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Acknowledgment. 



In the month of February last the poultiy department was presented by Mr. 

 John Gray, the well known Wyandotte breeder of Todmorden, Ont., with a very fine 

 Wyandotte cockerel. The bird is of beautiful shape and markings, and is a valuable 

 addition to the breeding stock. 



An Invitation Westward. 



In the beginning of the month of Januarv last an invitation was received from 

 the Ontario Agricultural and Experimental Union to read a paper at the annual 

 meeting of the association to be held at Guelph on the 28th and 29th of the same 

 month. Having obtained leave, I was present at the meeting, which was well attended 

 and was most successful, and read a paper entitled " Poultry in its relation to 

 Agriculture, " showing the magnitude and value of the poultry interests in .this and 

 other countries. Discussion followed, in which surprise was expressed that the farmers 

 did not, as a rule, pay more attention to their poultry as a revenue maker, and 

 macage so as to make their hens lay when eggs were at the highest price. 



The Additions to Poultry Euildinq. 



The additions to the poultry building are now completed. They are composed 

 of a building 78 by 12, divided into twelve pens, each 8 by 5 feet, with a middle com- 

 partment, with chimney for stove if necessary, and containing six feed bins. This 

 building, which runs from east to west and is connected with the main house, contains 

 twelve of the standard varieties to be used as breeding stock. At present the 

 addition contains the following males and females, all of the highest order of 

 excellence : — 



Pen 1. — White Leghorns; 7 pullets, 1 cockerel. 

 2. — Black Mi norcas; 5 hens, 1 cock. 

 3. — Andalusians; 5 pullets, 1 cock. 

 4. — Plymouth Eocks ; 7 pullets, 1 cockerel. 

 5. — Wyandottes ; 5 pullets, 1 cockerel. 

 6. — Houdaus ; 5 hens, 1 cock. 

 7. — Black Hamburgs; 6 hens, 1 cock. 

 8. — Langshans; 4 hens, 1 cockerel. 

 9. — Buff Cochins ; 5 hens, 1 cock. 

 10. — Red Caps; 3 pullets, 2 hens, 1 cockerel. 

 * 11. — Coloured Dorkings ; 4 pullets, 1 hen, 1 cockerel. 



12. — Golden Polands; 3 hens, 1 cock. 

 To this building another is connected, which runs southward. This addition, 96 

 feet in length by 13 in breadth, is also divided into 12 pens, some of which are 9 x 

 6, and others 9x7. Some of these pens are intended to hold fowls for experimental 

 crossing and the remaining divisions will probably be devoted to geese, ducks and 

 turkeys. There is also a middle compartment, with bins and chimney for stove. 

 Both additions have lofts for holding straw and chaff to let into the pens below. 

 Ventilating shafts run up both sides of the buildings at regular intervals. The inside 

 fittings are of the same style as in the older building. Both additions present a 

 roomy and handsome appearance. 



Visitors Increasing in Number. 



The visitors to the poultry department continue to increase in number every 

 season. Among the visitors of last fall were several who contemplated going into 

 poultry on a large scale, and who were anxious to get all the information possible as 

 to the best paying breeds, methods of treatment of stock and construction of build- 

 ings, incubators, &c., &c. As in previous instances, all the necessary information was 

 cheerfully given, and the methods experience had proved the best shown to them. 



