154 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



either side. As these are generally characteristics to be 

 avoided, it will most probably be found on examination, that 

 they have descended from the grandparents, or from progeni- 

 tors even further back than that. Hence the value of pure 

 stock, as there is with it a much greater certainty in breeding. 



It may be taken as a certain rule that the male parent 

 affects the external structure, the shape, and the outward 

 appearance generally, including the locomotive peculiarities ; 

 and that the female parent controls the internal structure, 

 the constitution, the temper, and the habits. But, we must 

 in this be regarded as speaking of pure-bred birds, for with 

 such as have been bred in any sort of way, in which all or 

 no breeds have been mixed up, it is almost impossible to 

 look for any certainty, as there are constantly unexpected 

 and unwished-for developments turning up. The purer the 

 breed, the greater the certainty of obtaining those points or 

 qualities we are seeking for, and it must also be noted, that, 

 if one of the parents is of a purer descent than the other, 

 it will exert the greater influence upon the chickens. 

 This will account for the rapidity with which a pure-bred 

 cock improves the birds bred in a farmyard, when one is 

 introduced, which doubtless many of our readers have 

 observed. 



Considering these facts, it may be worth our while to 

 study the question of the influence of parents, a little more 

 closely than is usually done, and, taking the male parent 

 first, it will be found, as already indicated, that it affects the 

 external structure .as well as the shape of the bird. Thus, 

 in selecting cocks for breeding purposes, it is necessary to 

 see that they have size, which, of course, means bone and 

 flesh, not merely feathers, and that they are of a right 

 shape. If a bird is short in either of these qualities, as 

 certain as can be such defect will be transmitted to its 

 descendants. Thus it will be seen how foolish it is to choose 



