perfect health, full developed form and plumage, 
 but not over-development in either, the required smoothness 
 and hardness or looseness of feather, the acquired tempera- 
 ment and docility to assume and maintain perfect poise, or 
 correct carriage without which no specimen can create the im- 
 pression of form. 
 
 In the acquiring of good or perfect condition, two principles 
 become involved and must receive consideration. The first 
 is that — 
 
 Winning Quality Is Hereditary. — Good showing qualities 
 and aptness for good condition are just as surely transmitted 
 from generation to generation as any characteristics of the 
 species. You have often observed, if you are an exhibitor, 
 that some birds condition easily while it is almost impossible 
 to make others acquire the smoothness of feather and the style 
 or poise that gives them the winning quality. Both of these 
 characteristics, sleek plumage and poise, are hereditary in fowls 
 just as much as good combs, strong undercolor or straight 
 barring. A Barred Plymouth male that lacks a certain amount 
 
I'LYMOI'TH ROCK STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 367 
 
 of style should be rejected just as quickly as one that fails in 
 undercolor, and any male that does not possess the attribute 
 of smoothness of feather should not be considered long as 
 a candidate for the head of a breeding yard. So much for 
 condition and heredity. Do not accept the testimony of others, 
 rather make careful observations along these lines if you wish 
 to develop a line of winning specimens. 
 
 Fresh Pltunaged Birds Win. — Young birds that have just 
 attained maturity are fresh and bright in plumage and fresh 
 and bright birds are certainly attractive and for that reason 
 are the ones that usually win. This necessitates rapid growth 
 and that demands free range and skillful, judicious feeding. 
 This is the problem, then, to solve : how are some birds to be 
 pushed forward and some held back, so that the entire string 
 may be shown in uniformly perfect condition ? 
 
 Right here is where the writer will prove disappointing, 
 because he knows no magic that will mature the immature 
 or freshen the fading colors of those that are past prime. 
 
 The Art of Conditioning No Mystery. — There are a few 
 who cling to the idea that there are sublime methods for 
 accomplishing anything. There are a few who believe that 
 winning specimens are made so by occult means. Were we 
 to find some agent which would effect such a marvelous trans- 
 formation in our flocks, we should have accomplished no less 
 than the alchemists of old undertook when they sought to tind 
 the Philosopher's stone, a reagent that would form a i)anacea 
 as well as transmute the baser metals into gold. As well 
 dream the dreams of the old alchemists as to expect to make 
 winning show birds by any except the most thorough processes 
 of nature. 
 
 A prominent breeder asked another at one of the New York 
 shows how he managed to bring such a good conditioned string 
 of cock birds to the show year after year. "Would it be asking 
 too much to tell me?" said he. "Certainly not," replied the 
 other, "we just give them ample range, good food and keep the 
 lice from them." The questioner made it very clear that he 
 did not credit the answer. He was evidently a believer in the 
 occult. But as a fact, aside from selecting for breeding year 
 after year very smooth males, that successful exhibitor did 
 nothing more than he suggested to his questioner, who was 
 and still is one of the largest breeders of his variety. 
 
 The Pleasing Bird Wins. — The question naturally arises. 
 "Why is a winning bird?" The answer would seem to be one 
 
308 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 that most nearly meets the requirements of the Standard of 
 Perfection. But is it? It is not always, even with the most 
 conscientious and the keenest judges. There is in some birds a 
 certain quality that is very hard to describe unless we limit 
 that description to one word and call it the "catchy" quality, 
 or the "pleasing" bird, as it is expressed by the more refined 
 exponents of the craft. 
 
 Under our present mode of comparison judging, and this 
 mode has its advantages as well as its drawbacks, the order 
 seems to be that the catchy or pleasing specimens are picked 
 out and then examined for defects according to the judges' 
 interpretation of the Standard. Under this method the bird 
 in poor condition and the one that has not catchy qualities 
 fare alike, being passed by while the pleasing bird, if he has 
 no glaring faults, has a good chance to win. 
 
 Too Close Cooping. — There are several methods of more 
 or less merit of fitting for the show room. The best is to let 
 the bird fit itself ; the poorest, and that which is more gener- 
 ally used, consists in confining the bird to an exhibition cage 
 two or three feet square and either starving it or stuffing it as 
 the fancy of the owner dictates. In such quarters, this bird 
 has the pleasure of moping around for two or three weeks. It 
 has a clean coop, perhaps, plenty of the best of food and a 
 nice bright tin cup to drink out of, but after all that has been 
 done, this bird is being subjected to the most unnatural life 
 that a fowl could live. If the cage is kept clean, the bird is 
 clean also, but its appetite soon diminishes, its digestion is 
 soon disordered, its feathers soon become rough, and its head 
 loses color. The bird deteriorates from the moment that it is 
 put into the cage. The only advantage is that you have a tame 
 bird. Unless it is endowed with an tmusual amount of vitality, 
 it has become so lifeless and docile that it should not even, in 
 many cases, be admitted to classification in the gallinaceous 
 division. Of all the idiotic methods that poultrymen employ, 
 this is the most stupid and foolish. 
 
 Range the Best Conditioner. — Those who have exhibited 
 at the early winter shows say the early part of December or 
 the latter part of November may have been favored by one 
 of our occasional warm autumns, when the weather permitted 
 keeping the birds out on the sunnner runs. Under these cir- 
 cumstances the birds probably went into the shows in the best 
 possible condition. If such is not your experience, it is the 
 experience of others. It should be therefore, our aim to pro- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 369 
 
 vide the candidates for show honors with as near natural con- 
 ditions as the usual severe winter weather and sometimes sev- 
 eral feet of snow will permit. The greatest benefits that a 
 bird can receive are, of course, derived from range conditions, 
 but under the conditions mentioned, range is out of the ques- 
 tion. How, then, can we supply a substitute? By afifording 
 the bird a chance for exercise and by compelling it to exercise 
 if it is not so inclined, and by supplying those things that con- 
 finement and the season of the year rob it of. Added to these, 
 there are some artificial methods that are simple and harmless 
 which we shall speak of later. 
 
 Food and Exercise. — Take the case of a young male bird 
 that is to be conditioned for winter shows under the usual 
 conditions when protection from the weather is necessary and 
 confinement unavoidable. Growth must be promoted and health 
 of the most vigorous kind maintained. The quarters are the 
 first essential. He should be penned by himself, with one 
 female, or some younger cockerels. In general the larger the 
 pen, the better, but one eight feet by nine, and even smaller, 
 will answer in most instances. 
 
 The floor should be of dry, clean sand if possible to obtain 
 it at a reasonable amount of expense or trouble, covered with 
 a litter of dry straw. The straw need not be cut, as the birds, 
 if properly trained, will break it up in a short while. This 
 litter should be from two to four inches deep, varying with 
 the size of the birds ; the larger the birds the deeper the litter. 
 
 The Feeding Method. — In the morning throw in a small 
 handful of scratch feed, scattering it well. After an hour of 
 brisk exercise, give some warm mash but do not allow them 
 too much, because if not hungry, the birds will not exercise. 
 A heaping teaspoonful or two is about all that the average 
 bird will consume without becoming inactive, and unless he 
 eats this eagerly and rapidly, it is too much. An hour or two 
 later scatter more scratch feed and set them to work again. 
 If the birds are immature and you wish to force them a little, 
 feed another small amount of mash at noon. An hour later 
 a few kernels of small grains will induce more exercise, while 
 for the evening meal, a generous supply of good grain should 
 be allowed. 
 
 It should be kept constantly in mind that rapid growth de- 
 pends upon the amount of food the bird can consume and 
 assimilate, and that exercise stimulates the appetite, aids diges- 
 tion and increases assimilation of the foods consumed, hardens 
 
370 AMERWAX POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 the muscles and promotes the most rugged heahh and vigor ; 
 which facts sufficiently explain the reasons for feeding often in 
 small portions. 
 
 Green food, he should have a little of and but a little. Grit 
 and oyster shells he should have in abundance at all times. 
 
 A Good Mash Makes Flesh. — A mash helps the bird to 
 acquire flesh, but too much of it overloads the crop and 
 hunger being satisfied, the bird refuses to exercise ; conse- 
 quently, it will not eat as much nor can its system assimilate 
 as much. The ingredients of the mash may vary somewhat. 
 Cornmeal and bran may be mixed with a very small quantity 
 of white flour middlings in such a proportion that the masli 
 is a substantial but not a sticky mass. It should be mixed 
 with boiling water, merely hot water does not do. It must 
 cook to get the desired effect. To that end it should be packed 
 closely together and covered for a time. After standing for 
 half an hour, uncover and stir. Allow it to cool until it is 
 warm but not hot ; then you have the food for a meal that the 
 fowls will relish. 
 
 For scratch feed, any of the small grains will do. Oats 
 are very good, so is wheat if you are not using it for a night 
 feed. But the prepared scratch feeds are to be preferred 
 above all, if they are made of good grain, for two reasons : 
 first, for the variety they supply, but principally for the fact 
 that the grains are cracked into small bits, which make the 
 fowls do the maximum amount of work for the minimum 
 amount of food. 
 
 For the final feed at night, nothing compares with wheat 
 of the best quality. This is the main food, but may be alter- 
 nated with barely with good results. For fowls that are 
 inclined to get too fat, barley is preferable to wheat. 
 
 Forcing Immature Birds. — Birds that are very iminature 
 and that it seems advisable to force along as fast as possible 
 may take a quite different ration from those that are grown 
 or have ample time to grow. An excellent mash may be made 
 as follows : Put hamburg steak to boil in cold water, allow 
 it to boil until the amount of water is small, and then thicken 
 with cornmeal and a little bran. This may be fed once a day, 
 but not in such quantities that the bird is forced off his feet. 
 This bird should be kept scratching as the others, but he may, 
 if hearty, be fed more heavy grains. A good variety wall force 
 a bird along faster than a limited diet. 
 
 A very appetizing meal is made of broken crackers and 
 cornmeal and bran. The birds like this, especially if the 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 371 
 
 crackers are the sweet kind, and if not, they can be sweetened 
 with sugar or molasses. The value of the food as a weight 
 producer may be further enhanced by mixing with scalded 
 milk. It should not be forgotten that these birds must be 
 growing feathers and that it is sometimes necessary to aid 
 them in this. Nothing that I know of is any better for aiding 
 feather development than dessicated fish. A little may be 
 added to one of the mashes each day. 
 
 The Best Forcing Menu. — To make myself plain, the best 
 forcing feed consists of the broken scratch feed, the sweet 
 cracker mash and the beef and meal mash with wheat or 
 mixed grain for the hearty meal at night. In very cold 
 weather a few kernels of whole corn might be thrown the 
 birds, after the evening meal and the last thing before they 
 go to roost. A very little buckwheat may be added to the 
 grain mixture. 
 
 Feeding for Color. — With reference to feeding, two classes 
 of birds might be considered, as each class must be fed in a 
 different manner. They may be divided into white birds and 
 others. The methods of feeding each differ, but the methods 
 that have already been described are tolerably well suited to 
 either class. These methods can be modified somewhat and 
 are then better adapted to each of the special classes. 
 
 Feeding White Birds. — By white birds, I refer to those that 
 have white in their plumage, not necessarily only the solid 
 white varieties. Barred, Silver Penciled, and Columbian 
 Plymouth Rocks, for instance, should be fed precisely as pure 
 white birds are. 
 
 It is a generally recognized principle that clear white color, 
 often described as pearl white, chalk white, or dead white, 
 cannot be obtained in its clearness and purity when these white 
 birds are allowed oily foods. Therefore, yellow corn, meat 
 scraps, meat fats, or any foods of an oily nature are excluded 
 from their diet. Those who wish to feed meat and are still 
 very cautious, may boil fresh beef, allow the liquor to stand 
 and cool, when the fat may be skimmed off. The meat and 
 broth may be reboiled and stirred into the mash, which has 
 already been thoroughly mixed. Cut green bone should be 
 treated in the same manner, if fed to white or partially white 
 birds. After boiling both lean meat and green cut bone, you 
 will find an amount of fat that will surprise you. 
 
 Foods That Develop Gloss. — For the varieties which re- 
 quire a glossy plumage, the fats and oils are a great help if 
 
372 AMERICAN POULTRY AfiliOCIATION 
 
 not an absolute necessity in getting birds of certain colors into 
 good condition. The best foods to produce gloss are corn, 
 buckwheat, sunflower seed, beef scraps and beef tallow. These, 
 with the single exception of corn, cannot be used in quantity 
 or as staple foods, as they "age" the plumage and impair 
 digestion if given in excess. A wonderfully glossy plumage 
 may be produced in a remarkably short time if conditions are 
 favorable. Besides oily food, plenty of sunlight and housing 
 conditions that embrace dryness and very moderate tempera- 
 tures are necessary. 
 
 Constant attention wherever administered is beneficial to 
 fowls for whatever purpose kept, and particularly so to fowls 
 that are being conditioned for shows, but is not absolutely 
 necessary. Many exhibitors are so situated that they cannot 
 attend their fowls during the day. I believe that the best 
 method they can pursue is to feed the mash late in the after- 
 noon, and in the morning, give the birds grain in deep but 
 light litters to scratch for during the day. Many contrivances 
 may be devised to induce or even compel exercise ; for instance, 
 a cabbage may be hung so high that they will have to jump 
 a little to reach it. Grains may be fed in automatic feeders 
 in connection with deep litters, etc. 
 
 Grouping the Birds To Be Conditioned. — The grouping or 
 arranging of the birds with relation to their association with 
 one another has oftentimes much to do with their develop- 
 ment. A male put alone sometimes loses his interest in life, 
 but not always. If he is a cock bird, one or two hens that arc 
 active and alert should be placed with him. If it is necessary 
 to raise his weight, feed him alone, once or more daily. A 
 cockerel may be allowed to run with one or two hens, but if 
 he is not too far along, it is preferable to allow the society of 
 two to four young cockerels. If he maltreats them, there are 
 but two alternatives left, the society of females, or isolation. 
 Young males, not too far along, generally do best in flocks of 
 six to eight, but these must have grown up together. Even 
 then the time will come when they must be closely watched. 
 At the first signs of fighting, both birds must be removed. 
 Females can be kept in groups of four to six. Quarrelsome 
 females must be kept alone, as they are sure to ruin the good 
 appearance of their companions. 
 
 Taming the Show Bird. — A show bird should be tame, so 
 that it does not become frightened when handled. The ad- 
 vantage that a bird that will pose while the judge is in front of 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 373 
 
 the cage and handling it, has over one that gets all out of 
 shape the moment the judge touches it, is obvious. While 
 continuous cooping of any fowl is a crime against good condi- 
 tion and even against good sense, a half-hour a day or so is 
 necessary for all candidates for show honors. The bird may 
 be tamed quickly while cooped by offering tid-bits such as 
 meat and kernels of whole corn from the hand. By stroking 
 with the hand, the bird can be taught the correct pose for the 
 show coop. 
 
 Washing the White Fowls. — In these days of strong com- 
 petition, an unwashed white bird is practically debarred from 
 winning. An unwashed bird, be it ever so white, looks very 
 cheap beside a well-washed one of much inferior color. This 
 is a branch of the industry in which a certain few have become 
 so proficient that it is practically impossible for anyone not 
 expert in this line to defeat them. There are many soaps 
 and preparations used for washing white fowls, but Ivory 
 soap and soap-bark are the most generally used. The best 
 washers thoroughly lather the birds to the skin, and use two 
 rinse waters. The last water contains a very little blueing. 
 This will show in the feathers if too much is used and be- 
 ginners are almost sure to use too much. If not thoroughly 
 rinsed, so that all the soapy water is removed, the feathers 
 will curl and crinkle. 
 
 In late years much is hinted at concerning the use of 
 bleaching agents that bleach a creamy or yellow bird, other- 
 wise fine, so that it becomes a winner. No doubt, hydrogen 
 peroxide, the active agent of which is a free atom of oxygen, 
 is used to a certain extent. So is ammonia and other cleaning 
 agents. Their value lies more in their power to remove stains 
 and dirt than in any real bleaching process that takes place. 
 
 The process of drying is very important and is in itself an 
 art. The most effective method of whitening a bird is to 
 repeat the washings. Persistency in this counts as in every- 
 thing else. 
 
 The best treatment for the comb, face and wattles of a 
 perfectly healthy bird is to wash in soap and water, dry and 
 let alone. When the face does not show good color, massage 
 and treat with a very small amount of vaseline. To keep the 
 color in the face, repeat the massage with a small bit of vase- 
 line. This treatment is simple and will bring more color than 
 would be supposed. There are many lotions and drawing, 
 burning liquids that are applied, but they are all at best but 
 
374 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 temporarily efficient. A short while after the application, the 
 head possesses less color than before. 
 
 Cleaning Shanks and Toes. — The shanks and toes should 
 be washed in warm soap-suds, dried, and then treated with 
 cottonseed oil, vaseline, or something of that nature. When 
 there is much dirt under the scales, it should be removed, 
 which can best be accomplished with an ordinary wooden 
 toothpick dampened with some cleansing- liquid. Many shanks 
 and toes are improved by brushing dry, with a stifif brush 
 before using the soap and water. 
 
 WASHING AND CONDITIONING WHITE BIRDS FOR 
 THE SHOW ROOM. 
 
