14 



birds, iind tlie.se were tested at monthly intervals for three months followinii-, 

 and no reactors ^\'ere detected. Thus, 19 (82.61 per cent) of the 23 reactors 

 were culled one month before the flock reached 10 per cent production. 



The progenj^ from this flock will be availalile for testing as soon as they 

 are large enough to withstand loss of blood. 



At a meeting of the New Englaiid laboratory workers engaged in Salnx-n- 

 elia pullorum infection control work, held at Amherst, Mass., April 24, 2-5, 

 and 26, 1928, a plan for cooperative investigation of pullet testing was agreed 

 upon. The object of this work is to com])i]e data which will give a basis for 

 determining the proper age to test pullets. 



Causes of Failure to Eradicate Salmonella Pullorum Infection 



There is considerable doubt in the minds of many poultrymen as to the 

 possibilities of eradicating Salnionelhi puUorum infection from flocks by the 

 application of the agglutination test. Space will not permit a detailed 

 discussion here, but a careful study of Table A' will convince one that results 

 are being obtained in Massachusetts. Hovvever, greater results will be evident 

 when poultrymen begin to realize that they, as well as the testing laboratory, 

 have a jKirt in the control program. Below are enumerated several of the 

 reasons why some poultrymen are failing to get results. These were suggested 

 by actual examples that have presented them.selves during the 1927-28 testing 

 season. 



Reasons for Failure. 



1. Lack of annual 100 per cent flock testing. 



2. Failure to remove reactors from the flock as soon as they are re- 

 ported. 



3. Holding reactors for egg-producing purposes. 

 1. Feeding infertile eggs from unknown sources. 



5. Failure to l)urn offal from reactors killed for home consumption. 



6. Buying stock (eggs, chicks, adults) from non-tested flocks. 



T. Custom hatching for poultrymen who have not tested their flocks. 



8. Returning birds to the flock from poultry shows and egg-laying con- 

 tests without first quarantining and testing. 



9. Failure to clean and disinfect the houses following the removal of 

 reactors. 



10. Improper numbering of blood vials. 



The 1928-29 Testing Plan 



The plan for the 1928-29 testing season has been completed, and application 

 cards will be furnished upon request. Copies of the various forms to be used 

 during the 1928-29 season are given below. 



The information sheet and the application card are sent to each applicant, 

 and both should be carefully read before the application card is filled out 

 and returned. The time requested for testing is only tentative, but service 

 will be given as near as possible to the date requested. On the reverse side 

 of the application is a space for listing flock owners whose flocks can be 

 conveniently tested at the same time as that of the applicant. 



As soon as the application card is received at the laboratory an acknow- 

 ledgment card is forwarded. Two to three weeks previous to the time the 

 blood collector will be routed to a farm a verification card is sent to the 

 owner. This should be promptly returned, since no testing will be done for 

 an applicant until he has returned this card. 



