PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 43 



three distinct strains, and by and with this systematic 

 use we can go on breeding for all time to come." 



If the breeder finds it desirable to introduce fresh 

 blood, he may select a female fowl (F) as similar as 

 possible to the strain already developed and breed her 

 to a male bird of the sire line, e. g. from group No. 13. 

 Her chicks by this mating possess 1-2 of her blood, 

 13-32 of the blood of the original sire, and 3-32 of the 

 blood of the original dam. Her blood may then, through 

 her progeny, be introduced wherever it seems to be 

 necessary. 



CEOSS BREEDING. GRADING. 



Cross breeding is the mating of birds of different 

 breeds, varieties or families. 



Progeny of the first crossing, if the mated birds 

 are of congenial characteristics, usually possess the good 

 qualities of the parents in satisfactory degree but pre- 

 potency is interrupted and further breeding between the 

 crosses should be discouraged. 



The cross-bred progeny may sometimes be bred back 

 to one of the parent breeds with good effect. It is pos- 

 sible for the poultryman to introduce line breeding after 

 the first cross breeding if the object in view and the 

 accompanying conditions appear to warrant such a move. 

 This has been done in cases where a dash of the blood 

 of a certain breed was deemed desirable to improve 

 another breed. 



Violent crosses i. e. matings of birds of distinctly 

 opposite or unlike characteristics, should be avoided. 

 Such breeding usually brings Atavism into play and the 

 results are often disappointing. 



Improvement of common fowls is easily and econo- 

 mically accomplished by using pure-bred male birds. 

 The progeny are termed grades. In breeding poultry 

 the male bird is half the flock. His prepotency when 

 mated with ordinary farm fowls, should give him heredi- 

 tary influence exceeding that of his mates. Their ro- 

 bustness of constitution and excellent health make a 

 good foundation on which to build a structure of beau- 



