68 THE AMERICAN BREEDS OF POULTRY 



Fads are ruinous. We are not unmindful of the enthusiasm of 

 fanciers and the fact that their enthusiasm will always lead them to 

 lay emphasis on the smallest points. We look for advancements 

 from none other than those who have this interest and keen percep- 

 tion. Were it not for fanciers, we would still have little other than 

 the old dunghill sort of fowls. However, artificial selection should 

 never be encouraged along the lines of ephemeral standards, and 

 breeders, judges and standard makers should stop to inquire which 

 are the true types that represent the greatest usefulness and pro- 

 ductiveness. 



Faddist breeding and judging in our great American breeds should 

 never be encouraged. Hobbies ruin breeds, and fanciers who profess 

 to love their fowls, should not, for the sake of making money, pur- 

 sue a course that is detrimental to the welfare of the breed. It is not 

 morally right to encourage a feature that strikes at the vigor and 

 strength of the race. 



No breed is ours to ruin if we choose; we inherited it from that 

 great school of breeders who preceded us; we leave it to that pos- 

 terity which shall succeed us. They have a right to expect from us a 

 Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte or Rhode Island Red that carries vigor 

 and robustness, maturing qualities and prolificacy. We received these 

 lireeds as the giants of our .American fowls — as well balanced fowls, 

 the first fowls in all our land. We are the custodian of them for a 

 little time. Are we handing them down to each succeeding year 

 unspoiled and unblemished for having bred them? Are we stewards 

 worthy of our inheritance, or are we striving to make a little money 

 out of each new fad; and, in judging, do we prefer to cater to every 

 impulse and caprice of petty breeders who, never having learned to 

 see a whole chicken, make hobbies of particular sections? 



In England the breeding of poultry has run in two parallel lines 

 which do not meet, utility and fancy. In the days of cheap feed, fancy 

 ran ahead. Now that England is obliged to make more of an effort 

 t3 feed herself, and finds it profitable to do so, the utility types are 

 l.ading in popularity and salej. In America we have beauty and 

 utility combined. On this important matter of fancy and utility 

 combined Pacific Poultryman has printed a well written, unsigned 

 article from which we quote: 



The American idea of utility and beauty in combination in domestic animals 

 and birds is that those forms and elements of beauty which are expressions of actual 

 worth, and those which are attractive and in no way inimical to utility qualities, 

 should be cultivated, but tliat those whicli jire in any measure incompatible with 

 •isefulness ought to be eliminated. 



A section for symmetry. The complete type of a bird is built up 

 of different sections which, added together, make the whole outline. 

 Every standard shaped specimen of good vigor is a bird of symmetry; 

 that is, he presents a balanced structure, for there is a perfectiori to 

 each of the parts, such as comb, head, legs, wing, back, tail, etc., which 



