278 



ACRICULTURK OF MAINE. 



Hozv Many Eggs Can a Hen Lay? 



In connection with the studies on breeding for tgg produc- 

 tion an anatomical study has been made of the potentiahties 

 of hens in regard to production. The eggs which a hen can by 

 any possibiHty lay are limited by the number she carries in- her 

 body in the ovary or tgg cluster. How many of these primi- 

 tive eggs does an ordinary hen have? The following table 

 shows the results of some counts which have been made in 

 this department of the primitive egg visible to the naked eye, 

 in various individuals. 



It is evident that the potentialities in respect to production 

 far outrun the actually realized laying. Laying is a physiolog- 

 ical matter rather than an anatomical. All hens, whether good 

 or poor layers, have a vast lot more eggs available for laying 

 than they ever actually lay. 



The Function of the Comb and Wattles of Poultry. 



Curiosity is often expressed by the poultry man as to the 

 practical utility to the bird, or to himself as a poultryman, of 

 the comb and wattles of fowls. The following brief discussion 

 of the subject was prepared for the purpose of answering such 

 inquiries. 



The comb and wattles of poultry are what are known to the 

 biologist as secondary sexual characters. According to Dar- 

 win's theory of sexual selection the original purpose and func- 

 tion of these structures was to make the male conspicuous and 



