June, 1939] Agricultlral Research in N. H. 29 



volume of merchantable timber by species. It is expected that a 

 management plan for the region as a whole will be available within 

 the near future. Approximately 200 CCC men have been employed 

 in the work and at present about 260,000 acres of farm woodland 

 have been inventoried and mapped. This project is one of the largest 

 and most intensive pieces of work of its kind being carried on in the 

 United States. 



(Note: It is impossible at this time to report on the other for- 

 estry projects because records of experimental plots were destroyed 

 by fire and the plots themselves were damaged by the hurricane.) 



Poultry Improvement Programs 

 Record of Performance 



With an increase this coming year (1938-39) in R. O. P. member- 

 ship, eleven members will enter approximately 7,000 birds under the 

 program as compared to seven members having entered 2,300 birds 

 during 1937-38. Of these 2,300 birds, 677 met R. O. P. requirements. 

 To meet R. O. P. requirements, birds must lay a minimum of 200 

 standard-sized eggs in a laying year. 



Poultry Approval 



During the year 1397-38 New Hampshire poultrymen had 21,000 

 birds handled and selected by R. C. Durgin, selecting agent. This 

 process of selection and culling is called "Approval." Both Poultry 

 Approval and N. H. R. 0. P. regulations comply with the provisions 

 of the National Poultry Improvement Program. {Miscellaneous 

 Income) 



Fine Versus Coarse Grit as a Feed Ingredient for Poultry 



According to studies made by A. E. Tepper, C. A. Bottorff and 

 R. C. Durgin, fine granite grit is not detrimental to chick growth. 

 Three groups of 75 Barred Plymouth Rock chicks were placed in 

 growing batteries, and the pullet chicks within such groups main- 

 tained until 16 weeks of age. All birds were fed the New England 

 College Conference ration for growing chicks including hard grains 

 following the seventh week. The mash portion of the feed contained 

 one per cent chick size granite grit for Group One and one per cent 

 fine granite grit (waste) for Group Two. Group Three received no 

 grit. Histological analyses of whole gizzard, gizzard linings and 

 certain portions of the intestinal tract were made at stated periods. 

 {Bankhead-J ones Offset Fund) 



Brooder Efficiency Depends on Proper Management 



Extensive experiments by T. B. Charles, A. E. Tepper, P. A. Wil- 

 cox and R. C. Durgin prove that no definite statements concerning 

 the rearing efficiency of types of brooders can be made. They found 

 that aside from fuel costs the variations are so minor or insignificant 

 as to make necessary but one conclusion: proper management of 

 the brooder chosen governs to the greatest degree the success or effi- 

 ciency of the brooding operation. (Pvrnell F^ind) 



Test of Gas-burning Brooders 



To further test the practicality of gas-burning brooders, which 

 proved highly successful in the spring of 1937, one lot of chicks was 

 started in the same house and with the same brooders on January 



