ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 177 



Notes on the behavior of the domestic fowl, P, B. Hadley (Amer. Nat., Jf3 

 (WO'J), No. 515, pp. 609-676, fig. 1). — An account of an acquired habit of an 

 adult Buff Rock cockerel of so manipulating an automatic feeder containing 

 bran, corn, and whole wheat as to secure a larger proportion of the corn and 

 wheat. 



The marketing' of eggs, H. V, Hawkins {Jour. Dept. Agr, Victoria, 7 (1909), 

 No. 9, pp. 569-571). — Practical hints are given on producing, grading, and mar- 

 keting strictly No. 1 eggs. Not only should eggs for market be fresh but also 

 they should not be exposed for any length of time to the sun, dampness, or un- 

 savory odors. Dirty, misshapen, or doubtful eggs should not be sent to market. 



Studies of natural oyster propagation at Barnegat, 1908, J. Nelson (New 

 Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1908, pp. 1/(9-177, pis. 6). — This is a continuation of earlier 

 studies (E. S. R., 19, p. 1073). 



The length of time which elapses between spawning and spatting was found 

 to depend on the temperature of the water. At a temperature ranging between 

 70 and 75° F., the fry required about 3 weeks to mature to the spatting stage. 

 At a temperature ranging from 75 to 80° the period is only 2 weeks in length. 

 This result has great importance, because the nearer the planter can place his 

 cultch to the date when a batch of fry is setting as spat, the better will be his 

 catch of seed. The proper time can be estimated with approximate accuracy 

 by opening oysters each week, particularly at the close of a warm spell during 

 June or during July, until it is seen that the majority of the oj^sters have com- 

 pleted spawning. Then if the average temperature of the water for a period 

 of 10 days is below 75°, the shells should be in place 3 weeks from the date 

 when spawning was completed; but if the average is above 75°, the length of 

 the waiting period should be only 2 weeks. In no case should the cultch be 

 planted before the oysters have spawned, as it will become coated with a slime 

 that will prevent the spat from adhering. 



The best shells collected as many spat after being out a single night as did 

 other shells that were simultaneously exposed, but that were out long enough 

 to include the daylight period either before or after. There was a vast differ- 

 ence between different clean shells newly placed in power to attract spat, but 

 very little difference between the spat-catching power of the 2 sides of the 

 shell except in the case of the outer surface when placed on the bottom of a 

 floating box. While the shell was in the iX)sition in which it naturally falls 

 when planted, that is, with the hollow side up, the outer or lower surface 

 caught twice as many spat as in the reverse position ; while the hollow side 

 caught an equal number in either position. This result is deemed rather sur- 

 prising, as when a shell lies in its natural position, it is in a reverse position 

 from that of the tiles as placed in European oyster culture. Independent com- 

 parison of the two surfaces, by taking all cases, showed an average of 18 spat 

 per shell on the hollow side for all positions, and 14 spat for the outside in all 

 positions. In actual practice the planted shells collect much mud on the hollow 

 upper side, yet as a rule most of the spat are found on that side on the exposed 

 rim. 



The fry were not abundantly present in water of less degree of saltness than 

 1.008 specific gravity, which means either that fry can not live long in water 

 fresher than this, or that the adult oysters do not spawn in water fresher than 

 this. It becomes important therefore in making new artificial oyster beds to 

 study the saltness of the water at the proposed place, if there are no natural 

 beds in the vicinity. 



The methods of filtration and making experimental cultch are described. 

 Data on spawning, development, and spatting are presented in graphic and 

 tabular form. 



