140 



AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 



Other Considerations. It often seems advisable, and un- 

 doubtedly is so, to use in our matings specimens though more 

 or less deficient in shape, yet excellent in other requirements, as 

 color, markings, head points, etc., and the question then becomes 

 how to offset these shape defects. 



Two General Methods. In a general way there are but two 

 methods. One is to offset a defect by mating to a bird of the 

 opposite sex that has a defect of such a character as to counter- 

 balance the first defect. For example, a male has a comb with 

 but three or four points and is mated to a female with six 

 points on her comb. This is a fair illustration of the principle 

 of offsetting one defect by another of the opposite character. 

 This has been largely practiced by breeders in the past and is 

 yet, to a large extent, to remedy defects of all kinds, either of 

 color or shape. 



Of late the most advanced idea is to offset all defects by 



PLATE 20 



SYMMETEY AND AWKWAEDNESS 



1. Symmetrical, with all sections properly proportioned in relation 

 to each other. Outlines of graceful sweeps and curves. 



2. Unsymmetrical sections forming angular junctions with each 

 other, causing awkward, ungraceful outlines. F. L. Sewell. 



