tested for the first time. Many of these flocks represent stock purchased from 

 pullorum-free sources. This suggests the valuable influence of flocks that have 

 been tested annually and found free of infection. 



The 34 flocks tested intermittently represented 50,642 birds and tests. The 

 percentage of positive tests was 0.15. Approximately 86 percent of the birds 

 tested were in non-reacting flocks. Six infected flocks were detected in the inter- 

 mittent group. In three flocks less than one percent reactors was detected. In 

 the other three flocks, the first had 1.43 percent reactors among 2,718 birds; the 

 second, 1.71 percent reactors among 933 birds; and the third, 9.52 percent reactors 

 among 21 birds. In only one instance was the flock 100 percent negative two 

 years prior to the 1941-42 test. In three other flocks infection was not detected 

 on the last test, but the period between tests was three years or more. 



In the 37 flocks tested for two consecutive years, 44,482 birds were tested. 

 The percentage of reactors was 0.01, the lowest of all four groups. Approximately 

 98 percent of all birds tested in this group were in non-reacting flocks, and cnly 

 two flocks were classified as infected. One flock of 121 birds had 1.65 percent 

 reactors and the other fleck had 0.57 percent reactors among 526 birds. 

 Infection had been found in both flecks the previous year. 



In the group tested for three or more consecutive years, 218 flecks representing 

 495,521 birds and 505,006 samples were tested. The percentage cf positive tests 

 was 33, attributed mainly to one large flock in which 1,597 of the 1,650 reactors 

 in this group were found. Approximately 90 percent of all the birds tested in 

 this group were in non-reacting flocks. The number of 100 percent tested, non- 

 reacting flocks in this group was 197, representing 435,068 birds. This far exceeds 

 the combined totals (126 flocks and 138,310 birds) for the other three groups. 



Only 29 flocks representing 21,494 birds were partially tested, and 96 percent 

 of the total birds tested were in 100 percent tested flocks. It is encouraging that 

 poultrymen realize the value of testing all birds on the premises. The true pul- 

 lorum status of the flock cannot be determined by testing only part of the flock. 



Table 2. Annual Testing Versus Single and Intermittent Testing 



The data in Table 2 indicate that pullorum-disease eradication is being ac- 

 complished with great success and that the Massachusetts poultry industry is in 

 a very favorable position in producing stock which is free of pullorum infection. 

 However, it is hoped that the scattered foci of infection which still exist can in 

 time also be eliminated. 



