LAWS GOVERNING THE BREEDING 
plication and patience. This method of blending 
or grading colors is applicable to either red or 
buff fowls. 
The first procedure is to take a male of uni- 
form even surface throughout and match his 
breast and body color to the surface color of the 
female, said female to be of even surface color 
throughout. This often brings about most ex- 
cellent results in the first cross and a continuance 
in this manner by line breeding blends and fixes 
the color desired. But there are many points to 
be considered even thus, which may be classed as 
sub-laws, and a knowledge of the same is of great 
assistance in acquiring a purity of color through- 
out. Purity of color means in nearly every in- 
stance purity of blood. In red fowls the under- 
color, while secondary in the show room, is never- 
theless a potent factor in the breeding pen. An 
even, rich, brilliant red surface is enhanced and 
supported by a deep red under-color and in the 
breeding pen has the power of transmitting and 
strengthening the color in the young. Permanent 
slate or smoke in the under-color deepens the red 
surface to the color of mahogany bay. Slate or 
smoke following feather to skin has a tendency to 
dull lustre of surface coloring. Slate at top of 
under-color next to surface with red at bottom 
next to skin is not permanent in chicks if found 
under a brilliant, even red surface, but is perma- 
nent under an even mahogany bay surface. These 
laws of color effect seem nullified where surface 
is of uneven color or one of various shades. Brown 
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