1918] ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 373 



" For the strain of Barred Rocks used, and under the conditions of environ- 

 ment and management which obtained during the experiments, the reproductive 

 Index has a mean value of about 12 per cent. Net fertility, as measured by the 

 reproductive index, is a rather highly variable character, agreeing in this re- 

 spect with other purely physiological characters. Reproductive ability, as 

 measured by the index, diminishes with advancing age of the birds mated, hav- 

 ing its maximum when each of the birds mated is from 10 to 14 months of age. 

 The decline in reproductive ability with advancing age is at a more rapid rate 

 in the case of the males than in the case of the females. The results above 

 stated are to be understood as being limited, for the present, to the breed, 

 strain, and circumstances which furnished the data. How wide their generality 

 may be is a matter yet to be investigated. " 



Standard varieties of chickens. — II, The Mediterranean and Continental 

 classes, R. R. Slocum (f7. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 898 (1917), pp. 25, figs. 

 22). — This continues work previously noted (E. S. R., 37, p. 368). 



In addition to notes on the importance of egg production in the United States 

 and the characteristics of the egg breeds, a general statement is made of the 

 appearance and characteristics of the different varieties of Leghorn, Minorca, 

 Spanish, Blue Andalusian, and Ancona breeds of the Mediterranean class and 

 the Campine breed of the Continental class of fowls. Suggestions for breeding 

 Brown Leghorns for exhibition purposes and notes on the inheritance of color 

 In the Andalusian fowl are given. 



[Poultry investigations], W. F. Schoppe {Montana Sta. Rpt. 1916, pp. 119- 

 181). — Animal food (skim milk, green cut bone, commercial meat scrap, and 

 fish scrap) showed a marked increase in egg production. For the entire year 

 the best results were obtained with skim milk. During the winter months green 

 cut bone proved greatly superior, but owing to its decomposing its general use 

 is not recommended during warm weather. 



In fattening poultry satisfactory gains in weight were made and improve- 

 ment in quality. Ground barley fed in a mixture of other grains made a de- 

 sirable feed for poultry. Gains of 15 to 30 per cent were made with chickens 

 fed in crates for 17 days. Buttermilk and skim milk were superior to water 

 in mixing mash. Conditioning poultry before marketing will pay in increased 

 weight, while the improvement in quality should bring an extra price. 



Owing to the cool nights prevailing in Montana it takes longer to mature 

 chicks and they should be hatched early in the spring, March or April. Pullets 

 should be well matured to start laying before cold weather sets in. From data 

 collected on egg production it appears that a hen makes her best yields during 

 the first laying year. However, with 24 Leghorn hens at the station more eggs 

 were produced during the second and third years, and nearly as many during 

 the fourth, as in the first year. 



The present cost of egg production, H. R. Lewis {New Jersey Stas. Hints to 

 Poultrymen, 6 {1917), No. 2, pp. 5). — Data are reported showing that for ten 

 months from November, 1915, to August, 1916, the average price of brown eggs 

 on the New York wholesale market was 31 cts. per dozen, while for the same 

 period in 1916-17 it was 41.69 cts. The average price of white eggs during the 

 same period increased from 34 cts. to 44.81 cts. In the same time dry mash in- 

 creased 53.66 per cent and grain rations 74.6 per cent. It is shown in tables, 

 however, that with the increased price of eggs and costs of feed the profits per 

 bird were higher in 1916-17 than in 1915-16. 



To further increase profits it is urged that the average egg production per hen 

 be increased by selection and breeding. 



