204 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VI 1., A. 1903 



THE WORK OF THE PAST YEAR, 1902. 



Tlie increasing dema-nd for the early chicken, which is desirable, because it brings 

 the highest price, has directed attention and inquiry as to how it can best be produced. 



In this connection the experimental work of the past and two preceding years has 

 been productive of results, which it is hoped will prove useful to the farmers of our 

 country from whom inevitably must come the greater quantity of poultry and eggs, so 

 much in demand. 



Experience, so far gained, has shown with no uncertain sound that in order to have 

 the healthy and quick growing early chickens, in paying quantity, it is imperative to 

 have : — 



1. Parent stock in robust condition. 



2. Strong germs usually the result of No. 1. 



How can these conditions so essential to success be generally secured 1 

 Close and careful observation has led to the conclusion, that the conditions named 

 can best be attained when the winter house is so constructed, as to permit of the laying 

 stock having greater access to, and opportunity for exercise in fresh air than the majority 

 of winter houses at present permit. 



It is particularly desirable then that the hens which are layers during winter, and 

 which are likely to be the breeding stock of spring should be allowed run during winter 

 to barn or shed, and so obtain the desired change of air. Happily, the majority of 

 farmers are so situated as to make this a matter of little difficulty. It is, however, still 

 held by certain parties that no matter how favourable the conditions may be, that eggs 

 laid in spring by hens which have been prolific winter layers are not likely to contain 

 strong germs. Such contention has not been borne out by the observation made and 

 results noted during the recent winter, and which are given in a following page. On 

 the contrary these results show that where the fowls have had fresh air and exercise, 

 although winter layers above the ordinary, the germs of their spring eggs were much 

 stronger than those of hens which had been confined, in a comparatively warm atmo- 

 sphere, from beginning to end of winter. The importance of using every effort to 

 secure strong germs in early spring eggs and so preventing the number of ' dead chicks ' 

 in the shell near maturity cannot be too strongly empbasized. 



RECURRENCE TO THE SUBJECT. 



It may be said that recurrence to weak germs and ' chicks dead in the shell ' is to 

 repeat an old story. But it is one nevertheless of the greatest moment, as the numerous 

 letters received on the subject prove. Its- importance demands careful and patient 

 investigation, for it is palpable that unless a paying percentage of chickens are hatched 

 and reared there will be all work and no profit. Without a margin of profit, ea)-ly 

 chicken raising would surely be abandoned. It is of vital consequence to the 

 success of this enterprise, Avhich offers such a wide field of emolument, that its prosecu- 

 tion should be made as easy and certain as possible. It is, therefore, desirable to 

 consider the best means to this end. 



