250 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



The weights were taken at both periods by Mr. F. T. Shutt, M.A., chemist to the Expe- 

 rimental Farms, who gives the result as follows : — 



Loss in Weight of Eggs during Incubation. 



Pekin and Aylesbury Ducks. 



During the early part of the month of March, a drake and four ducks of the Pekin 

 breed, and a drake and a like number of ducks of the Aylesbury breed were purchased 

 and arrived during the third week of the month. They were placed in pens in No. 3 

 house, and were allowed outside run as soon as the weather permitted. Subsequently 

 they were removed to pens with tanks, to which water was supplied by means of pipes. 

 Both breeds laid fairly well, when one of the Pekin ducks became lame, and was soon 

 after followed by another of the same breed with similar lameness. Both recovered, but 

 were subsequently attacked with the same symptoms and died. Death was apparently 

 from paralysis of the limbs and certain parts of the body. The drake and another duck 

 also died during the summer from apparently the same cause, The Aylesbury ducks in 

 the next pen displayed vigorous health from beginning to end of the season, and are 

 apparently in fine condition at the date of writing. The conditions as to feed, care and 

 treatment were the same in both cases. In both runs were grass, gravel, sand and water 

 tank. Mr. John White, of the Canada Atlantic Railway, Ottawa station ticket office, 

 reported the death of nineteen ducks from a disease with identically the same symptoms. 



Commencement op Winter Laying. 



Winter laying commenced at the end of November, by which time the hens were 

 over their moult and in fine condition. The yearling hens of the Black Minorcas and 

 White Plymouth Rock breeds were first to begin to lay. 



Purchase op New Stock. 



During the latter part of November, the following new stock was purchased — in 

 most cases — to replace old stock, the object being to have as many pullets for laying 



