240 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS- 



Many of the small hatches were the re-ult of bad sitters. The experience with 

 sitting hens, from year to year, is a varied and not altogether a happy one. During the 

 early part of the season the Langslian cock, a very fine bird, sickened and notwith- 

 standing treatment died. Later in the season the Andalusian cock also died. The 

 latter was replaced by a younger bird. In both cases the want of fertility of the 

 Langshan and Andalusian eggs may be attributed to the lack of condition, on the part 

 of the male birds, prior to apparent symptoms of sickness. In the case of the 

 Andalusian death was comparatively sudden. The Dorking cock was an old, but very 

 fine bird. Some of his progeny are of more than ordinary worth. It will be seen from 

 the above that the eggs which gave the best hatching results were from the Barred 

 Plymouth Kocks, Silver Wyandottes and White Leghorns, notwithstanding that the 

 hens of these breeds were the earliest and steadiest layers. The chickens hatched were 

 strong and vigorous. . ' 



GROWTH OP THE CHICKENS. 



The progress of the chicks was most satisfactory. After remaining in their nests 

 until thoroughly ripe, with the mother hen they were placed in coops arranged in a 

 field of short grass and clover. Their first food was stale bread, soaked in milk and 

 squeezed dry. A little at a time was fed. Granulated oatmeal, or rolled oats was 

 added on the second or third day. The food was placed on clean boards and none was 

 allowed to remain to sour. Care was taken that the chickens were not overfed, which 

 bad practice leads to much disaster. Grain was not fed until the twelfth or fourteenth 

 day. Milk, at times, and pure water always, furnished all the drink required. As soon 

 as the chicks were firmly on their legs, a mash made of cornmeal, shorts, oatmeal, <kc., 

 with a small quantity of blood meal added and the whole mixed with boiling water, or 

 milk, or both was fed in moderate quantity and much relished. As in previous years 

 the most rapid flesh development was made by Barred Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, 

 Java and Brahma cockerels. Without any forcing, other than regular feeding of 

 wholesome food, in proper quantity and constant supply of pure water, there has never 

 been any difficulty in having chickens of the breeds named weigh 4 pounds each, or 

 8 pounds per pair, at end of four months. In all cases such results were not attained, 

 but would doubtless have been secured had the chicks been penned and fattened. 



For instance a Barred Plymouth Rock cockerel was caught and sent away to a 

 purchaser on the 26th October. It was hatched on the 11th March and when shipped 

 weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces. 



A Light Brahma Cockerel, hatched on 3rd May, weighed on 2nd November when it 

 was shipped, 6 lbs 12 ozs. 



A Barred Plymouth Rock cockerel, killed on the 17th of November, weighed after 

 being bled and plucked 6 pounds 4 ounces. A pair of such chickens would have made 

 weight of 12 pounds 8 ounces and would have been quickly bought by any leading 

 dealer in Montreal, at 10 cents per pound, or $1.20 per pair. The farmer should aim to 

 breed such chickens and he can easily do so, by keeping one of the breeds which make 

 flesh development as mentioned above. A superior quality of poultry is in great 

 demand in our leading cities, for home consumption, and export to the British market. 



BEGINNING OP WINTER LAYING. 



The fowls went into winter quarters in the second week of November. Winter 

 laying may belaid to have commenced about the 20th of the month. The first hens to 

 resume laying were Plymouth Rocks, White Leghorns, Andalusians. 



WHEN THE PULLETS BEGAN TO LAY. 



The Plymouth Rock pullets hatched on the 11th March, three in number, matured 

 early. The first egg laid, by one of their number, was on 20th September. The others 

 laid soon after and continued to do so, up to time of writing, 26th November. The 



