BREEDING. 219 



CROSS-BREEDING. In order to obtain a fresh strain of blood 

 crossing is often resorted to, when the pure breeds are not ob- 

 tainable, with fowls having no relation to the fowls in which the 

 infusion of new blood is required ; and, indeed, we often cross 

 fowls for the express purpose of producing a distinct variety. 

 Many breeders are of the opinion that some of the best fowls 

 that we have are produced by judicious crossing of two valuable 

 breeds, and I am of the same opinion ; yet it is not advisable 

 to cross fowls, and give theni a distinct name, but they should 

 always bear the appellation of their progenitors. For instance, 

 if we cross a Shanghae cock with a Dorking pullet, they should 

 always be called a " cross between the Shanghae and Dorking," 

 which should be understood that the largest breed in the cross 

 is the cock selected, but when two breeds are crossed, of about 

 uniform size, it will of course, not be important from which 

 breed the male is selected. 



If we would produce the same modeled and colored fowls, 

 and of the same uniform good qualities, we must always use 

 the originals as breeders, because a second cross, or the chicks 

 produced from eggs laid by the first cross, will not, as a general 

 rule, be like the parents. To illustrate this subject more fully, 

 let us suppose a case. We tal^e a black Shanghae cock, and 

 a white Dorking pullet, and breed them together. Their young 

 may be variegated, perhaps beautifully penciled, but the same 

 hues will not be produced by breeding this cross together, but 

 a variety of colors will be thrown out ; some will be nearly 

 black, like the original cock, and some will be quite light-col- 

 ored, like the original hen. Thus we see that like does not 

 produce like in all cases. 



In regard to the expediency and advantage of breeding from. 

 crosses, I have little to say. Sometimes we may thus breed 

 fowls for many years, and produce a very choice variety, of all 

 hues, of course, yet good layers, and finely modeled. At other 

 times, if either of the originals was defective in model, health, 

 or laying qualities, the progeny of the cross will, more or less, 

 partake of such defects. 



Crossing often produces larger and better fowls than either 

 of the originals, and on this account, many breeders cross 

 extensively ; but we should never allow a pure breed, that is 

 truly valuable, to become corrupted. If we cross, let it be 

 done as an experiment, still retaining our pure breeds distinct 

 and unmixed ; and above all, never take a cross to our fairs, 



