PUBLIC DOCUMENT --No. 25. 55 



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tions were supplied with grain and grit for the sustenance of 

 the quail, pheasants and partridges which are quite abundant 

 in this locality. The work presents almost every phase from 

 artificial propagation to care of the wild birds. 



Wilbraham Game Farm. 



The past year, as a result of careful work in organization, 

 has proved the most successful since the establishment of the 

 Wilbraham Game Farm. It has taken this time to get the 

 land into its present shape, and the yards and coops and 

 breeding pens into the best condition. 



In the rearing of young pheasants an innovation was at- 

 tempted. This consisted of keeping the young for about two 

 weeks in pens 3 yards square, the bantam foster mother being 

 confined in one corner, and later permitting the growing birds 

 to range at will in cultivated fields. The system proved so 

 successful that plans are now under way for further extension 

 next year. Plots of rye, buckwheat and clover proved good 

 feeding places for the young pheasants, and cultivated land in 

 general was found to be far superior to uncultivated, as afford- 

 ing plenty of insect food and cover from hawks. We are 

 rapidly coming to the conclusion that it is better to grow our 

 own protective cover, such as alfalfa, wheat, rye, etc., rather 

 than to rely on the natural cover of uncultivated land. 



In spite of the late spring, with its necessarily increased 

 amount of work, considerable land was sown with rye, millet 

 and grass, while in preparation for next season's work extensive 

 ploughing and planting was carried out. Large quantities of 

 cabbages were raised to serve as green food for the birds during 

 the winter. The cold wet spring and summer tested this as 

 well as other stations in a manner which will seldom occur. 

 Despite these conditions the output of birds was satisfactory. 



During the year an addition to the wagon house for the 

 storage of ice and a new large-sized incubator house have been 

 built by employees at odd times. 



