A Test of Crossbred Chickens, Single Comb White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds

IN THE fields of plant and animal genetics, there has been a considerable amount of experimental work crossing different inbred lines, distantly related individuals, and, in some cases, crossing individuals of different genera, species, or subspecies. Hybridization has been and may be accomplished in three ways: 1. Crossing individuals of different genera, species, or subspecies. 2. Crossing inbred individuals of different inbred lines. 3. Crossing individuals of different breeds and varieties. The progeny of genera, species, and subspecies crosses in the plant kingdom have been used with some degree of success in the formation of new types of plants. However, in the animal kingdom, progeny from wide crosses in large animals, whenever they are obtained, usually prove to be without economic value although the mule is an outstanding exception. Many crosses have been made between birds of different species and subspecies and in a few between individuals from different genera. . . .