1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4, 253 



to be developed by and out of the food supply taken into the 

 system, digested and assimilated, treated in that wonderful 

 machine, — the stomach, freed by acids and dissolved by 

 alkalies, and finally carried in solution to the ovary, where 

 e"ro;s are to be matured. The secret of the industry, if 



DO «' ' 



there be one, lies in the ability to force the development 

 of these germs, by feeding rations balanced for egg produc- 

 tion. 



Only by the appreciation of this principle can we maintain 

 the production of to-day. Instead of being five years or 

 more, these germs must be matured and on the market in 

 two and a half or three. Why, gentlemen, we shall not 

 rest until we have a machine capable of yielding an egg 

 every twenty-four hours, and then some live Yankee will go 

 to work and attempt to double the product. 



One more claim must be made for this systematic feeding. 

 In no other way can we secure eggs for hatching that will 

 develop and send out healthy chicks. There must be hardy 

 constitutions in sire and dam, in order for hardy ofi'spring. 

 There must be virile energy in both, in order for living 

 chicks to be secured. As the albumen of the egg contains 

 practically all the elements out of which the chicken's body 

 is made, and the yolk only serves to strengthen the last few 

 hours before, and first few after, leaving the shell, it follows 

 that this albumen must be rich in bone, muscle and flesh 

 elements. 



Again are we driven back to consider what was the con- 

 dition of the parent stock when that egg was being formed. 

 Was the hen closely confined, and fed largely on corn, or 

 was she given abundant exercise and nitrogenous food ? The 

 whole question hinges right here, and here is where the 

 great majority fail. They bring their pullets to winter 

 quarters after a season's run with the cockerels, the food 

 having been such as would put the latter in marketable con- 

 dition. It is no wonder eggs are not forthcoming, though 

 the comb reddens, and the musical sound is heard. Confine 

 these birds in warm, sunny pens, feed liberally on food 

 easily digested, and then expect eggs that will hatch. Why, 

 the whole line of operations has been to defeat this very end. 

 A moment's reflection will convince that it is utterly impos- 



