REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 247 



The Indian Game — Light Brahma cross. A cockerel hatched on the 2nd June, 

 weighed on 26th December, 5 lbs. 11 oz., the same weight as the cockerel of the pre- 

 vious cross, at the same age. The pullets are not so compact in shape or form as those 

 of the Dorking cross. 



The Langshan — Black Minorca cross pullets, which were hatched last year (1893), 

 have turned out magnificent — large, dark fowls, some showing more of the Langshan 

 type, and others showing more of the Black Minorca in shape and size. They lay a 

 large deeply coloured (Langshan) egg, of most inviting appearance. 



The cross of the White Leghorn — Brahma, which was also made last year, has pro- 

 duced fairly large fowls and prolific layers of eggs of medium size. Both males and 

 females were slightly feathered on the legs. Some were more so than others. 



Straw Versus Sand on Floor. 



Careful observation leads to the conclusion that while the sand floor tends to make 

 the conditions more natural, the layers dusting freely in it, that the straw-littered floor 

 is a better incentive to exercise, the fowls searching longer for the grain scattered in it. 

 Large dust baths were provided for the latter pens. 



Incubator Trial. 



In the early part of March a hot water incubator of 100-egg capacity, with brooder, 

 was purchased from Mr. Gagne, of Quebec. The machine was placed in one of the 

 poultry houses, but the hatching results were not satisfactory, owing to variations of 

 temperature in the building. Another trial will be made in a more suitable location. 

 From the number of letters received on the subject, from farmers and poultry dealers, 

 there can be no doubt that greater interest is being taken, every year, in artificial incu- 

 bation, and a great incentive to trial and investigation, in the eastern part of the coun- 

 try, has been an admirable work on the subject by Mr. Charles A. Cyphers, of Boston 

 XT. S. A. 



DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



Numerous letters were received during the year, describing diseases which had 

 affected poultry in different portions of the Dominion. The most important cases are 

 noted as follows : — 



m 



Turkeys Affected with Roup. 



"Moose Jaw, 24th October, 1894. 



" Dear Sir, — I have some turkeys which are dying. Some have lost the use of 

 their legs, while others have swollen heads. 



(Sd.) "Robert Moore." 



In response to the above, Mr. Moore was informed that his birds with the swollen 

 heads had roup of a pronounced and fatal type. He was advised to at once remove the 

 sick from the well, and to pour turpentine or coal oil — preference given to the former — 

 over the heads and eyes, letting the liquid into the eyes of the sick birds. If roup pills 

 were at hand, to give one night and morning. If not to give a hot mash of shorts and 

 cornmeal, or stale bread soaked in milk with ginger or Cayenne pepper mixed. The 

 house in which the sick birds were, would have to be thoroughly disinfected. 



As roup is not unfrequent among turkeys, Mr. Moore's letter was sent to Mr. U. 

 Bonneville, of Danville, P.Q., who has a long experience with turkeys, and who at once 

 replied : "I think your advice to Mr. Moore as good as can be given. I would only 

 add, that in similar cases I use a solution of vitriol — either white or blue— in the pro- 

 portion of a tea-spoonful to three half pints of water, and with the mixture syringe the 



