March, 1934] Agricultl-ral Research in N. H. 27 



There are 133 flocks representing 162,882 birds that have been nega- 

 tive three or more years. 



Nine different breeds of birds were tested and infection was found 

 in only four. New Hampshire Reds, Barred Plymouth Rocks, Single 

 Comb White Leghorns, and White Plymouth Rocks showed one-half 

 of one per cent infection; Rhode Island Reds, Cross-Breds, White Wy- 

 andottes, Minorcas, and Rhode Island Whites showed no reactors. 



The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture published a list of 

 poultrymen whose flocks passed the accredited and 100 per cent free 

 requirements. Fourteen new flocks were added to the accredited list 

 and five were removed for failure to test, and one accredited flock was 

 removed when reactoi's were found in the flock. There were 98 ac- 

 credited flocks having 99,338 birds, and sixty-three 100 per cent flocks 

 totalling 61,006 birds. {Miscellaneous Income) 



Over 3,000 Poultry Autopsies Made 



Poultry autopsies made at the poultry pathology laboratory by C. 

 L. Martin and C. A. Bottorff for the past fiscal year amounted to 

 3,068, of which 1,580 were adults, 1,442 chickens, 28 turkeys, 9 pigeons, 

 8 ducks, and 1 gosling. This is nearly twice as many specimens as 

 were examined the previous year. 



In the adult class the principal diseases were: ruptured egg-yolk 

 31.77 per cent, coccidiosis 19.05 per cent, nephritis 18.10 per cent, peri- 

 tonitis 9.55 per cent, cannibalism 7.46 per cent, pneumonia 5.75 per 

 cent, and indigestion 5.37 per cent. 



In the young chickens the principal diseases were pneumonia 45.90 

 per cent, indigestion 14.90 per cent, pullorum disease 14.14 per cent, 

 and coccidiosis 12.82 per cent. (State Service Fund) 



Electric Brooding of Chicks 



One season's trials in which electric brooders have been used in in- 

 dividual, unheated brooder houses have proved that this method is 

 practical in this climate without the use of auxiliaiy heat. Experi- 

 ments started in the fall of 1933 and carried on through the winter 

 have had the benefit of unusually severe temperature conditions. The 

 work has been carried on co-operatively by W. T. Ackerman, G. M. 

 Foulkrod, A. E. Tepper, and the staff of the Poultry Pathology Labor- 

 atory. 



The most significant result is the carrying of over 1,000 chickens 

 through temperatures as low as 30° below zero with a mortality of 

 only 6.7 per cent and a cost of operation of 1.2 kilowatt hours per 

 chick per brooding period. 



Observations w^ere made of temperatures, humidity, ventilation, in- 

 sulation, and house constniction, from which, through continued tests, 

 standard recommendations can be arrived at for the most effective use 

 of this equipment. {Purnell Fund) 



Pneumatic Tires for Truck 



Experiments were started in the fall of 1933 by W. T. Ackerman 

 and G. M. Foulkrod to investigate the feasibility of pneumatic tires 



