120 AN EGG FARM. 



time be more prolific after removal to unaccustomed 

 climates, so the violent attack on vitality which occurs 

 when there is in-and-in breeding is met by an energetic 

 attempt of the organism to propagate in unusual num- 

 bers and thus maintain its kind. There has been much 

 confusion on this point, for while scientific naturalists 

 have insisted that no animal can thrive under continued 

 close breeding, practical poultry keepers have pointed to 

 the prolificness of in-and-in bred fowls as a proof that 

 there was no deterioration. The fact is, individual per- 

 fection and rapid increase are, to a certain degree, 

 incompatible. Under our plan of aiming chiefly to 

 secure great quantities of eggs, we purposely give the 

 constitution of the birds a shock in order to increase 

 fecundity, having first, however, carefully built up, for 

 some years, by careful selection and good sanitary con- 

 ditions, sufficient strength to withstand the assault. 

 This course may appear inconsistent, but experiments 

 have shown us that it is correct. 



The Plymouth Eocks are bred in the experimental 

 yards with a different basis of selection. The best sit- 

 ters, and those with the shortest legs and plenty of fluffy 

 plumage and ample wings, are preferred. Note the 

 behavior of the hens that are bringing up chicks, and 

 cull out patterns of motherhood and set their eggs. 



In the breeding and experimental yards, the fowls 

 must be fed and managed in every respect with the 

 greatest care. Over-fattening is to be deprecated above 

 all other things, and may be avoided by burying all the 

 grain, to make the birds exercise by scratching. The 

 supply of grain should be moderate ; meat should be 

 given very often in very small quantities, and the allow- 

 ance of fresh vegetables should be ample. Free range 

 would be very desirable for all the breeders, but as it is 

 impracticable, scrupulous care must be taken to furnish 

 artificially natural conditions. Though the birds of the 



