EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 303 



In the majority of cases tlie anatomical alterations are comparatively 

 few and it is hardly conceivable that failure to breed was the result of 

 loss of functional tissue of the uterine mucosae. Of course it is not 

 known to what extent the uterine mucosa may be anatomically altered 

 and yet remain functional but it may be logically assumed that consid- 

 erable alterations are necessary to render the uterus permanently sterile. 

 Surely some fibrosis of the mucosae with some loss of uterine glands 

 should not render the uterus functionally inactive. This is not nature's 

 way. Theoretically, before arriving at a conclusion (and conclusions 

 cannot be drawn until more data are available) we must distinguish 

 between the sequelae of an active condition and the effects of a condition 

 still active. Judging from alterations of other functional organs con- 

 siderable of the former are compatible with functional activity. This 

 thought suggests two problems of research that are vital to the solution 

 of the cause of sterility, viz : The alterations of the secretions and their 

 effect on the male and female sexual cells, because of an active morbid 

 condition of the uterine mucosae and second, the effects of such a con- 

 dition on the cyclic functional activity of the ovary. The difficulty of 

 obtaining suitable material for this kind of investigation is a great ob- 

 stacle in the way of valuable researcli but the importance of this problem 

 impels us to overcome this difficulty. 



REPORT OF POULTRY SECTION. 



Director R. S. Shaw, 

 Dear Sir: 



1. Inheritance of higher fecundity. 



(a) Can one isolate birds from a flock that will breed true to definite 

 degrees of fecundity? 



(b) Can one determine the definite degree of laying ability of fowls 

 by outward examination of the fowl's body? 



(c) Is higher fecundity secured through the sire's side or the dam's 

 side? 



2. Length of time necessary that a male be in the presence of females 

 in order to secure fertile eggs. 



(a) Does it vary with breeds of fowls? 



(b) Does it vary with different months of the year? 



(c) Does the age of a fowl make a difference in fertility of eggs? 



3. To determine the anatomical factor in egg production. (Culling). 



4. Does the pedigree of a fowl aid in the determination of high or 

 low fecundity? 



5. The value of a simple ration simply fed in order to secure heavy 

 egg production. 



The above problems have been considered during the past year. The 

 section feels that it is coming closer to the point where poultry culture 

 can be reduced to a more exact science. Facts and figures collected upon 

 the above problems are on file in the office of the Poultry department. 



Very truly, 



C. H. BURGESS, 



Poultry Husbandman. 

 East Lansing, Michigan, June 30, 1920, 



