10 



Table 6. Twenty-Two- Year Pullorum Disease Testing Summary 



*Based on total birds tested: 1927-28, 190,658 birds; 1928-29, 254,512 birds. 



Comments and Suggestions 



In view cf present circumstances, it seems advisable to refer to some phases 

 of pullorum-disea e testing that concern the operation and progress of the pro- 

 gram. It is hoped that war conditions will not seriously interfere with the testing 

 of flocks nor greatly hamper the flock owners in their program of disease eradi- 

 cation and prevention. A set-back in the progress which has been attained through 

 many years of hard effort would meai. a gieat less to the Massachusetts poultry 

 industry. The following comments and suggestions should receive consideration. 



Annual Testing: The testing of breeding flocks each year is essential because 

 of the possible sources of infection that prevail within the State. One must 

 recognize that there are infected flocks within the State and that the unrestricted 

 traffic of infected stock presents hazards for reinfecting pullorum-free flocks. 

 While barriers against the introduction of infection have been found effective, yet 

 under practical conditions in some instances prevention measures have either 

 failed or not been properly observed. This fact is pointed out in the section en- 

 titled "Appearance of Infection in Flocks Previously Negative." As long as 

 present conditions prevail, annual testing will be necessary if one desires to know 

 the true pullorum status of a flock. 



It is hoped that fleck owners will not give up testing their flocks because of 

 war conditions. If infection once gains a foothold in a flock, the expense and the 

 difficulty of eradicating it become exceedingly great. Quality of the stock will 

 be greatly reduced because of infection and it may require several years to correct 

 such losses. The careful and cautious flock owner will consider the omission of 

 testing for one year or longer as highly inexpedient. 



