PROPAGATION 47 



In 1914 a pond at the farm was stocked with wild ducks in order 

 to determine whether or not these birds could be easily propagated. It 

 was found that pinioned Mallards would breed readily and would 

 successfully rear their broods. But out of the twelve species of ducks 

 kept in captivity, the only ones which nested under the artificial con- 

 ditions provided were Mallards, Cinnamon Teal (one pair) and 

 Shovellers (one pair), and Mud-hens. No attempts have been made 

 to liberate any of the Mallards thus raised. Attempts to hatch, by 

 means of incubators, eggs collected in nearby marshes met with success, 

 but only a part of the ducklings so hatched survived. 



In March, 1916, the Fish and Game Commission decided that the 

 game farm was not a paying proposition, and, desiring to retrench in 

 some direction, ordered the farm abolished. It had become evident 

 that the adobe soil on which the farm was situated was a constant 

 hindrance to success. 



Though it seems reasonable to believe that with more experience 

 and better conditions a larger percentage of birds could be reared, 

 yet it has everywhere been growing more manifest that birds so reared 

 are not suitable for stocking purposes. The only apparent justification 

 for a state farm is that it may be a useful ground for experiments in 

 the breeding of captive game birds. In furnishing the knowledge thus 

 acquired to game breeders, a state game farm might prove of con- 

 siderable value. 



Private Game Farms 



Game propagation as carried on by private individuals still appears 

 to be in the experimental stage. Though a number of people have 

 established small game farms, they have usually done so for pleasure 

 rather than for profit. Many people rear a few pheasants each year 

 in their back yards, or in aviaries, but without any idea of making 

 money. Even the offer by hotels in San Francisco of $2.00 apiece for 

 Ring-necked Pheasants has not greatly increased the number of pheas- 

 ant breeders. A possible indication that the rearing of fancy breeds 

 is not fast increasing is evidenced by the fact that breeding birds of 

 certain races still bring the high price of $10.00 a pair. 



The equipment needed in order to rear pheasants successfully 

 deters many from engaging in their propagation. Wire for pens is 

 expensive. The hen birds do not properly incubate the eggs, and it 

 is necessary to use either incubators for hatching purposes and 

 brooders for rearing the chicks, or else employ bantam hens. The 

 young need a great deal of insect food and this is difficult to supply. 



