Effects of Crosses.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1922, Page 1

Effects of Crosses.

(4izC is handed Oil by both parents, but mostly by the dam. Much can be learnt of pure breeding, by noting the effect of different crosses. In crossing two breeds of foWls of dissimilar size, til© progeny will he between the two, but always leaning to the side of the jam. Poultry fanciers recognise this in pure breeding by choosing size in the families mid particularly insisting upon quality, symmetry and colour in the male. So, in ci-ossing farm work, the best results are obtained when we use tho sire of quality and the dam of sizx;. Examples are found in the blood horse and the cart mare; in the Shropsliife rani add the Lincoln ewe; the progeny in all cases being inferior if taken the other way about. This r»de is universal. There are two distinct temperaments: The dull, slow, lethargic, which is associated with the laying of the. fat., and the quick, active super abundant nervous energy, which is associated with the production, whether that- takes the form of work, milk or eggs. There are, of course, many trades between. We can rely so much upon the temperament for meat, and with the one of nervous energy for production. The poultrymen all say that it is the hen which scratches most, which is first off tho perch in the morning and last to seek it at night which is the great layer. How many of us have seen herds in which beef hulls have been constantly used, and in spite of this a good milking average has been maintained by rearing only from the best milkers. To get the maximum it is necessary to use a hull of milking strain also. No one pretends that either side can wholly decide to show that any internal qualities are decided more by the dam than the sire.