CHAMPIONS OF THE POULTRY WORLD.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1906, Page 1

CHAMPIONS OF THE POULTRY WORLD.

*«***«*«# (By tho Editor.) U is questionably if English breeders havo given Leghorns that attenlion they linvo deserved. Their importauco lias been completely overlooked. 1 ho Americans have been untiring in their efforts to bring this fine brood into tho prominence they have attained. When Edward Brown, editor of the “Fancier’s Gazette” (England) said, “'Jo America first belongs credit of discovering their value and developing their special qualities,” ho uttered what was true. The early history of the Leghorns is hard to to trace. Historical information in connection with this breed seems very rare. Eighty years ago tho breeders would scarcely believe tho prominence that these birds would attain. They took no pains to pi’cservo any data concerning tho development of tho breed. It is important that breeders who are experimentally working in poultry culture should record very carefully tho results of their work. Even though a breed may not developo satisfactorily, it is of inestimable value that records bo preserved. Several opinions have beeq, advanced as to the origin of this famous breed. Now they have been so prominent in egg-laying competitions and have proved themselves real eggmachines, every scrap of information is being sought concerning them, .The theory that they originated in America is not supported by sufficient evidence for us to accept. In 1834 a shipment of birds left Ittily and were landed in America. Their names were not known, hut it is recorded that they' left and from this town they received thoJr name* Tho r«»

semblance of those birds have been traced to birds of the Leghorn typo common in Europe in tho early part of last century and known as “Italians.”

Departing from tho legendary, wo come to definite facts concerning Leghorns in 1853 when a trio of singlecomb Brown Leghorns were purchased by E. J. Kenney in Boston Harbour. Subsequently other purchases were made and from these the Americans have built up tho finest egg-producing poultry ever known. It is an interesting history In (race tho various characteristics that accompanied tho development of Leghorns. No end of confusion was caused in tho various matings during their development. Every bit of information has been eagerly sought since 1853 until wo have got a fair record of tho breed. It is not our purpose, however, to speak at length of tho breed, so much as to introduce to our readers Mr H. C. Wyckoff (New York), tho most prominent breeder of Leghorns tho world has ever known. His name is spelt by writers in Half a dozen different ways, but tho above way is tho correct method. Tlio very fine illustration of tho birds as shown,hero will give the reader a clear conception of tho excellent birds raised by this famous breeder. Birds from his strain have proved tho best of layers, and have been declared tho champion egg-lay-ing produces among poultry. For many years Mr Wyckoff was a moderately successful general farmer. Like most farmers, ho kept fowls, but mostly of the barnyard type. Ho found, they cost very little to keep as they foraged for their food and supplied tho market with eggs that gave a clean profit. In fact proportionate* ly they proved more profitable than.

any other branch of his farming. Ho resolved ho. would devote more attention to poultry and subsequently lie discarded other branches of farming, and threw himself heart and soul into his yew business. White Leghorns proved his fancy and to this breed lie has devoted years of' passionate attention and given to. tho world an egg-producer unequalled. He provided accommodation for two hundred hens. Tho houses were erected to provide about fifty fowls each. Tho ground was not allowed to waste, as ho planted fruit trees in each run that proved useful for profit, as well as for tho fowls. Mr Wyckoff went strictly in for business and was soon supplying tho market with superior eggs at an increased market price. At tho end of his first year ho had a considerable number of surplus display stock in hand. Persistently ho advertised, and as his name went abroad among the towns and villages as a successful egg farmer he soon found tho demand too great for the supply. Ho was a keen observer and soon weeded out the drones from his flock, until to-day his single comb white Leghorn is known as America’s business hen. Tho business proved to be a profitable one. He maintained a reputation for integrity and fair dealing that lias stood tho test time. It is scarcely to be credited that tho famous Leghorns should devolopo into such a line breed. When wo remember that tho first Leghorn had pink shanks, short logs, red ear lobes, small in size, gmd then look at the majestic birds in the competition pens to-day, one can scarcely refrain from a note of admiration for tho man who has done so much to enrich the poultry industry with the prolific egg-1 nying strain of white leghornut