234 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5-6 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 



The letters received during the year numbered 2,993, and those sent away, 3,043. 

 JjCoides a large number of reports were despatched in response to requests for them. 

 For further particulars relating to the work of the past year, I beg to refer you 

 to the following report. 



I have the honour to be, sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



A. G. GILBERT. 



EEPORT or THE POULTRY DIVISION. 



There are certain features in connection with the work carried on by this Divisioji 

 during the past year that warrant more than passing notice. A brief discussion of 

 these features, which not only mark distinct advance in the poultry branch of farm 

 work but directly affect the production and consumption of poultry and eggs, will 

 doubtless be of interest to producers, purveyors and consumers. Among the sub- 

 jects considered are: 



1. Continued high prices for midsummer eggs, but which must be strictly new laid. 



2. Decreased exports notwithstanding increased production. 



3. Has the cost of production kept pace with increased prices? 



5. Is the home loroduction of the better quality of poultry and eggs equal to our 

 local demands ? 



6. Some difficulties in the way of placing strictly new laid eggs and the desirable 

 type of chickens on the market. 



7. Letters from farmers showing large margins of profit made by the sale of re- 

 liable eggs and the superior quality of poultry. 



A marked feature of the year was the greatly increased demand from all parts of 

 the country, but chiefly from farmers, for information as to the most suitable breeds 

 of poultry and their proper management, and for the fowls themselves for laying, 

 market or breeding purposes, far beyond the capacity of our department to supply. 



While these are all gratifying instances of growing interest in this branch of farm 

 work, that there is great room for further development is proved by the fact that the 

 supply of the better quality of poultry and eggs is yet far short of the demands of the 

 home and British markets. Another sign of the rapidly growing value of our home 

 market is the continued high value of eggs laid in the midsummer months. To find a 

 reason for these high prices is the subject of much speculation among those who cannot 

 see why summer eggs should be worth more now than heretofore. 



CAUSES OF THE HIGH PRICE OF SUMMER EGGS. 



One likely reason for the continued high price of midsummer eggs was said in 

 report of last year, 1904, to be the more general practice on the part of farmers and 

 poultry fanciers of having their fowls moult in summer. As the moulting period is 

 one of comparative non-production and usually occupies from 8 to 10 weeks, its effect 

 on the heretofore large midsummer egg supply, will readily be appreciated. More 

 recent investigation shows another likely cause for the midsummer sliortage of eggs to 

 be the practice on the part of dealers or their agents of purchasing during the summer 

 months from farmers or village storekeepers large numbers of eggs for the purpose of 

 preservation in cold storage or by other means. 



These eggs are purchased at the lowest price and held over for sale in the city 

 markets when values are at their highest. 



