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ever, is striking proof of the great value of pullets over old hens as revenue pro- 

 ducers, under the same conditions as to housing, care and feeding. The superiority 

 of young stock over old has long been known to experienced poultry keepers, but 

 the fact is appreciated by comparatively few farmers. The conclusions to be arrived 

 at from the experiment are : — 



1. That no hens should be kept over two years. Because, after that age they 

 moult so late that the prospective profit is eaten up before they begin to lay. 



2. No soft-shelled eggs were laid by the pullets, showing that they are not as 

 likely to do so as the old stock ; that the daily mixing of coarse sand, fine gravel and 

 sifted oyster shells in small quantities has a preventive tendency. 



3. That no eggs nor feathers having been eaten, to date of writing, the regular 

 supply of ground meat mixed in soft feed is to be recommended. 



4. A small quanty of salt was mixed daily in the hot morning ration, but as it 

 created looseness among the Brahmas, Cochins and several Plymouth Eock hens, its 

 Use was given up. 



'5. The feeding of vegetables, viz. , carrots, mangels, turnips, &c., &c., in generous 

 quantity, had the effect of keeping the hens in excellent condition, and is necessary 

 for the production of eggs. 



6. Scattering the grain food among the straw and chaff always on the floors of 

 pens, kept the fowls (particularly the young ones) active. This grain food should 

 not be fed in too great quantities. 



As MUCH Eange or Koom as possible. 



While on the subject of winter laying it may b^ stated that the layers do better 

 when they can enjoy as much freedom as possible. Many farmers have their poultry 

 houses so situated that with very little trouble or expense they can so arrange as to 

 allow their fowls, access to a barn, stable or enclosed shed, where gravel, sand, coal 

 ashes or other substarfbes may be found for the hens to scratch in. Fowls so situated 

 are not likely to give trouble in the way of eating eggs or feathers or laying eggs 

 with soft shells. But there are others, and perhaps the great majority, who can 

 only allow their iajnng stock limited quarters from the time of shutting in until 

 the warm spring sun makes bare the earth again. It is to such persons that the 

 results of the experiments enumerated above and the experience gained as to the 

 breeds which stand confinement best will be of most value. 



Breeds which have laid best in Winter. 



The expei'ience of the past four winters proves that the breeds which are often 

 stated to be the most unsuited to cold climates lay the best. It is often said by the 

 inexperienced, or*the prejudiced, that fowls with large combs are not suited for 

 winter laj'^ers, because their combs will freeze. If any one wishes to make revenue 

 from his winter eggs he must not keep his layers where their combs will freeze. 



Thei-e is reason and intelligence to be exercised in the treatment of winter layers 

 as there is in the winter caring of other stock. Of the hens with the large combs, 

 such as Leghorns, Minorcas and Andalusians, no better winter layers or hardier fowls 

 can be had than the White Leghorns. The weight of the eggs laid by this variety 

 will be found elsewhere. The Andalusians and Minorcas are also excellent winter 

 layers, but require to be kept active, as do all the Spanish class. Plymouth Eocks 

 and Wyandottes are well known winter layers. Members of the Asiatic family, viz., 

 Brahmas, Buff Cochins and Langshans require to be hatched out early in the season 

 to make early layers. They require to be skilfully handled during the close confine- 

 ment of winter to prevent them becoming too fat, A farmer will not make a mis- 

 take by choosing his winter layers from the Leghorns, Plj^mouth Eocks or 

 Wyandottes. The Wyandottes, perhaps, come as nearly filling the bill as possible, 

 having little or no comb, and are good layers. The Houdans did not seem to stand 

 the confinement to winter quarters as well as other breeds. The following classifica- 

 tion may serve as a guide in making a choice from the best known breeds: — 



