PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 139 



a difference in color, markings, shape of comb, etc., are merely 

 accessories that make fowls attractive and likable. The problem 

 of correcting faulty shape, because it is a breed problem and 

 equally applicable to all varieties of Plymouth Rocks, should 

 then receive our first and most serious consideration. 



The Influence of Health on Shape and Color. Good shaped 

 specimens are always healthy. It is useless to expect puny birds 

 to be good in shape. Deep bodies, full, round breasts, broad 

 backs and stout shanks are not developed by any but the most 

 rugged constitutions ; but these are characteristics of all good 

 Plymouth Rocks. 



One factor in the production of color has occurred to but 

 few, but it, nevertheless, is a most important one because, though 

 a bird may have perfect inheritance along color lines, it will 

 count for naught if it is without health. By health is meant con- 

 tinuous health from birth. A sickness of but a week, a day or 

 an hour has its effect. Loss of natural gloss and intensity of 

 color are sure to follow. Whether ill health utterly destroys 

 the chances of winning depends upon its nature and duration. 

 The best birds, both in shape and in color, are the ones that 

 besides inheriting good quality, grow normally or rapidly from 

 the start, and are always in excellent health. Health affects 

 shape as well as color. In order to grow healthy birds, breed 

 from such and give both old and young the best of care. 



To produce good shape especially, parents that are ruggedly 

 healthy are absolutely necessary to succeed. 



An Ideal Mating. An ideal mating for correct form would 

 consist, if it were possible to obtain them, of a male and females 

 that were perfect according to our Standard ideals. As perfect 

 specimens never exist, ideal matings are not made. That being 

 true, a model mating would consist of both male and females 

 that nearest approached our ideals ; that is, as far as shape is 

 considered, the best mating that it is possible for any one to 

 make is to place with the best male procurable the best females 

 that can be obtained. When so mated, a large per cent of the 

 progeny will be as good as their parents average, in some cases 

 better, and in a few instances the specimens would be expected 

 to excel both parents in shape requirements. 



A few generations of breeding according to this plan, the 

 best shaped male mated with the best shaped females, may be 

 relied upon absolutely to establish a strain of any variety that 

 will excel in shape requirements. 



