THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



oftentimes quite impossible to ascertain the 

 whole of the ancestral history of a given in- 

 dividual, owing to the incompleteness of the 

 records of the past; only those animals which 

 have developed peculiarly strong and valuable 

 characteristics having been considered worthy 

 of (historical) recording. Especially is this 

 true in poultry breeding. 



" This subject of pedigree is a most em- 

 phatic illustration of the importance of the 

 principles of heredity. It may serve to ex- 

 plain atavism, showing to what ancestor an 

 offspring has reverted. It emphasizes the 

 value of prepotency; since it often serves to 

 show how the prepotent power of an ancient 

 ancestor has stamped his descendants, even to 

 the extent of a whole breed, with his qualities. 

 It may further show the power of pure blood 

 or of a cross in causing variation, or nega- 

 tively exhibit the effects of unfavorable con- 

 ditions in overcoming inheritable qualities 

 (comparing expected and realized results). 



" The breeder should very thoroughly study 

 331 



