BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY, 79 



through civil-service certification have been stationed largely in the 

 extension divisions of the agricultural colleges. The program for 

 poultry production called for as much increase as possible, with the 

 idea of having poultry products release meat which could be shipped 

 overseas. The main points of the program were as follows: 



1. Keep better poultry. Standard-bred poultry improves the quality and 



increases production. 



2. Select healthy, vigorous breeders, to produce strong chicks. 



3. Hatch early, to produce fall and winter layers. 



4. Have 100 hens on every farm, and get 100 eggs from every hen. 



5. Preserve eggs when cheap, for home use. 



6. Produce infertile eggs except for hatching. 



7. Cull the flocks to eliminate unprofitable producers. 



8. Keep a small back-yard flock to supply the family table, 



9. Grow as much of your poviltry feed as possible. 



10. Eat more poultry and eggs, to conserve the meat supply. 



The campaign in the field was directed by 4 district men stationed 

 at Chicago, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and Los Angeles, and by 

 36 State men in 27 States. In addition a considerable number of 

 temporary men were appointed last spring for the period when most 

 effective work could be done. One of the best means of bringing 

 about increased production and greater interest in poultry raising 

 has been the appointment of local leaders in various communities 

 to act as volunteer assistants in disseminating the information given 

 by the department. A large number of special leaflets and posters 

 were prepared and several million copies have been widely circu- 

 lated, in addition to the distribution of Farmers' Bulletins. Wide 

 pubhcity was obtained tlirough the cooperation of the poultry and 

 agricultural press. 



Back-yard poultry keeping in cities, towns, and villages has been 

 advocated with a view to feeding the fowls on table scraps and 

 kitchen waste and providing eggs for the family table. Numerous 

 requests for information on tliis subject have been received. Back- 

 yard poultry keepers are advised to purchase well-matured puUets 

 in the fall rather than to attempt to raise chicks, and are warned 

 against attempting to keep more hens than their table waste will 

 provide the greater part of the feed for. 



As to the results of the campaign, reports from practically every 

 section of the country, especially the Middle West, the Far West, 

 and the South, indicate that normal production of poultry and eggs * 

 will be maintained and in many instances increased. A survey by 

 department agents in 28 States as to poultry conditions in 1918 com- 

 pared with 1917 shows the following results: Estimates from 18 

 States indicate increased production, 4 show at least normal produc- 

 tion, and only 6 a decrease, the latter due principally to the high price 

 and scarcity of poultry feeds. Eight of the 18 States showing an in- 

 crease indicate an average increased production of 48 per cent. Of 

 the 6 showing a decrease, an average decline of 45 per cent is shown. 



The preservation of eggs in water-glass solution, by people both in 

 the cities and in the country, has been strongly urged. Eggs so 

 preserved during the spring when relatively cheap will be available in 

 the fall and winter when eggs are high in price. Judging from reports 

 of field men and calls for information, a very large number of eggs 

 were preserved during the spring and summer. 



