POULTR?Y-CRAFT. 155 
a few cases representing quite different types of fowls, fuller suggestions 
about shape are given. The particulars of shape to which attention is called 
are those requiring most attention, The beginner usually needs to be advised 
where to look for the weak points in his stock; for some of the most trouble- 
some are overlooked unless attention is especially directed to them. Above 
all else, a novice needs to guard against being carried away by admiration 
for uncommon excellence in any one particular. It is the all around good 
birds that make the best breeders. In most of the varieties good Standard 
birds of both sexes are produced from a mating of Standard birds; but, in a 
few, distinctly different matings are required to produce first class specimens 
of each sex. In many varieties for which a single, Standard mating is used, 
it is sometimes necessary to use birds rather s¢romg in color to restore color 
lost in breeding continuously from Standard birds. 
It must be kept in mind that often the Standard allows considerable lati- 
tude in the matter of color, and in such cases it may happen that a breeder 
who follows the Standard as he interprets it, will fail to produce stock that 
comes well up to the Standard as interpreted by other breeders and the judges. 
Thus, in breeding Light Brahmas, one might breed pullets with wing flights 
(primaries) nearly half white, but when he comes to show or sell his birds, 
he would find that such wings are considered faulty, nearly black primaries 
being preferred. And, in breeding buff varieties, one might get what he 
considered the correct shade, only to find quite a different color in vogue. 
The only way a breeder can learn what the public wants, is by keeping in 
touch with other breeders of his variety, visiting accessible shows, and exam- 
ining all reputed good specimens he has opportunity to handle. In mating 
birds of varieties for which both-double and single matings are used, the 
system by which the stock was produced should be followed. 
215. Mating Barred Plymouth Rocks. — A. C. Hawkins’ rules 
(adapted from the Amerzcan Plymouth Rock Club Catalogue). 
‘*To produce both sexes of Standard color from the same mating, has been the study 
of thousands of breeders for the last thirty years. That some fine specimens have been 
produced by the single mating system, is true; but, unquestionably, more than ninety 
per cent of the winning Barred Plymouth Rocks in the country for the last twenty years, 
have been the product of the special mating system; and it is no doubt the surest and 
safest method of producing the highest scoring specimens of the breed. 
‘To PropucE STANDARD FEMALES, use in the breeding pen only females of the 
highest type of color and form, with the qualities desired in the female progeny; or in 
other words, the very highest scoring specimens that have no (bad) defects. To these 
females mate a male bird of medium light color, and evenly barred all over, including 
wings and tail; and whose dam and sére’s dam were of the same high standard in form 
and color desired in the female progeny. 
‘“¢ THe male should have the blood in his veins of the same general character as that in 
the females he is mated with. He should have a deep full breast, broad concave back, 
small well serrated comb, orange yellow legs,—all important and desirable qualities in 
his produce. 
