282 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2 GEORGE V., A. 1912 



Fowls. — Hens which have laid, or are over seven months of age. 



Cocks. — Male birds having hard spurs. All mature males. 



Capons. — Birds caponized when six to twelve weeks old. 



Ducklings. — Birds marketed before they are ten weeks old. All over that age, 

 ducks. 



Goslings. — Young birds, marketed from seven to twelve weeks of age, before first 

 moult. 



Geese. — Older birds, over ten pounds and under. 



Turkeys. — Divided into young and old birds, both male and female, and of all 

 weights. 



Pigeons. — Squabs or young birds which have not left the nest, usually four 

 weeks old. 



Pigeons. — Older birds after they have left the nest. 



Poultry, How Graded. 



Poultry is graded as follows — 



Selects. — Birds which have been specially crate-fattened for three weeks ; well 

 fleshed, straight breast bone with fine finish and appearance. Birds of both sexes, but 

 of uniform size, to the number of a dozen, should be packed according to sex, colour 

 of flesh and legs, in a neat case. 



No. 1. — A grade lower and should consist of well-fleshed birds of neat appearance. 

 Packed in neat boxes holding one dozen birds of uniform size, sex, and weights. 



No. 2.— Is yet a grade lower and is designated as fairly fleshed birds packed in 

 neat boxes. 



Common. — Is yet a grade lower and is described as consisting of any birds not 

 conforming to the requirements of the above three grades, hut must not he packed in 

 hoxes similar to the other grades. 



In regard to the latter grade, it is a matter of congratulation that less of it is 

 being found on the markets year by year. The day of the scraggy, thin and discol- 

 oured chicken is fast passing away. It should be the aim of farmers to bring in for 

 sale no poultry but of the highest quality. 



Eggs and How Graded. 



Eggs are classified according to quality and are graded as follows : — 



Selects. — Are strictly new-laid eggs, not over five days old, weighing not less than 

 24 ounces to the dozen. Clean but unwashed, of uniform size and colour, packed 

 in substantial, neat cases, having clean fillers. 



No. 1. — Are new-laid eggs, but of a lower grade. They should not be over five 

 days old, weighing not less than 21 ounces to the dozen. Clean, packed in substantial 

 and neat cases with clean fillers. 



Note. — Common eggs, not covered by the foregoing grading, must not be mar- 

 keted under the brand of the association. 



For the ordinary trade, the above two grades of eggs should be sufficient. It is to 

 the higher and not the lower grades that farmers should cater. Ptough-shelled and 

 abnormal eggs should not be shipped. 



