200 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



sible to cover so much territory and get in touch with so many people. At 

 each demonstration point the flock would be culled into two or three 

 grades according to the available buildings and equipment. 



A grade — Winter layers, highest yearly record. 

 B grade — Spring and summer layers. 

 C grade — Constitutionally poor layers. 



Example — one of 480 



J, A, Anderson, Cassopolis, Michigan. 



Daily Production, 

 After Culling. 



A — 140 hens 90 eggs 



B— 125 hens 30 eggs 



C — 85 hens (culls) eggs 



Outstanding individuals are banded so that breeding for increased pro- 

 duction can be followed at home, rather than purchasing questionable 

 birds at fancy prices from breeders with "paper poultry farms". 



DEMONSTRATION FARMS. 



There are thirty-two poultry demonstration farms located throughout 

 the State operated under the supervision of the present extension specialist. 

 The results of the work of these various farms have solved many much- 

 disputed questions. 



(1) That there is no one best breed of poultry for the State. High 

 and low producers exist in all breeds, there being as great variation 

 within the breed as there is between breeds. 



(2) That systematic and intelligent culling is profitable. 



(3) That environment is as great a factor as breeding — "We must 

 breed the eggs into the hen and feed them out". 



(4) That poultry are profitable when fed high priced grains. 



(5) That properly cared for hens will respond to care more quickly 

 and yield a greater profit than any other equal investment on the 

 farm. 



EGG LAYING CONTEST. 



A pen of Barred Rock pullets were selected by the same system, now 

 being advocated in the State and entered in the Missouri National Egg 

 Laying Contest. As further proof of the reliability of this original system 

 of selection, one pullet laid 105 eggs in 117 days during the winter months; 

 another laid 268 eggs*in 103^ months leading^all hens in competition in 

 the contest. The pen led the Barred Rock division in the contest. 



LITERATURE. 



Poultry articles have been supplied frequently for publication in the 

 various farm bureau papers. An Extension Poultry Bulletin is almost com- 

 pleted. Mimeograph copies of feeding rations have been furnished all 

 agricultural agents in the State for distribution . 