 Washing white birds properly presents one of the greatest 
 difficulties to the amateur fancier. To get any bird into the 
 show room in perfect condition, is really quite an art ; and 
 white birds present the additional problem of washing. There 
 is, however, no reason why anybody, who is careful and pains 
 taking, can not show white birds in good condition. Birds 
 other than white seldom require washing, except where a bird 
 has become very much stained or soiled, in which case a care- 
 ful . washing will improve them. The following instructions 
 about temperature of water, in drying room, and other condi- 
 tions, will, if carefully followed, bring success. 
 
 Coop Training. — All birds that are to be shown, whether 
 they are to be washed or not, should be cooped up in cages 
 similar to those used in the shows. Coop them up for about 
 three days, so they may become accustomed to the cage and 
 to being handled by their attendant. Then put them back into 
 their usual run for a few days. Alternating in this way, they 
 will get the necessary coop training and show-manners with- 
 out becoming stale from too long confinement in small quar- 
 ters. Unless the bird has some such preliminary training, to- 
 gether with such special feeding as his condition requires, no 
 matter how excellent the wash, he will not appear at his best. 
 This preliminary training should extend over a period of about 
 two or three weeks. 
 
 Equipment. — Birds should be washed from forty-eight to 
 sixty hours before they are shipped to the show room. If you 
 are going to wash many birds, a rubber apron and rubber 
 boots will be necessary. The details of washing white birds 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 375 
 
 are as follows : Start with three ordinary wash tubs about 
 half full of water at a temperature of from 103 to 110 degrees. 
 Birds can be washed in a room at a temperature of about 70 
 degrees, which is as warm as an attendant can work in com- 
 fortably. 
 
 The Process. — Grasp the bird tirmly by the legs, lower him 
 into the water, and begin washing by lathering him with a 
 cake of soap. Soap counteracts the oil in the bird's feathers 
 and allows the water to penetrate to the skin. Be careful in 
 handling the feathers until you get them thoroughly wet; 
 afterwards you can rub them enough to build up a heavy 
 lather all over the bird, very similar to the process of sham- 
 pooing the hair. Then rinse this lather out, and repeat the 
 same process. If the bird seems very dirty, give him even a 
 third lathering. The rinsing of the heavy lather out of the 
 feathers seems to carry all the dirt and stain away. Then go 
 over the bird's comb, face, wattles and legs with a nail-brush 
 and heavy lather. Also scrub the wings and any stained spot 
 on the bird's plumage with the nail-brush. Then thoroughly 
 rinse the bird successively in the second and third tubs of 
 water. You can wash from four to six birds, according to how 
 dirty they are, before changing the water. Then empty all 
 three tubs and start again with clean water. 
 
 The Water. — The character of the water you use will influ- 
 ence results to a considerable extent. Soft water, that is also 
 white, will give better results than hard water. Sometimes 
 water contains iron or other mineral substances that affect the 
 color and the finish of the feathers. You can generally find 
 suitable water in every locality, by a little effort, or you can 
 catch rain water, melt snow or overcome the difiiculty in some 
 way. Borax or ammonia are sometimes used to soften hard 
 water, and they help some ; but all such agencies have a ten- 
 dency to injure the fabric of the feather, and you do not get 
 quite the beautiful satin finish with anything but pure, naturally 
 soft water and some mild soap. All of these things have to be 
 carefully considered. 
 
 Blueing. — Until very recently, all white birds were b'ued 
 slightly in the last rinsing, and this practice was used by all 
 conditioners for many years, but is gradually being abandoned, 
 for the reason that otherwise well conditioned birds were left 
 out of the awards every year on account of being too blue, 
 streaked with blue, or in some way presenting a bad appear- 
 ance on this account. If done just right, this may add slightly 
 
37G AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 to the apparent whiteness of the bird ; but it is impossible to 
 give expHcit directions for blvieing, for the reason that water 
 from different sources requires different amounts of blueing to 
 produce the best results, and the different blueings that are 
 sold throughout the country dift'er very materially in strength 
 and composition. So, if you adopt this practice, you will have 
 to experiment beforehand as to the amount of blueing you will 
 use. The amount that produces good results in the laundry is 
 generally also about right for birds. 
 
 Drying. — After the bird is washed and rinsed, put him 
 into a coop similar to those used in the show room ; and if 
 possible, one having a wire netting bottom, so that he can 
 drain out for about fifteen minutes. Then transfer him to a 
 coop in a room where the temperature is from 85 to 90 degrees. 
 He will dry out there in proper shape in three or four hours. 
 Then gradually reduce the temperature to about 70 degrees, at 
 which temperature the room should be kept for eight or ten 
 hours longer. After that he should be able to stand normal 
 temperature as before washing. 
 
 Some of the larger farms have special rooms fitted up for 
 washing and drying, arranged so that they can have rooms at 
 different temperatures. Lacking this equipment, you can get 
 about the same results by moving your birds to and from the 
 fire or other source of heat. You can tie a thermometer to 
 the front of the coop in which your bird is drying, and keep 
 him in about the correct temperature in that way. To a cer- 
 tain extent, the actions of the bird indicate the proper tem- 
 perature ; as, when he is shivering, get him closer to the fire ; 
 and, if he begins to pant, it is time to move him back. Indi- 
 vidual birds differ as to the amount of heat they need and can 
 stand; and they will indicate, to the observant attejidant, the 
 proper procedure. 
 
 Drying Long Tails. — In washing a Leghorn or any bird 
 that has long sickles, it is well to fan his tail out after he has 
 been drying about an hour, or just as the feathers begin to 
 web. Let one person hold the bird, and an assistant fan the 
 tail for about fifteen minutes. Otherwise the sickles are liable 
 to dry twisted or to come with a poor finish on the edge. 
 
 Impossible Specimens. — Some birds have a type of feather- 
 ing that does not improve by washing. Anyone who has 
 washed many birds can detect this at a glance, as a thinness 
 of the fabric of the feather, as we express it. This style of 
 feathering seems to go to pieces during the washing and dry- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROOK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 377 
 
 ing process, shrivel up and finally presents an unsatisfactory 
 appearance. So it is always well to select, train and wash a 
 few more birds than you actually intend to show. This pre- 
 caution will save you disappointment, should anything go 
 wrong with any of the birds up to the moment that judging 
 actually begins. 
 
 One of the objections to washing birds for exhibition is 
 that the same birds can seldom be shown more than twice 
 during a single season; and sometimes but once, if you want 
 to get the very best results. The reason for this is that wash- 
 ing and drying takes a good deal of the natural oil out of the 
 feathers, which causes them to become brittle and they will 
 begin to break up, and eventually to lose the natural sheen on 
 the feathers which makes them look so attractive. However, 
 any bird that is to be used for breeding should not be shown 
 more than once ; because, in conditioning, washing, and show- 
 ing the bird, getting him home and rested, etc., and ready to go 
 into the breeding pen, will occupy three weeks or a month. 
 During this time the bird has been inside in a warm tempera- 
 ture, and it is something of a shock to his system to go back in- 
 to a breeding pen in what may possibly be zero weather. Still 
 a strong, vital bird will generally stand this for one trip ; but, 
 when you keep repeating this for show after show, the bird 
 becomes softened and loses his natural resistance to cold, with 
 the result that he contracts a cold or in some way gets out of 
 condition. So, for this more vital reason, birds that are valu- 
 able as breeders really should be shown but once in a season. 
 It is hard and cruel to keep a bird on the jump from one show 
 to another from August until late in February. This practice 
 is generally the result of greed or ignorance. However, such 
 a practice brings its own penalty ; because, after such treat- 
 ment, your fine bird will not breed you the sound, vigorous 
 stock that he otherwise would. 
 
 To Remove Stains. — If you should find a grease spot on 
 one of your birds that did not come out in the wash, you can 
 remove it by using gasoline ; but you must exercise great care 
 in doing this. Take the bird into the open air, and do not use 
 more than is necessary. It is possible that you might just pick 
 some birds ofif inside. 
 
 Feeding. — After the birds are dry, feed nothing but hard 
 corn until after they are judged. Be sure that you have suit- 
 able shipping coops. 
 
378 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Shipping. — A good many birds lose their chance of winning 
 by poor shipping in transit to the shows. Inspect the coops 
 to see that they are high enough that the bird can easily stand 
 upright ; also see that no sharp nail points are exposed on the 
 inside, which may tear the bird's comb or otherwise damage 
 him. 
 
 For the ordinary show where competition is not very strong, 
 perhaps all this preparation is not absolutely necessary. It 
 is possible that you might just pick some birds off the roost 
 the night before, and get away with it ; but it is a good plan 
 to always show your birds in their best possible condition. 
 The more earnest effort you put into the poultry business, 
 the better your standing will be with the poultry fraternity, 
 and the more pleasure and ultimate profit you will get out of it. 
 (M. L. C.) 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 SHIPPING TO SHOWS. 
 
 Considerable attention should be given this, one of the 
 necessary steps in showing fowls. Though it is but a single 
 step and a short one compared with the number and length 
 of time it takes to grow and to condition exhibition fowls, 
 yet it is fully as important as any of the previous or sub- 
 sequent steps in the process because of the dangers involved, 
 due to unusual, strange conditions, such as confinement, re- 
 striction of feed and water, and the inadaptability of some 
 fowls to such changes in the routine of life, to exposure to 
 weather conditions, extreme in either heat or cold, to sudden 
 changes varying from one extreme to the other, as when taken 
 from a heated car in cold weather in which they have perhaps 
 been packed all too closely together, and transferred in un- 
 protected trucks to other transfer points or to the show room. 
 
 Shipments Dependent Upon Three Conditions. — From the 
 foregoing it is apparent that three conditions are highly de- 
 sirable. First, that the bird be fortified to withstand these 
 changes of temperature and weather. The best means of 
 fortification against these is to select naturally rugged birds 
 that are in excellent health and conditioned to withstand 
 these changes. This is, however, the subject of another 
 chapter. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 379 
 
 Second, that the style of shipping coop provided furnishes 
 as much protection as possible against these changes and at 
 the same time allows a sufficient supply of pure air to insure 
 the good health and condition of the occupant or occupants. 
 Because the shipping coop does not allow always for a suffi- 
 cient supply of fresh air, the danger of overheating, particu- 
 larly in express cars, is also incurred. 
 
 Construction of Shipping Coops. — The proper construction 
 of a suitable shipping coop involves all these problems, also 
 the question of how much the occupant may be confined with- 
 out injury of either health or condition. 
 
 Large and Small Coops. — Obviously when the good ap- 
 pearance of the bird counts for so much it will not do to take 
 the slightest chance of injury even if that injury merely con- 
 sists of rubbing the plumage or the breaking of a single prin- 
 ciple feather. Many claim that too large coops involve more 
 and greater injuries in this latter regard than smaller ones. 
 The idea advanced is that the bird breaks the feathers by 
 turning around in the coop and that when the coops are so 
 narrow as to prevent it, there is less liability to injuries of 
 this kind. The styles of coops vary widely. One large poultry 
 show will show scores of designs. Shipping coops are usually 
 built of wood or have a framework of wood covered with cloth. 
 
 Cloth Covered Coops. — Cloth tears so easily that express 
 companies will not receive cloth covered coops at single rates 
 unless the wooden frame over which the cloth is put is so con- 
 structed that it will hold the bird even if the cloth is not put in 
 place. Cloth covered coops, when the frame is constructed in 
 accordance with these regulations, are very satisfactory except 
 in extremely cold weather. They ofifer the advantage of good 
 ventilation at all times and, it must be admitted, far too much 
 when the weather is severe. 
 
 Wooden Coops. — Wooden coops are without question the 
 most often used and the safest from many points of view. They 
 are certainly stronger and less liable to be broken and it is for 
 this reason that they are most often used. Ventilation is the 
 difficult problem with wooden coops. If they are open in con- 
 struction the birds take cold when left out of doors or in a 
 draft for any length of time. If they are closed the birds some- 
 times smother when large numbers are shipped, as they often 
 are when poultry shows are being held. This, of course, re- 
 sults from stacking a number of coops together. The coops in 
 the center of the stack or against the wall receive an insuf- 
 
380 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 ficient supply of air or become overheated. There is no known 
 way to prevent this occurrence and at the same time properly 
 protect the birds against the weather, unless the handlers or 
 messengers of the express company will use reasonable pre- 
 cautions against overlarge stacks and overheated cars. 
 
 Material in Wooden Coops. — Wooden coops, as a usual 
 thing, are made with solid sides and bottom and are left as 
 open on the top as possible and still retain the bird or birds. 
 The sides are usually made of three-eighths inch matched lum- 
 ber and the floor of one-half inch, or sometimes thicker boards. 
 A sufficient number of narrow strips cover the tops to keep the 
 birds inside. 
 
 Dimension of Coops. — Some shippers make the top higher 
 at the center than on the sides to prevent setting other boxes 
 or packages which interfere with ventilation on top. Raised 
 strips, one at each end, an inch or more thick, are sometimes 
 used to prevent too close packing. This allows some venti- 
 lation, enough in ordinary cases. Open spaces at the top, and 
 on the two sides, two inches or a little more in width are 
 sometimes left and answer the purpose fairly well. 
 
 Elaborate coops of much heavier construction with hinged 
 or sliding tops are often used. These afiford, of course, rather 
 more protection, but because they are much heavier, their use 
 increases the cost of transportation very much. 
 
 Shipping White Birds. — Birds of white or light colored 
 plumage are usually shipped in coops that are so constructed 
 as to protect them from dust and dirt. This result can be toler- 
 ably well accomplished by taking cheesecloth or a similar 
 fabric to the top of the coop, or by using closed tops and pro- 
 viding more ventilation through the sides. Large openings 
 even on the side should be covered with burlap, cheesecloth, or 
 some material that will prevent dangerous drafts and also, in a 
 measure, keep out the dirt and dust. 
 
 While there is some danger of the plumage becoming soiled 
 while in transit, by the dust and dirt that is in the air, there is 
 also some liability from the coop itself, if it has been in use 
 before. Consequently, all coops should be thoroughly cleaned 
 before receiving the birds. This is a good plan to follow 
 whether shipping to a show or customer. 
 
 The greatest danger to plumage aside from that of breaking- 
 feathers is that it will be soiled by the droppings. To prevent 
 this possibility as effectually as possible a bed of some ab- 
 sorbent must be provided. Sawdust or planer shavings answer 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 381 
 
 the purpose as well as any material yet used, unless it is a com- 
 bination of the same and long straw, with the straw on top. 
 Clean, hand-threshed, rye straw is best suited to this purpose. 
 While it is clean and unbroken, the droppings have a tendency 
 to fall through onto the sawdust or shavings which adhere to 
 them, absorbing the moisture contained in them, or covering 
 them with a thin coating of whichever bedding material is 
 used ; being protected in this way and by the straw above, the 
 plumage is kept clean. Unless shipments are very long, birds 
 shipped in coops fitted up in this manner will arrive in excel- 
 lent condition of plumage, provided, of course, that they started 
 in that condition. 
 
 Feeding During the Journey. — When the journey is of such 
 length that the fowls must be confined to their coops for more 
 than two or three hours, food should be supplied. This should 
 consist largely of the small grains, but a supply of green foods, 
 which serve to entertain the fowls and keep the digestive tract 
 in good order, is important because the fowls must feel their 
 best to look their best. There is certainly a chance of their 
 crops becoming overfull if the fowls are not accustomed to 
 these foods. However, they should have been previously accus- 
 tomed to them. The green foods should be of such a nature 
 that it will not soil the plumage and in the case of white birds, 
 greens are usually omitted from the bill of fare while the birds 
 are in transit. 
 
 Shells and Grit. — A small handful of oyster shells and grit 
 should be supplied. This is doubly essential because the 
 fowls will in all probability be deprived of both during the 
 show. 
 
 Whether water is necessary or not depends upon the time 
 of confinement in the shipping coop. In cold weather birds 
 may be deprived of water for twenty-four hours, or even a 
 little longer, without visible inconvenience or discomfort if 
 plenty of succulent food is provided. The more succulent the 
 green food, the longer the period during which water may be 
 withheld. Without water the fowls are less liable to be soiled 
 in transit and usually arrive in much better condition than 
 when water cups are a part of the coop fittings. When it is 
 necessary to supply water in transit, cups that are partially 
 covered or have a float should be used, particularly when white 
 birds are shipped. After the birds have been washed and 
 conditioned for exhibition, shippers of white birds supply water 
 only when absolutely necessary. 
 
382 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 As the birds must usually return in the same coops as 
 those in which they are shipped, labor and time may be saved 
 by supplying enough grain, grit and shell to last throughout 
 the return journey. 
 
 Arrangements for Shipping. — The exhibitor should first of 
 all become acquainted with the dates of the exhibition, the first 
 day when the exhibition room will be open for birds, and the 
 last minute when they will be received for competition. Thr 
 most desirable time to have them enter the show room should 
 be determined, as under certain conditions it is better to have 
 them arrive at the first possible moment, while under different 
 conditions one would not want the birds to arrive until the 
 very last moment. 
 
