PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 255 



is exposed to view when held in its natural position or, in ouier 

 words, on the surface. Plate 79 shows an illustration of one of 

 the longer secondaries. 



Shank and Toes. Shanks and toes are yellow or dusky 

 yellow. 



The best surface color in females and the best markings are 

 associated with a lighter shade of undercolor. (T. F. McG.) 



CHAPTER IV. 



MATING SILVER-PENCILED PLYMOUTH ROCKS 



It should be well understood that the first step for breeding 

 this variety must be the selection for proper size, shape, and 

 general requirements for the breed. 



But, in addition to this, color must have more than ordinary 

 consideration. There are two systems practiced in the breeding 

 of Dark Brahmas, and the same may be followed in the breeding 

 of this variety of Plymouth Rocks which corresponds with the 

 former in plumage. It is needless to say more than has been 

 said under these subjects in Part II on line-breeding, in-breeding 

 and double-mating, or on the general laws of breeding. These 

 three methods of single, intermediate and double mating seem 

 open to breeders of this variety with good promise of success. 



Single Mating. The simplest and perhaps the best plan to 

 follow is to mate together continually, year after year, the very 

 best show specimens that are produced in each flock. 



Two Female Color Types. A system of double mating can 

 be practiced in one pen of fowls by having a male that possesses 

 show qualities to a marked degree mated with three or more 

 females that are perfect or nearly perfect, according to the 

 Standard description for the female of this variety, while in this 

 same pen can be kept one hen or more for the purpose of pro- 

 ducing exhibition males. This hen must be a direct descendant 

 for at least two years, and if for longer she is much better for the 

 purpose, from a cockerel breeding line; that is, by knowing 

 the male and females that produce each specimen you can select 

 the hen that produces the best cockerel and mate her or her off- 

 spring year by year with the best male that is produced from the 

 female line referred to in Part II as the Intermediate Mating. 



