11 



During the past year 18 flocks, representing 16,788 birds, were partially tested. 

 While the number of flocks and birds in this group may be small, it nevertheless 

 shows that some flock owners do not fully appreciate the advantages derived 

 from a 100 percent tested flock. It must be recognized, as has been emphasized 

 in the past, that the true pullorum status of a flock cannot be determined by 

 testing only part of the birds on the premises. The testing program would be 

 more effective if ail flocks were required to be 100 percent tested. It is realized 

 that in some instances a 100 percent test might not be indicatea, but at the out- 

 set every flock should be intended to be IOC percent tested. A review of data 

 reveals that the ratio ol partially tested flocks to 100 percent tested in the posi- 

 tive group is about 1 : 3, v\hereas in the negative group it is 1 : 23. It is further 

 recognized that other factors, aside from partial testing, contribute to the pul- 

 lorum status of a flock. 



Early Ter.ting: This past season poultrymen cooperated very splendidly in 

 testing part or all of their flocks early. The tollowing summary gives the dis- 

 tribution of tests by months. 



Months Number of Tests 



April 11,938 



May ..._ 9,990 



June 81,461 



July 136,606 



August 137,587 



September 164,935 



October 230,326 



November 189.330 



December 178,308 



January 100,791 



February 37,586 



March 15,640 



April, 1948 2,613 



Total.... 1,297,111 



It may be noted that over a half million tests were completed before October 1 

 and slightly more than one million by January 1. The uniform distribution of 

 tests throughout the months of June through January has greatly facilitated the 

 testing work and has psrmitted more efificient operation. 



It is hoped that during the 1948-49 season poultrymen will again cooperate in 

 having their flocks tested when the birds are eligible to be tested. No birds should 

 be tested unless five months of age according to the rules of the National Poul- 

 try Improvement Plan. 



Flock owners should file applications early. The applications are serviced in 

 the order that they are received, unless circumstances suggest otherwise. In 

 order to service applications, money must be on deposit with the Treasurer of the 

 University of Massachusetts. Flock owners should not expect short-notice test- 

 ing because the laboratory is not organized, equipped, and staffed for such a 

 manner of operation. 



Massachusetts flock owners can be assured that the laboratory will render 

 service of the highest quality possible, but such service can be given only with 

 the fullest coooeration of the flock owner. 



