332 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 June. 1916. 



Silver Wyandottes did fairly well. White Wyandottes and Wliite 

 Orpingtons competed, but were low down in the test. The bulk of the 

 Black Orpingtons which competed were hardly up to our Orpington 

 standard. This has, however, been remedied to a great extent in the 

 present test in which the bulk of the birds are of fair type and nice size. 

 In comparing the size of the eggs produced they show a general improve- 

 ment. Although eggs should not be under 24 to 25 ozs. per dozen, the 

 production of extremely large eggs should not be encouraged. The 

 highest average weight of eggs was gained by six Black Orpingtons, 

 their eggs averaging 27 ozs. per dozen. Birds from this strain should 

 b© useful to improve the size of eggs where they are on the small side. 



The total number of eggs produced for the year from the 570 birds 

 was 125,119. Of this number, the 336 birds in the light breeds, wet 

 mash test, contributed 75,900, working out at an average of nearly 226 

 eggs per bird. The 114 birds in the light breeds, dry mash test, pro- 

 duced 25,164 eggs, being an average of 220i from each bird. The 120 



Good Laying Type of Head, one Bad Laying Type of Head, one 



of six White Leghorns, with an of six White Leghorns, with an 



average of 283 eggs in 12 months. average of 144 eggs in 12 months. 



birds in the heavy breeds, wet mash test, produced 24,055 eggs, 

 this being an average of 200 J eggs per bird. The average price 

 received for the eggs was Is. 7d. per dozen. This works out a total 

 gross return of £825 Ss. from the 570 birds, making an average of 

 28s. lOd. from each bird. This must be regarded as a very high 

 average return from such a number of birds of various breeds, and 

 proves that the stock are really good, and that the methods of feeding, 

 &c., are on the very best lines. As the price of feed was very much 

 higher than usual the cost per hen amounted to just under threepence 

 per week. 



In comparing the egg production from the birds fed on wet and dry 

 mash respectively, there is not so much difference as there was last year. 

 The result shows that birds fed on a properly constituted dry mash will 

 give good results, and both systems may be recommended for egg pro- 

 duction, the conditions and surroundings under which the birds are kept 

 being the factors in influencing a choice. The two methods of feeding 



