ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 873 



reports extended studies made into the origin and dovelopment of tfie primordial 

 germ cells of the chick. 



Electrified chickens. — Electricity as a growth stimulator (/SVj. Amcr. »SMp., 

 77 {1914), -A^o. PJH6, p. 63, figs. 4). — ^.\n account of the successful use of elec- 

 tricity as a growth stimulator in poultry. It is thought that the high frequency 

 currents stimulate the blood circulation by lowering the viscosity of the blood. 

 It is not at present known whether i)rolongod electric action increases growth 

 up to maturity or whether its whole effect is to cause the maximum size to be 

 sooner reached. 



On the ability of chickens to digest small pieces of aluminum, ^fAYNiE R. 

 Curtis {Maine ^^la. Bui. 2.U {VJIA), pp. 31.1-3 IS, figs. .?).— In examining the 

 gizzards of chickens it was found that pieces of aluminum leg bands which had 

 been picked up by the chickens were undergoing dissolution, evidently due to a 

 combination of the mechanical grinding of the gizzard and the action of the 

 hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice. In the cases examined it was estimated 

 that the aluminum pieces had been in the gizzard not longer than weeks and 

 that the dissolution was about 25 per cent. It is noted that the aluminum 

 salt formed (aluminum chlorid) is nonpoisonous. It was observed that the 

 birds possess a considerable individuality in regard to the tendency to swallow 

 pieces of bright metal. 



The 300-egg hen, J. Drydkn (Country Gent., 10 {1914), ^^o. 2, pp. 46, 70, 

 figs. 3). — An account of the 2 champion egg-laying hens of 1913, which pro- 

 duced 303 and 291 eggs, respectively, in one year. These hens were fed and 

 bred by the Oregon Experiment Station and are the result of selective breeding 

 by that station for 6 years. Selection has been made both of pure breds and 

 crosses, but the latter method has given the best results. All the high egg 

 records have been secured from hens having high producers as ancestors. 



The 2 hens were of similar breeding, Plymouth Rock and White Leghorn, 

 and were fed and cared for similarly to other birds in a flock of 40. The 

 291-egg hen began laying at the age of 5^ months. Five sisters, including the 

 303-egg hen, averaged 246 eggs each. Five of the best layers in the yard 

 averaged better than 2S0 eggs; 26 out of 40 exceeded the 200-egg mark, and 

 the whole flock averaged more than 200. The total weight of eggs laid by 

 the 291-egg hen was 36 lbs., and that of the 303-egg hen 42 lbs. The author 

 contends that the problem of increasing the egg yield is one of selection and 

 breeding and that it is founded upon the individual hen and not upon the flock 

 or the breed. 



Practical packag'es for egg marketing- {Orange Jiidd Xortlnccst Farmstead, 

 12 {1914), Xo. 6, p. 157, figs. 6). — A description of a number of egg-carrying 

 cases, cartons, and boxes. 



The Indian Runner duck book, C. S. Valentine (RidgeicooO, N. J., 1913, 

 S. ed., rev. and enh, pp. 166, pis. 12). — This book includes chapters on the origin, 

 history, and development of the Indian Runner duck, the utility value of this 

 breed, feeding methods, and the marketing of eggs. 



Goose fattening in Germany, A. O. Schilling (.V. Y. Produce Rev. and 

 Amer. Cream., 31 {1913), No. 8, 384).'— An account of the German methods of 

 growing goose livers. It is stated that " the forced or unnatural growth of 

 the liver to an abnormal size renders it more tender and also causes it to be 

 of a better flavor tlian a liver taken from a goose which has not been specially 

 fed for this purpose." 



"The geese are about 6 months old when they are ready f<ir fattening. 

 They are first put into an outside inclosu.se for 3 or 4 days and fed on boiled 

 corn, the object being to accustom them to confinement gradually and also to 



