74 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



importance, and that is the color of the fowls. I have been 

 told by the large breeders that white feathers sell for about 

 three times as much as colored feathers. I always like to 

 see white fowls on the farm as I ride around the different 

 parts of the State, and I like to see large flocks of one color 

 or kind. 



Professor Paige. I think marketmen prefer the white 

 fowl, — that the demand is for white-feathered birds. I 

 quite agree with Mr. Ellsworth that white birds on a green 

 lawn are more harmonious than birds of darker shades, like 

 red, black or buff. I further agree with him that, if I am 

 going to have any birds, I want them all of the same kind. 

 For the farmer there is no question but that the dark-colored 

 birds are preferable to the white ones, because experience 

 goes to show that white birds are easy marks for hawks, 

 and are invariably selected by the hawk, rather than dark 

 ones, when the two run together. 



Question. Would the germs from decayed meat be car- 

 ried to the egg and make it injurious to health ? 



Professor Paige. The transmission of germs from de- 

 cayed meat or any infected food to the egg direct I should 

 say would not be likely to occur. Odors, I think, are trans- 

 mitted in some cases. Onions fed to birds will produce eggs 

 that have an onion taste. Partially decayed scrap might also 

 leave a taint upon the egg; and I understand fish scrap fed 

 too liberally may give the eggs a fishy taste. 



Question. How long is it profitable to keep hens ? 



Professor Paige. For .early egg production there is noth- 

 ing like middle-aged pullets. It is economical, however, and 

 I believe a paying practice, to keep birds through the second 

 year ; but I have my doubts about it being profitable .to keep 

 them through the third year. Of course with fancy stock, 

 where you are breeding, a good individual should be kept 

 as long as it will produce good healthy stock. 



Question. Why is it, in operating incubators, we find so 

 many dead chicks in the shells ? 



Professor Paige. ISTobody can answer that question. If 

 anybody knew of a remedy, it would be supplied at once, and 

 we would have incubators that would prevent the death of 



