36 



this poultryman had noted on the returned verification card that he de- 

 sired 2,900 birds instead of 3,700 tested, he would have saved the depart- 

 ment at least $5.75. The time and worry involved in such cases cannot 

 be accurately estimated, but amount to many times the actual cost. Such 

 uncalled for expenses are in the end paid by the poultrymen, and tend to 

 keep the cost of testing from being reduced. 



The average cost of making new arrangements following cancellations 

 such as recorded above, is from five to ten dollars, without considering 

 the time and worry of the laboratory workers. Such cancellations always 

 involve telephoning to find flocks which can be bled on short notice, and 

 usually several poultrymen have to be called before one job can be found. 

 Often equipment has been sent to the farm, and arrangements have to be 

 made for its return to the laboratory, or shipment to another place. 

 Telephone calls have to be made to the blood collector, and at times new 

 equipment has to be sent from the laboratory. 



Some complaints have been sent to us by blood collectors regarding 

 poor cooperation by poultrymen. Lack of help, inefficient help, and lack 

 of responsibility on the part of the poultrymen, all hinder progress. On 

 the other hand, if the blood collector does not cooperate sufficiently, we 

 will appreciate an immediate report of such lack of cooperation. If birds 

 bleed profusely, or if they die from hemorrhage following the collection 

 of blood samples, the laboratory should be notified immediately by tele- 

 phone and arrangements will then be made to investigate such cases. 



As was stated in last year's report, the blood collector is an official 

 agent of the department. His duty is to collect blood samples and not 

 to give advice on diseases of poultry, or on husbandry problems. 



Poultrymen are urged to visit the testing laboratory to discuss their 

 individual problems. It is only by personal contact with poultrymen that 

 the best service can be given. Complaints and suggestions will be given 

 consideration and questions regarding the testing will be gladly answered. 



Application cards will be mailed to all persons for whom testing was 

 done during the past season, and an early return of these cards is urged. 

 Service cannot be guaranteed unless cards are received before September 

 1. Early testing is advised, especially in those flocks where infection is 

 suspected. If such flocks are tested in August or September, there will 

 be ample opportunity to have retests made before the end of the season. 



Summary 



During the 1928-29 testing season 304,092 tests were made on 254,512 

 birds in 413 flocks. There were 228 (55.21 per cent) non-reacting flocks 

 having a total of 153,334 (60.25 per cent) birds tested; 157 of these flocks, 

 totaling 121,277 birds, were 100 jier cent tested, while the remaining 71 

 flocks were partiallj^ tested. 



Indications that progress in eradication is being made are supported by 

 an increase of 92 flocks and 63,861 birds tested, and by the fact that 

 there were 90 more non-reacting flocks and 72,505 more birds in such 

 flocks than in 1927-28. The percentage of poultry population in non- 

 reacting flocks has increased from 3.98 per cent in 1927-28 to 7.55 per 

 cent in 1928-29. 



Publication of this document approved by 

 the Commis.sion on Administration and Finance 

 4 M-6 '29. No. 5798. 



