202 The Hen at Work 



eggs hatched well? Have the chicks grown into 

 virile cocks and worthy hens? 



If the line to which the hen belongs shows a good 

 record of fecundity, strength, and egg production, 

 her chicks will be strong, and good layers, even 

 though she herself may not excel in the number of 

 eggs laid. 



If the line to which a hen belongs shows a poor 

 record, she will have chicks which will themselves 

 make a poor record, in spite of the fact that the 

 mother hen may have a high total for egg pro- 

 duction. 



This is the general law. It is the type, or line, 

 and not the individual that counts, in the long run. 

 The specimen must of course be perfect as to shape, 

 size, color, and health, and must show iq itself 

 the characteristics wanted in its children. This 

 is true of both male and female. We should not 

 breed from an imperfect bird, no matter what the 

 ancestry. 



Thus it becomes clear that we should be unwise 

 to exchange a hen which laid one hundred and 

 twenty-five eggs in a year, descended from a good 

 line, for one of doubtful ancestry that laid two 

 hundred. Experience proves that the first hen, of 