 Consult the Transportation Agent. — The transportation 
 agent should then be consu'ted and the exhibitor should be- 
 come accjuainted with the route, the changes from one route to 
 another, from one car to another, and all other changes involved, 
 whether they mean long delays and whether the birds will be 
 exposed or kept in comfortable rooms, etc. Sometimes infor- 
 mation along these lines will make an entire change in th.e 
 shipping program advisable, as by so doing long waits. ]ioor 
 connections, exposure from weather with chances of storms, 
 may be eliminated, or the chances of the same greatly reduced. 
 The best facilities in shipping should always be sought. Ex- 
 pense should not be the first item considered. 
 
 Travel with Your Birds. — When possible to do so without 
 incurring too great expense or making too large sacrifices of 
 one nature or another, it is advisable to travel not only by the 
 same route as the birds do but by the same train. The ad- 
 vantages are many. A small gift or kindly words will often 
 keep coops on a level that otherwise would be tilted sharplv. 
 which is of obvious advantage in preserving the good condi- 
 tion of the bird's plumage as well as its tranquility, both of 
 which are essentials when competition is keen. Express cars 
 are very apt to be so overcrowded in the show season, when 
 all coops are going in one direction, that some wait; your coop 
 need not and probably will not if you are present to use gent'e 
 suasion. Safe and sane stacking is another comfort that your 
 birds will enjoy if you travel with them, and comfort is neces- 
 sary for a highly conditioned show bird if it is to remain 
 highly conditioned. While it is usually against the ru'es of 
 express companies, the writer has often been permitted by 
 the messengers to remain in the car to feed, water and in 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 383 
 
 some cases exercise the birds. Such attention is naturally 
 beneficial on extended or prolonged trips. 
 
 Many appreciable and obvious benefits accrue if you are 
 with your birds and watch them every waking hour. Small 
 advantages tell in the long run and more likely than not, these 
 small advantages, just the barely appreciable things, will turn 
 the scale in your favor. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CARE IN THE SHOW ROOM. 
 
 The largest and most prominent exhibitors accompany 
 their birds to the show room and remain with them through- 
 out the show or hire a competent man to do so. The smaller 
 exhibitors do not usually accompany the birds except at 
 their respective local shows. It often occurs that many birds 
 are shipped a great many miles to important shows and en- 
 trusted to the care of individuals employed by the show 
 management. Very often these employees are incompetent 
 because inexperienced in either handling or caring for birds. 
 Undoubtedly, the greatest harm is done by the handling of 
 assistants that are inexperienced and, very often, even un- 
 instructed. Experienced help is always hard to obtain for 
 temporary positions, and no exception to this statement can 
 be made when poultrymen or even men competent to handle 
 show specimens, perhaps only for a few brief minutes, are 
 required. Because of the effect upon their value of even the 
 slightest injury, perhaps merely the breaking of a single 
 feather, particularly, if such is affected by a disqualifying 
 clause and on this account open to suspicion, it is very de- 
 sirable for an exhibitor to go with, stay with, care for and 
 come home with his birds when it is possible for him to do 
 so without too great a sacrifice on his part. Besides the care- 
 ful handling that he can bestow, there are many precautions to 
 take against exposure and accident, and many things that one 
 can do to increase the chances of winning. That, to attend to 
 these things is worth while, may be soon proved to anyone's 
 satisfaction by watching closely the movements of the suc- 
 cessful and unsuccessful exhibitors. The time of the former 
 class is spent on their birds ; that of the latter, generally in 
 social duties. 
 
384 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Delivery. — Every moment before judging is a precious one, 
 as there is much to be done and much may depend upon what 
 is done or not done. First, the birds must be located. If 
 they are scheduled to have arrived and have not, the express 
 company should be at once notified and pressure applied to 
 bring about a quick delivery. As soon as they are delivered, 
 see that they are in a comfortable place. Before the birds are 
 put in the exhil)ition cages, the cages should be cleaned and 
 supplied with a proper amount of bedding, water, grain and 
 grit. 
 
 Clean Cages Important. — It is very important to rub the 
 exhibition cages until free of all dust, dirt, or mould, especially 
 if you have white or light colored birds to exhibit. Other- 
 wise, the plumage becomes so soiled in a very few hours that 
 the birds present a very poor appearance, compared to those 
 who have been washed white and kept clean. Metal cages 
 especially should be thoroughly cleaned before white birds 
 are put in them. Old papers or rags are suitable cleaning 
 agents, though clean rags should be used in the last cleaning 
 operations to insure its thoroughness. 
 
 Bedding. — The bedding may be planer shavings, sawdust 
 or straw, but the first two are most often used. The bed or 
 litter should be of sufficient depth to allow the birds to stand 
 comfortably which they can not do on bare boards. From 
 one-half to one inch of shavings or sawdust should be ample, 
 but these must be renewed from time to time for several reas- 
 ons. First, for cleanliness and sanitation, which includes elimi- 
 nation of odors, offensive alike to patrons of the show and 
 to the birds themselves. The ammonia that arises from un- 
 clean litter or bedding is not only disagreeable but may in- 
 flame the organs of the bird's nose and throat and become the 
 cause of more serious troubles. Renewal of bedding, daily, is 
 advisable. 
 
 Drinking Dishes. — Diseases of the mouth, nose and throat 
 are often transmitted because of unclean and non-disinfected 
 drinking dishes. Before using and before the birds are caged, 
 the drinking dishes should be washed and disinfected or thor- 
 oughly scalded, if possible. 
 
 Protection Against Drafts. — The doors to the show room 
 are often left open while the birds are being received, and in 
 such a manner as to allow strong drafts in the show room 
 itself or certain parts of it. In locations exposed to drafts. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 385 
 
 the birds, if caged, must be protected by covering the tops 
 and possibly the front of cages with paper, or cloth, during 
 that time, and subsequently if need be. If the draft is strong 
 and the temperature low, the birds may be allowed to eat and 
 drink in the show cage and returned to the shipping coop until 
 necessary to feed and water again, or until conditions for 
 caging are more favorable. 
 
 Change in Temperature. — Many times, not as much heat 
 is provided during the night as during the day. In such cases 
 it is well to cover the tops of the cages as you are leaving for 
 the night. This not only keeps the birds warmer but darkens 
 the cages besides, and the birds rest better. This plan may 
 be carried farther and the front of the cage covered if the 
 temperature is so low that it seems advisable. With birds of 
 nervous temperament this scheme assists materially in keeping 
 them in good condition. 
 
 Feeds and Feeding. — In a large show individual attention 
 cannot be expected of the regular show attendants, and in small 
 shows they are not likely to accord it. For this reason owners 
 or caretakers should take to themselves the duties of feeding 
 as well as other cares. First, because the ordinary feeds of the 
 show room lack variety. Second, it is by no means certain 
 that feeds will be given at the proper time. Third, feeds are 
 not always of a suitable nature, and fourth, not given in the 
 right amounts. 
 
 Variety is Necessary. — Show room feeding often consists of 
 giving a supply of whole or mixed grains, usually cracked or 
 whole corn, wheat or oats, perhaps a mixture of all these or of 
 any two, twice a day. Very often this is the entire bill of 
 fare. There is, consequently, a lack of meat, greens, grit, shell 
 and mash, all of which are necessities for a continuance of 
 normal di^gestion. With a restricted ration, the digestive or- 
 gans soon become abnormal, a condition that may soon severely 
 affect the good appearance of the specimen. 
 
 Meat and Greens in the Show Room. — As a rule feeding in 
 the show room should not differ materially from feeding at 
 home. If the birds have been accustomed to greens and meat 
 at home, greens and meat should be fed in the show room, 
 tliough not necessarily in the same form. Substitutes of the 
 same general nature will be relished for the sake of variety. 
 Xo fowl will object to a little Hamburg steak or fresh meat 
 in preference to beef scrap, or to cabbage as a substitute for 
 a'falfa or clover. There may be a slight objection to making 
 
386 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 such substitutions on account of expense and because the 
 fowls may continue to demand such palatable foods, once they 
 have acquired a taste for them, but if they are weaned gradu- 
 ally, no harm will result. Lack of meat and greens often re- 
 sults in feather-eating when birds are shown together as in the 
 breeding pen. It is a wise precaution to hang a part of a cab- 
 bage or a bunch of lettuce in the top of the cage which con- 
 tains a breeding pen, of the lighter breeds particularly, to 
 prevent this trouble, and if this is not efficacious, hang up also 
 a small piece of fresh meat. The more busy fowls are kept, 
 the less feather picking is practiced. 
 
 Grit and Shell. — Grit and shell may not be absolutely nec- 
 essary during a short show, but a small supply is often appre- 
 ciated by the fowls and serves a good and certainly not a 
 harmful purpose. 
 
 Overfeeding and Underfeeding. — ( )verfeeding is more like- 
 ly than not to be practiced by the novice or by the average 
 inexperienced attendant unless he neglects to feed at all, when 
 he practices underfeeding. Birds are sometimes underfed, not 
 for lack of feed, but because the hall or the coop is so dark that 
 they cannot see to eat. In such cases they must be moved to 
 the light and fed regularly, or perhaps given a grain, the physi- 
 cal nature of which makes it more visible than that which 
 they have been fed. Sometimes, in small shows so many birds 
 are confined in one cage that it is impossible for them to eat. 
 This is false economy as the birds lose rapidly in both weight 
 and condition. 
 
 Too Intensive Caging.— There are, also, other disadvant- 
 ages in connection with too intensive caging. No bird shows 
 to advantage when caged with others, even if only one other, 
 except in case of mated pairs and pens in correspondingly large 
 cages, and the more they are caged together, the more in- 
 ferior they appear. To properly appreciate a bird, a spectator 
 must see the whole of it at a glance, not a portion. When 
 caged with others and, as is often the case as closely as 
 though being sent to market, the best bird conceivable fails to 
 impress either the onlookers or the judge. Specimens of the 
 finest quality will fail to win for you under those conditions. 
 Consequently, we may conclude that of all the economies prac- 
 ticed in the show room that of caging closely is the most fool- 
 ish. If prizes are worth anything they are certainly worth the 
 coop fee which is usually about the traditional two-bits. 
 
 The specimen is supposed to have been "conditioned" at 
 home. This term, as pointed out, refers to the condition, fit- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK l^TANDARD AND BREED BOOK 387 
 
 ness or good order of the plumage and to general health and 
 state of flesh. Little or nothing can be done in the short time 
 that the bird is in the show room to materially affect any of 
 these conditions. The object of the various measures that 
 have been or may be taken while the bird is within the exhibi- 
 tion hall is to maintain the favorable aspects brought about 
 before arrival. 
 
 There remains, after the birds are properly caged and 
 fed, only a few duties that may affect the candidate's chances 
 for honors. These are generally termed the finishing touches, 
 and consist of cleaning the head and adjuncts and the shanks 
 and toes. The latter especially should have been attended to 
 at home as part of the process of conditioning. If not, how- 
 ever, or if either shanks or toes have become soiled in the 
 meanwhile, they should be cleaned and afterwards repolished 
 if necessary. The head and adjuncts may be redressed to ad- 
 vantage as described in the chapter on conditioning for show 
 room. 
 
 The exhibitor should, of course, be at all times on the look- 
 out for false, broken, or ragged feathers. By general custom 
 the removal of these is permissible. 
 
 After the judging, exhibitors are inclined to relax in their 
 efforts to keep their birds at their best. To a certain extent 
 this is good policy. Birds, no matter how well accustomed to 
 being handled and pampered, will get tired of too much atten- 
 tion and they, as well as the exhibitors, need relaxation. Re- 
 laxation, however, should not be carried to the extent of actual 
 neglect in the case of the birds. The regularity and variety of 
 feeding operations should be maintained from start to finish. 
 Nothing whatever should be allowed to interfere with these 
 rules, for neglect in these particulars, even for a day, may 
 affect the bird more seriously later; and at no time should the 
 exhibitor, as a breeder, lose sight of the fact that his best 
 birds in the show room are his best birds at home, as a rule. 
 The value of his flock next season will depend very largely on 
 what these birds which he has in the show room this season 
 will produce. What they produce depends, not alone, on 
 their quality but on their health and vigor which is very easily 
 affected, adversely, by neglect at any time and at any place, 
 at home, enroute to the show, on the return, and again at 
 home. Care that is well calculated to meet these varying con- 
 ditions and keep the birds at their best, physically, is one of the 
 many essentials of success in the business of producing "the 
 Best" in Standard Bred Poultry. 
 
ass AMERICAN POULTRY ASIStOCIATrON 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 RETURNING FROM THE SHOW. 
 
 Birds that are returning from exhibitions are always 
 shipped by the shortest and most direct routes and always 
 by express, except shipments that are local or so nearly local 
 that they may be taken by the exhibitor's own conveyance or 
 one that he has hired. Freight shipments are too slow and 
 unreliable even for the return journey when, though the exact 
 time prehaps of arrival is not important, the duration of the 
 journey must not be of such length that it is wearisome to the 
 birds being shipped and has, consequently, a detrimental influ- 
 ence on their health. 
 
 Low Return Rate. — Generally, a lower rate is secured by 
 allowing the same express company that transported your 
 birds to a show, to handle the recurn shipment. Usuallv, two- 
 thirds or three-quarters of one rate is saved thereby, if fully 
 prepaid when the shipment leaves the home office. 
 
 A Change in Temperatures. — As to preparing the birds to 
 withstand the return journey, little that has not been may be 
 done now. It should be remembered, however, that the birds 
 have been in a room that ordinarily has been several degrees 
 warmer than a poultry house usually is, at this season of the 
 year, and, therefore, the birds may be a little more sensitive to 
 weather conditions than when they started on the trip to the 
 show ; consequently, all the protection that was provided for 
 the first trip should be used for the return. Usually, the birds 
 are shipped out of the show room in the same coop in which 
 they entered it, and the protection would be identical for both 
 trips. 
 
 Condition of Coops. — The coops should, however, be in- 
 spected to discover any break that may have been incidental 
 to the journey, and if the same is so located as to cause drafts 
 or of such a nature as to afford a possible chance of injury to 
 the fowl, it should be repaired securely before the birds are 
 cooped. The shipper should see that there is ample bedding; if 
 it is the same that was in the coop when it started from home, 
 it should be ascertained to be in sanitary condition, and per- 
 fectly dry above all things. 
 
 Feeding for the Return Journey. — Grit, or shell, or both 
 should be there in small quantities, and wholesome grains in a 
 sufficient quantity for the needs of the birds during the jour- 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 389 
 
 ney. AH of the above could have been put in the coop before 
 it left home, unless the journey was a very long one. A lib- 
 eral supply of succulents must not be forgotten. Besides their 
 value as an aid to digestion, they are very palatable and the 
 fowls enjoy them. Like a good meal on a diner, they serve to 
 "kill time" and induce the birds to forget their confinement and 
 discomfort. 
 
 As in the case when shipping to shows certain advantages 
 such as more careful handling, quicker transfers if transfers 
 are necessary, better positions and more careful stacking in 
 the car accrue from traveling along with the birds. 
 
 Home Delivery. — Arrangements should have already been 
 made for the delivery of the birds immediately after their 
 arrival at the home express office. In large cities deliveries are 
 sometimes slow on account of the distance of the exhibitor's 
 poultry yards from the express receiving station, and often 
 many deliveries have to be made before the yards are reached. 
 When such conditions prevail and the express company's of- 
 ficals are obdurant and cannot be induced to make a special 
 delivery, as they generally can be, however, when a reasonably 
 large shipment is involved, it pays, if the birds are valuable, 
 to employ a truck for the special purpose of obtaining a prompt 
 and direct delivery. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 CARE OF THE BIRDS AFTER THE SHOW. 
 Changed Conditions. 
 
 Though safely home, not all the possible dangers to the 
 birds are over by any means. While in the show room, the 
 birds have become accustomed to comparatively high tempera- 
 tures and, in all probability, entire absence of drafts ; and 
 unaccustomed to cold poultry houses, with cold floors, an 
 atmosphere more or less laden with moisture, and a ventilation 
 system that in all probability is subject to perceptible drafts ; 
 conditions that obviously contrast widely. 
 
 Gradual Changes. — Manifestly, the birds should not feel 
 the full force of these changed conditions at once. But as a 
 matter of fact, if a little common sense is applied to our meth- 
 ods, and the changes be made as gradually as possible, no harm 
 
390 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 seems to result therefrom, and the birds even take up the life 
 of the pen precisely where they left ofif. A few simple rules, 
 obviously of good sense and judgment, are all that are neces- 
 sary to follow in ordinary cases to insure these fowls against 
 sickness. 
 
 Removing from the Shipping Coops. — It would certainly 
 seem to be unsafe to transfer them from their shipping coops 
 to the poultry houses during the night, early in the morning, or 
 late in the afternoon during severe weather. It would be far 
 more safe to select the middle of a bright, sunny day, if such a 
 day accommodatingly presents itself within a reasonable length 
 of time, as the auspicious time to make the change. 
 
 If the birds arrive during the day, they should be taken 
 from the coops long enough to get food and water, and de- 
 pending upon conditions, be allowed more or less exercise. If 
 the weather is mild, or the poultry house is comfortable, there 
 is no reason why they should not remain there, if contrary con- 
 ditions are encountered, they should be returned to their ship- 
 ping coops and if necessary these should be covered. The 
 birds should be, however, again taken from the coops as early 
 as appears to be safe the next morning and may then remain 
 in the poultry house indefinitely, unless it is so cold that they 
 could not remain there under ordinary circumstances without 
 freezing, in which case they should be returned to the boxes, 
 and the boxes covered if necessary. It is much better to take 
 precautions against disease than to be obliged to try to cure it. 
 
