SELECTION OF PAREJSTT STOCK. 47 



too heavy for the hens. Besides, if he be too fat, the 

 eggs fail. to get fertilized. 



It is surprising how many attempt to raise turkeys 

 from small and immature birds. Many who know that tur- 

 keys two years old are too young, continue to kill off the 

 young hens for market after breeding season. As Mr. Gush- 

 man says : There seems to be a dread of having something 

 too old or unsalable left on their hands. To breed from 

 immature or poor specimens is to violate one of the first 



FIG. 13. MB. BLOODGOOD'S FLOCK OF WHITE HOLLAND TUKKEYS. 



laws of breeding. Selections of the best, for generations, 

 nas given us the best and most profitable breeds of stockc 

 The hereditary influence of such selections is of great value. 

 The most inferior bird out of a flock of such blood may 

 "throw back" and breed very fine stock, and do better 

 than a much finer specimen from a poor-bred strain; but 

 the repeated selection of inferior birds for a number of 

 generations, makes this inferiority hereditary. The stock 

 depends mainly on the parent birds, or their ancestry. 



