EGG PRODUCTION. 



101 



It may be of interest to note tbat the difference in average winter produc- 

 tion of these groups of half sisters is closely related to average date of first 

 egg. Thus, the average date of first egg of the daughters of female No. 

 9420 was October 26; of female No. 8652, November 5; of female No. 8418, 

 November 17; and of female No. 8185, December 12. 



Thus, of 4 females mated with a single male, 2 were inbred and 2 were 

 unrelated to the male. The offspring of one inbred female were good 

 layers, while those of the other were relatively poor. The offspring of one 

 unrelated female were good laj'ers, and of the other relatively poor. The 

 results of inbreeding, therefore, must be judged by the quality of the 

 offspring. If it is good, utiUze those particular inbred matings. If not 

 good, try other inbred matings. 



y 



iMDf 



iXU I 



Description of Figure. — The line of descent of two inbred families. A pair of diver- 

 gent lines extend from the back of each bird whose pedigree is known, one going to the 

 father, the other to the mother, and ending on the under side. From this figure the 

 various inter-relationships may be made out. Thus 8147's sire is 5240 and his dam 

 6404. The sire of 5240 is 619, who is also the grandsire of 6404 as well as the sire of 2564 

 and 3617; 619 is therefore the great, great grandsire of the daughters of 8147, through 

 some lines of descent, but only the great grandsire through others. No. 3617 is equally 

 a half great, great uncle, grandsire and great grandsire of 8652's daughters. The birds 

 with backs free of lines are foundation stock of unknown ancestry. The inbred lines 

 of descent are indicated by the shaded birds. 