 Prevent Diseases of the Head. — The diseases that are most 
 apt to be contracted in the show room and during shipment 
 are those of the head, including the nose and throat, and in- 
 testinal disorders. To prevent the former, it is well to bathe 
 the head in a slightly warm solution of some good disinfectant, 
 and the throat may be easily cleaned by swabbing it with a 
 flight or secondary feather after dipping the feather in a solu- 
 tion of hydrogen peroxide or listerine and water, half and 
 half. These treatments, especially if repeated two or three 
 times, often prevent such diseases as cold, canker, roup and 
 chicken pox. 
 
 To Prevent Intestinal Disorders. — Intestinal disorders are 
 harder to control but much benefit may come from administer- 
 ing a mild laxative as soon as the bird is back from the show ; 
 not wholly because that disease may be warded off, but be- 
 cause the general health of the bird may be greatly benefited. 
 It was the practice of a very successful exhibitor, with whom 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 391 
 
 the writer was long ago acquainted, to give each bird on its 
 return from a show a small cube of beef or ham fat, dipped 
 lightly in red pepper. This seems so simple as to be folly, yet 
 we readily can see that the fat was, because of its oily nature, 
 warming and laxative, while the pepper is known to be a stim- 
 ulant to digestive action. 
 
 The Use of Condiments and Laxatives. — Another equally 
 successful exhibitor and breeder who was most skillful in the 
 care of chickens, mixed equal parts of ginger, charcoal, flowers 
 of sulphur, and powdered charcoal together, added enough 
 melted lard or flour and water to hold the ingredients together, 
 and gave each bird a pill about the size of a large pea. We 
 can understand that this is mildly laxative and stimulating to 
 digestive action. These remedies are mentioned because of 
 their simple, harmless character, and because they are usually 
 available. 
 
 Compel Exercise and Feed Lightly. — Aside from these 
 simple precautions, it is necessary to mention but one or two 
 more, and these are so important, so obvious and so well known 
 that it is not necessary to go into very much detail. It is known 
 by every exhibitor that birds, partly because they are overfed 
 and underexercised. become lazy if not dyspeptic during the 
 time they are so closely confined. It is therefore necessary to 
 feed lightly for a few days and in such a manner that the birds 
 must exercise. This is easily accomplished by supplying the 
 same light, yet deep litter that is so necessary to get birds in 
 show condition, or to keep hens laying briskly in the winter 
 months. 
 
 Notwithstanding the usual demands of the show room and 
 the incidentals connected therewith upon the physical and 
 mental systems of fowls entirely unprovided for by nature in 
 the original parents, the difficulties of conditioning and show- 
 ing fowls seems very small and trivial to anyone who has even 
 a very few years of experience in this fascinating sport. 
 
PART FIVE 
 
 PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPING 
 
 SECTION I. THE MATURE FLOCK. 
 
 Chapter I. HOW TO START. 
 
 Chapter II. A BACK YARD FLOCK. 
 
 Chapter IIL HOUSING THE FLOCK. 
 
 Chapter IV. SANITATION. 
 
 Chapter V. FEEDING THE BREEDING HENS. 
 
 Chapter VI. THE HEALTH OF THE BREEDING 
 FLOCK IN CONFINEMENT. 
 
 SECTION II. THE YOUNG STOCK. 
 
 Chapter L HATCHING AND BROODING. 
 
 Chapter II. CARE OF THE GROWING STOCK. 
 
 Chapter III. FEEDING FOR GROWTH. 
 
SECTION I . 
 
 THE MATURE FLOCK 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 HOW TO START. 
 
 A WELL KNOWN American humorist once said, "The 
 way to start is to begin," and that appHes as well to 
 poultry keeping as to any other enterprise. There is 
 no rule or set of rules for starting in this business which, if 
 followed, will guarantee success, or which, if neglected, is sure 
 to be followed by failure. How well one applies himself to 
 the details of the work and how well he understands the busi- 
 ness is far more important and necessary to his success than 
 that he start at any particular time or according to any particu- 
 lar plan or system. 
 
 Selecting the Breed. — Undoubtedly the first thing to do is 
 to decide on a variety which has a special appeal to the person 
 about to take up the work of breeding standard-bred fowls. 
 If he decides to breed Plymouth Rocks, he has his choice of 
 all the varieties of that breed which are described in this vol- 
 ume and all of these will give perfect satisfaction if properly 
 bred, housed and cared for. As all varieties are required to 
 have the same shape, the matter of choice is merely one of 
 color. As it is a generally accepted fact that a breeder will do 
 best with the kind he likes best, it is by all means advisable to 
 select the variety of Plymouth Rocks which appeals most to 
 him on account of its plumage, bearing in mind that in selling 
 eggs and stock for breeding purposes, and stock for exhibition, 
 there is more demand for the popular varieties than those that 
 are not so popular. 
 
 While many contend that the first thing to do is to build 
 and properly equip quarters for fowls or chicks, it is true that 
 there is no real poultry keeping or poultry breeding until one 
 possesses the chicks or fowls. Many a poultry breeder who 
 now occupies a prominent position in the poultry world started 
 by buying a setting of eggs at a time when he possessed no 
 more equipment than a sitting hen and a box in which to make 
 
 393 
 
394 AMERICAN POCI/riiY AtiSOCIATION 
 
 a nest. If the start is made by purchasing eggs, the buildings 
 and equipment can be built as requirements demand. 
 
 Quality, Health and Vigor. — ^When starting in this way, 
 the first thing to do is to select the breeder from whom the 
 eggs are to be bought. As distance is no bar. if eggs are 
 packed and handled properly, the main point to be considered 
 is the quality of the stock that the breeder can and will sell. 
 When referring to quality, we mean how closely the stock 
 approximates the requirements of the American Standard of 
 Perfection and described, so far as they affect each variety of 
 Plymouth Rocks, in this book ; and also, whether the same 
 stock possesses the health and vitality which is so necessary 
 for success. These things are of equal importance, because 
 one's success as a breeder of standard-bred fowls depends on 
 his having stock good enough to command good prices, and it 
 also depends on his having stock with the health and strength 
 which will make it productive, not only of good color, but of 
 plenty of eggs and meat. It should be particularly noted that 
 it is very difficult to produce the quality of stock in any variety 
 of Plymouth Rocks which will sell for high prices from any 
 except a line, or family, of healthy fowls. 
 
 Buy of a Specialist. — It is very satisfactory to see the stock 
 from which one buys eggs if it is convenient to do so, but 
 almost all of the buying of eggs is done by mail and breeders 
 with reputations to sustain can be depended on to deal justly 
 with those who send to them for eggs for hatching. It is 
 always best to buy of a breeder who has a good reputation, 
 because it is difficult to build up such a reputation except by 
 breeding good stock and giving good value when filling orders. 
 Almost invariably the specialist is the best one to buy from, 
 for the specialist has more and better stock of his breed or 
 variety than one who attempts to breed or handle and sell a 
 great many different varieties. This is not intended to cast 
 reflections on the reputable and successful breeder who handles 
 two, three, or even half a dozen varieties and who has suc- 
 ceeded with all of them. Our readers will understand, how- 
 ever, why it is impossible for any man, or associated group of 
 men, to successfully breed, raise and sell high quality stock 
 of many different varieties. 
 
 Prices of Hatching Eggs. — Prices should be made a minor 
 consideration. The main point is to get good eggs from good 
 stock and while a few dollars more in the price of the eggs 
 amounts to but little, the difference in the value of the chickens 
 
PLYMOUTH ROVK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK :i95 
 
 hatched will amount to considerable as the stock grows up 
 and develops, and is in turn bred from to build up the flock. 
 Poor eggs, or even good eggs from poor or ordinary stock, 
 are expensive at any price, because they make it impossible for 
 the breeder to progress as he must, in order to be successful. 
 In many cases, buying eggs proves a very inexpensive method 
 of getting some of the finest chicks. It frequently happens 
 that a setting of eggs sold for five, ten, or perhaps, in extreme 
 cases, twenty-five dollars produces a single bird which is worth 
 many times the original cost of the eggs. The writer recalls 
 cases in which settings of purchased eggs produced first prize 
 winners at several fairly prominent poultry shows. 
 
 Breeding Stock. — To start with, the purchase of breeding 
 stock requires more capital if the stock is first class, but on 
 the other hand a good trio or pen will supply several settings 
 of eggs. There is, moreover, a certain satisfaction in possess- 
 ing the fowls and considerable pleasure in feeding and caring 
 for them. When adopting this method of getting a start, it is 
 best to buy mature specimens, or at least those which are 
 nearly mature, in the case of young stock. Quarters and equip- 
 ment must be provided before the fowls arrive. It is just as 
 important to select the variety which appeals most to the 
 purchaser when buying stock as when buying eggs, and it is 
 also just as important to buy from a breeder who has a good 
 reputation for the quality of his stock and whose business has 
 developed to the point where one is justified in believing that 
 it is founded on honesty in his dealings. While this may not 
 be as important when the experienced poultry breeder is pur- 
 chasing, it is something that the beginner should not over- 
 look. 
 
 Here again, the quality of the stock individually and the 
 ability of the family, or line, from which it comes to repro- 
 duce its good qualities of shape and color as well as its strength 
 and vitality, are important matters to consider. Inasmuch as 
 the success of a reputable breeder depends considerably on 
 his ability to build up a strain, the individuals of which will 
 breed true to character, we find here another reason for patron- 
 izing a man with an established reputation. xA.s such a breeder 
 knows the parentage of the members of his flock, and also how 
 to mate each individual member for the best results, a faculty 
 which is founded on his knowledge of the breeding tenden- 
 cies of his line, it is always best to have the breeder mate the 
 fowls which the novice purchases. If this is done, the inex- 
 
396 AMERICAN POULTRY AiiSOGIATION 
 
 perienced beginner is relieved of one of the most trying respon- 
 sibilities of his first season ; and if he takes care of his breeders 
 properly and rears the chicks with such good judgment that 
 they grow and develop well, he may be sure of good results 
 the first season. Whether it is best to buy young stock, if it 
 is mature enough to show its quality, or old stock, or a part 
 of each, is less important than whether one gets the right 
 quality. Pens made up of well matured stock hatched the 
 previous spring are often as healthy, as strong, and produce 
 as good results as old birds. Yet such birds are, of course, 
 untried and just what they will produce can not be foretold, 
 whereas the older birds can sometimes be bought with an 
 exact knowledge of what they produced the previous season 
 and what they may be expected to produce in the season to 
 come. While it is sometimes advised and occasionally advis- 
 able to mate cocks with pullets and cockerels with hens, there 
 is no well defined rule which must be followed calling for such 
 matings, and no preponderant proof that such matings are 
 best. 
 
 If only a certain amount of money is to be spent, it is 
 better to buy a few good birds than many poor ones, or even 
 an ordinary number of birds of mediocre quality. It should be 
 remembered that the stock bought at the beginning is to be 
 the foundation of the flock, and the better the quality of the 
 foundation stock, the faster the value of the flock will increase 
 as its numbers become greater. It may also be remembered 
 safely, when Plymouth Rocks are being considered, that beauty 
 and utility may be found in the same birds. There is no rea- 
 son why any variety of Plymouth Rocks can not be doubly 
 valuable because it meets the requirements of the Standard of 
 Perfection in shape and color, and at the same time produces 
 eggs in goodly numbers and meat in satisfactory quantity and 
 quality ; in fact, there is every reason why these qualities should 
 be found in the same specimens. 
 
 When to Start.- -When the start is made with eggs, it must 
 be done in the spring or early summer, that is, in March, April, 
 May or the first part of June. Much depends on the use the 
 beginner intends to make of the chicks that are to be hatched. 
 If Plymouth Rocks are wanted for the early fall shows, they 
 should be hatched in March or the first half of April ; if to be 
 shown at the winter shows, May is early enough to get them 
 out, and at the late winter shows, those hatched in the first 
 fifteen days in June are frequently among the winners. It is 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK f^TANDARD AND BREbD BOOK 397 
 
 a fact that the best results are usually obtained when the eggs 
 are bought after the breeding stock has had a chance to get 
 outdoors and exercise in the open air, because chicks from 
 such eggs come out at the time Nature intended they should 
 and all Nature is favorable to them. For this reason, it is 
 best to defer the purchase of the eggs which are to produce 
 next season's breeders until the latter part of April or the first 
 part of May in northern latitudes, and hatch as soon as the 
 grass begins to get green in southern latitudes. 
 
 The average beginner buys stock when his interest is 
 highest, that is. generally during the show season, immediately 
 after the show season, or directly preceding the opening of the 
 breeding season, which begins about March first. At this 
 time of the year prices of breeding stock are generally at the 
 highest point because the poultryman has been to the expense 
 of keeping it through the winter and because there is more 
 demand for it. There is an advantage in buying at this time 
 because the stock is usually in good condition for breeding, if 
 supplied by a successful breeder, and the beginner can go right 
 to work increasing his flock. Again he secures his stock in 
 time to hatch chicks early in the season. 
 
 One of the best times to buy old stock is in the summer, 
 when breeders are offering lower prices on the stock which 
 they used the season before, and which they do not require for 
 the season following. Young stock can be bought most rea- 
 sonably in the fall, at about the time when the breeder must 
 put it in winter quarters; but it should not be bought at this 
 time unless it is sufficiently developed to show its quality. An 
 excellent opportunity is sometimes offered to purchase fowls 
 from mated pens, or to purchase entire pens in the late spring 
 after the breeder has secured a certain number of eggs from 
 them, and while there is still time for the new owner to raise 
 a nice flock of chicks. There is no best time to start with the 
 purchase of stock. That depends altogether upon conditions. 
 (H. A. N.) 
 
898 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A BACK YARD FLOCK. 
 
 There are interesting possibilities connected with keeping 
 a breeding pen in the back yard, or, if the back yard is big 
 enough, keeping two breeding pens or perhaps more. Limited 
 room is no bar to success if the pouUry keeper does his part. 
 The smaller the area to be devoted to a flock of fowls, the 
 more care that flock needs, for the things that the fowls 
 could do for themselves if they had a wide range must be 
 done for them by the owner when they are confined within 
 narrow limits. Naturally, none but standard-bred flocks 
 should be kept, for these not only can be made profitable 
 for eggs and meat, but there may be an added profit from 
 the sale of eggs for hatching and stock for breeding and exhi- 
 bition, if the breeder has the inclination and ability to breed 
 high class stock. Some of the winners in our largest shows 
 are from flocks that are kept in back yards, where there is 
 room for only a small house and a small yard. If it happens 
 that an owner can place his chicks on a farm where they will 
 receive good care and where they can have the advantage of 
 free range during their growth, he can raise more chicks, and 
 in many cases better chicks, than if obliged to do all the rearing 
 in his small back yard. 
 
 Advantages — Poultry Keeping Brings Health.— Back yard 
 poultry keeping is not only capable of making good profits, 
 but it offers recreation of the most healthful kind. Many a 
 man or woman has found improved health by spending, every 
 day, the time needed to care for one of these small flocks, be- 
 cause in doing so that man or woman was compelled to take 
 outdoor exercise. 
 
 The boys and girls can frequently be interested in the back 
 yard flock and thereby be induced to spend more time at home 
 in a useful pursuit than they otherwise would. Instances are 
 known where boys and girls have made the profit from a small 
 flock the nucleus of a splendid bank account, which afforded 
 them the means of obtaining an advanced education or a start 
 in business life. 
 
 Feeding. — The back yard poultry breeder has one decided 
 advantage. He has enough table and kitchen waste to make up 
 perhaps half the ration for his flock, which reduces the cost of 
 feeding his fowls and adds to his profits. These table and 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK ,ST IVO 1/?D Ayp BREED BOOK 
 
 399 
 
 kitchen scraps can be mixed with a little corn meal and bran 
 and that part of one ration, therefore, costs but little. If pre- 
 ferred, these scraps can be fed separately in a trough, for a 
 lunch at midday. Usually, however, there is more of this 
 material, which is usually excellent for the purpose, than can 
 be fed for lunch only. (H. A. N.) 
 
 A Poultry House, after the Maine Model, at Ihiiversity Farm, 
 St. Paul, Minn. The cut shows the curtains open (left) for a mild 
 winter day and closed (right) for severe winter weather. 
 
400 AMERfCAX POVT.TRY AFISOCIATION 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 HOUSING THE FLOCK. 
 
 Housing- is one of the most important items in poultry 
 keeping. A flock that is not well housed is not comfortable 
 and a flock that is not comfortable is not healthy, profitable 
 nor satisfactory to care for. It is a mistake to expect the 
 same type of house to prove satisfactory under all conditions. 
 Houses that seem to meet the requirement when placed in 
 sheltered locations fail utterly when exposed to the cold winds. 
 Houses that are used in the northern parts of the country must 
 obviously be more warmly built, and are. therefore, more ex- 
 pensive than those used in the South where the winters are 
 mild. 
 
