28o AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



albumen and not all of it as has hitherto been supposed. Dur- 

 ing its sojourn in the albumen portion of the duct the chalazae 

 and chalaziferous layer, the dense albumen layer, and (if such 

 a layer exists as a distinct entity, about which there is some 

 doubt) the inner fluid of albumen, are manufactured and put 

 upon the egg. 



Upon entering the isthmus or membrane secreting part of 

 the egg tube, in passing through which portion of the duct 

 something under an hour's time i? occupied instead of three 

 hours as has been previously maintained, the egg receives its 

 shell membranes by a process of discrete deposition. At the 

 same time, and during the sojourn of the egg in the uterus or 

 shell forming part of the egg tube, it receives its outer layer or 

 fluid or thin albumen which is by weight 50 to 60 per cent of 

 the total albumen. 



This thin albumen is taken in by osmosis through the shell 

 membranes already formed. When it enters the egg in this way 

 it is much more fluid than the thin albumen of the laid egg. 

 The fluid albumen added in this way dissolves, some of the 

 denser albumen already present, and so brings about the dilution 

 of the latter in some degree. At the same time, by this process 

 of difl:'usion, the fluid layed is rendered more dense, coming 

 finally to the consistency of the thin layer of the laid egg. The 

 thin albumen layer, however, does not owe its existence in any 

 sense to this dilution factor, but to a definite secretion of a thin 

 albumen by the glands of the isthmus and uterus. The addition 

 of albumen to the egg is completed only after it has been in 

 the uterus from five to seven hours. Before the acquisition 

 of albumen by the egg is completed a fairly considerably amount 

 of shell substance has been deposited on the shell membranes. 

 For the completion of the shell and the laying of the egg from 

 twelve to sixteen, or exceptionally even more, hours are re- 

 quired. 



POULTRY MANAGEMENT. 



At all times efiforts are being made to improve the methods 

 of management of poultry on the station plant. During the 

 past year a new form of brooder has been described with 

 directions for its construction in Station Bulletin 193. 



