10 



losses through either mortality from the disease or increased costs of testing and 

 through losses in the sale of hatching eggs or chicks. Through annual testing, 

 puUorum infection is not permitted to become well established as is indicated 

 by the results reported on "breaks." Eradication of the disease can be attained 

 only through persistent testing of flocks and observing effective control measures. 



Early Testing: The official regulations for puUorum control require that birds 

 must be five months of age before they are eligible for the test. Since hatching of 

 replacement stock extends throughout the calendar year, flocks owners are re- 

 quested to have their flocks tested as soon as they become eligible for test in order 

 to prevent a demand for service from the laboratory beyond its facilities and 

 personnel. The majority of birds are tested from August through December. 

 It is hoped that more birds can be tested in the other months of the year to re- 

 lieve the congestion during the fall months. This will permit greater efficiency 

 in the operation of the program. 



The following summary lists the volume of tests by months: 



Months Number of Tests 



April, 1950 33,557 



May 57,316 



• Jime 119,889 



July 125,041 



August 145,346 



September 132,090 



October 182.428 



November 193,024 



December 167,553 



January, 1951 156,838 



February 63,631 



March 46,602 



April 4.376 



TOTAL. 1,427,691 



Application cards for puUorum disease testing were distributed to owners of 

 tested flocks early in the spring. These applications should be returned promptly 

 with all the desired information. As the date for the testing of the flock ap- 

 proaches, sufficient deposit should be sent to the Treasurer of the University of 

 Massachusetts. The number of birds to be tested should also be reported in 

 adequate time. Application cards will be serviced in the order that they are 

 received. Flock owners should not e.vpect service on short notice. The labora- 

 tory personnel urges that flock owners write rather than telephone the laboratory 

 for information well in advance of the desired testing date. More time is con- 

 sumed in answering telephone calls than in answering correspondence regarding 

 testing dates. The cooperation of the flock owner is solicited in maintaining an 

 effective testing service at a reasonable cost. 



