15 



The lield sheet is lilled out in duplicate by the blood collector, and one 

 copy is given to the flock owner while the other is sent to the lalioratory 

 with tlie lilood samples. The blood collector is instructed to explain this 

 report to the flock owner. 



After each visit to a farm the blood collector is required to fill out and 

 return to tlie laboratory a questionnaire regarding the condition of the flock, 

 etc. The purpose of this is to give the laboratory a complete record of each 

 flock, which will aid us to help the flock owner to solve some of his problems. 

 The replies given are confidential and it is hoped that the poultrjninen will 

 cooperate with the blood collector in getting the information desired. 



When the test is compleced a report is sent to the flock owner with a sheet 

 of suggestions for control of the disease. If the flock owner desires to pay 

 for the toll charges, the laboratory results will be teleplioned and later the 

 written report will be mailed. 



Cooperation of Poultrymen 



The poultrjinen who make application for testing are asked to cooperate 

 in getting their applications filed before the testing season starts, to return 

 verification cards immediately after they are received, and to notify the 

 laboratory as soon as any changes in plans are made. 



The blood collector has a definite schedule, which must be observed in order 

 to maintain efficiency in the laboratory. Therefore, a strict observance of 

 the requests made on the final notice sent to each applicant a few days be- 

 fore the blood collector arrives will save time and money. 



Reports of complaints regarding the service rendered are welcomed, and 

 applicants are invited to make personal calls at the laboratory at any time.' 

 However, appointments for a definite date and hour will insure service. 



Total flock testing is urged. If more than one test is desired during the 

 season, every bird on the farm should be tested each time. It will pay in 

 the end. When retesting is requested, the first test should be m.ade in August 

 or September to insure service at a later date. 



The blood collector is an official agent of the department, and compliance 

 with his requests for sufficient help and cooperation will be appreciated both 

 by him and by the department. He has been instructed to be courteous, to 

 handle birds with care, and to use every precaution to prevent the spread of 

 infectious diseases. If he fails in any of these notify us immediately. His 

 job is to collect blood samples and not to give advice on diseases or poultry 

 husbandry. 



Summary 



During the 1927-28 testin;>- season 232,091 agglutination tests were made 

 on 190,658 birds in 321 flocks. There were reported 80,829 (42.39 per cent) 

 birds in 138 non-reacting flocks. There were 106 flocks tested for the first 

 time, 156 flocks which were tested in 1926-27, and 59 flocks which were tested 

 previous to 1926-27, but not in that season, and tested again in 1927-28. Based 

 on the 1925 census reports, 9.39 per cent of the poultry population in Mass- 

 achusetts was tested, and 3.98 per cent of the poultry population is concen- 

 trated in non-reacting flocks. 



