New York Ageicultura.l Expeeiment Station. 103 



season the vegetable food ration was used as efficiently as the 

 other, but the subsequent decline in egg production was more 

 rapid than under the other ration. It will be noticed by refer- 

 ring to the tabulated data that the birds in Lot XVII were dur- 

 ing every period somewhat heavier than those in Lot XVIII. 

 This was due to the actual difference in size and not to accum- 

 ulation of fat. This difference between the lots had been much 

 more noticeable before they reached maturity, l^o particular 

 differences were noticed in regard to broodiness or molting. 



OESEKVATIONS EELATIVE TO THE EGGS. 



During the first few months a cockerel was kept with each of 

 the two Lots XIX and XX. These birds were alternated be- 

 tween the two lots so that any difference in the general fertility 

 of the eggs might not be attributable to any difference in male 

 birds. The eggs from Lot XIX showed a somewhat greater per- 

 centage of fertility than those from Lot XX but there was little 

 difference in the vitality of the germs. 



During about four months one cockerel was kept alternately 

 with Lots XVII and XVIII. Eggs were examined several times 

 during the season both when they were probably at their best 

 and later when they were poor. On the average there was a 

 large percentage of fertile eggs, there were fewer of the very 

 weak germs, and the proportion of chicks hatched from the tested 

 eggs was greater for Lot XVII. 



Two lots, ten in each, of two year old hens were also fed 

 these contrasted rations for a few months, although full data 

 were not collected. One male bird was kept alternately with the 

 two lots. Eggs from the two lots showed the same percentage 

 of fertility, but there were fewer weak germs in the eggs from 

 the lot having the animal food ration and more chicks were 

 hatched from the tested eggs. 



Eggs from all the lots were sometimes kept for a long time 

 before use, but contrasted lots were treated alike. Eggs from 



