ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 
443 
crossing with a view to forming a new oreed. It will not pay. The 
general” breeder should get the best representatives of the breed he pro- 
BREKDING TO TYPE. 
poses to use and confine himself to it. No more than one breed should 
be allowed on the farm. If so it will end in intermixing and confusion. 
No more should be attempted than by careful breeding and selection to 
perpetuate the strain in its purity, and if possible to improve it. A 
careful study of the foregoing will render this possible, aud thus any 
farmer may breed a given strain equal to the best. 
The cock should be large, broad breasted, strong winged, muscular, 
easy on his legs, and of strong points in his plumage ; the hen from good 
laying stock or a good mother as the case may be. 
Disparity in Sexes. 
As .to the number of hens to the cock it will vary with the breeds. With 
Games, Dorkings, Houdans and Crcve Occurs they may bo eight or ten 
to one ; Spanish, Cochins and Brahmas, ten or twelve to one ; Hamburgs 
twelve or fourteen to one. If the Hock is largo enough so two or more 
cocks are kept all but ono had better be confined, giving them in succes- 
sion to the flock, and it is better in large flocks to have a reserve to use 
when necessary. By this plan much fighting over and unnecessary worry 
of the hens will be saved. If too many males are allowed to run there 
will bo a loss in eggs, and if too few they will bo deficient in fertility, 
this being one of the greatest drawbacks to this system. So, as between 
the two, always buy eggs for setting from breeders who give their flocks 
