THE BREEDINO OF FANCY POULTRY. 



81 



been reared for a nnmber of years or generations without a cross with anj other 

 yariet/. But it should be remembered that every variety has been reared 

 by careful artificial selection, either from the original stock or from other va- 

 rieties. , 



" In the strict sense of the word, then, there is no such thing as an absolutely 

 pure breed — the term is only comparatively true. We may term the Spanish 

 fowl a pure breed, because it has existed a long period, and obviously could not 

 be improved by crossing with any other known variety; in fact, its origin as 

 a variety is not known. But many of our domesticated birds have a much more 

 recent origin. Where were the Game Bantams fifty years ago ? The variety 

 did notezist They have been made by two modes, breeding Games closely in-and- 

 in to reduce the size, and then crossing the small Game fowl so attained with 

 Bantams. Nevertheless, Game Bantams, as at present shown, have quite as good 

 a claim to the title of a pure breed as any'other variety. In fact, every variety 

 may be called a pure breed that reproduces its own likeness true to form and 

 color. 



"The statement that Brahmas, Black Hamburgs, Dorkings, etc., are pure breeds 

 is meaningless, if it is intended to imply anything more than that they Will re- 

 produce their like, which a mongrel cross between two distinct varieties cannot 

 be depended on doing. There is no doubt but that many of our varieties have 

 been improved by crossing with others. The cross of the bull-dog, thrown in and 

 bred out again is said to have given stamina to the grey-hound, and, although 

 generally denied, there is no doubt but that the Cochin has in many cases been 

 employed to ' give size to the Dorking. In the same manner new permanent 

 varieties of pigeons are often produced, generally coming to us from Germany, 

 in which country the pigeon fanciers are much more experimental than in Eng- 

 land, where they adhere to the old breeds with a true John BuH or bull-dog like 

 tenacity." 



