682 EXPEBIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 37 



In fertility experiments it was found that ordinarily from SO to 90 per cent 

 of the eggs are fertile when cocks are continually with the hens, and from 80 to 

 90 per cent of these eggs hatch. When cocks were removed from the hens the 

 fertility of the eggs declined rapidly, no fertile eggs being found after from 

 15 to 18 days. When cocks were placed with laying hens fertile eggs began to 

 appear after the fifth or sixth day. 



An experiment was begun November 1, 1915, with three lots of hens to 

 determine the effects of continued feeding of cottonseed meal upon the health, 

 vigor, and egg production. Rations were fed made up of 30 per cent, 5 per cent, 

 and no cottonseed meal, respectively. During the first year 26, 12, and 10 per 

 cent of the respective flocks died. There has not been so far a marked difference 

 In the amount of eggs produced. 



Eight different breeds and some mixed lots were compared as to the amount 

 of feeds eaten, the cost of feeds, and the amount of manure produced. Of the 

 breeds tested, the Silver Campines consumed the least amount of feeds. In cost 

 of eggs produced, the Buff Plymouth Rock was the most expensive breed. In 

 this test the hens produced an average of 22 lbs. of manure per head per year. 



In experiments in marketing eggs by parcel post and express it was found 

 that such materials as sawdust, bran, and cottonseed hulls pack so closely that 

 there is not sufficient spring to the material about the eggs, and about 10 per 

 cent of the eggs are broken in transit. These materials were particularly un- 

 satisfactory when breetling eggs were shipped. When the eggs were wrappinl 

 In soft paper, felt, moss, or prairie hay very few were broken. 



At the Pender substation soy-bean meal practically took the place of rolled 

 oats for chicks and was much cheaper. At the Edgecombe substation peanut 

 meal proved a valuable feed for young chicks up to eight weeks of age. Chicks 

 fed a ration of peanut meal, corn meal, and ground oats (1:1:1) and butter- 

 milk welglie<l an average of a little over 1 lb. each at eight weeks of age, while 

 those fe<l a similar ration with peanut meal omitted weighed only 0.7 lb. each. 



Preparing poultry produce for market, F. G. Elfobd (Canada Kxpt. Fannys 

 Bui. SS (1916), pp. SI, pi. 1, figs. 19). — In addition to notes on the need and 

 value of preparing poultry for market and systems of marketing, this bulletin 

 contains general directions for packing and shipping market eggs, for crate 

 feeding, killing, plucking, packing, and marketing poultry, and for crating and 

 shipping breeding stock and eggs for hatching. 



Preserving eggs for home use, G. S. Tkmpleton (Alabama Sta. Circ. S6 

 (1917), pp. 39-42, flg. 1). — Brief directions are given for preserving eggs in 

 water glass or sodium silicate. 



DAIRY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



Dairy investigational work. D. T. Gray (North Caroline Sta. Rpt. 1916, pp. 

 S6-.'f0). — Work has been carried on at the Pender substation for three years to 

 determine the value of com silage for milch cows. During the three winters 

 the cows fed silage have produce<1 3.878 lbs. of milk more than those fed cot- 

 tonseed hulls and com stover. This was produce<i at a saving of $11.42 in 

 cost of feed. 



A progress report Is made of four years' work at Pender substation and near 

 Greensboro in cooperation with farmers to test the value of a limited ration 

 of cottonseed meal for wintering growing dairy calve;?. Each year one lot of 

 calves was fed a grain ration of cottonseed meal alone and another lot a grain 

 ration of cottonseed meal and bran (1:1). The roughage was the same for 

 both lots. Summarizing the four years' work, during which the calves were 

 upon experimental feeds for 553 days, it was found that the respective feed 



