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Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 June, 1911 



least three weeks before a final selection is made. During this time 

 they must be carefully observed and the best seven or eight chosen. 

 Until they are sent away, they should be given food exactly similar to 

 that they will be fed upon at Burnley (])articulars of which will be found 

 in this report). Of course, where single pullets are entered for com- 

 petition it may be advisable to include different varieties from which 

 to make a final selection, but in the jiens of six the birds should be of 

 one strain, so that in the event of their reaching a high position in the 

 test they may be used later on as stud stock with the strain guaranteed. 



In the recent yearly test, at Burnley .576 birds competed. This 

 number was reduced by 21 owing to some of the pullets being under 

 weight and by the death of a few in the course of the competition. It is 



Interior of new Fowl House at Burnley. 



gratifying to find that, although the weather conditions were somewhat 

 adverse, only one case of disease was noted, and that was a mild form of 

 chicken-pox. The deaths which took place were all due to ovary 

 troubles. The tests for birds fed on wet and dry mash respectively 

 provided interesting comparisons. In comparing the results of the two 

 systems the slight difference that was noticed in egg production was in 

 favour of the wet mash. But the dry mash certainly entails much less 

 trouble in feeding, and allows persons who are engaged in other pursuits 

 to provide a regular supply of food for their stock. The results show 

 that it is quite possible to secure good results from both methods. The 

 total number of eggs produced by the 576 birds for the twelve months 

 was 118,610, which gives an average of 205i eggs per bird. As no 

 replacements were allowed for the birds that were found to be ineligible 

 for the competition or for those that died, the total average may be 

 regarded as satisfactory in every respect. All things considered, the 



