Line Breeding—Not Inbreeding
In the building up of a great strain of birds it is necessary to “line breed,” for, if the old theory of introducing new blood to prevent inbreeding, and the method of introducing the new blood, was, as is done in so many places even to-day, by introducing males from other sources, the entire system falls down. Nothing is accomplished and time is worse than wasted. The possibility of handing down the virtues of mother to daughter, and of father to son, is eliminated. If all the qualities of a given “Strain” are to be handed down line breeding must be adhered to in the strictest sense. Inbreeding, however, must be avoided, or disaster will follow.