254 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



64 VICTORIA, A. 1901 



run outside. He had taken steps to investigate the matter. His opinion was that 

 the long confinement and continuous laying of the hens during their winter confine- 

 ment, with lack of exercise, were predisposing causes. 



Mr. Graham considered the matter of such importance that he accompanied me 

 to the poultry department of the Massey Farm, East Toronto, and to the large poultry 

 establishment of the Toronto *Poultry and Garden Produce Company, at Eglington, 

 North Toronto. 



With these managers, views were exchanged, and the subject thoroughly discussed 

 from its different standpoints. 



The experience of these managers was similar to that of Mr. Graham, and my 

 own, viz., that eggs from hens which had been confined to limited quarters, during 

 winter, and were stimulated to lay during that period, had not given good results. 

 The general opinion was that eggs laid by hens, properly mated, at the beginning 

 of the season, late November or early December, would likely give better results than 

 those laid at the end of the season. This opinion seems also to be that of the managers 

 of the large broiler establishments of the Eastern States of America, who announce 

 that with the view of securing a larger percentage of chickens than heretofore, that 

 operations will commence this year in November, a month earlier than usual. 



COMPAEISON BETWEEN HEN AND INCUBATOE. 



In order to make comparison between hens and incubators as hatching mediums, 

 during the early season of the past two years, a number of eggs were put under the 

 hens at the same time that others collected imder the same conditions were placed 

 in an incubator. The eggs were examined from time to time. The difference in the 

 phases of progress were detected and finally the same percentage of fertile eggs were 

 hatched. When the embryo was not robust enough to make progress, it died under 

 hen as well as in incubator. This showed that the opinion entertained by some persons 

 that eggs will hatch under a hen when they will not do so in an incubator, was not 

 borne out by results in these trials. 



CONCLUSIONS ARRIVED AT. 



While scientific investigation into this important branch of poultry development 

 will inevitably take time, observation and experimental Avork so far has shown : — 



1. That early spring eggs from hens which have laid steadily all winter and have 

 been gently stimulated to do so, are not likely to produce a satisfactory percentage 

 of strong germs. 



2. That eggs from the same hens after they hav« run outside give much better 

 results. 



^ 3. That the condition of the laying stock at end of winter seems to be the source 

 of trouble. 



4. That investigation so far has not made clear the exact cause or causes of that 

 condition. 



INVESTIGATION COMMENCED. 



Already scientific investigation in connection with the subject has commenced. 

 In a bulletin issued by the Rhode Island (U.S.) Experiment Station, last spring, it is 

 stated * that in very many cases the loss of newly-hatched incubator chicks has been 

 the sole obstacle to success.' And one of the principal causes is attributed to ' inherited 



