PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 331 



advise with him and study the best product of his art at the 



shows. 



"The requirements for color and markings of each section 

 have been so carefully weighed and considered with relation to 

 breeding tendencies, ascertained by years of experience of breed- 

 ers, not only of Columbian Plymouth Rocks, but Columbian 

 Wyandottes and Light Brahmas as well, by the framers of the 

 present (1915 Revision) Standard for the Columbian varieties, 

 that the desired strength of color may be maintained by using 

 exhibition specimens exclusively in these matings. This happy 

 state of affairs has been brought about largely by requiring 

 stronger undercolor in certain sections, while still demanding a 

 surface of clear white in these sections. Undoubtedly, however, 

 the endeavors of breeders of this variety to more thoroughly 

 establish the strength and stability of the color in the required 

 sections have made a substantial contribution to the advance- 

 ment we find this variety has made during the past decade. 



"In the past so much importance has been attached to a clear 

 white surface and many times to a clear white undercolor, that 

 those sections in which black was required have been weakened, 

 for it is recognized that color is lost in succeeding generations 

 to a certain extent and occasionally a little excess must be added 

 to maintain the balance. While such study of the methods of 

 the pastmasters in breeding Light Brahmas will be a great 

 benefit in mating for color, equally important knowledge can be 

 acquired from old breeders of Barred and White Rocks. Here 

 we learn much of value in producing shape and true Rock char- 

 acteristics. A Columbian Rock of almost perfect color is of 

 little value if lacking in Rock character, for in Rock type lies 

 more than half of the beauty and utility of the breed. 



"In mating this or any breed, consider well the ancestry of 

 the fowls being mated. It is an old saying that 'chicks generally 

 favor the grandsire.' It is important then that individual quality 

 be backed by ancestors selected for years for their individual 

 merit. Otherwise, we must combat the law of reversion to unde- 

 sirable type. 



"Being satisfied as to ancestry, next in importance is the indi- 

 vidual type of birds to be mated. The true Rock is a bird of 

 good size that will make Standard weight or better without 

 crowding; in other words, birds that have the bone to carry 

 Standard weight or over without being fattened to an injurious 



