Breeds and Varieties 25 



ties which partake of the same general form and 

 disposition but differ greatly in color of plumage. 



In producing so great a variety in plumage as 

 seen in the numerous varieties of some breeds, 

 notably the Leghorn, foreign blood has been intro- 

 duced which has modified, to some extent, the 

 laying propensities. At first thought the practice 

 of introducing the blood of an alien breed in the 

 formation of a new variety of an egg breed would 

 be condemned; but when it is once well understood 

 that crossing within certain limits brings increased 

 vigor to the progeny, it may be seen that for egg 

 production alone the new variety, which is given 

 a little more robustness, may be made to pro- 

 duce as many eggs by a process of moderately 

 forced feeding as the somewhat more delicate pure 

 breed whose inherent tendency to egg production 

 may be a little stronger. 



Leghorn. This is one of the Mediterranean 

 breeds whose name is supposed to have been derived 

 from the city of Leghorn, in Italy, whence they 

 are thought to have been brought to America. 

 The early history of the breed is now more or less 

 obscure, and this is due, no doubt, in a large degree, 

 to the fact that they were unpopular for many 

 years after they were introduced into this country. 

 Although they are credited with being introduced 

 in the early part of the nineteenth century, it 

 was not until after the middle of the century that 



