148 Farm Poultry 



ing together animals of two distinct breeds. For 

 many years cross-breeding was a favorite method, 

 and probably became popular because of the 

 frequently observed fact that increased vigor 

 was imparted by it. During the eighteenth cen- 

 tury, animals were frequently cross-bred, which, 

 undoubtedly, produced in the progeny a plasticity 

 of constitution and well prepared them for the 

 hands of skilful breeders who later attempted 

 to improve them. 



Crossing does not always bring improvement, 

 although there seems to be a somewhat preva- 

 lent idea that such improvement necessarily re- 

 sults. While certain breeds may be crossed and 

 will thus produce increased vigor in the progeny, 

 yet there is frequently a tendency to reversion. 

 That is, the progeny will resemble a remote an- 

 cestor, perhaps one of the original breeds from 

 which the improved animals were descended. 

 Charles Darwin bred a Black Spanish and a 

 White Silky together and in the second gener- 

 ation secured a fowl that very much resembled 

 the wild Jungle Fowl of India, from which domes- 

 ticated fowls are supposed to have descended. 



Whenever a cross is made between individuals 

 of distinct and well-established breeds, reversion 

 is most likely to occur. That is, the blood of 

 certain distinct breeds does not blend well. It is 

 said that a well-established white breed crossed 



