294 FARM AND SCHOOL PROBLEMS. 



6. By proper selection and cross breeding for a number of years, ob- 

 serving closely the laws of heredity, it is possible to build up a strain 

 of layers that will produce 100 per cent more eggs than the average 

 flock of hens. 



FIG. 5. A 288 Egg Record. FIG. G. Male White Leghorn. 



Eggs for Hatching. 



Early hatched pullets lay better in winter than old hens. 



Old hens should be kept for breeding purposes. 



Eggs laid by old and mature fowls are larger, and the chicks 

 are stronger, healthier, more thrifty, and more vigorous than 

 chicks hatched from pullet's eggs. 



This fact was demonstrated by The West Virginia Experi- 

 ment Station in 8 experiments that were carried out with the 

 following results : 



Old hens. Pullets. 



Total No. of eggs incubated 1,094 871 



Average weight of eggs per hd 12.96 Ibs 11 . 19 Ibs 



Total number of chicks 840 591 



Average weight of chicks when hatched per 



hundred 8.28 Ibs 7.12 Ibs 



Average weight of chicks per hundred at 



second weighing 29.56 Ibs 23.07 Ibs 



Total number of recorded deaths.. 42 85 



