THE PIGEON BOOK 33 



agree with Darwin and other authors most distinctly in 

 their expressed views as to this. 



In the " Origin of Species by Natural Selection" 

 Darwin says: "Crossing communicates vigour to the 

 offspring and assists fertility." He adds: "Con- 

 sanguineous reproduction to too close a degree diminishes 

 the vigour and fecundity." 



The fancier who keeps the purely sporting varieties, 

 where vigour is so essential, must bear this in mind, for 

 if he does not do so and continues in-breeding to too great 

 and too prolonged a period his strain will suffer accord- 

 ingly. 



The skilful breeder knows just how much and how 

 little to in-breed. The beginner must probe in the 

 dark. 



Whether in-breeding or crossing is resorted to, breeding 

 gives uncertain results, but I think outward form and type 

 can be the more easily obtained by in-breeding than 

 crossing. 



The better the ascendency of the parents the greater 

 will be the chances of success. 



The methods of in-breeding that have given good results 

 in my own experience are by breeding from half brothers 

 and sisters to reproduce the parent on one side or the 

 other of them. 



In my opinion you can breed truer to line through the 

 hen than through the cock. For breeding I always prefer 

 strong, bold, well -developed hens without a blemish in 

 their constitutions. It is through the hen that the young, 

 in my opinion, get their physical properties. 



Having been fortunate in producing a hen of good 

 quality, my method of reproduction would be to mate 

 her with two different cocks, both as nearly perfect as 

 possible, or possessing some points of perfection that she 



c 



