7,S THE TRAP NEST TEXT BOOK 



The fact that no traces of egg or shell are ever found in the nests does 

 not by any means prove that no eggs arc broken and eaten. Some egg- 

 caters will not only cat every particle of the egg and shell but also all 

 nest material that is wet with the egg. 



Non-laying hens and male birds are as likely to contract this habit as 

 are the layers. Ideal trap nests keep the eggs out of their reach. 



Open nests that arc so constructed or so situated that the nest is semi- 

 dark will prevent the birds from seeing the eggs plainly enough to eat 

 thcni. If the nests are too dark the birds arc likely to lay elsewhere. 



When egg eating is suspected. eggs should be placed where the hens 

 can see them, and results noted. 



CHAPTER IX. 



NATURE'S SECRET REVEALED TO THE BREEDER. 



THE FOUNDATION PRINCIPLE OF THE 



LAW OF LIKE BEGETTING LIKE. 



THE BREEDER'S LAW. 



Nature's secret revealed to the breeder. The foundation principle of the law 

 that "like begets like." The breeder's law. Single vs. multiple mating. The 

 fallacy of the so-called "law of sex." The fallacy of the egg-type theory. In- 

 dividual merit from the standpoint of the buyer. A prophecy. 



THE key that unlocks the door of success is persistence. Genuine 

 persistence is not acquired but inherited. We may subdue, in a 

 greater or less degree, those qualities that antagonize persistence and 

 we may remove obstacles from the path of persistence, thus giving it a 

 better chance, but we cannot create it either ill ourselves or in living 

 organisms that, we are seeking to control. All success in the improve- 

 ment of vegetable or animal species is obtained by discovering individ- 

 uals in which the desired features are persistent!) present and are 

 persistently transmitted whim we propagate the species. From this we 

 deduct the law: Those thaits oh i.u vlities tii \t develop ix a 

 su.PEH.iott deokee inker seemingly inf w ohahi.e conditions are 



THE ONES MOST I.IKEI.1 TO VITA IN Ki.II U. ol; (iRKATEH DEVELOPMENT 

 IN THE PROGENY. 



The observing' poultry breeder who keeps (rack of the offspring from 

 each individual pair caunol fail to be impressed with Hie truth of the 

 above proposition. 



