212 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



ground for the young chicks next season. The cedur posts in front of the main 

 poultry building and in the runs to the rear have been removed and replaced by a 

 light iron posts and wire netting, the whole presenting a very handsome appearance. 

 In the outside runs in rear of the buildings one and three and to the side of No. 2, 

 grass sods have been laid for one-half the runs and the other portions have been 

 boxed off and filled with sand in one part and gravel in the other. 



Earth veesus Straw Covered Floors. 



In No. 1, on main building which contains the laying stock, the floors of the five 

 pens in the south wing have been covered with sand to the depth of three or four 

 inches. A quantity of fine gravel has been mixed with the sand. In the north 

 wing the floors of the five pens are left covered with the straw and chaff heretofore 

 used. The object is to find out the merits of the earth versus the straw covered 

 floor. It is presumed the conditions will be more natural, in so far, that better oppor- 

 tunity will be afforded the layers to dust, scratch in, pick up grit, &c., &c., and that 

 while Qgg laying will be increased, the vices of egg and feather eating will be pre- 

 vented. 



Pullets of different breeds on trial. 



A pen of Barred and another of White Plymouth Rock pullets and a pen each 

 of White and Silver Laced Wyandottes are side by side in the south wing of No. 1 

 house. Note will be taken as to any points of superiority between these different 

 varieties. Trial is also being made of a pen of pullets of the Langshan-Black 

 Minorca cross and other pullets of the White Leghorn-Brahma cross, all of which 

 promise to make good winter layers. 



I have the honour to be, sir. 



Your obedient servant, 



A. G. GILBERT, 



Manager Foultry Department, 



Central Experimental Farm, 



Ottawa, 5th December, 1893. 



