168 THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF 



variety the more it approximates towards 

 the standard of the utilitarian fowl. A new 

 breed is the result of crossing between two 

 or more varieties, and just as a half-bred fowl, 

 like half-bred stock of larger kinds, is usually 

 of greater economical value than either of 

 the breeds from which it is derived — for it 

 partakes of the good qualities of both — so is 

 a breed of recent manufacture an improve- 

 ment upon the varieties which have been 

 used to produce it. This is believed to be 

 chiefly owing to the improvement of its 

 constitution, to its increased vitality, and, in 

 consequence, to its greater power to lay on 

 flesh or to produce eggs. In the process of 

 time, however, as by constant crossing with 

 birds of the same variety, the breeder aims 

 to fix a standard of form and feather, to say 

 nothing of minor points, its vitality is 

 diminished, it gradually loses its utilitarian 

 character, and, like the older breeds, its 

 productive power diminishes, and it is set 

 aside for something new. Thus in breeding 

 for profit — in other words, for the production 

 of large numbers of eggs and strong-growing 

 chickens with meat adapted to table purposes, 

 — a small farmer should bear in mind the fact 

 that he will do better work by crossing 



