168 Farm Poultry 



good, and place his whole dependence on the influence 

 of the male. 



A rational method of improving a flock of fowls 

 is first to choose with great care the breed for the 

 purpose; from this breed pick a strong, vigorous, 

 pure-bred male, and mate him with the best hen; 

 from the progeny of this mating select the best 

 females, to place with another vigorous, pure-bred 

 male of the same breed as the first. This operation 

 should be repeated each year, and eventually the fowls 

 will have all the characteristics of pure-bred fowls. 

 The yearly choice of a pure-bred male should be 

 continued. 



It is undoubtedly best to breed from unrelated 

 stock so far as possible. It may also be safely said 

 that if the greatest improvement is to be made, 

 only mature fowls should be used for breeding 

 purposes. Particularly is this true with the females 

 of egg breeds. Pullets are not so desirable as hens 

 for breeding purposes. Continued breeding from 

 immature stock has a tendency to weaken the con- 

 stitution and to reduce the size. If it is necessary 

 to use pullets they should, as a rule, be mated with 

 mature males. On the other hand, it is frequently 

 desirable to mate hens with cockerels. 



Breed useful fowls. It is the object of the farmer 

 to breed useful fowls. While the individuals may 

 not possess the requisite fancy points to win prizes 

 at exhibitions, yet these same individuals should 