 Plymouth Rocks have rugged constitutions and do not re- 
 quire particularly warm quarters, but they must be well pro- 
 tected from the elements and at the same time a reasonable 
 provision must be made for fresh air and sunlight. The fact 
 that they will stand extreme temperatures, when healthy and 
 vigorous, without apparent suffering, is no contradiction of 
 the statement that, if part of their energy and heat is used to 
 combat extreme cold, that same energy and heat can not be 
 used to produce eggs or meat. It is best to keep the fowls 
 comfortable. 
 
 Open Front Houses. — ^What is known as the open front 
 house, that is, the house with the north, east and west sides, 
 as well as the roof, tightly and warmly built and the south 
 side entirely open, can be used satisfactorily in warm and mild 
 climates and sometimes proves satisfactory in sheltered loca- 
 tions in all except the coldest parts of the United States and 
 Canada. 
 
 Warm Houses. — In most cases, however, poultry keeping; 
 in the northern part of this country calls for houses which 
 can be closed up quite tightly during severely cold nights, and 
 which may be opened sufficiently to let in a plentiful supply of 
 .fresh air during the daytime. It will be plain to all that in 
 order to properly protect the fowls and conserve their heat 
 and energy, they must have more protection in cold weather 
 than in warm weather, and that the protection afforded must 
 be at all times in proportion to the severity of the weather; 
 that is, houses must be quite open in warm weather, partly 
 closed in moderately cold weather, and almost entirely closed 
 in verv cold weather. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 401 
 
 The house must be constructed in such a way that the 
 cold can not penetrate it readily, yet the sun can dry it and 
 warm the walls during the bright days, as the sun is the cheap- 
 est heating and drying agent that we have. 
 
 Houses for Warm Climates. — In parts of the country where 
 extremely cold weather is unknown and in parts even farther 
 south where only moderately cold weather is experienced, 
 buildings which are very simply and thinly built, open on one 
 side and with conveniences for letting in air through one or 
 more of the other three sides, may be constructed. 
 
 Simple Construction Best. — The poultry keeper who has 
 at his disposal the rear of a small city lot, or the village poul- 
 tryman who has a little larger space, will find the simplest 
 house the best in most cases, and also the least expensive to 
 construct. Of all buildings, the shed roof style, with the 
 front about seven or eight feet high and the back about five 
 to six feet high, is the cheapest to build and the one most 
 commonly used. It can be built any width up to sixteen feet 
 and any length desired. It should face south and have one 
 full size upper and lower sash window, hung preferably on 
 weights and pulleys, like the windows in a dwellmg, for every 
 eight feet in length, if it is more than ten feet wide, or one 
 window for each twelve feet in length, if it is less than ten 
 feet wide. A house less than twelve feet wide is more expen- 
 sive to build, in proportion to its capacity, and is not advised 
 except in cases where a narrower house must be used for some 
 reason. 
 
 Walls and Roofs. — In the cold parts of the country, the 
 walls and roof of such a building may be built of tongued and 
 grooved boards nailed to a frame work of two-by-fours, and 
 covered with two or three thicknesses of tar paper, then one 
 thickness of any good brand of prepared roofing. This con- 
 struction, though simple and cheap, makes a wall that is rea- 
 sonably warm, because it keeps out the cold and is warmed 
 up and dried out quickly when the sun shines on it. Shin- 
 gles, clapboards, or any kind of siding on the outside makes 
 a better appearing structure and a warm one, but more ex- 
 pensive. In warmer territories, only a single thickness of 
 boards for the walls, with the same and tarred paper or 
 prepared roofing on the roof to make it water-tight, is re- 
 quired. A handsomer finish can also be applied to the same 
 construction. 
 
402 
 
 AMERICAN POVLTRY ASl^OCtATION 
 
 Ventilation. — This is an important matter, because it is 
 known that the presence of moisture impairs the health of 
 fowls. Fowls throw ofif quantities of moisture when exhal- 
 ing and this moisture, together with that which originates 
 from any other source, must l)e carried out of the building by 
 means of ventilation or currents of air. These air currents, if 
 rapid, cause drafts and drafts in the house endanger the 
 health of the fowls. To prevent these drafts the air must be 
 allowed to enter through the one side only by opening the 
 windows, much or little, according to the temperature and the 
 force of the incoming wind. In some localities, cloth covered 
 frames are placed in openings between the windows and high 
 enough up in the side of the house so that when these frames, 
 which should be hinged at the top, are opened the drafts can 
 not strike the fowls on the floor. These cloth covered frames 
 
 FARM POULTEY HOUSE, MINNESOTA MODEL 
 
 Windows hung on weights and pulleys serve as ventilators when 
 required. Openings above windows fitted with two sets of doors, each 
 of which can be closed or open, provide constant ventilation. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 403 
 
 permit the air to enter and leave the house slowly and provide 
 ventilation when the windows are closed to keep out the wind. 
 In higher houses than we have described, a loft is built in the 
 top of the structure by placing boards an inch apart, high 
 enough to clear the head of the caretaker and covered with 
 a thick bed of straw or hay. Openings are made in the walls 
 of the house above this straw or hay and the air enters and 
 escapes from the house by slowly passing up and down through 
 this material. 
 
 No system of flues and pipes will work satisfactorily unless 
 artificial heat is .applied to create a draft in them. In warm 
 parts of the country where the buildings have one side en- 
 tirely open, except perhaps for a wire screen to keep the hens 
 in and other animals out, the ventilation takes care of' itself, 
 though frequently it is necessary to have open spaces in other 
 sides of the house to keep it comfortable in the hottest weather. 
 
 Other types of poultry buildings, including those with the 
 roof divided into two equal pitches and those with the roof 
 divided into two unequal pitches, can readily be adapted to 
 suit the back yard poultry keeper's needs, if they seem to 
 better suit his convenience and fancy. 
 
 Whatever the type of the house, it should be so constructed 
 that it will be dry. If it is on a damp location, or one which 
 is not well drained and likely to be damp at any season of the 
 year, a floor is necessary. If, however, it is on a dry location, 
 the floor may be made by filling in with gravel and sand 
 to a height a few inches above the ground level. The last 
 named method makes the most healthful and the warmest 
 floor. 
 
 Interior Equipment. — The equipment of the back yard 
 poultry keeper's hen house should be very simple. The roost 
 platform should be placed two feet above the floor, so that 
 the hens can use the floor space under it, against the north 
 wall of the house and the roosts should be set from six to 
 eight inches above the platform. These roosts may be made 
 of small dimension stufif that is not more than two inches wide 
 on its upper surface, with the corners rounded, or of round 
 pieces not more than three inches in diameter. It should be 
 remembered that when the hen sits down on the roost her 
 toes automatically curl and for that reason the upper surface 
 of the roost must be rounded. If more than one roost is used, 
 
404 .i.i//;/«'/r.i\ roii/ruY AssociATioy 
 
 all should be on the same level and far enough apart so that 
 the fowls will not be crowded when the roosts are full. 
 
 Nests may be made of ordinary boxes, large enough so 
 that a hen can sit down in them comfortably, and hung on 
 the walls, or they may be made to look better by any special 
 construction and the use of good lumber. Grit and shell boxes, 
 feed hoppers, etc., may be hung on the walls at convenient 
 places and high enough so that the dirt will not be scratched 
 into them by the fowls. (H. A. N.) 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 SANITATION. 
 
 The average poultry-keeper pays too little attention to the 
 practice of the principles of sanitation, though it is of the 
 greatest importance that these principles should be thoroughly 
 applied in both the poultry houses and yards, because sanitary 
 measures must be practiced assiduously in order to maintain 
 normal health among the fowls. 
 
 Every condition that promotes the possibility of disease 
 may be classed as unsanitary and the elimination of such con- 
 ditions must be accomplished as quickly after discovery as 
 possible, in order that the flock may be kept in perfect health, 
 without which the l)est results in any of the different branches 
 of poultry culture, as the production and hatchability of eggs, 
 and the lival)ility and growth of young stock, cannot be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 Cleanliness. — This is the most potent agency in promoting 
 sanitation. The vital importance of cleanliness must be ac- 
 tepted as a first principle in the successful management of a 
 poultry establishment, large or small. Manifestly, it is more 
 dif^cult and laborious to maintain cleanliness when large num- 
 bers of fowls or chicks are kept in small houses and runs, than 
 when the reverse is the practice. But, in that case, the neces- 
 sity is in a proportionate measure more urgent, and in all cases 
 cleanliness, not as a theory but as a condition, must be estab- 
 lished and maintained in all parts of the house, including 
 floors, walls, roosts, roost platforms and nests and, particu- 
 larly, in all watering and feeding devices. Cleanliness pre- 
 vents disease by removing the germs of disease and the accum- 
 ulation of tilth which is conducive to their increase and de- 
 velopment. 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AXD BREED BOOK 405 
 
 The Use of Disinfectants. — The intelligent use of disin- 
 fectants is also effective as a method of destroying germs of 
 disease. There are numbers of these that can be relied upon 
 to do the work desired if the directions furnished are followed, 
 but while they serve their purpose nicely, it should be under- 
 stood that the necessity for their use is reduced or increased 
 as cleanliness is practiced or neglected. When a tolerable 
 degree of cleanliness is constantly maintained, the frequent 
 use of disinfectants will not be necessary, except when disease 
 is prevalent, or unless it is to destroy or prevent the intrusion 
 of lice or mites. Cleanliness of all parts of the house to a 
 degree that insures against ordinary dangers of disease can 
 be acquired by the common mechanical process of cleaning, 
 except in cases of feeding and drinking appliances, which should 
 be scalded or washed in disinfectants occasionally. 
 
 Roost platforms should be cleaned at least twice a week, 
 or daily if convenient, and with the roosts should be treated 
 copiously with a liquid disinfectant which is an insecticide 
 as well as a germicide once a month, and at least twice as often 
 during hot weather. The floor litter should be removed and 
 renewed as often as necessary, which is readily determined by 
 inspection. 
 
 Care of Grounds. — The sanitation of the small poultry yard 
 is often a serious problem. When the fowls are kept on the 
 same ground for a considerable length of time, disease germs 
 multiply so rapidly in the filth which accumulates, that the 
 ground becomes so contaminated as to become a menace to 
 health. Where the yards are exceptionally small, poultry- 
 keepers sometimes remove the surface of the soil for fertilizer 
 and replace it with new earth. It is also a common practice to 
 spade up the earth, turning the surface under and bringing 
 fresh soil to the top ; but even when this is done, the ground 
 sooner or later becomes saturated with filth which nurtures 
 germs of disease. 
 
 Fortunately. Nature has provided a way for cleansing filthy 
 ground by means of vegetable growth which may be of service 
 to the poultry-keeper. Wherever possible the back yard poul- 
 try-keeper, or any poultry-keeper who is obliged to use a small 
 area of ground, should take advantage of this fact by dividing 
 his yards, so that while the fowls are running in one, some 
 quick-growing, succulent vegetation, which is at the same time 
 purifying the soil and supplying green food, is being produced 
 in the other. As soon as this vegetation in the second yard 
 
40G AMERICAN POULTRY A8l^0CIATI0N 
 
 has obtained a good start, that yard may again be used by the 
 fowls, and greens planted in the yard first used. By this 
 process the ground can be kept in good condition and a cer- 
 tain amount of green food constantly furnished the fowls in 
 season. (H. A. N.) 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 FEEDING THE BREEDING FLOCK. 
 
 Feeding the fowls from which the eggs for hatching will 
 be secured is a very important matter. Sometimes care and 
 feed which will secure a good yield will not produce eggs that 
 will hatch wdl, nor which will hatch strong, healthy chicks. 
 When feeding for high production alone, the main idea is to 
 feed the hen a ration that will enable her to produce the most 
 eggs in a given time, and that very often overworks her so 
 that her strength and vitality are reduced to such an extent 
 that she will seldom lay eggs that are suitable for incuba- 
 tion. To produce a strong chick, the egg must not only be 
 perfect so far as table qualities are concerned, but must also 
 possess a strong, vigorous life germ and the proper life-giving 
 material to develop this germ. It will be obvious that both 
 the male and females in the breeding pen must be in good 
 physical condition, or the qualities desired, hatchability of the 
 eggs and vitality of the chicks hatched, will be lacking in the 
 egg produced. 
 
 In accordance with Nature's plan, the hen usually waits 
 until warm weather comes and the ground is covered with 
 green grass before eggs are laid and incubated. She then 
 finds health-giving nourishment in form of fresh vegetable 
 matter and has an invigorating atmosphere in which to exer- 
 cise and build up her powers of reproduction to a high degree 
 — and the same natural conditions favor maximum vitality in 
 the male. Conditions are very different in most poultry yards 
 because the poultry-keeper has found it necessary to hatch 
 earlier than the natural season in order to get the most profit 
 from the chicks and because, in the case of the back yard 
 poultry-keeper in particular, he has not space enough for much 
 grass to grow or to give extended range. The breeding season 
 comes close after the severe winter weather in the northern 
 states, and although it comes earlier in the South, the condi- 
 tions are approximately the same as related. 
 
PLYMOUTH IWCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 40? 
 
 It often happens that it is necessary to use the hens for 
 breeding that have been fed for egg production during the 
 winter. The vitahty of these hens may have been somewhat 
 reduced by heavy laying. This condition must be met by 
 building up and maintaining the strength of the birds. To 
 do this the methods of management must be arranged and 
 foods selected so as to approach as closely as possible the meth- 
 ods and foods which Nature uses and supplies so successfully 
 later in the season. 
 
 A Variety of Hard Grains. — A variety of feed is very im- 
 portant, for it is useless to expect the fowls to obtain from any 
 one or two kinds the many different elements which are needed 
 to build up and strengthen the different parts of the body 
 and to produce the egg as well. A variety of the ordinary 
 grains, as for instance, corn, wheat, and oats, usually supplies 
 the needs as far as grain is concerned. 
 
 The feeding of these grains also furnishes an opportunity 
 to compel hens which are in small quarters to take exercise 
 which they naturally get by ranging over the fields in warm 
 weather. The floor should always be covered with a litter of 
 straw, leaves, coarse hay, corn stalks or shavings, and all the 
 whole and cracked grain buried in this litter so that the fowls 
 will scratch vigorously to get it and, by exercising their 
 muscles, increase the flow of blood in their arteries and veins, 
 thus better nourish the different parts of the body. While 
 the fowls are exercising, the windows should be opened suffi- 
 ciently to allow them to breathe the pure air while at work. 
 In extremely cold weather, a very small opening is all that is 
 necessary to keep the air dry and pure. 
 
 Ground Grains or Mashes. — In addition to the hard grain, 
 which is fed as previously directed, a mash, either dry or 
 damp, is usually supplied. Dry mashes are fed in hoppers 
 or boxes which are open to the fowls all or part of the day. 
 Damp mashes are made by mixing the same ingredients which 
 make up the dry mashes with milk or water and are fed in 
 troughs once a day, usually. After each meal the troughs 
 are cleaned and removed. If damp mashes are allowed to 
 remain before the fowls very long, they become sour. When 
 in this condition mashes injure the digestive organs and at the 
 same time are likely to reduce the appetities of the fowls, and 
 a good appetite is very necessary to a healthy fowl. 
 
 Animal Foods. — In addition to the ground hard grains, 
 meat-foods and greens must be supplied. The most common 
 
408 AMERICAN POULTRY At^SOCIATION 
 
 methods of supplying- animal food are by feeding beef-scraps or 
 the by-products of milk, though usually it is best to furnish 
 scraps and bone-meal in addition to the milk. With that variety 
 the results are likely to be more satisfactory. Milk can be 
 furnished as a drink, if water is given in addition, or may be 
 mixed in the mash and it may be given sweet, clabbered, whole 
 or skimmed. 
 
 Green Foods. — When fowls are confined, green food of 
 some sort to take the place of the fresh green grass and tender 
 young shoots, which the hen gets by ranging freely in the 
 fields in warm weather, must also be supplied. In the early 
 part of the breeding season when the fowls are to be put in 
 condition for breeding the poultryman must depend entirely 
 on mangels, beets, cabbages, sprouted oats and green stuff of 
 that kind. Green-cured clover and alfalfa, ground finely or 
 cut in short lengths, are often added to the damp mash or 
 moistened and fed separately, furnishing green food to some 
 extent, but it does not take the place of the fresh succulence 
 of the greener foods. It will not do to feed mouldy or spoiled 
 vegetables of any kind, and when sprouted oats are used the 
 poultryman should be particularly careful that they do not get 
 musty or mouldy while sprouting. 
 
 Too Fattening Rations. — If the fowls are inclined to get 
 too heavy or too fat, the more fattening foods of the ration, 
 like corn and cornmeal, should be reduced in quantity and the 
 muscle-forming elements like bran, clover, alfalfa and meat 
 foods should be increased. This answers better than to give 
 less food if the fowls are eating well, because less food is likely 
 to reduce their strength. 
 
 Outdoor Exercise. — When the weather is warm enough to 
 permit, some breeders allow their fowls to get a part of their 
 exercise by scratching in straw which is placed on the ground 
 in front of the house. In some cases the snow is shoveled 
 away for that purpose. (H. A. N.) 
 
PLYMOVTH ROCK ST.\M).\h'D A\T) BUEED BOOK 409 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE HEALTH OF THE BREEDING FLOCK 
 IN CONFINEMENT. 
 
