SMALL HOLDINGS x69 



between two breeds or by improving his 

 own stock, assuming that to be of no 

 breed at all, by the systematic introduc- 

 tion of male birds of good type than by 

 the maintenance of the purity of any one 

 variety. 



It is probable that the average number 

 of eggs laid by the average hen in this country 

 does not exceed 80, but in competitions which 

 have been held in England, in America, and 

 in Australia, extending over a long period of 

 time, sometimes a whole year, young hens 

 have averaged as many as 240 eggs per annum; 

 and since the introduction of the trap-nest, 

 which enables the breeder to actually count 

 the number of eggs laid by individual hens, 

 and, consequently, to select the best layers 

 for his breeding stock, great improvements 

 have been made, and it has become possible 

 to adopt the process of selection for breeding 

 up to a higher standard of proficiency than 

 was ever possible before. Just, therefore, as 

 the owner of a few head of cows makes 

 every effort to obtain the best milkers 

 that he can afford to buy and to ascertain 

 their yield of milk from day to day and 

 month to month by the aid of a record, 

 just, too, as a farmer can improve his pig 

 s.ii. * H 



