870 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.36 



year of the test. From the standpoints of egg production, general health of the 

 fowls, and economy the protein from the animal source was the most proficient. 

 The flock receiving cottonseed meal and linseed meal apparently broke down 

 during the second year, when the mortality was comparatively high. The ration 

 containing the soy bean meal was the most expensive, meat scrap second, gluten 

 feed third, linseed meal fourth, and cotton-seed meal fifth. 



In the experiment comparing a 25 per cent and a 10 per cent meat scrap 

 ration for laying hens the results secured during the third year confirmed 

 earlier conclusions that high egg production during the pullet year is apt to 

 be followed by decreased production in future years. The flock receiving the 

 25 per cent meat scrap ration laid 6,711 eggs the first year, 4,207 the second 

 year, and 3,014 the third year, as compared with 4,639 during the first year, 

 4.358 the second year, and 2,674 the third year for the flock receiving the 10 per 

 cent meat scrap ration. The total profit derived from the egg production of 

 these two pens for the three years was $228.91 from the pen on 25 per cent 

 meat scrap and $166.69 from the other pen. It is concluded that " under sys- 

 tems of management where birds are kept for two laying years only, a higher 

 percentage of meat scrap can undoubtedly be advised, as the increased produc- 

 tion during the first year will more than balance the difllerence during the 

 second year. No general bad effects were noticed from the use of 25 per cent 

 meat scrap In the dry mash." 



In experiments being conducted for the purpose of ascertaining the factors 

 causing the variation in shade of the shell color of eggs it has been found that 

 some hens produce eggs varying widely in shell color and others show marked 

 uniformity in the same respect. 



A progress report is made of experiments with two forms of egg preservatives. 

 In tests of the first form of preservative, the basis of which is sodium silicate, 

 the eggs were put down on March 10, one jar in a normal 10 per cent liquid 

 silicate solution, a second jar in a similar solution using another commercial 

 brand of silicate, a third jar in a strong alkaline solution, a fourth jar in a com- 

 mercial egg preserver (1 lb. to 2 lbs. of water), and a fifth jar in the same egg 

 preserver (1 lb. to 16 lbs. of water). On examination the following September 

 no perceptible loss of weight had occurred in any one of the samples. No dif- 

 ference could be detected in taste of boiled eggs from each sample nor any 

 variation from the normal egg other than settling of the yolks in some of the 

 jars. The eggs in the alkaline solution were the least satisfactory. 



The second form of preservative was in the form of a commercial ointment. 

 Several dozen eggs were anointed with this material, wrapped in papers, and 

 stored according to directions of the manufacturer. After four months the 

 eggs were in splendid condition. Both of these sets of jars and crates of pre- 

 served eggs are to be examined further. 



In experiments with White Leghorns the following advantages of February 

 hatching were indicated : The farmer can give his chicks better care, as this 

 work will come before the rush of the spring season. Cockerels will sell at a 

 higher price as broilers, for the height of the broiler market is early in the 

 spring. Chicks will make a good growth before hot weather comes. Cockerels 

 for breeders reach big, strong development early in the season. The pullets will 

 produce a large number of eggs when the older hens are in the molt and the 

 prices are high. The high production during August, September, and October 

 more than counterbalances the falling off in egg production during November 

 and December. The females reach full maturity long before winter sets in with 

 its cold days, and pullets may be used the following year as breeders. 



Influence of close inbreeding {Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 275 {1911), pp. 17, IS). — 

 Studies on the influence of close inbreeding of fowls (B. S. R., 35, p. 564) 



