PROBLEM OF HIGHER FECUNDITY 



95 



eggs gave a higher winter egg production than those from 

 the 200-egg hens. 



Again, in Bulletin 192 (1911), the following statement 

 is made : ' 1 There does not exist any critical evidence that the 

 selection of the highest laying birds on the basis of the trap- 

 nest record as breeders will insure or guarantee any definite 

 permanent improvement in the average flock production." 



' * It now seems quite gen- 

 erally agreed," quoting 

 from the same bulletin, 

 "that about the only prof- 

 itable function of the trap- 

 nest in practical or com- 

 mercial poultry-keeping is 

 in connection with special 

 needs or problems, as, for 

 example, in the work of the 

 fancier. ' ' 



The publication of these 

 results was somewhat dis- 

 couraging to breeders and 

 provoked widespread dis- 



r>nmn TViP pritipfll rpflflpr Son of A78 21 eggs. Sire's dam 259 

 CUSSlOn. J eggs. Oregon Station. 



will observe, however, that 



the failure to show an improvement in production by selec- 

 tion is not put forward as proof that it is impossible, but 

 only that there is no evidence in the records of that Station 

 that it is. Again, in the case where the daughters of 200- 

 egg hens were poorer layers than the daughters of layers 

 not so good, it is not held that this result must always be 

 expected, but only that " in the Station's experience" this 

 was obtained. 



The statement in regard to the value of the trapnest is 

 rather difficult to understand because all improvement must 



A GOOD PLYMOUTH ROCK HEAD, 

 WITH THE STAMP OF VIGOR 



