280 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The fecundity of swine, A. W. Bitting (Indiana Sta. Rpt. 1897, 

 pp. 42-46). — According to the author the impression is prevalent that 

 pure-bred swine are unprofitable for breeding purposes, as it is thought 

 tbat as the breed is improved fecundity decreases. The author com- 

 piled the number of pigs farrowed and raised in the first and last 200 

 litters recorded in registers of Berkshire, Poland-China, and Chester 

 White pigs. These are quoted in detail. The popular opinion is not 

 confirmed by this investigation. 



''While there seems to be a reduction in the number of very large litters, the total 

 number farrowed is about the same as shown by the first records. 



"It is not the intent to compare breeds, but to compare the earliest and latest 

 records of litters to determine whether there has been a real gain or loss in the fecun- 

 dity of the breed. 



"The number of boars and sows raised was as follows: Berkshire, 400 litters, 2,866 

 pigs, 1,498 boars, 1,368 sows ; Poland-China, 1,000 litters, 6,542 pigs, 3,228 boars, 3,314 

 sows; Cheater White, 600 litters, 4,555 pigs, 2,236 boars, 2,319 sows. In a total of 

 3,693 pigs farrowed and all raised, there were 1,786 boars and 1,907 sows." 



Report of the poultry manager, L. G. Jar vis (Ontario Agr. Col. 

 and Expt. Farm Rpt. 1897, pp. 223-234, Jigs. 11). — General statements 

 are made concerning the diseases and animal parasites of poultry, test- 

 ing of eggs, development of chickens, etc. The value of different foods 

 is discussed, and several different winter rations are suggested. The 

 protein, phosphoric acid, and calcium oxid in fresh green bone, meat 

 meal, and dried-blood meal were determined. 



A test was made of the keeping quality of fertile and infertile eggs. 

 Four dozen fertile and three dozen infertile eggs were placed in an egg 

 closet the middle of July, 1807, and kept at a temperature of 50 to 60°. 

 The eggs were laid on the sides in bran and were not turned. At the 

 end of a month no perceptible difference was observed in the two kinds 

 of eggs. This was also the case the middle of September. A month 

 later it was observed that the whites of the fertile eggs were more 

 watery than those of the infertile eggs. No difference was observed, 

 however, in the yolks. At the conclusion of the test (the middle of 

 November) the whites of the fertile eggs were watery and in some cases 

 the yolks were broken. When this was not the case, they were much 

 spotted and discolored and the eggs totally unfit for table use. The 

 infertile eggs were in good condition. The whites and yolks had a nor 

 mal appearance and no tendency toward decay was observed. In the 

 author's opinion the eggs were of as good quality as the average com- 

 mercial product, though inferior to new-laid eggs. Experiments along 

 this line will be continued. 



Brief notes are given on crossbreeding tests made during the season. 

 The information which was furnished in reply to requests received dur- 

 ing the year is quoted. 



Second report on food products (Connecticut State Sta. Bpt 1897, pp. 1-64). — This 

 contains the text of the Connecticut food law of 1895, and reports on the examination 

 of food products in accordance with the provisions of the law. Samples of the fol- 



