210 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



bone meal, and bread and table scraps from the houses of the farm, the whole being 

 mixed up with boiling milk or water. Where milk is in abundant supply it will be 

 found one of the best foods for the growing chicks or the laying hens. Some figures 

 showing the weights made by chickens of certain 'breeds have been given in a prece- 

 ding page, but the following may be stated without repetition : — 



The most rapid growth was made by a White Plymouth Rock, which hatched 

 on the 20th May, weighed on the 21st October following 6 lbs.; representing a devel- 

 opment of 19 oz. per month. This gain may not represent that made in the first 

 month after hatching, but it was subsequently made up. 



The next best growth was made by a cross of the Langshan — Black Minorca 

 breeds, the Langshan male being used. This cockeTel was hatched on the 11th May, 

 and weighed on the 2l6t October, 5 lbs. 15 oz. The Barred Plymouth Rocks came 

 next, closely followed by the Wyandottes, both White and Silver Laced. In some 

 cases the weights were the same. 



The White and Silver Laced Wyandottes made about the same progress. Both 

 represent a development of 1 lb. per month, taking the heaviest weights. On new 

 ground the figure named should be fairly representative for all cockerels. With 

 special feeding the cockerels might be pushed to a heavier weight. The same may 

 be said of all the breeds mentioned. 



The chicks were fed a little and often for the first four or five weeks, and as 

 their size increased and their rations became more solid, they were fed four times 

 daily. Care was taken that the evening ration of grain was a generous one, the 

 object being to keep their crops as full as possible, and for as long as possible dur- 

 ing the night. The necessity of pushing their chickens to early maturity has been 

 urged on the farmers in previous reports. 



DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



Numerous inquiries were received during the year from different parts of the 

 country as to diseases affecting poultry. Satisfactory information was given in 

 almost every case. 



On the 7th July last a letter was received from Mr. Hector Chauvin of Monte- 

 bello, P.Q., stating " that a disease (similar to that of cholera) had shown itself 

 among his chickens. Since the previous Sunday he had lost thirty and he noticed 

 many others which were sickly looking. He feared for the remaining 260." 



As the distance was not great and it was known that Mr. Chauvin had valuable 

 chickens, a visit was paid to that gentleman's poultry yard. The disease was found 

 to be a slight diarrhsea caused by acute indigestion, the result of a little overcrowding 

 and too close confinement. It had already been checked by the timely and judicious 

 remedies given by Mr. Chauvin, who is thoroughly up in poultry matters. It was 

 advised that his chickens be allowed free run outside. 



Mr. Chauvin has a large and well constructed poultry house, fitted up according 

 to the most approved methods and furnished with all the latest machinery, conve- 

 niences, &c. It is doubtful if there is a more completely furnished poultry establish- 

 ment in the Dominion. Mr. Chauvin sold all the eggs laid by his hens last winter, 

 in Montreal, at 40 cents per dozen. 



Suspected Tuberculosis. 



The following may be of service to others. On the 21st November ult. Mr. M. 

 Cowley, of Bristol Corners, P.Q., wrote under date of the day previous : 



" Sir, — My hens have taken a disease this fall that proves fatal in a month or six 

 weeks time. They first take lame in one leg, then their comb wilts away. They 

 hobble round for a few weeks and die. I opened four of them and found that all 

 their livers were diseased. The livers looked as if they had been covered with hay 

 seed and some were ulcerated. It seems to be more prevalent with my Brown 



