ANIMAL PKODUCTION. 177 



In continuation of earlier work (E. S. R., 14, p. 180) the relative merits of feeding 

 chickens in pens and crates was studied with 2 lots of 6 Silver Grey Dorking pullets 

 and 2 lots containing the same number of Barred Plymouth Rock cockerels, the 

 former weighing about 2 lbs. and the latter between 3 and -1 lbs. each at the begin- 

 ning of the trial. The ground oats, ground barley, and meat meal mixture wet with 

 skim milk mentioned above were fed. The trial covered 4 weeks with the pullets 

 and 6 weeks with the cockerels. The pullets fed in pens gained on an average 1 lb. 

 9 oz., and those fed in crates 1 lb. 6 oz. each; the cockerels fed in pens 3 lbs. 1.2 oz., 

 and those fed in crates 2 lbs. and 7 oz., the cost of a pound of gain being, respectively, 

 3.3, 4.5, 5.7, and 6.8 cts. "All the birds were excellent table fowl, but the pen-fed 

 presented the finer appearance as to color and size. Though it was difficult for some 

 of those who tested the dressed meat to note any difference as regards juiciness, the 

 majority considered the pen-fed fowl as the better in this respect." 



Gluten meal and clover meal were tested with 2 lots, each containing 6 Barred 

 riymouth Rock I'ockerels weighing not far from 3 lbs. per head on an average. In 6 

 weeks the liirds fed ground oats and gluten meal wet with skim milk made an 

 average gain of 2 lbs. 9 oz. per head, at a cost of 4.6 cts. per pound. The cockerels 

 fed ground oats, ground clover, and meat meal, gained 2 lbs. 3 oz., the cost of 

 a pound of gain being 6.6 cts. The chickens fed the gluten meal were better tilled 

 out, of better color and finer appearance when dressed than the others, and their 

 flesh was considered juicier and more delicate. 



According to the author the gluten-meal ration "has given such satisfactory results 

 from every standpoint that it merits further investigation. Gluten meal has shown 

 itself with other classes of farm stock an easily digested, concentrated food of great 

 value, and we are encouraged in further work with jioultry to experiment with it in 

 varying proportions with other meals. The indications are that it will prove a profit- 

 able flesh-produi'ing food in chicken fattening." 



Taking into account all the tests in which such data were recorded, the proportions 

 of different materials removed in dressing and drawing the 72 chickens of different 

 breeds, calculated on the basis of the weights of the chickens as killed, was as follows: 

 Dressed and drawn carcass, not including the giblets, 66.4; giblets, 5.5; head and 

 feet, 11.2; feathers, 8.3, and entrails, 8.5 per cent. 



Poultry experiments, W. P. Brooks and H. M. Thomson {Massachusetts Sta. Rj)t. 

 1902, pp. 1.53-155). — A brief summary is given of the results of feeding experiments 

 with poultry during the year. Several feeding stuffs were compared in rations 

 having different nutritive ratios. The more important results are stated as follows: 



"In the comparison of wheat with corn, where beef scraps are the source of 

 animal food, the egg production has been good and nearly equal on the 2 rations, 

 although the hens receiving the wheat ration have been somewhat the most 

 productive. 



"In the comparison of wheat with corn, with milk albumin as the source of 

 animal food, the egg production has been less satisfactory, and the hens which have 

 received the corn ration have been the more productive. 



"In the comparison of buckwheat and corn, with milk allmmin as the source of 

 animal food, the egg yield has been rather small, with the advantage decidedly in 

 favor of the corn." 



In the comparative tests of wheat and corn for several years the results have not 

 been entirely consistent. 



Report of the poultry manager, A. G. Gilbert {Canada Expt. Farms Rptit. 1902, 

 pp. 203-216, pi. 1, figs. 2). — The conditions of success in jwultry raising, early mar- 

 ket types, and other problems are discussed and statements made regarding the prog- 

 ress of the station poultry. In order to ascertain the effect of close confinement, aa 

 compared with an abundance of fresh air, on the strength of germs and the luunber 



7130— No. 2—03 «; 



