626 Reading-Course eor Farmers. 



marked. This is true both as to the number of eggs laid, the profits 

 per fowl, the fertility and hatching power of the eggs, and the growth 

 of the chickens. The net results of the experiments, however, are best 

 shown in the column of averages of the three strong flocks when com- 

 pared with the three weak flocks. This shows that fowls in the three 

 strong flocks averaged about one dozen eggs more per year per hen than 

 did those in the weak flocks, and produced a profit of 40c per hen over 

 and above cost of food more than did the three weak flocks. Eggs from 

 the strong hens averaged over 9% greater fertility and 1.4% greater 

 hatching power than eggs from their weaker sisters. The most striking 

 contrast, however, is shown in the difference in the size and appearance 

 of the pullets reared from the strong and from the weak flocks of fall 

 selected Barred Rocks. Nearly as striking were the White Leghorns. 

 The illustrations show the hens in each flock of White Leghorns, fall 

 selected, when they went into winter-quarters in the fall of the year 

 (Fig. 12, A and B), and the pullets hatched from the eggs laid by 

 these hens the following spring. (Fig. 13, A and B). The contrast 

 is instructive. The chickens from strong stock (Fig. 13, A and Table 

 I) averaged in weight over half a pound more than the pullets (Fig. 

 13, B, Table I) which were hatched at the same time from the low 

 vitality flock. They also had larger, deeper bodies, larger, bright red 

 combs, and appeared to be at least four or five weeks older. 



Conclusioits 



From the experiments we must conclude that there is a relation 

 between the physical characters of fowls and their constitutional vigor, 

 which will enable a careful observer to select the weak from the strong, 

 and also that these qualities are transmissible from parent to offspring; 

 we may also assume that, other conditions being equal, weak parents are 

 more likely to produce infertile or less hatchable eggs, which will give 

 weaker chickens, than are strong parents. 



Should we not, in view of these facts, practice a system of rigid 

 selection of the weak from the strong during all stages in the life of the 

 flock, and from the strong select only a few of the strongest for breeding 

 in order that we may keep only the most vigorous fowls, with the object 

 of securing larger production with less mortality and greater net profit, 

 and at the same time of insuring stronger stock each succeeding gener- 

 ation? 



// we are to succeed permanently we must so hatch, rear, feed, house 

 and breed our poultry that they will keep in perfect health. Good health 

 in the fowls is the foundation of successful poultry husbandry. 



