PLYMOUTH ROCK STANDARD AND BREED BOOK 351 



in their respective sections, and handicap seriously the speci- 

 men that may be in good health and feather otherwise; rough 

 and soiled plumage, if caused by poor washing and handling, 

 handicaps an otherwise fine specimen severely, but if the plumage 

 of a well-conditioned bird becomes soiled in the show pen, due 

 allowance must be made by the judge. 



The relative values of color and shape in the neck, back, 

 wing and breast sections, given in the 1915 Standard, are more 

 just and equitable than those in the older Standards, as color 

 in parti-colored Plymouth Rocks is of paramount importance, 

 especially in Silver Penciled and Partridge, varieties that have 

 run less true to shape requirements than the Barred and White, 

 due to the extreme difficulties experienced by breeders in per- 

 fecting the penciled feather pattern demanded by the Standard. 

 To a certain extent, shape had to be sacrified in order to obtain 

 the desired Standard color markings. It is, therefore, neces- 

 sary to place as high a valuation on these color sections as 

 possible in order to protect the male or female specimens which 

 show superior color markings, but that fail somewhat in the 

 shape of different sections. (J. H. D.) 



CHAPTER II. 



JUDGING AMERICAN BREEDS PLYMOUTH ROCKS. 



The philosophy of judging Standard breeds of poultry is 

 the same as that which must apply for all other animate or 

 inanimate exhibits found in nature or produced by the art and 

 skill of man, for it is based on the knowledge which governs 

 the valuation of all such matter examined, or specimens ex- 

 hibited. In other words, the Standard-bred specimen in the 

 yard of the breeder, or in the show pen of the exhibitor, is 

 the matter to be considered by the mind of the judge. And 

 the mind of the poultry judge is governed by the American 

 Standard of Perfection, which is the only safe guide for the 

 breeder, exhibitor and judge in selecting breeding or exhibition 

 specimens. This Standard is the law which every judge must 

 obey. 



The fads of breeders and exhibitors must be ignored by 

 the judge, for no conscientious adjudicator of live stock is or 

 ever will be. a faddist. Fads of any description are short-lived. 



