194 THE POULTRY-BOOK. 



the evil here complained of is to be attributed to the fact thai 

 most of the works hitherto produced on poultry are not the 

 productions of practical men, but only comprise the lucubra- 

 tions of the closet. Fowl-breeders, too, have never been for- 

 ward to communicate such information as is derived from their 

 experience ; the amateur seldom feels any inducement to do 

 so ; and the breeder, whose only object is profit, is well content 

 to preserve his secrets, and secure the gain. 



A few general principles, well understood and faithfully 

 applied, will prove of great value ; and the contents of this 

 chapter, therefore, though they may wear an air of novelty to 

 many, we are persuaded will be acceptable to all interested in 

 poultry-breeding. 



The various kinds of breeding arc denominated " inandin," 

 "close," " mixed," or "promiscuous." "High breeding" 

 is also a term used with significance. Great confusion is often 

 experienced in distinguishing between " in and in" and " close" 

 breeding, but a single definition will immediately remove all 

 ground for misapprehension. When we speak of " in and in" 

 breeding, the meaning is simply that the breeding is by com- 

 merce between individuals of the same brood ; or, if the term be 

 allowed, between brother and sister. " Close" breeding is by 

 commerce between the parent and his offspring, in whatever 

 degree. " Mixed" breeding is sufficiently intelligible, being 

 the connection between different breeds or varieties. 



Crossing the Breed. To insure successful and beneficial 

 crossing of distinct breeds, in order to produce a new and val- 

 uable variety, the breeder must have an accurate knowledge of 

 the laws of procreation, and the varied influences of parents 

 upon their offspring. All the breeds in this country are crosses, 

 produced originally by accident or design. Crossing does not 

 necessarily produce a breed ; but it always produces a variety, 

 and that variety becomes a breed only when there is sufficient 