 Breeding fowls that are kept in houses or houses and small 
 yards have less opportunity to keep in vigorous health than 
 breeding stock which is allowed free range when the weather 
 permits, or has the run of extensive yards. As we have before 
 mentioned, the only way to secure and maintain health and 
 vigor in a breeding flock is to provide as nearly as possible 
 the things the flock would secure if it were running wild in 
 the natural breeding season. 
 
 Healthy Stock. — In the first place, the stock must be 
 healthy to start with. It is a waste of time and money to 
 attempt to breed health and strength into a flock in confine- 
 ment. With healthy stock to start with and proper surround- 
 ings, proper care and proper feed, then health may be main- 
 tained to a satisfactory degree ; but unless surroundings, feed 
 and care are what they should be, the fowls will weaken sooner 
 or later, and succeeding generations will have less and less 
 vigor as time goes on. 
 
 The House. — A healthful house is of the first importance 
 and a house which furnishes the requirements for health is 
 likewise a comfortable house, and a comfortable house is the 
 most profitable house to use. A sufificient amount of ventila- 
 tion to keep the air reasonably pure, protection from drafts 
 and severe cold, provision for plenty of sunlight in every part 
 of the house, at least during part of the day. are the prin- 
 cipal requirements. Under such conditions fowls that are 
 properly fed and cared for will maintain their vitality. 
 
 Feeding. — Good feeding is another requisite and good feed- 
 ing must include sufficient variety of the right kinds of food, 
 comprising whole and cracked grains, ground grains, meat 
 food, green food, grit, charcoal and oyster shells. The grain 
 must be fed in deep litter to encourage exercise, for without 
 exercise no fowls remain healthy. Feeding at regular hours 
 helps to keep the digestive organs of the fowls in good condi- 
 tion and hens that have good digestion are likely to have 
 good health, at least, so far as anything affected by food is 
 concerned. 
 
410 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Management. — Good care is of the utmost importance, and 
 good care includes not only careful methods of supplying- 
 feed but careful methods of adjusting ventilation, cleaning 
 and disinfecting the house, etc. Closing the house up too 
 tightly in moderate weather and allowing it to remain too 
 open in severe weather is a prolific source of trouble ; colds 
 develop and colds weaken the bird's power of resistance to 
 other diseases. Drafts allowed to blow on the fowls day or 
 night, especially at night when they are inactive on the roosts, 
 will be likely to cause colds in the flock. When kept upon 
 filthy or damp floors or litter, fowls are vmcomfortable and 
 soon get into such condition that they are easily affected by 
 any kind of disease germs. 
 
 Unclean nests not only injure the eggs laid there but 
 menace the health of the hens. Filthy dropping boards fur- 
 nish a place for the breeding of germs of disease and vermin. 
 All these fittings should be kept clean and should be disin- 
 fected occasionally. Vermin must not be allowed to get a 
 foothold. It not only makes the fowls uncomfortable, but 
 actually tortures them in some cases and by so doing reduces 
 their strength and vitality. 
 
 New Blood. — When adding new blood to the stock, extreme 
 care should be taken to obtain the most vigorous and healthy 
 birds, for anything else not only fails to assist in maintaining 
 the health of the flock, but it reduces the necessary vitality. 
 (H. A. N.) 
 
 BARRED PLYMOUTJI HOCK hAHY CUli'\<i< 
 (Courtesy Minnesota Agricultural College) 
 
SECTION II. 
 
 THE YOUNG STOCK 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 HATCHING AND BROODING. 
 
 IN MOST CASES the keeper of a back yard Hock depends 
 on the old hen that can cover thirteen to fifteen eggs to do 
 the hatching and she is as often entrusted with the busi- 
 ness of brooding the chicks. If the hens begin laying in the 
 fall or early winter, there are sure to be some broody ones 
 among any of the varieties of Plymouth Rocks by March 
 first, which is as early as most poultry-keepers care to set 
 hens. If the hens do not ])ecome broody early enough, or if 
 the poultry-keeper prefers to break up those which do become 
 broody in order to get them to laying again, and use their 
 eggs for hatching, a small incubator is a practical necessity. 
 All the high-grade makes will give satisfactory results if 
 properly handled and svipplied with good eggs. Furthermore, 
 they are so perfected that they require but little care and are 
 safe and also easy to handle. Inasmuch as complete instruc- 
 tions for operating are supplied with each machine, it is not 
 necessary to describe these methods in this book. 
 
 The Sitting Hen's Nest. — Setting a hen is a more important 
 and exacting matter than most people think. Many hatches 
 are spoiled because the nests are not properly made. It is 
 unreasonable to expect a hen to distribute her warmth over 
 a large area and still have enough to incubate the eggs, par- 
 ticularly in cold weather. A warm nest is absolutely neces- 
 sary and that means that it must be made, or at least lined, 
 with a fine material, such as fine, soft hay and be built in a 
 good, warm box. The sides of the box, however, should not 
 be so high that the hen will land heavily on the eggs when 
 getting down into the nest, or one side must be cut down to 
 allow her to enter easily. At the same time the box must be 
 deep enough to extend well up around the side of the hen's 
 body and of the right size so that the hen will fit snugly to 
 the nest, so that the heat of her body may be adequate for 
 
 411 
 
412 AMKRICW I'Ol I.Th'Y Assoc I \TI()\ 
 
 incubation, even in cold weatlier. The bottom of the nest 
 should be slightly lower in the center so that the eggs will 
 tend to keep closely together, but if the nest is too deep in 
 the center, the eggs are more apt to be crushed or broken. 
 Just enough gradual drop is necessary to keep the eggs under 
 the hen and in the center of the nest. Less chicks are crushed 
 during hatching in a nest that is flat or almost flat, therefore 
 the nest may be flattened by removing the material on the 
 outside when hatching time arrives, so that the eggs on the 
 outside will not exert too much pressure on the newly hatched 
 chicks, or on the chicks that are partly out of the shell and 
 are located in the center of the nest. 
 
 Care During the Sitting Period. — X'ermin must not W 
 allowed to exist on a sitting hen, and she should have her 
 plumage treated with lice killing powder just before she is 
 set. and again every six days, the last time at least twenty- 
 four hours before the chicks are expected to break the shell. 
 Usually the hen will do well while sitting if fed on a variety 
 of hard grains, but many poultry-keepers depend entirely on 
 corn, and we have had good results by feeding that grain 
 alone during the incubating period, perhaps because corn 
 is a heating food, and the hen requires considerable of that 
 kind of nourishment to keep uj) the incubating temperature. 
 To assist digestion a supply of grit and charcoal should always 
 be ready when the hen comes off the nest, as well as plenty 
 of fresh, clean water. The hen should leave the nest once a 
 day, and usually the morning is the best time. The hen 
 knows when feeding times come and is nervous and restless 
 if it is allowed to pass without feed being given her. This 
 results in a complete or partial loss of the eggs. Hence, 
 punctuality and regularity in feeding and care are vitally im- 
 portant. 
 
 Care at Hatching Period. — When the chicks are hatching, 
 it is well to remove the empty shells so that they will not caj) 
 the unhatched eggs and perhaps prevent the chicks from 
 getting out. When the hatch is complete the hen should be 
 encouraged to stay on the nest for twenty-four hours, after 
 she has been taken off, fed, and returned. In cold weather, 
 the chicks should be covered with a warm cloth while the 
 mother hen is being fed. 
 
 Care of Baby Chicks.— When they are from twenty-four to 
 thirty-six hours old, the hen and brood should be removed to 
 the brood coop and it is best to darken the coop at intervals 
 
I'LYMOl TU ROCK STAXDAh'l) AM> liRtJED BOOK 413 
 
 during the first day so that the hen will brood the chicks 
 frequently and conserve their strength. Unless the weather 
 is warm the brood coop should not be placed outdoors, but 
 should be given a place in a well lighted building which is 
 clean and which has been thoroughly disinfected if neces- 
 sary. In warm weather the little chicks can be moved to a 
 coop on the warm ground immediately, and should always 
 be given fresh green grassy runs. They should not be put 
 where older broods or fowls have been running earlier in the 
 season. 
 
 Feeding the Baby Chick, — The first feed may be stale but 
 not musty or mouldy bread, moistened with milk and then 
 squeezed quite dry, with a little grit and a little finely granu- 
 lated charcoal sprinkled on it ; johnny cake baked hard, crum- 
 bled and fed dry ; hard boiled egg chopped fine and mixed 
 half and half with bread crumbs; steel cut oatmeal, or any. of 
 the numerous, satisfactory rations given to little chicks by 
 
 NESTS FOE SETTING HENS, BUILT IN PAIRS 
 
 Placed on the ground or floor in any building if secluded. By this 
 arrangement the hens may be fastened on and fed at regular intervals 
 or allowed to come off and go on at will. 
 
414 AMERICAN POULTRY A.SSOCIATION 
 
 successful poultry-keepers. Sometimes the chicks are started 
 from the very first on prepared chick feeds, made from finely 
 cracked grains, and when they can have plenty of outdoor 
 exercise they will do well on such a ration. They should be 
 fed five times a day at the start. Milk is especially good for 
 little chicks, but plenty of clean water must also be provided, 
 for milk will not take its place. A little lettuce or a tender 
 cabbage leaf may be given each day from the first. No better 
 green food can be supplied young chicks than short, tender 
 grass on the sod. 
 
 Cleanliness, plenty of pure air. warmth, protection from 
 chilling winds and lots of sunlight are essential to the well being 
 of the little chicks. 
 
 The Artificial Method. — If incubators are used, the chicks 
 should remain in the incubator until they are from twenty- 
 four to thirty-six hours old. They should then be removed 
 to the ])rooder, which should occupy a well-lighted, clean 
 room where there is plenty of sun. The hover should pre- 
 viously have been warmed to a temperature of about ninety 
 degrees. After the chicks are in. their animal heat will raise 
 the temperature under the house from ninety to about ninety- 
 five degrees. 
 
 It is advisable to keep the youngsters under the hover most 
 of the time during the first twenty-four hours, letting them 
 out at frequent intervals to become accustomed to the brooder, 
 and to drink a little water and eat a little food. After the 
 first day they may be allowed to go in and out at will, unless 
 they are found to crowd in the corners, when they must be 
 returned to the hover until warm again, for crowding in out- 
 side corners always means that they are chilly. The same 
 food that was recommended for chicks with hens will prove 
 equally satisfactory for chicks in brooders. (H. A. N.) 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 415 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 CARE OF THE GROWING STOCK. 
 
 After the little chicks are well started on life's journey, 
 under the old hen or in the brooder, it is necessary to see that 
 they have proper care throughout the growing period. A 
 setback at any time in their growth can never be entirely over- 
 come and the more severe the setback, the greater the harm. 
 The brood should be kept with the hen or in the brooder as 
 long as artificial heat is necessary, which is until they are 
 well covered with their chicken feathers and sometimes longer, 
 depending on the season of the year. They may, of course, 
 remain in the same (juarters if the weather continues cold 
 and be allowed to run out doors only when conditions are 
 favorable. Unless the accommodations are ample, they are 
 likely to soon outgrow them and more room must be fur- 
 nished. A brood mothered by a hen can sometimes be kept 
 in a good sized brood coop for a short time after the hen weans 
 them, but they soon fill a coop of ordinary size so completely 
 that they are crowded at night. Before that occurs they 
 should be removed to what are generally known as roosting 
 coops. 
 
 Roosting Coops. — These roosting coops are of various 
 sizes, but a common size is six feet long, three feet wide, three 
 feet high in front and two feet high at the rear. If the chicks 
 use these little buildings during the heat of the summer, it is 
 customary to make the front entirely of wire netting or slats, 
 so that the air can circulate freely. To provide protection 
 against the storms and occasional cool weather, especially 
 in the fall, a burlap or cotton cloth curtain is often arranged 
 so that it can be rolled or dropped down to cover the open 
 side, in this way shutting out strong winds and driving rains. 
 This curtain should not be kept down except when necessary 
 for the before mentioned reasons, because at any other time 
 it confines the air too much and makes it too warm for the 
 youngsters. 
 
 When the brooder chicks are ready to be put out on the 
 range, that is, when they no longer need the protection of the 
 brooder or colony house in which the brooder is operated, 
 they are usually put into the roosting coops which are dis- 
 tributed over the range. The same procedure is followed in 
 the case of hen-brooded chicks. 
 
416 AMERICAX POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 Rearing in Restricted Quarters. — The back yard poultry 
 keejjer faces a serious situation when attempting to rear chicks, 
 yet good results can be obtained on a small area. If one has 
 no more room than is necessary for the fowls, it is useless 
 to try to raise chicks in his back yard, because chicks can- 
 not occupy the same ground as the fowis and do well ; nor 
 can they occupy ground that has been fouled to any extent. 
 Under such condnions, arrangements must be made to have 
 the chicks grown away from home, and care should be taken 
 to get them into the right hands and to be sure that they 
 have suitable quarters and proper feed. If the home quar- 
 ters are of a fair size, it is possible to grow very good chickens 
 by giving them extra care. The same method of cooping 
 should be followed as if they were on range and the outdoor 
 runs should be frequently spaded over. 1 he location of the 
 coop and yard should be changed every few days if possib.e, 
 and some small grain wdiich sprouts quickly planted in each 
 spot as soon as it is vacated. As the chicks can not develop 
 muscle and will not be healthy or strong without exercise, 
 Lhey must be made to scratch vigorously in litter for the dry 
 grain part of their ration. 
 
 Cleanliness is absolutely necessary in all cases, and the 
 coop must be cleaned at frequent intervals and occasionally 
 aismfected, especially the floor. If, as the chicks grow, they 
 hll the coop to a point where it becomes crowded, the flocks 
 must be divided, for each chick should have ample room to 
 sit on the floor comfortably at night. When the youngsters 
 are half-grown they may be given roosts placed lengthwise 
 of the coop, two being as many as can be used satisfactorily 
 in a coop of the dimensions we have mentioned. These roosts 
 should be of good size, but round enough on top so that the 
 toes of the chicks can curl around them, as Nature intended, 
 when the chicks sit down. 
 
 Lice will injure or even destroy a flock of chicks if given 
 any lee-way, and liquid mite killer should be used on the 
 floors of the coops and on the ropsts when the roosts are 
 put in. The chicks should be dusted thoroughly with a lice 
 killing powder, if any lice are discovered en them, and one 
 should search industriously for vermin at frequent intervals. 
 (H. A. N.) 
 
PLYMOl TH ROCK .STANDARD AM) BREED BOOK 417 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 FEEDING FOR GROWTH. 
 
 There are various methods of feeding growing chicks, 
 many of which are entirely satisfactory. The test is whether 
 or not they produce the desired results. A great many dififer- 
 ent food elements are required to nourish properly the differ- 
 ent parts of the chick's body, and unless food is given in 
 reasonable variety the chick usually cannot obtain, from what 
 is given it, enough of all the elements required to make satis- 
 factory growth. Obviously, if too much fat forming material 
 is given and too little of the material that makes the lean 
 meat and muscle, the chick can not develop as it should. A 
 chick on free range can sometimes overcome mistakes in feed- 
 ing by collecting from the range the different food elements 
 which it requires but does not obtain from the food provided. 
 
 In the back yard poultry keeper's little flock of young, this 
 can not be done, and the owner must be careful to furnish a 
 reasonably well balanced ration. 
 
 A good ration for chicks from two weeks to one month old 
 is as follows : 
 
 A mash consisting of three parts each (by weight) of 
 wheat bran and cornmeal, one part wheat middlings and one 
 part beef scraps, mixed dry and kept before them in hoppers; 
 a mixture of three parts cracked wheat, two parts finely 
 cracked corn and one part pinhead oatmeal, fed in a litter in 
 order to compel them to scratch for it. During the second 
 month of their lives, the same dry mash may be always avail- 
 able and a mixture of three parts wheat, two parts cracked 
 corn and one part of hulled oats may be given for scratch 
 feed. From the end of that time until they are grown they 
 should have constantly before them in hoppers, a dry mix- 
 ture consisting of three parts wheat bran, three parts wheat 
 middlings, three parts cornmeal, and two parts beef scraps, 
 and a scratch mixture of equal parts of wheat and cracked 
 corn, if they are on free range. If not on free range, the 
 scratch mixture should be given in a litter, to induce exercise, 
 twice a day. The same mash may be mixed with water, or 
 sweet or sour milk, and fed once a day, in addition, to hasten 
 development. 
 
418 AM ERIC AX POULTRY ASSOCIATIOy 
 
 \'ery simple rations sometimes prove quite effective when 
 chicks are on free range. A hopper of beef scraps and a 
 hopper of cracked corn constantly in reach is said to grow 
 excellent chicks, the corn furnishing the heating and fatten- 
 ing part of the ration, and the beef scraps the material of 
 which to make solid flesh. Of course, the chicks pick up the 
 green stuff and other food on the range. We would not ad- 
 vise anyone to feed such a ration to chicks confined in yards, 
 because, if there were no other arguments against it, it is 
 plain that the chicks would soon tire of it. 
 
