290 Bulletin 249. 



shows only relative results, comparing the extremes of production. It 

 does not follow that the earliest layers were the largest hens in the flocks, 

 nor that they were the most prolific hens. 



A comparison of the sixteen most prolific and sixteen least prolific 

 hens, shows that the least prolific hens averaged one-tenth of a pound 

 heavier. (Table 17.) 



The largest sixteen hens laid 17 less eggs per hen than the sixteen 

 smallest hens from all pens. (Table 21.) It will be noted that the hens 

 compared in tables 16 and 17 are not the same. In only four cases were 

 the most prolific hens among the earliest producers. 



Table XVI. — Influence of Early Production on Molting, Weight of 



Hen and Prolificacy. 



(Deductions from Tables 1-12 and Original Records.) 



Forced 



Aug. 21 3.8 84.4 82.7 



Jan. 29 3.5I 54.3 103. 1 



