>IX<J1,E VS. Ml'l.TIPLK M VTIN'lt *1 



SINGLE vs. MULTIPLE MATING. 



To treat 'of this subject briefly is no -mall task. To treat of it ex- 

 haustively is utterly beyond the capability of the writer. Kindle mating 

 lis the mating of a single pair — one male with one female. When -the 

 •Creator in his infinite wisdom selected a type of life that was to domi- 

 nate all other types Me arranged for their propagation and permanence 

 by mating' a single pair. Who they were, where or when they existed 

 is not material to this discussion. According- to tradition like did not 

 'beget like in a complete degree. One son was a degenerate. The 

 (principle of the single milting, followed through all the ages, lias brought 

 man to his present high slate. Races that have violated this rule have 

 invariably degenerated. This is the fundamental law governing the im- 

 provement of species in so far as it is governed by the law- of repro- 

 duction. Economic condition must, always modify all law-, human or 

 divine, and in nature we often find multiple mating supplanting at least 

 for a time, the single mating, numbers being apparently of more conse- 

 quence than individual merit. It will not he necessary that the 

 Thoughtful Header should have attained the eminence of a Darwin, or 

 the dignity of a breeder of fowls even, to follow me along this line. 



Nature's processes are outlined in a free library that is. to a greater 

 or less extent, available by the most humble of us. Xature has arranged 

 for the greatest possible measure of success in the reproduction of large 

 numbers from a single pah- in the organisms of the male and the female 

 and by providing the instinct of mutual attraction. Thi- principle of 

 mutual attraction is of the utmost importance. 



The maximum of fertility and vigorous offspring can only be attained 

 where each mating is the result of a mutual attraction or agreement be- 

 tween male and female. 



This is the only unavoidable barrier to high fertility with multiple 

 matings, — one male with numbers of females. The larger the number of 

 females the more there will be that do not mate willingly or will not be 

 served by the male. When nature seeks to reproduce a specific type ; off- 

 spring that will be exact counterparts of the parents in appearance and in 

 tendencies : she not only calls mutual at traction to bear to insure success in 

 numbers, but she applies the principle of consanguinity, — the blood re- 

 lation. Mutual attraction and consanguinity are, then, the keys that 

 unlock the treasure hoine of nature's mysteries to all who wish to study 

 the underlying principles of cause and effect as they relate to the prop- 

 agation of, and the improvement of any species of animal life. 



The improvement of a family of hen- is impossible unless sojhv <>»<:■ 

 practices in breeding. 



The novice who inbreed- simply to avoid buying new blood will invarU 

 ablv cause degeneration in his flock and will utterly ruin it in time, The 



