Breed de la Mantes.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 434, 4 January 1890, Page 5

Breed de la Mantes.

The Paris correspondent of the Calijornia Cackler writes as follows on this breed “One of the best races of fowls which exists in France. They are fully equal to the Houdans, have the same qualities, namely, fine meat, the facility of fattening easily, but not the faults, which are thecrest and the deformity of the head. It is not, assuredly, a fowl of luxury, as it does not stay much near home, but its vagabond nature leads it to seek its feed afar, so that it. makes a true farm bird, costing little and yielding largely. “ It is not widely known in France,which isstrange,asits originators, Messrs Vortellier Bros., have done all that it is possible for them to do to demonstrate its merits. Furthermore, the judges on fowls have always given them prizes every time they have exhibited them, which is an indisputable proof that its qualities are not imaginary, as certain writers have pretended, one of the old prejudices which consists of fighting everything which is new. Many breeders after having bred most of the known varieties, have finally discarded them all in favour of Mantes, and those who have done so are fully satisfied. In fact, where the breeder who would not appreciate such fowl? Figuratively, one might almost say vV»at jfc j s the actual bird with the golden eg 83. B 3. because it is certain that his speculation will give him S -» 0 <1 returns. Also, we must give Messrs Vortely«»r g rea ‘ t praise for thoir persistent efforts to v,fc, o . duce and breed this good and useful variety of fowl. The following is a description of these fowls : “ COCK. “Size, equal to that of the Dorking; plumage, black and white, feathers of another colour are not allowed ; feathers of the flight are white ; feet strong, without feathers ; four toes only ; the colour of the leet is of a rose grey ; beak, black and white, small and strong, partly hidden by the comb ; ears covered by the ear lobes ; the colour is red fringed with white; comb straight, very strong, points well defined ; wattles short, hidden by the feathers. “ HEN. “ Size less than that of the cock ; wattles, none ; the comb is long but hanging, and .of a bright red colour; the general appearance is similar to that of the cock. The hen is a fine layer and gives largo eggs of a beautiful white colour. It is a splendid setter, which does not go for nothing, notwithstanding the incubator, which we never recommend. “Ono can see from the short description it is a bird of superior quality. Also, do we i not heartily wish that our farmers should [ appreciate the breed and give it a place in their yards.”