229 



The case was deemed so important that the letter was forwarded to Professor 

 Wesley Mills, asking his opinion and advice in the interests of the farming com- 

 munity. With his usual kindness, Dr. Mills returned the following reply: — 



" Phtsioloqioal Laboratory, McOtill University, 



" Montreal, 13th February, 1892. 



" Manager Poultry Department, 



" Experimental Farm, Ottawa. 



" Dear Sir, — I have your favour of 11th February, enclosing Mr, Dickhout's 

 letter. From the clear and intelligent account this gentleman gives, I have little 

 doubt that the fowls are suffering fiora fatty degeneration of the liver, owing to over- 

 feeding and lack of exercise, exaggerated possibly by inadequate ventilation from 

 the 'limited quarters.' Whether there be also cystic disease from parasites or 

 tubercle, it is impossible for me to say without seeing one of the livers. 



The remedies are obvious — feeding on oats with vegetable food, scattering with 

 chaff among straw on the floor and enlarging the quarters. 



" Truly yours, 



" WESLEY MILLS, M.D." 



Incubator Trial. 



On the 13th May 96 eggs were put into an incubator purchased some years ago 

 from A. W. Bessey, of St. Catharines, the manufacturer. The eggs were from the 

 mixed hens which had been running outside for some time and were likely to be 

 fertilized. Careful note was taken of the temperature of the incubator at 7 a.m., 12 

 noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The proper temperature to keep was 103. The greatest 

 variations of temperature were on the 17th of May, when the thermometer in the 

 egg chamber rose to 105 for a short time in the morning, and on the 16th May, 

 when 97 was registered in the morning. The desired figure of 103, with these 

 exceptions, was kept with remarkable regularity, but the result was very unsatis- 

 factory. Four chickens only hatched. Examination of the remaining eggs showed 

 five well-developed chicks dead in the shell ; 39 ditto imperfectly developed ; 17 just 

 started, and 23 eggs with no sign of development, probably not fertilized. It should 

 be stated that the incubator was constructed with two tanks, one on the upper and 

 the other on the lower part of the egg chamber, with the eggs placed on a tray 

 between the tanks. This principle of hatching eggs has received unstinted con- 

 demnation. All incubators are now constructed with one upper tank, the eggs 

 being placed underneath and subject to the "top heat." The contention is that the 

 eggs are hatched by the top heat of the hen. The numerous enquiries by letter as 

 to the most improved method of incubation indicate increasing interest in the sub- 

 ject. It is beyond question that artificial incubation is more generally and success- 

 fully prosecuted at present than it ever was before in this country, and its advantages 

 can hardly be overestimated. 



Eggs kept in different Temperatures and in different Substances. 



The experiments with eggs kept at different temperatures and packed in 

 different substances, in order to ascertain how long they would keep without spoil- 

 ing, was continued from date of last test, 24th February, 1891, and numbered 

 " Examination 26." 



Examination No. 27. — On 14th March, 1891, examined an egg laid first week in 

 August, 1890, and kept in drawer of table in office of main poultry buildmg, placed 

 there the same week it was laid. Contents quite sweet and free from all mustiness. 



Examination 28. — On 14th March, 1891, examined an egg laid on the 27th 

 October, 1890, and which had been packed in bran and kept in cellar. Yolk firm 

 and round ; quite sweet and free from odour ; albumen clear and bright. 



