211 



IN NESTS ON DAMP FLOOR OF CELLAR. 



Kind of Sitters. 



Buff hen 



Russian hen . . . 



Buff hen 



P. Rock hen . . . 

 Brahma hen . . . 

 Wyandotte hen 

 Brahma hen . . . 

 P. Rock hen . . . 



Result of Test. 



Number of 

 Chickens 

 hatched. 



3 eggs unfertile 



3 eggs unfertile 



2 unfertile eggs, 1 chick killed by hen 



1 addled, 1 chick dead in shell 



1 chick died in hatching, 2 unfertile eggs . . 



4 unfertile eggs 



1 chick died in shell, 1 unfertile egg 



1 chick killed by hen in nest, 3 addled eggs 



10 

 8 



10 

 9 



8 



7 



11 



9 



Both of the above methods have their earnest advocates. The contention, on 

 one side, is that eggs to hatch out well should be placed on damp ground, or, on some 

 substance calculated to retain moisture, and the opposite on the other side. It would 

 appear from the above experiment that the fertility of the eggs had more to do with 

 the result than the location of the sitter. As remarked in previous report it is quite 

 possible that early in the spring season, when the weather is yet cold, the dry floor 

 may be the best because it is likely to be warmer. In the hot season of July, or 

 August, no eggs are hatched out that can possibly be placed under hens at an earlier 

 date. Should there be no alternative, the cool damp cellar would be preferable. 



Mr. A. W. Morton, of Deloraice, Manitoba, gives his experience in hatching on 

 the ground in a letter dated 10th of April, 1890, from which the following is an 

 -extract. He says : " Last year ('89) I set four hens on the ground in the stable, hav- 

 ing no proper hen house. The first hen hatched 14 chicks from 14 eggs; the second 

 hen hatched 9 chicks from 14 eggs ; the third 14 chicks from 14 eggs and the fourth 

 13 chicks from 14 eggs. Every time T found a sitter off her nest I sprinkled the 

 eggs with water. I am going to try the experiment again. My experience in 

 hatching eggs with the hens placed in comfortable boxes, in quiet places, was not 

 nearly so good. I may say that it is my intention to construct and equip a suitable 

 place for my poultry, following many suggestions given in the farm report, which 

 hcem to be excellent." 



SHIPMENT OP EGGS AND STOCK. 



The demand for eggs, during the hatching season of last year, was far greater 

 than could be supplied. Numerous orders were received from Manitoba and the 

 North- West Territories. Frequent enquiries were made as to the sort of fowls con- 

 sidered most suitable for those portions of the Dominion. Should poultry depart- 

 ments be established on the branch Experimental Farms, they would be valuable 

 distributing centres for the districts in which they are situated. Eggs sent from 

 them would have less distance to travel to surrounding country and be likely to give 

 better hatching results. As an instance of the demand for eggs, it may be stated 

 that in April, last, there were on the list for delivery in one week, 26 sittings of 

 Ply month Rock eggs and 21 of White Leghorns. As there was only one pen of 

 Plymouth Rocks, composed of 1 male and 9 females, and one pen of White Leghorns 

 with 1 male and 11 females, it was not possible to comply with all demands. Of the 

 Plymouth Eocks^ some would get broody and some time would elapse before they 

 could be broken up and laying again. AH the hens did not lay every day, so that 

 the percentage of eggs obtained per diem was not large. The same remarks will 

 apply to Brahmas, Cochins and others of the sitting varieties. It will be evident that 

 to supply a demand such as that mentioned, several breeding pens of the popular 

 sorts would be required and a large establishment necessary to contain thera As 



6c— U^ 



