108 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 



bred to the original male the next season and 

 again the following Spring as mature hens. Then 

 additional hens may be secured of the breeder from 

 whom the first purchase was made and mated with 

 a cock descended from the original male or with that 

 very bird. This plan will prevent too close inbreed- 

 ing. 



The cockerels used for breeding ought to be prac- 

 tically counterparts of their sire, this being an in- 

 dication that the points which make the latter 

 desirable are well fixed. For the rest, the amateur 

 breeder must learn by experience and study how 

 to make his matings in order to get the best results. 

 By keeping a copy of the Standard of Perfection, 

 costing $2.00, close at hand, he will be able to learn 

 just the shape, weight, color and markings which a 

 perfect bird of his favorite breed would have to 

 possess. This will be his guide. 



It often happens that hens bred strictly for fancy 

 purposes will not lay as well as strains developed 

 for utility. Egg production is neglected in order to 

 secure certain physical characteristics. This is nat- 

 ural and the amateur should not expect to develop 

 a strain along both utility and fancy lines. More- 

 over, the fancier wants to give his chickens every 