 Chicks in yards must always be furnished green stuff once 
 each day, but none should be allowed to remain after they have 
 satisfied their appetites, because it soon becomes unwhole- 
 some. Grit and charcoal should always be available and plenty 
 of fresh water must be furnished. If milk can be given them 
 to drink in addition to water, better growth will result. 
 (H. A. N.) 
 
 
 
 
 COLONY COOP FOE YOUNG CHICKS 
 Design from Minnesota Agricultural College. Capacity three or 
 four hens and 50 or 60 small chicks. Later twenty-four larger chicks. 
 Wire front can be protected during stormy weather by bran sacks at 
 either end. 
 
PART SIX 
 
 UTILITY FEATURES OF THE PLYMOUTH 
 ROCKS 
 
 SECTION I. MARKET QUALITIES OF THE PLYM- 
 OUTH ROCKS. 
 
 Chapter I. THE TERM ''UTILITY" EXPLAINED. 
 
 Chapter H. THE PLYMOUTH ROCK AS A GEN- 
 ERAL PURPOSE FOWL. 
 
 Chapter III. THE PLYMOUTH ROCK AS A MAR- 
 KET FOWL. 
 
 Chapter IV. THE PLYMOUTH ROCK AS A TABLE 
 FOWL. 
 
 SECTION II. PLYMOUTH ROCKS AS PROLIFIC EGG 
 PRODUCERS. 
 
 Chapter L PLYMOUTH ROCK EGGS. 
 
 Chapter IL PLYMOUTH ROCKS IN EGG LAYING 
 CONTESTS. 
 
 419 
 
SECTION I . 
 
 MARKET QUALITIES OF THE PLYMOUTH 
 ROCKS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE TERM ''UTILITY" EXPLAINED. 
 
 THE CHAPTER ON THE utility feature of the Plym- 
 outh Rock fowl may very well contain a definition of 
 what is meant by the term "utility." It is so often 
 misused that, far contrary to its real meaning, it has come 
 to mean to many not much more than lack of Standard qual- 
 ity. This is due to the fact that it has become a custom among 
 fanciers to sell or ofTer for sale all the stock that does not 
 meet the requirements of the Standard of Perfection in a 
 degree to meet the approval of those that buy it on that basis 
 as "utility" stock, or eggs from such stock as "utility" eggs. 
 In many cases, not only the quality but the vitality of such 
 stock has become so inferior that the term has fallen into 
 disrepute. "Utility-stock" now means to a great many who 
 have perhaps suffered in their transactions along this line 
 with unprincipled breeders and dealers, and we are thankful 
 that it is usually the latter, simply something that is unfit to 
 sell as Standard -bred stock. This application of the word is 
 to be regretted as "Utility-stock" should be desirable stock 
 that is useable for its purpose, and the word utility should be 
 held to its original meaning when it applies either to breeding 
 or to sales. 
 
 "Utility-stock" is that which yields a useful product. The 
 utility products from poultry are two only, flesh and eggs. 
 Stock that will produce progeny of a superior meat quality, or 
 that grows and produces flesh more rapidly than does ordinary 
 stock is entitled to the term "utility," and such stock does 
 not discount itself or discredit the term. 
 
 "Utility-stock" should have utility quality, and should not 
 be confused with Standard-bred specimens of poor quality. To 
 be such is the result of accident very often. To improve any 
 
 420 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STAyOARD AXD BREED BOOK 421 
 
 quality in any stock, the most satisfactory results are obtained 
 by selecting for that quality. 
 
 Standard-bred Fowls, Useful. — It is a noteworthy fact and 
 the most convincing refutation to any imputation that Stand- 
 ard-bred poultry is ornamental rather than useful, that in the 
 beginning all of our American breeds originated with men who 
 were interested in poultry in a practical way and not as fan- 
 ciers ; consequently, these breeds took on at the start a practi- 
 cal rather than a fanciful aspect. Both aspects have been im- 
 proved. That our American breeds, including all varieties of 
 Plymouth Rocks, have improved in appearance, everyone in- 
 terested is aware, but that they have improved in usefulness 
 and productiveness some may not be disposed to admit, yet all 
 available records, both public and private, show such an enor- 
 mous advance in these respects as to be almost incredible, not 
 only to those skeptically inclined but to all, except the com- 
 paratively small number who because of business or other 
 interests follow the results of such tests most closely. 
 
 It should not be concluded from the foregoing statement 
 that fowls should be bred to improve in one particular alone; 
 although it often happens that a specimen of the most pro- 
 nounced degree of excellency in a certain particular is often 
 so deficient in other requirements that no one of good judg- 
 ment would use it in a breeding capacity, and for that reason 
 alone it often happens that we do not acquire one quality as 
 rapidly or in as marked a degree as though we limited our 
 selections for that one quality alone. 
 
 Yet rapid growth and laying qualities are very dependent 
 upon health and vigor, and when selections for these qualities 
 are the rule, more productive fowls are bred. 
 
422 AMEinCAX POULTRY ASt^OCIATION 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE PLYMOUTH ROCK AS A GENERAL 
 PURPOSE FOWL. 
 
 The shape of Plymouth Rocks required by the Standard 
 of Perfection is such as to insure the highest quality as a 
 table and general purpose fowl. The "rather long" back, 
 which is "broad its entire length" ; the "broad, full, moderately 
 deep, well-rounded" breast and the rather "long, broad, 
 deep, full" body which extends "well forward", guarantee the 
 largest proportion of edible flesh and the least waste in bone, 
 feathers and refuse. The long keel bone, the plump breast 
 and large thighs, all of which are well covered with tender 
 flesh of finest texture, give the exceptional quality desired for 
 table use to the choicest portions of the bird. 
 
 The shape of the body also affords ample room for large 
 and vigorous egg organs and a digestive system which is con- 
 ducive to high egg production. They produce large numbers of 
 brown shelled eggs and also produce flesh rapidly. They are 
 rapid growers, quick to mature, and fatten easily. 
 
 The economic value of the breed is shown by its wide 
 scope of usefulness. They are well suited for pleasure or 
 profit ; for a city lot or for the farm ; for the show room or for 
 commercial purposes. It matters not what may be wanted, 
 broilers, roasters, mature fowls, capons or layers. Plymouth 
 Rocks possess qualities which recommend them if they have 
 been selected and bred according to standard requirements. 
 Birds of this breed are of a quiet, gentle disposition and they 
 are easily confined. 
 
 Because of their combined market qualities and egg laying 
 ability, the Plymouth Rocks are recognized as a great dual 
 purpose or general purpose breed. 
 
 Plymouth Rocks are faithful sitters and good mothers. 
 They are active as well as good foragers, and will find a good 
 portion of their living if given the opportunity. Their combs 
 being of medium size and their bodies rather blocky, compact 
 and well feathered, they are prepared to withstand severe 
 weather. Their type is one that is symbolical with great vigor, 
 and is well adapted to varying conditions ; it is also one which 
 combines many desirable qualities in one fowl. 
 
 The chicks reach maturity quickly and some pullets have 
 been known to lay at five months of age. It is not advisable 
 
I'LYMOLTH ROCK STAXDARD AND BREED BOOK 423 
 
 to force them too rapidly for fear it will stunt their growth, 
 that is, it is not best to force early laying at the cost of size, 
 bone and muscle, if the pullets are to be used subsequently 
 as breeders ; but if they are intended for broilers or roasters, 
 they may be fed heavily on growing and fattening foods, upon 
 which they will develop very rapidly and reach the broiler age 
 in nine to fifteen weeks, depending upon the size and type of 
 broilers desired. (T. E. Q.) 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE PLYMOUTH ROCK AS A MARKET FOWL. 
 
 The fact that the Plymouth Rock rapidly gained popu- 
 larity and still is the most popular breed of poultry among 
 farmers simply means it has stood the test for more than 
 a quarter of a century and has not been found wanting. A 
 farmer's fowl which represents ninety per cent of the entire 
 poultry crop of the continent is no mean fowl. A farmer wants 
 meat as well as eggs. Step into almost any special finish- 
 ing or feeding plant and watch the superintendent smile when 
 a crate of Plymouth Rocks arrives or go into the dressing 
 room or finally into the dressed poultry boxes. Ask a dealer 
 to see a sample of the boxes of dressed poultry of prime 
 quality that he has to offer the trade and in nine cases out of 
 ten he will show a box of Plymouth Rocks. All of which 
 must mean that to date the Plymouth Rock is still America's 
 banner market chicken. It has stood the test of time and is 
 yet the market fowl. 
 
 What is there to the Plymouth Rock that makes it so popu- 
 lar as a market bird? First they are vigorous. That is. they 
 withstand disease and are good feeders. You do not want a 
 bird that is not a good feeder. Fowls, the whims of whose 
 appetite you have to study hourly, will never stand the test of 
 time. The Plymouth Rock is a good feeder, and stands second 
 to no breed under forced feeding or special finishing. Right 
 here is where its abundance of vigor comes worth while. 
 
 The second consideration is that the lean meat or muscles 
 are well distributed over the various parts of the body. The 
 breasts are well muscled. There are very few Plymouth Rocks 
 with long, high, bare breast or keel bones. There is fair dis- 
 
424 AMERICAX I'OLLTKY ASSOCJATIOX 
 
 tribution of both light and dark meat. Hence the dressed 
 birds please the various tastes of the average family. Every- 
 body does not want white meat, very few want a hard, dry, 
 unbitable chicken, whether it is dark or light meat. The grain 
 of the Plymouth Rock flesh is such that it tends to be juicy 
 and tender. 
 
 The third consideration, is that as a breed Plymouth Rocks 
 are smooth skinned and elastic fleshed. They have a pleasing 
 appearance when dressed. The skin of the bird, when the 
 feathers are removed, does not present the appearance of a 
 horse-radish grater, but is smooth and mellow. This adds very 
 much to the attractiveness of the dressed carcass and also is 
 one of the best quality indicators. 
 
 Last, but not least, the fact remains that in the dressed 
 poultry shows held in this country, Plymouth Rocks have won 
 more sweepstake prizes than all the other breeds. They are 
 year after year the outstanding dressed fowls in the shows. 
 
 A breed of poultry which pleases the large packer and 
 makes money for him, which is bred more than any other 
 breed by the farmers, which wins sweepstake prizes at dressed 
 poultry shows and is constantly selected on the market by 
 intelligent housewives, needs no argument as to its position 
 or qualification as a market bird. The fact that it is still the 
 most popular fowl among over one hundred competitors and 
 has been the popular fowl for over a quarter of a century simply 
 means that it is well rooted and is bearing a satisfactory crop 
 annually. (W. R. G.) 
 
 WHITE PLYMOUTH EOCK CHICKS 
 (Courtesy Minnesota AgricuHural College) 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 425 
 
 THE PLYMOUTH ROCK AS A TABLE FOWL. 
 
 When the bird has been properly fattened and dressed, 
 its beautiful rich yellow skin and plump carcass never fails to 
 attract attention and favorable comment and to command the 
 highest market price, because it is characteristic of the breed 
 that after the birds are plucked few undesirable pin feathers 
 are left to detract from their appearance. 
 
 Every part of the Plymouth Rock's body is well covered 
 vrith meat which is rich in flavor, fine in texture, and, when 
 milk-fed or raised under proper conditions and fed abundantly, 
 is extremely tender and juicy. The breast and thighs, which 
 are recognized as the two choicest portions of the bird for table 
 use, are especially well covered with flesh. These exceptional 
 market qualities, combined with their great egg laying ability, 
 class them as one of the greatest American breeds. 
 
 Note. — The qualities, as related by Messrs. Quisenberry and Graham, 
 are ample explanations as to why the large packers and feeding estab- 
 lishments favor Plymouth Rocks over all other breeds. This point 
 brought out by Mr. Graham, the editor has taken the pains to verify. 
 Furthermore, these concerns agree that the Plymouth Rock leads all 
 other standard breeds in numbers receiA'ed and easilv. 
 
 ■ "■"' .:- "'^:...^ . :./'---'^_.; -'■',. ^^^••v-^v-"'/':--'^'/-''''7 y ■ 
 
 BUTF PLYMOUTH ROCK CHICKS 
 
421? 
 
 AMFh'lCAX rOl I.TRY ASSOC/ \TI<n 
 
 •• •_••• 
 
 ':f.^ t ^xiti^ M**'* : 
 
 •^•••t %%% 
 
 "J.OFF1CIAL SCORE CARD i 
 
 '»», fr - WEGBT -h 
 
 *::■""■ i ' 
 ...... j^ ^ 
 
 Ml 
 
 '# ft f 
 
 
 r&^ «<4^^Wi ii:«i 
 
 A White Plymouth Roek ]«ullet that ronildiuHl stniuliird an.l liijih 
 eguf-jiroducing qualities iu a remarkable degree. 
 
SECTION II. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PLYMOUTH ROCKS AS PROLIFIC EGG 
 PRODUCERS 
 
 PLYMOUTH ROCK EGGS. 
 
 ALL VARIETIES of Plymouth Rocks should lay mod- 
 erately large, tannish brown eggs. Eggs which weigh 
 twenty-four ounces to the dozen are recognized as 
 standard in weight, but the average Plymouth Rock pullet 
 lays eggs which exceed this weight. As hens, they usually lay 
 a slightly heavier egg, some averaging as much as twenty- 
 eight otmces or more to the dozen. In shape, the egg is spher- 
 ically oblong, tapering slightly to one end. 
 
 The Plymouth Rock egg has a quality of contents, and a 
 thickness and texture to the skell by which it is assured of 
 carrying well while being shipped to market and also assures 
 the minimum amount of evaporation while being held for 
 hatching, for market or in storage. 
 
 Uniformity of shape and color, and freeness from wrinkles, 
 rough places and thin shells should be sought for by all breed- 
 ers. Uniformity largely controls the appearance, and appear- 
 ance seriously affects the selling price. 
 
 Some families or flocks of so-called Plymouth Rocks lay 
 eggs which are very much under-sized, misshaped, thin shelled 
 and of many colors. The country abounds in flocks of this kind 
 which, though they bear a certain resemblance to standard- 
 bred Plymouth Rocks, usually the Barred variety, are far from 
 having the qualities of the latter and are, in fact, very inferior 
 in size, productiveness and appearance, and they are not stand- 
 ard-bred Barred Plymouth Rocks though often mistaken for 
 the latter. 
 
 The qualities of the eggs can be controlled to a large ex- 
 tent by the breeder. By selecting and hatching from eggs of 
 the desired shape and color, and by using only males and fe- 
 males for breeding purposes which have been hatched from 
 such eggs, one can soon establish a flock that will produce 
 
 427 
 
428 AMERICAy POULTRY ASSOCIATION 
 
 eggs that possess these quahties to a reasonable degree of cer- 
 tainty. See that all eggs for hatching weigh two ounces or 
 more, and are of the perfect shape desired, and with firm, sound 
 shells and of uniform color. Such care in selection and breed- 
 ing for two generations will make a remarkable difference in 
 the qualities of the eggs, and if continued, will insure the pro- 
 duction of a very large per cent of eggs which meet the market 
 requirements for Plymouth Rock eggs. (T. E. Q.) 
 
 Barred Plymouth Kock Pullet No. 5501, Purdue University Experi- 
 ment Station. Record^ 166 eggs in 182 days. December to May, in- 
 clusive. 
 
I'LYMOITH h'OCK STAXDARD AXD BREED BOOK 429 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 PLYMOUTH ROCKS IN LAYING CONTESTS. 
 
 The egg laying competitions which have been held in 
 America have proven not only that Plymouth Rocks lay a 
 sufficient number of eggs to make them profitable as egg 
 producers, but in every instance that Plymouth Rocks are 
 among the best as layers. They have also demonstrated the 
 facts that Plymouth Rocks are good layers in winter when 
 eggs are highest in price; that they begin to lay when from 
 five to seven months of age ; and that they lay well in the fall 
 months or during what is generally recognized as the moult- 
 ing season. 
 
 Plymouth Rocks, as a rule, make a good yearly average 
 and an especially even distribution of their eggs throughout 
 the year. There is no season of the year that they do not pro- 
 duce a reasonable number of eggs. In one contest the Plym- 
 outh Rocks distributed their eggs throughout the year as 
 follows : 
 
 30.2 eggs per pullet in December, January and February. 
 62.4 eggs in March, April and May. 
 
 45.3 eggs in June, July and August. 
 
 27.1 eggs in September. October and November. 
 
 All varieties of Plymouth Rocks collectively, have aver- 
 aged from one hundred and forty to one hundred and ninety 
 eggs per hen each year in practically every contest which has 
 been held in this country. 
 
 In one contest the pullets which averaged five pounds in 
 weight, averaged one hundred and seventy-six eggs each ; 
 those weighing six pounds averaged one hundred and fifty- 
 eight eggs each ; those weighing seven pounds averaged one 
 hundred and forty-two eggs ; and those weighing eight pounds 
 averaged one hundred and twenty-two eggs. This would indi- 
 cate that the females slightly under standard weight were the 
 best layers, but nevertheless, it is best to adhere to standard 
 weight in breeding as much as possible, otherwise, in time, the 
 breed might become too small to be classed as a general pur- 
 pose fowl. 
 
