RESULTS OF CROSSING.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 652, 2 December 1908, Page 6

RESULTS OF CROSSING.

thm Vum of Serabs m o Foundation Haaßeturdfd.jProfrtKa Wherever: It Hail Beeitt Tried,

Any fanner who will use scrub hens and begirt with thein as a foundation ' tor improvement will lose a year or two by bo doing, as he can get fowls or eggs of pure breeds at such small cost that it will be realty.extravagant to retain thescrubs. More effort has been made in improving scrub fowls than with large stock, but nothing of importance has been gained thereby. On the contrary, the use of scrubs as a foundation lias retarded progress.- The farmers mugt first get rid of the supposition that crossing breeds'is an advantage. Li they 'should judiciously:cross, knowing what, they are doing, they might probably accomplish something, but as it is they-do moire harm by crossing ttian is expected. For instance, let the farms have'two breeds—Ply mouth; Rocks and Hamburgs. The first he finds an excellent market fowl, well up to the a\-er-age as layers, hardy, and adapted to nearly allclimates. The Hamburgs ■•' will lay more eggs than the Plymouth- J Kocks (mostly in summer), but are", small and not hardy in winter. Now, if we can combine the; productive capacity of the Hamburgs with the hardiness ]of the Plymouth Kocks, the farmer considers that he will have a superb cross. He does not stop, to consider that; the breeders have crossed in every possible manner to gat the same results; and that the pure breeds are themselves crosses that have been fixed in characteristics; nor does the farmer consider that' 50 farmers in every 100 have done what he is about to do. So he makes his cross, and gets-birds that do not ;lay as well a* the Hamburgs, are f not equal to the Plymouth Kocks in any respect, will not endure severe winters, ind: which are of all colors and sizes. Then he ceases, as he makes ho careful note of the cross, neglects the byds'be'r: cause they have become scrubs, his interest, in pure breeds has passed, and he is on the down grade to ruin, so far »s keeping poultry for the best results is concerned.—Farm and Fireside.