REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 249 



is a disease due to some micro-organism, which affects turkeys, but which so far has not 

 affected fowls in this part of the country, though it is possible that its ravages are not 

 confined to turkeys. This disease is now under investigation by the officials of the 

 United States government. The comb turning black is not the symptom of a single 

 disease, but of many. It occurs in roup, cholera, indigestion, canker, strangulation, &c. 

 The presence of undigested grain in the crops, indicates some disarrangement af the 

 digestive organs. 



" Yours truly, 



(Sd.) " H. S. Babcock." 



Mr. Babcock's reply was immediately sent to Mr. Barton, and at the same time he 

 was advised to give his chickens some reliable condition powder, as a tonic, in their soft 

 feed. 



On the 23rd November, a reply was received from Mr. Barton, saying that his 

 chickens were better, since the cold weather had set in. He had lost none since the 

 12th instant. If the disease again broke out, he would report at once. 



Filthy Drink Water. 



One or two cases were reported in which the trouble was, no doubt, caused by the 

 poultry having none other but filthy water to drink. In most suspected cholera cases, 

 the acute symptoms are produced by foul drink water or food, and not unfrequently 

 both. 



Other Cases. 



9 



There were numerous inquiries as to a cure for colds, catarrh and roup. The latter 

 is often the result of a neglected cold. When taken at its first appearance, cold can be 

 cured by the removal of the ailing fowl to dry quarters, and the use of a good condition 

 powder — in a soft mash — which should be given once a day at any rate. It is better to 

 kill a fowl with pronounced symptoms of roup, for it is only a source of infection or 

 contagion, and should it be cured, is never fit to breed from. A poultry keeper with a 

 flock of good layers cannot be too careful in the introduction of new birds, as disease is 

 frequently so brought by sickly new comers. It is always best to quarantine new 

 purchases for some days, or until assured of their sound condition. 



A Simple Cure for Roup. 



Mr. E. H. Sanders, of Watford, gives the following in a letter as a quick and sure 

 remedy for roup or cold, and it certainly has the merit of simplicity. He says : "I 

 bruise onions to a pulp, and then squeeze out the juice. With a syringe I force the 

 juice into the nostrils and into the throat three times daily. I also make a pill of equal 

 parts of the pulp and bread, and give to the sick fowl. Three or four days of this treat- 

 ment will prove a sure cure." 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



An Interesting Experiment. 



At the request of Dr. Jenkins, of Charlottetown, P.E.I., an experiment was made 

 to ascertain the difference, if any, in the weight of eggs at the time of setting under the 

 hen, and at the period of hatching out. For this purpose a certain number of Black 

 Minorca eggs and Indian Game — Brahma cross eggs were selected and marked as below. 



