Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1901-12-05
Grading Up The Flock.

interested in the work and alive to
his or her own interest, feels disap
pointed and discouraged if the close
Of each year does not show that
progress has been made. The ambi-
ton stimulates to the bending of
every energy of brain and hand that
its accomplishment may be possible,
and it is with much satisfaction and
self congratulation that one sees the
realization of this desire. In poultry
culture every earnest, successful
breeder feels this spirit of progress
within, and all the planning and
every days work is a consequence of
this desire. Seldom, at the close Of
one season, does the breeders flock
show characteristics and qualities
exactly as was possessed by the
flock Of the previous season. Breed
ers "grade up their flock every
year that the desired improvement
may be attained, and not only is this
grading up" practised by small
breeders, beginners and amateurs,
but by the successful, long time
breeders as we'll, whose fowls, to the
inexperienced eye, appear already
perfect in quality. Systematic grad
ing up consists in a careful selection
of the birds possessing finest quail
ity or marked excellence, because Of
which they approach most nearly
the perfect fowl as portrayed in the
Standard of Perfection, and retain
ing these birds for next seasons
breeding pens. Often has it been
demonstrated that like begets like"
and such being natures law, the
parent stock must be fine in quality
if the young birds show excellence
In form, plumage and general char
acteristics. Perhaps the beginner,
of only a season or two in poultry
raising, may have a flock that are
pure-blooded or thoroughbred fowls
and yet, when compared with the
standard bred birds of the same va
riety. they fall SO far short of the
acknowledged requirements of their
particular breed that there is very
little satisfaction Or pride in the
possession of such a flock. They may
be thoroughbred and still be culls,
with defects so marked that the
prosperous breeder would, if the
birds belonged to him, doom them
to the Ratchet. But beginners in
poultry culture cannot always afford
to purchase the very best stock for
the foundation of their focks, and
so sometimes feel as if second rate
or inferior fowls must answer. Look
ing upon such a flock, do not be ut
terly discouraged and give up the
business, but set your teeth hard
and with a determination to have a
flock much better in quality an
other season Select your very best
birds, even if few in number and
keep them for next seasons breed
ers. Study the advertisements of re-
liable breeders of the breed or va
riety of your fowls. and write to one
of those breeders that you think you
can trust, explaining fully your plan
for the lettering of your flock, tell
ing of the most glazing defects of
the females, and ask this breeder to
send you a male to lead your pen the
coming season. Do not be frightened
if the price far exceeds your idea of
the value cf a single bird; but re-
member this bird IS half your pen
and viii probably sire 500 to 1000
birds, and console yourself with the
thought that you are doing your
best to become a progressive breed
or, and hope, work and watch fol-
the great improvement in next sea
sons focks. This system of grad
ing up the flock should be practised
every fall; that is, a selection of the
most choice specimens of hens and
pullets should be retained for the
coming seasons breeding pens, and
if no desirable male is found in the
home flock, send for one-as first adj
vised.
Certainly, it is more preferable
that the foundation stock should b.
az near perfection as possible. but 81
it takes a nice sum to buy sucl
fowls many beginners may lool
with longing eyes upon such desir
able birds, but must be content will
Observation-Disclosures. yet lackin!
.AI.4u norhanu nr1llc f.nm III.