Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-31
THE POULTRY YARD
HYPorHEsls or HEREDl1v.
By ED WEBER

II Nlt ~
The fundamental principles of poul-
try breeding are few and simple. The
mechanism Of violin is simple-four
strings and bow--so simple that 1t
requires many years Of arduous toll
to complete it's mastery, but under the
magic Of maestro It stands unrivaled
in 1.-THE world Of music-the king Of in
struments.
So with the principles Of breeding.
The practical application of those prin-
ciples is beginning to attract the high
est efforts Of which the human mind
Is capable. The wonderful results that
may be attained by the applied laws OF
breeding are 80 varied and far-reach-
ing that no lipe Of mental concentra-
tion offers more inducement to students
Of nature.
Every breed and each variety owes
Its existence to two latent forces OF ma
ture-the inheritance Of ancestry. hab-
Its acquired thru many generations
and constitutional vitality-in a word,
heredity, and the force OF circumstances
controlled by surroundings.
The eternal force of creation acts
slowly. but surely. We note variety OF
one breed for a season and are unable
to remark q change, yet we know by
the immutable law of nature that Q
latent force Is at work-the unalterable
law OF the universe is change and
retrogression or progression Is in effect.
Note the same strain year after year,
and the fuIfillment Of this law becomes
apparent; slight, perhaps, very slight.
bu. slowly and surely the change will
be noted, either for good or for bad.
Let this fact then impress itself upon
every breeder. whether for utility or
for fancy, that there isn't bird Of any
breed or Of any variety that Is not
slowly undergoing this change.
Selection Most Important. u
The types nearest the ideal today are
the result of careful direction Of vital
tendencies thru selection and restric-
ton. Scientific breeding Is just be-
ginning to be studied. Its possibilities
can not be estimated. In the past those
who sought certain results did so thru
guesswork rather than otherwise. The
underlying principles that govern the
tremendous life forces were but par
brought out Of chaos.
Must Know Underlying Principles.
The breeder Of today If beginning to
observe. to study and to, learn. To
guide intelligently. the inherent life
forces into new creatlonss Of better
type, a. knowledge Of the underlying
principles that govern must be known.
The plan Of the universe is progress
SION. The things Of today are better
than those of yesterday. The plants and
animals Of today are better than those
a thousand years hence. Zoologically,
1t Is the plan Of nature to ignore the
Individual that the type may he pre-
served Eventually the type is de-
stroyed. to be succeeded by 4 new and
better one.
Thru each succeeding stage I'VE note
first progression, then retrogression, to
be succeeded by still further progress
sion Thru each succeeding step for
ward, then backward, then forward
again, 1t 10 natures plan to cross gem
era, species, and varieties, the purpose
OF which seems to be to create general
disturbance that will later result in tho
combination Of individual tendencies,
which in succeeding generations become
disassociated and syariously reproduced
III other combinations.
1t Ii within the province Of the
breeder, therefore to take advantage Of
these life forces to. earlier progression
at an INFINITE saving Of time BY avoid
ing the retrogressive stages. A knowl-
edge OF zoology and biology, the ability
correctly to estimate the action OF In
4I~ 20 fol n
last, hut not least, definite plan con-
stantly In view. are necessary success
fully to guide these life forces to pro-
gression without retrosression. Z;
Nature Moves Slowly.
In natures crossing. we note that the
process is very slow, requiring often
centuries to accomplish her purpose.
which by artificial methods may be ac-
complished In as many years. Each
breed and each variety Of the domestic
poultry Is the result Of cross. The
numerous breeds and varieties owe
their origin to the forces that constitute
ieredity and environment. The type
in none OF these has ever been constant
nor will It. for the inherent life forces
must adapt themselves to the forces Of
environment or become obliterated.
There must be progression along the
lines OF the ideal or there Will be retro
gression. It Is the purpose of nature
to preserve life and perpetuate it, but
she u seemingly unmindful Of quality.
She has given the world the jungle
fowl, but she has never improved upon
It. Given time, and there can be no
doubt Of the result, for progression Is
M t,,re,a lAv