56 



Do not sell eggs from found nests. 



Practically all dealers have now agreed to pay for eggs according to quality. 

 If your dealer pays as much for all kinds of eggs as he does for your good, clean, 

 large sized, non-fertile eggs we will try to put you in touch with dealers who 

 buy on a quality basis. 



Kill the rooster after June Ist. 



Candling Eggs. 



Eggs are candled very easily. See Fig. 38. A new-laid egg when held 

 between the eye and the light has a clear appearance, the yolk is practically 

 invisible, and the air cell is about the size of a five-cent piece. 



Unless the eggs are put in pickle or held in cold storage, the air cell gradually 

 increases in size, and the yolk becomes visible. 



Cold storage and pickled eggs may have small air cells, but the yolks are 

 conspicuous. 



Fig. 39 is a photograph of a new-laid egg. It will be noticed that all por- 

 tions of the egg are similar in appearance. There is a very small air cell at the 

 large end of the egg which does not show in the photo; this air space is not 

 larger than a five cent piece. 



Fig. 40 is a photograph of a held egg, or one that is suitable for baking 

 purposes, but not for boiling or packing. Notice that the yolk is conspicuous 

 and the air space is very large. Pickled eggs usually show a conspicuous yolk 

 but a small air space. Eggs that are two weeks of age usually show the yolk, 

 and have an air space about the size of a twenty-five cent piece. 



Figs. 41, 43, 43 and 44 are photographs of what the dealers term "spots," 

 as they show various growths of moulds in the egg. These eggs are not rotten, 

 but when opened smell musty. The mouldy portions are usually easily seen. 



BEEEDS OF POULTKY. 



It is not the purpose of the writer to discuss all breeds of poultry in this 

 bulletin, but simply to mention the general characteristics of some of tiie popular 

 ones. Tlie present high price of eggs and meat has done much to popularize poultry 

 on the farm, ajid consequently we are frequently asked as to "^^What is the best 

 breed of poultry?" It is impossible for one to answer this question satisfactorily, 

 as some breeds are special purpose breeds, otJiers general purpose breeds; and, 

 moreover, there is probably more difference in strains of the same breed than there 

 is between breeds. 



We shall endeavor to classify these breeds, not according to the usual classifi- 

 cation as adopted in various poultry publications, but more or less on utility lines. 

 It may be taken as a general rule that all breeds that lay brown or tinted shelled 

 eggs will set, hatcli, and rear their own young, and all breeds which lay white 

 shelled eggs, Avith the exception of Dorkings, are non-sitters, and the eggs from 

 these breeds have to be hatched artificially or by hens of other varieties. It will, 

 Uierefore. be seen that tlie general purpose breeds lay tinted eggs and are good 

 sitters and mothers. 



General Purpose Breeds. 



Plymouth Roclcs. There are five varieties in this breed — three of which are 

 common— Barred, "White, and Bufi'. The Partridges and Columbian are not so 

 common. This breed is undoubtedly the most popular among farmers. The best 



