206 ^ EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



Two cockerels hatched 12th June, weighed 4 lbs. 6 oz., and 3 lbs. 15|- oz. on 13th 

 October. Other weights were 3 lbs. 14 oz., 3 lbs. 11^ oz., 3 lbs. 10 oz. 



The merits of the breed as furnishing early cockerels for market will be seen. 

 Careful note will be taken of the laying qualities of the pullets. The weights 

 required are: cock, 8^ lbs.; hen, 6J lbs. Cockerel, 7J lbs.; pullets, 5J lbs. 



Coloured Dorkings. 



We have no cut of this favourite English breed. There are three varieties, viz., 

 Coloured, Silver Gray and White. Of these, the Coloured are considered the har- 

 diest, although the breeders of the Silver Gray contend there is no diflference. They 

 are a breed that will surely come to the fore on the score of superior quality and 

 quantity of flesh. They are only fair layers. The chickens were equal in hardiness 

 to that of other breeds. A cockerel hatched on the 25th May showed 3 lbs. 8 oz. 

 on the 26th October. An accident resulted in the loss of the other cockerels so that 

 we have the record of only one. The eggs laid by three hens procured last fall were 

 of medium size. The hens show the long compact bodies so characteristic of the 

 breed. The weights by the standard are: cock, 9^ lbs.; hen, 7J ; cockerel, 8 lbs. ; pul- 

 let, 6 lbs Since writing the above a letter was received from Mr. John Dickinson, 

 of Barrie, Ont., in which he states " that with his sons he is breeding Coloured Dor- 

 kings with great success, and that at date of letter, 2nd Dec, he had cockerels 

 hatched late in May last, which weighed 9f lbs." This is certainly a strong endor- 

 sation of the worth of the breed as a market fowl, 



EGGS LAID AND THE BREEDS WHICH LAID THEM. 



The winter of 1891-92 will be remembered for its severity. In the poultry 

 buildings of the farm the cold was felt as it was almost everywhere else. The lowest 

 temperature was noted in No. 1, or the house wherein the layers were kept, when 

 the temperature went down to 20° below freezing on the night of the 24th Decem- 

 ber, and it remained so for twelve or fourteen hours afterwards. Outside the ther- 

 mometer registered 28° below zero, accompanied by a strong and piercing wind 

 from the north-west. In previous reports it has been stated that where the laying 

 stock is kept in cold houses, the food instead of going into eggs is drawn upon to 

 furnish animal heat, and it has been urged upon the farmers to keep their fowls in 

 as comfortable quarters as possible, in order to obtain eggs. Attention is also given 

 to the subject in this report for it is one deserving consideration. It will be inter- 

 esting then to note the eggs laid by the different breeds under the circumstances as 

 noted. It will be seen that some of the breeds said to be the best winter layers and 

 hardiest of fowls did not prove themselves so. The breeds which did best during 

 the cold season were the Plymouth Eocks, Black Minorcas, Andalusians, Eed Caps 

 and White Leghorns, as follows : — 



Plymouth Eocks. 



There were eleven hens and nine pullets. Of this number seven pullets were 

 separated and reserved for breeding stock. The remainder laid 211 eggs. During 

 Januarj"^ 97, February 53 and March 59. Some of the hens were two years of age 

 and the pullets late. 



Black Minorcas. 



Of this breed there were four hens and thirteen pullets. The hens and five of 

 the pullets were kept as breeders. The remaining eight pullets laid 213 eggs. 

 In January 89, February 50 and March 74. 



