HOTHOUSE. A general term for glass in gardening and including green houses and conservatories. (See Greenhouse.) HOUDAN FOWLS. This is one of the French breeds introduced into the United States. In France, the Houdans are held in as high estima tion as are the Dorkings,in England, being noted there for the excellence and quantity of eggs laid, and as excellent in their flesh./ They are supposed to have descended from the Dorking and Padone fowls, and, like the Dorkings, they should have the fifth toe. This characteristic is not constant, but is required in all fowls for exhibition purposes. The color is white and black, evenly mixed. Occasionally stained feathers will appear, but red ones should never be tolerated. The head is crested, the comb double-leafed, giving the birds a rather fierce look, which is heightened by the whiskers. and beard, growing well up on the face of both cock and hen. The legs are spotted leaden gray, and the weight of the fowls medium. Altogether, there are many inferior breeds to this one, and they are certainly as handsome as they are agile, and able to take care of themselves. The other French breeds are Creve-cceurs, handsome, and a heavier breed than the Houdans, short-legged, easy fatteners, and steady layers. Both cock
and hen should be entirely black, the head crested, the comb distinctly forked, sometimes antlered. The La Fletch has been called a Malay in height, a Spanish in color, and a Dorking in size. They are firmly knit, legs long and strong. The body is angular, rather than round, and very 'closely feathered. A peculiarity of this breed is a spike of feathers placed• behind the comb, appearing like a double horn, and peculiar dwarf protuberances between the nostrils, which are much expanded. The wattles are long and pendant, the ear lobes large, white, and opaque. The general color is black, the breast, wings, and upper tail feathers, and hackles, reflecting violet and green-black Legs, slaty blue. The Guild ers are sometimes called French fowls, though they are from Holland, as their name denotes. There are white, black, and cuckoo varieties, all medium-sized fowls with prominent breasts and flowing tails. The legs are partially feathered, the wattles long and pendulous, and the head with scarcely any comb. The plumage is-close and compact, and the thighs well covered and vulture-hocked.