POULTRT-CRAFT. 155 



a few cases representing quite different types of fowls, fuller suggestions 

 about shape are given. The particulars of shape to which attention is called 

 are those requiring most attention. The beginner usually needs to be advised 

 where to look for the weak points in his stock ; for some of the most trouble- 

 some are overlooked unless attention is especially directed to them. Above 

 all else, a novice needs to guard against being carried away by admiration 

 for uncommon excellence in any one particular. It is the all around good 

 birds that make the best breeders. In most of the varieties good Standard 

 birds of both sexes are produced from a mating of Standard birds ; but, in a 

 few, distinctly different matings are required to produce first class specimens 

 of each sex. In many varieties for which a single, Standard mating is used, 

 it is sometimes necessary to use birds rather strong in color to restore color 

 lost in breeding continuously from Standard birds. 



It must be kept in mind that often the Standard allows considerable lati- 

 tude in the matter of color, and in such cases it may happen that a breeder 

 who follows the Standard as he interprets it, will fail to produce stock that 

 comes well up to the Standard as interpreted by other breeders and the judges. 

 Thus, in breeding Light Brahmas, one might breed pullets with wing flights 

 (primaries) nearly half white, but when he comes to show or sell his birds, 

 he would find that such wings are considered faulty, nearly black primaries 

 being preferred. And, in breeding buff varieties, one might get what he 

 considered the correct shade, only to find quite a different color in vogue. 

 The only way a breeder can learn what the public wants, is by keeping in 

 touch with other breeders of his variety, visiting accessible shows, and exam- 

 ining all reputed good specimens he has opportunity to handle. In mating 

 birds of varieties for which both double and single matings are used, the 

 system by which the stock was produced should be followed. 



215. Mating Barred Plymouth Rocks. A. C. Hawkins' rules 

 (adapted from the American Plymouth Rock Club Catalogue). 



"To produce both sexes of Standard color from the same mating, has been the study 

 of thousands of breeders for the last thirty years. That some fine specimens have been 

 produced by the single mating system, is true; but, unquestionably, more than ninety 

 per cent of the winning Barred Plymouth Rocks in the country for the last twenty years, 

 have been the product of the special mating system ; and it is no doubt the surest and 

 safest method of producing the highest scoring specimens of the breed. 



" To PRODUCE STANDARD FEMALES, use in the breeding pen only females of the 

 highest type of color and form, with the qualities desired in the female progeny ; or in 

 other words, the very highest scoring specimens that have no (bad) defects. To these 

 females mate a male bird of medium light color, and evenly barred all over, including 

 wings and tail ; and whose dam and sire's dam were of the same high standard in form 

 and color desired in the female progeny. 



" The male should have the blood in his veins of the same general character as that in 

 the females he is mated with. He should have a deep full breast, broad concave back, 

 small well serrated comb, orange yellow legs, all important and desirable qualities in 

 his produce. 



