AX I.MAI. I'HoDrCJiON. 4(l'.> 



ar« t'efl occnsiouall.v foru, either in the uiorning or evening. Wliere this is given, 

 it is scattered in the litter." 



As regards the merits of natural and artilicial hatching, the author is of the 

 oi)lnion that as good results can be obtained with the incubator as with the hen. 



In a test of the gains made by chickens fattened in July it was found that 12 

 Plymouth Rocks fed in a crate gained on an average 2.1 lbs. per head and re- 

 quired l\.2 lbs. of grain per pound of gain. Under similar conditions 8 high- 

 grade Leghorns made a gain of 1.2S ll»s. per bird, requiring 3.4 lbs. of grain i)er 

 pound of gain. When dressed, they were somewhat plumper than tbt; Plymouth 

 Pocks, owing to their being mature, l)ut they were rather small. 



The author points out that the majority of buyers regard crate-fed birds as 

 superior to thosi» fed loose in pens. His own preference is for feeding iu 

 crates, as it takes less room, and he believes that the poultry can be thus fed 

 with less labor .nnd will produce a more even product. "No matter which 

 method is followed, cockerels should l>e fed for 2 weeks or moi-p before they are 

 killed and sold." 



Tests of the relative value of different grain rations extending over a num- 

 ber of years are sunnuarized. In general, the smallest and most expensive 

 gain was made on a mixtiire of corn meal and pearl oat dust 2:1, and the 

 largest and cheapest gain on <-orn meal, ground buckwheat, and pearl oat dust 

 2:2:1. Skim milk was fed in addition to the grain in all cases. 



Data are recorded which show the exact quantities fed to fattening birds, 

 the general i)rinciple of such feeding being light rations at the beginning with 

 a gradual increase until all the feed is given which will be eaten up clean. No 

 feed is left before the birds longer than 10 minutes after it is placed in the 

 trough. Some data are also given regarding the relative gains made by indi- 

 vidual birds in 3 weeks. 



From a summary of data on the relative value of whey, skim milk, and 

 numerous feeds for fattening chickens, it appears that gain was most cheaply 

 made on a mixture of equal parts of corn meal, oatmeal, and shorts mixed 

 with whey, the cost being 4 cts. per pound, and was most expensive (6 cts. per 

 pound) on a mixture of equal parts of corn meal, shorts, and oatmeal, with 30 

 per cent of pork serai», water l)eing used to wet up the ration. 



" Sour skim milk, i. e.. milk that is thickened, is, without doubt, the best 

 liquid to mix with grain rations where a uniform product is wanted, and more 

 so where white-fleshed c-hickens are in demand. 



" Sweet skim milk h.as not a feeding value for grown chickens equal to sour 

 milk. 



" Whej' is a better food than is generally considered. The results a{)pear to 

 indicate that it aids digestion. 



" Whe.v and pork scraps have not given tlie results expected. 



" Where pork scrap and beef scrap can Ite procured at reasonable cost, say 

 2 cents or less per pound, they are good value, especially where a yellowish 

 fiesh is in demand. 



"Grain mixtures only, mixed with water, are not economical, considering this 

 test." 



Poultry experiments, (i. .M. Gowell (Maine Std. Bill. 130, pp. 101-132. pis. 

 o). — Additions to the station poultry plant are described, as well as a recentlj' 

 established iioultry farm ; niethods for the selection of breeding stock are out- 

 lined ; detailed accounts are given of methods of feeding chickens and hens 

 followed at the station, and experiments are reported. 



In a test to determine the effects of early maturity on laying, it was found 

 that a lot of chickens selected in .Tuly and August because they were evidently 

 about to begin laying, gave an average of 180 eggs per bird in a year, as com- 



