A DUAL PURPOSE TYPE 2; 



mongrel pullets that had come from Kansas farms were mated to an 

 eggbred Barred Plymouth Rock male. His dam had a record of 232 

 eggs. The egg production of the mongrels was 98 eggs; of their grade 

 pullets, 132 eggs. These grade pullets were now mated to another 

 purebred Barred Plymouth Rock male whose dam was the same 

 232-egg hen. The pullets resulting from this second infusion of pure- 

 bred blood laid 150 eggs. These pullets were in turn mated to a 

 Barred Rock male of eggbred stock but without pedigree, and the 

 pullets so produced averaged 156 eggs each. In this last lot of pullets 

 one laid 248, one 250 and one 260 eggs within the year. 



In commenting on the experiments at the Kansas station to 

 increase egg production by breeding, Professor William A. Lippin- 

 cott says: 



Systematic breeding for egg production is still in its infancy. Desirable cockerels 

 from the production standpoint undoubtedly are more numerous now than when this 

 investigation was begun, and are becoming more numerous each year. But record- 

 keeping breeders are still too few, and unscrupulous promoters who advertise 200-egg 

 strains, without even using trapnests, are, unfortunately, too many. 



Purebred birds for egg production. The breeder who wishes to 

 specialize in egg production ordinarily will reach his goal much more 

 quickly by breeding within the breed, that is, by making selections 

 within a purebred flock rather than by crossing breeds. Professor 

 James Dryden, after a quarter of a century of poultry experience, 

 recently has succeeded in making a cross which he has called 

 "Oregons," and these birds have come into^ the limelight by making 

 splendid egg records not only at the Oregon Agricultural College, 

 where they were originated, but also in the Connecticut and Missouri 

 egg contests, although they have not proved superior to the estab- 

 lished breeds. The breeder who stays within a breed will find that 

 he has the benefit of established breed character and does not have 

 to contend with a diversity of new and troublesome factors that not 

 uncommonly arise when breeds are crossed. Moreover, late reports 

 indicate that there is no particular permanency to the value of the 

 "Oregons" as egg producers. At the International Contest starting 

 November 1, 1919, and covering the six winter months up to May 7, 

 1920, two pens of Barred Rocks, two of Rhode Island Reds, one of 

 Rhode Island Whites, and two pens of White Leghorns each laid 

 over one thousand eggs, or an average of one hundred eggs per bird 

 during the six months, while a pen of ten "Oregons" laid 711 eggs. 



There are those who believe that all flocks or strains should be 

 developed along the line of pronounced egg-laying propensities. This 

 would amount to these strains of specialized fowls practically absorb- 

 ing the breed. While the author earnestly subscribes to the recom- 

 mendation that more and more thought should be given by fanciers 

 to the potential egg-laying capabilities of their fowls, he believes that 

 specialized strains for egg production should be developed within the 

 breed and that they should not absorb the breed. We must not lose 



