PLUS. More: marked by the sign +. PLUTONIC ROCKS. Unstratified crystal line rocks, like granite, porphyry, basalt. PLUVIAMETER. The rain gauge. PLYMOUTH ROCK FOWLS. Of late years this breed has come distinctively into notice, and has had many admirers. The original fowls are claimed to have been bred by Dr. J. C. Bennett from a cross of a Cochin-China cockerel with a hen, a cross between a fawn-colored Dorking, the great Malay and the wild Indian fowl, and were first exhibited in Boston in 1849. As might have been expected, as the breeds multi plied, they varied much in form and color, from the blood of the various fowls with which they were imbued, and it was found difficult to fix a uniform character, nevertheless they were large fine birds, the cocks weighing eight to ten pounds, and the pullets six to seven pounds at a year old, and the plumage rich and variegated. At length as the breed became more constant in their characteristics, and ten years ago they were described by Lewis in his Poultry Book as fol lows: The cocks are usually of a beautiful red or speckled color, and the hens of a darkish brown. Some of the colors thrown by this breed, are not dissimilar to the Dominique fowl. They have very fine flesh, and are fit for the table at an earty- age. The legs are quite large, and usually blue or green, but occasionally yellow or even white, and frequently have five toes upon eabh foot. Some of the varieties have the legs occa sionally slightly feathered. They have large single rose-colored or red combs and wattles; cheeks are rather large ; tails stout and short, and very small wings in proportion to their bodies. The chicks are quite hardy and have the same uniformity in size and appearance as those of the pure bloods of primary races. The hens make good mothers and close setters. Accom panying this we give a cut of a pair of Plymouth Rock fowls, cock and hen. Mr. F. H. Corbin who has written a pamphlet, on the Improved Plymouth Rocks, upon mating and breeding these fowls from a fancier's standpoint, has some good suggestions, and which will apply to all parti-colored fowls where the penciling and markings are of importance, and also as applic able to breeding generally. We extract as follows: It is a fixed natural law that the best and fittest survive. It makes no difference, in the applica tion of this law, whether you are treating of an analytical truth or the propagation of life; it still remains the central point around and toward which all researches must be directed. It is in direct proportion to the observance of this law by fanciers that they are enabled to perpetuate and improve all classes of fowls. The first requisite in mating fowls for any purpose, is to secure birds possessing strength, vigor, and stamina. Select stock famed for these require ments, and you will be very sure of obtaining strong, hardy chicks. Let the parent stock con sist of birds standing head and shoulders above crdinary stock, and you will be little troubled with roup and its kindred diseases. Breeders disagree as to the age of breeding-birds; but we have found that cockerels nearly or quite a year (Ad, mated to two-year-old hens, usually give the best results. A cock two years of age, mated to -early pullets, will also be found satisfactory. 'The best authorities agree that the ages of the males and females should vary, and for this reason cockerels and pullets should seldom he mated together, unless it is particularly desirable to secure or render permanent some peculiar characteristic or point in that way, and then they the other. For instance, if the cock's comb be
defective in any way, as lop combed, the hen's comb should stand perfectly erect, and be fine in other respect,, in order to breed out the defect arising from the comb of the cock. Of course, no defective bird should be bred from unless it is absolutely necessary, and under no circum stances should a male and feipaale both having the same defect be bred from. No over-fattened birds should be used in the breeding-pen, as non f ertile eggs will abound if they are. In a perfect mating, the sire should possess beautiful plum age, perfectly marked, fine symmetry, and as large size as is compatible with full vigor. The con stitutional requirements, which apply with equal force to the hen, have already been spoken of, and need not be repeated here. The dam should excel in productiveness and size, while the shape and plumage must not ne lost sight of. This should be at least a year old. If the cocks and hens bave been entirely separated during the several months preceding the mating, so much the better, as the added amount of vigor is very beneficial. Most breeders find it advantageous to pursue this plan. In the breeding of no other choice stock is it considered beneficial, or allow able, even, to permit the male to roam at will with tbe females during the entire year, and choice fowls will be found to be no exception to the rule. In breeding for fancy points, one -should understand exactly the object sought, and have a clear idea of the means to be employ-ed in obtaining that object. The different elements, about to be brought together and harmonized, must be carefully studied, and if there is neces .sarily a defect in either cock or hen, it should be counterbalanced by perfection on this point in union is the most desirable one for any purpose. Symmetry is especially important in breeding for points, as, in the show-pen, it is marked higher than any other single qualification. and by many judges is again marked in estimating breast and body. The standard of excellence requires that the breast of a Plymouth Rock be broad, deep, and full, and the body large, square, and compact. This necessitates birds for breed ing that are both of large size and the improved shape ; as no other is or can be square in shape. In breeding Plymouth Rocks to feather, it should be remembered that they are parti-colored, and, therefore, more difficult to breed exactly true to a particular shade than the solid-colored breeds. Moreover, being a somewhat recent cross, the tendency to revert in color is stronger and the result more perceptible. That there has been no well-settled rule in regard to mating with a view to breeding true to feather is well known, and each breeder, be he experienced or a beginner, has been left to his own devices . The result has been a whole or partial failure in a majority of yards. Five different matings have been advo cated and practiced as follows : A male light in color mated to dark females; a male dark in color mated to ligtrt females; a male dark in color mated to dark females; birds matching in the show-pen; a female medium in color mated with a male about two points or shades lighter in color.