 The highest record ever made by a pen of any variety in 
 the National Contest at the Missouri State Poultry Experi- 
 ment Station was made by a pen of Barred Plymouth Rocks, 
 
430 AMERICAX J'OI I.Tin Assor/ATIOX 
 
 the five pullets laying one thousand one hundred and eighty- 
 five eggs, or an average of two hundred and thirty-seven eggs 
 per bird in twelve months. Barred Plymouth Rocks won the 
 highest honors for two years in succession at this contest. 
 
 The highest individual record ever made by one pullet of 
 any variety at the same Experiment Station was made by a 
 White Plymouth Rock which laid three hundred and four eggs 
 during the year. This bird also scored ninety-two and one- 
 half points. A Barred Plymouth Rock in the same contest 
 scored ninety-two and one-half points and laid two hundred 
 and fifty-four eggs. Buff Plymouth Rocks which laid over 
 two hundred eggs in the same contest also won prizes at the 
 Panama-Pacific International Exposition Show. These facts 
 plainly show that high scoring Standard Bred Plymouth Rocks 
 can also lay large numbers of eggs. 
 
 In the American Egg Laying Contest, the highest scoring 
 Plymouth Rocks proved to be the best layers. Plymouth Rocks 
 led throughout most of this contest. 
 
 In the North American Contest at the Delaware College of 
 Agriculture and in previous contests pens of Barred, White. 
 Buff and Columbian Plymouth Rocks averaged more than two 
 hundred eggs per bird, or over one thousand eggs in a year 
 from a pen of five pullets. The highest individual records 
 made in this contest by birds of this breed were as follows : 
 
 White Plymouth Rock 247 eggs 
 
 Buff Plymouth Rock • 250 eggs 
 
 Partridge Plymouth Rock 200 eggs 
 
 Columbian Plymouth Rock 287 eggs 
 
 Barred Plymouth Rock 283 eggs 
 
 In the International Egg Laying Contest at the Connecti- 
 cut Agricultural College, it was found that only one breed laid 
 eggs that exceeded those of the Plymouth Rocks in size. Only 
 one breed lost less time in broodiness than Plymouth Rocks. 
 If the birds had been marketed at the close of the contest, alive 
 or slaughtered, the returns from the Plymouth Rocks would 
 have exceeded all others. In the sixth Annual Contest held at 
 that place, the best laying pen of Plymouth Rocks were of the 
 Barred variety and the ten pullets laid two thousand, one hun- 
 dred and nineteen eggs during the year. The best individual 
 record was by a Barred Plymouth Rock that laid 277 eggs. 
 
 In the International Egg Laying and Breeding Contest 
 conducted by the New Jersey Experiment Station, a White 
 
PLYMOITU ROCK STAXDAh'D AM) BREED BOOK A'M 
 
 Plymouth Rock won first place, with a record of three hundred 
 and one eggs ; a Columbian Plymouth Rock was in third place, 
 with two hundred and eighty-eight eggs to her credit ; and a 
 Barred Plymouth Rock won fifth place, with a record of two 
 hundred and seventy-eight eggs ; three of the highest records 
 being made by Plymouth Rocks, with one thousand pullets 
 of different varieties competing ; the best Plymouth Rock pen 
 records of ten birds each being as follows : Barred Plymouth 
 Rock, 1956 eggs; White Plymouth Rocks, 1985 eggs, and 
 Columbian Plymouth Rocks. 1854 eggs. 
 
 The Plymouth Rocks entered in the First All Northwestern 
 Egg Laying Contest demonstrated their winter laying quali- 
 ties and ranked among the breeds as follows : 
 
 From October 15th to October 30th, 1916, second in aver- 
 age egg production per fowl. 
 
 For the month of November, second in average egg pro- 
 duction per fowl ; second in actual profit per average fowl. 
 
 For the month of December, third in average egg produc- 
 tion per fowl. 
 
 For the month of January, 1917, first in average egg pro- 
 duction. (T. E. Q.) 
 
 PAETEIUGE PLYMOUTH EOCK CHICKS 
 
432 
 
 .l.lVA'A'/r.l.V POULTRY AfiSOC/ AT/OS 
 
 At the left, the White Plymouth Rock hen, Lady-Show \'ou, No. 
 717 in the Mountain Grove (Missouri) egg-laying contest, November, 
 1911, to November, 1912. 
 
 Lady-Show-You sold for $800 after making a record of 281 eggs 
 in twelve months. Even with this number to her credit, Lady-Show- 
 You did not lay an imperfect egg. The industry that is characteristic 
 of a good layer was displayed in this case. Lady-Show-You invariably 
 spent the day out of doors if allowed to do it, and usually laid early 
 in the morning. She also shows the conformation we expect to see 
 in a good layer, broad across the hips, large in heart girt. When 
 handled, her body feels firm, well filled out and muscular. 
 
 At the right, a Barred Plymouth Rock hen with a high and very 
 creditable egg record and which shows much the same type as the 
 White Plymouth Rock. 
 
 ft. C. State Coihg€ 
 
/'/.), I/O/ 77/ A*Or/v STWDAI,'!) WD lih'i:i:i> H(H)I\ 
 
 INDEX 
 
 PAGE 
 Aineriean Standard of Perfection, Introduetiou to the 1915 Revised 
 
 Edition 3 
 
 Applying the Comparison System 29 
 
 Back 122 
 
 Back of Female KH 
 
 Backs, Ideal and Defective 12:5 
 
 Male, Defective 124 
 
 Female, Defective 125 
 
 Back Yard Flock, The 398 
 
 Bennett 's Early Plymouth Rocks 64 
 
 Bodies, Male Defective 124 
 
 Bodies, Female Defective 125 
 
 Body and Fluff 12.S 
 
 Breast 127 
 
 BREEDING OF DOMESTIC FOWLS. 
 
 In-Breeding 50 
 
 In-Breeding, Limits of 50 
 
 Injudicious In-Breeding 5.'i 
 
 Like Begets Like 5(5 
 
 Line-Breeding 52 
 
 Princijjles of Breeding 5() 
 
 Offset Defects 57 
 
 Out-Crossing 51 
 
 Resting Males 54 
 
 Strain Building 52 
 
 [Tniformity in 58 
 
 Wliy Like Begets Like 5H 
 
 CO(!HINS— Black Cochins in America 77 
 
 Black fJochins in England 7(1 
 
 Cochins and .lavas 79 
 
 Color Terms, Kxjilanation of .';5 
 
 (;OMB 112 
 
 Base of 1 1 ;'. 
 
 Blade of li:; 
 
 Carriage of 1 1 ."« 
 
 Outline of IP'. 
 
 Points of IKi 
 
 Size of IP! 
 
 Combs, Defective (111. ) 117, V.V.\ 
 
 (Conditioning, The Art of :i67 
 
 Conditioning Fowls for Kxhibition ;i()5 
 
 Constitutional Vigor 59 
 
 (Copyright 2 
 
 Corrective Breeding, 1. (111.) 141 
 
 (^Corrective Breeding, 11. (III.) 142 
 
 Corrective Breeding, HI. (III.) 14:; 
 
4:U AMIJUICAX I'Ot l/l'liV ASSOC/ \'l'/()\ 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Corrective Breeding, IV. (111.) l-t4 
 
 Corrective Breeding, V. (111.) 146 
 
 Cutting for Defects 31 
 
 Defects, Common, in Plymouth Rock IMumage 148 
 
 Definitions of Technical Terms, see Glossary of Technical 
 
 Terms 1 4-25 
 
 Development of Domestic Fowls 40 
 
 Disinfectants, The Use of 405 
 
 DOMESTIC FOWLS— Breeding of 44 
 
 In-Breeding of 50 
 
 Limits of In-Breeding 50 
 
 Mating of 44 
 
 Origin and Development of 40 
 
 Out-Crossing 51 
 
 System of Mating of 45 
 
 Early American Importations 42 
 
 Early Days of the New Breed 9fi' 
 
 Examination of Candidates for Show Honors -ifiO 
 
 FEEDING— During a Journev 3S1 
 
 For Color ' Ml 
 
 The Breeding Flock 4()t) 
 
 White Birds 20S, ;!71 
 
 Feeds and Feeding s;{5 
 
 General Disciualifications for Plymouth Rocks :{() 
 
 General Discjualifications, Discussion of ;!55 
 
 General Purpose Fowl Demanded <i4 
 
 Glossary of Technical Terms 14-25 
 
 Hatching and Brooding 411 
 
 Heads of Males, Defective (111.) 117 
 
 Heads of Females, Defective (111.) \:V.\ 
 
 Health of the Breeding Flock in Confinement 409 
 
 Housing the Flock 400 
 
 Incentive to Poultry Keeping 41 
 
 Individual Disposition 54 
 
 Influence of Health on Shape and Color i;;9 
 
 Interior Ecjuipment 4li.'; 
 
 Introduction s 
 
 Introduction to 1915 Revised Edition ;: 
 
 JUDGING PLYMOUTH ROCKS— Instructions for 2(i, 349 
 
 American Breeds ."{51 
 
 By the Standard .352 
 
 Color Defects 29 
 
 Comparative System 29 
 
 Cutting for Defects :\] 
 
 Dated Score Cards 2<S 
 
 Defective Score Cards 28 
 
 Disqualifying Weights 29 
 
 Faking ^S 
 
 Handling 29 
 
 Merit 26 
 
 Old and Young Specimens Competing 28 
 
PLYMOITH ROCK 8TAXDAKD AND BRRFJ) BOOK 48." 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Private Scoring 28 
 
 Proper Tail Carriage (111. ) '^^•2. 
 
 Eevj-eighing 27 
 
 Eules Governing Sweepstakes 27 
 
 Scaly Legs 29 
 
 Scores of Exhibition Pens 2cS 
 
 Ties 2S 
 
 Weight 26 
 
 Typical Shape 29 
 
 Like Begets Like 56 
 
 Line-Breeding 52 
 
 List of Authors 9 
 
 Male One-Half the Flock 59 
 
 Male Parent of the Plymouth Eock 91 
 
 MATING— Barred Plymouth Eocks 158 
 
 By Natural Selection 44 
 
 bV Artificial Selection 44 
 
 Buff Plymouth Eocks 242 
 
 Columbian Plymouth Eocks '.V.W 
 
 Partridge Plymouth Eocks 294 
 
 Silver-Penciled Plymouth Eocks 255 
 
 White Plymouth Eocks 20:! 
 
 MATINGS— Advantages of Two Matings 1H4 
 
 Double 4(i 
 
 General Methods of, To Overcome Defects in Shape 140 
 
 Intermediate 4(i 
 
 Large 54 
 
 Single 45 
 
 Special Matings an Old Established Institution 165 
 
 Stud ry.\ 
 
 Systems of 45 
 
 Systems of, In Early Days 169 
 
 To Produce Exhibition Specimens (Barred Plymouth Eocks) 158 
 
 Mendelism 55 
 
 Mr. Eamsdell 's Account 72 
 
 Mr. Upham 's Account of Origin 69 
 
 Mr. Upham 's Account, Vital Points in 71 
 
 Neck 118 
 
 Neck of Female 184 
 
 Nomenclature of the Male (111.) 12 
 
 Nomenclature of the Female (111.) 13 
 
 Origin of Domestic Fowls 40 
 
 Out-Crossing 51 
 
 PLUMAGE— Barred Plvmouth Bocks 148 
 
 Buff Plymouth Eocks 216 
 
 Character of — Affecting Form and Outline 188 
 
 Columbian Plymouth Eocks 812 
 
 Partridge Plymouth Eocks 275 
 
 Silver Penciled Plymouth Eocks 248 
 
 White Plymouth Eocks 202 
 
4.:(; AMERICAN POILTUY ASSOC/ .[T/()\ 
 
 PAGE 
 
 PLYMOUTH EOCKS— All Varieties 62 
 
 Drake Strain of 99 
 
 English Opinions as to Origin SI 
 
 Essex Strain of Ki;; 
 
 Essex County Strain of 1 1 1 1 
 
 Instructions for Judging I'd 
 
 Gilnian Strain of IdO 
 
 Judging ;',;") I 
 
 Name, How Selected I(i4 
 
 Origin and Early Development of (i:; 
 
 Eamsdell Strain of !»S 
 
 1910 Scale of Points for ;!4S 
 
 Shape of lOS 
 
 Spaulding Strain of 97 
 
 Uphani 's Account of Origin 69 
 
 Upham Strain of 97 
 
 I'LYMOUTH ROCKS— Columbian. 
 
 Color of :! 1 :; 
 
 Color of Female ;; 1 :i 
 
 Color of Male :! 1 2 
 
 Mating :',:\{) 
 
 Origin and Karly DeveloiJUient of :!!)") 
 
 Plumage of .'illi 
 
 I'lymouth Eock, Early Development of (i.". 
 
 Plymouth Eock Shape, Defects of 1 1 12 
 
 PLYMOUTH EOCK COMB— Blade of 11.1 
 
 Base of 1 1 :; 
 
 Carriage of 1 1 :i 
 
 Outline of 1 1 ;: 
 
 Points of 116 
 
 Size of 1 1 ;: 
 
 PLYMOUTH EOCK, BUFF— BufiP Plymouth Eo.-k Color 1220 
 
 Color Defects Accounted For L'12S 
 
 Color of Male and Female 216 
 
 Common Defects of Buff Color 12LM 
 
 Development of Buff Color lil(> 
 
 Matings IML' 
 
 Origin and Early Development of 20!!' 
 
 PLYMOUTH EOCKS, PAETEIDGE— Color of Female 27',, 276 
 
 Color of Male 275 
 
 Mating 29+ 
 
 Origin and Early Development 266 
 
 Plumage of 275 
 
 PLYMOUTH EOCKS, SILVEE-PENCILED— Color of Female.... 245 
 
 Color of Male 245 
 
 Description of 248 
 
 Mating 255 
 
 Origin and Early Development 24.''. 
 
 Plumage 245 
 
 Plumage Defects and How to Overcome Them. , . . . , > . 262: 
 
PLYMOUTH ROCK STAXDARD A\D BREED HOOK 487 
 
 I'AGE 
 PLYMOUTH EOCK STANDAED AND BEEED BOOK— 
 
 Contents, Table of 1 " 
 
 Contents, Part I., Table of 11 
 
 Contents, Part II., Table of ^iS' 
 
 Contents, Part III., Table of <il 
 
 Contents, Part IV., Table of •"'42 
 
 Contents, Part V., Tabic of 'li'- 
 
 Contents, Part VI., Table of 4 lit 
 
 Introduction to •'^ 
 
 Preface to -^ 
 
 PLYMOUTH EOCKS, WHITE— Color of Male and Female 202 
 
 Defects of White Plumage 20o 
 
 Mating -•^';'' 
 
 Oi-igin and Early Development of P':'. 
 
 Eecognition by American Poultry Association 1!»7 
 
 I'oultry Keeping, Incentive to 41 
 
 Poultry Keeping Introduced into Europe 41 
 
 I'oultry Keeping, First Authentic Accounts of 42 
 
 Preface •'' 
 
 Prepotency -i^ 
 
 Prepotency, Value of •'>'•' 
 
 Sanitation 404 
 
 Score Cards (Official) -;'■ 
 
 Selection of Show Birds -"''ill 
 
 Sex Control of Character ■">•' 
 
 SHAPE OF PLYMOUTH EOCKS los 
 
 Common Defects of Plymouth Eocks 112 
 
 Male, Ideal and Defective 1 40 
 
 SHAPE— Counts More Thau Color. Why f 1 ■".7 
 
 Female, Ideal and Defective l:!2, i:;.") 
 
 Importance of 1 -iT 
 
 Mating to Overcome Defects in 1 .'.7 
 
 Shape Perfection Unattained 1 44 
 
 Typical :-'>>i 
 
 Shanks and Toes 12'.l 
 
 Shipping to Shows ."{TS 
 
 Size and Condition :'.n<> 
 
 Skull lis 
 
 Slow Feathering 1 'M\ 
 
 Kciuipment, Interior 40.'! 
 
 Standard Measurements 34 
 
 Standard, Judge 's Guide 352 
 
 Standard, Judging by 353 
 
 Standard Scale of Points 38, 343 
 
 First Poultry 343 
 
 First Scale of Points, American 346 
 
 First Scale of Points, American Class 346 
 
 First Scale of Points, Brahmas 345 
 
 Scale of Points for Plvmouth Eocks, Modern 3>47 
 
 Scale of Points for Plymouth Eocks, 1910 348 
 
 Scale of Points for White Leghorns 346' 
 
4:;s l.l//;A'/r.4A J'OI LTRY ASSOCIATIOX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 strain Building 52 
 
 Symmetry and Awkwardness (111.) 140 
 
 Tail ...'. 126 
 
 Tail, Female, Defective (111.) 125 
 
 Tail, Female ]:u 
 
 Tail, Male, Defective (111.) 1 24 
 
 Taming Show Birds ;;72 
 
 Type vs. Shape i;{() 
 
 Type Faulty i;^(i 
 
 Types, Geographical 42 
 
 Types, American 4:'. 
 
 Types, English in America 4."i 
 
 Variation in Early Types 40 
 
 Views of Early Writers 7."! 
 
 Washing White Fowls ;i7;! 
 
 Wattles and Ear Lobes of Males, Defective ; 117 
 
 Wattles and Ear Lobes of Females, Defective l.S.'> 
 
 Why Like Begets Like 5() 
 
 Wings Hi) 
 
 Wings, Defective 120, 121