THE CALL OF THE HEN. 113 
Now and then the objection reaches us that the high-type roosters 
referred to cannot be found. I have found them, as others have, and 
I believe there are nearly or quite as many in proportion as there are 
of the 250 and above hens; but we do not save all the roosters as we 
do all the pullets, and they are correspondingly scarce among mature 
males. By selecting always from large numbers.of males before they 
are killed off this objection will be largely and quickly overcome. 
The fact that males of this class can be selected is of itself a dis- 
covery sufficient to revolutionize the whole poultry business without 
the examination of a single hen—were time enough taken; but the two 
together bring absolute and immediate results. 
In the hands of a slightly experienced or an at all competent person 
the element of chance is entirely removed by this method of selecting 
layers and males; and one is just as sure of the results sought as that 
a hen will die if her head is cut off. 
We ask but one thing: that judgment be withheld till method 
be tried. If the tests are fairly conducted, there can be no failure. 
Crude infringements and imitations of this discovery and System 
—as of everything else of value that has cost years of investigating and 
experimenting—are liable to spring up, but the safety and economy of 
going direct to the fountain-head need scarcely be suggested. 
Dated November 20, 1904. 
LESSON 10. 
ON SELECTION AND BREEDING FOR EGG-PRODUCTION. 
1. What four things influence egg-production or largely determine 
the number of eggs a hen will lay? 
2. What is ‘‘capacity,’’ and how is it measured or determined? 
3. What would a five-finger ‘‘capacity’’ or abdomen indicate? a 
three to five-finger “capacity?” 
4, What is meant by “condition?” 
5. What portion of the body i is a good indicator as to whether the 
hen is in good “condition” or poor ‘‘condition?”’ 
6. What outside factors or environments are largely responsible for 
the ‘‘condition”’ of any hen? 
7. Is “condition” a thing that the common sense or gumption of 
a poultryman can control largely? How? 
8. How does the breast of the hen appear when she is in good 
“condition?”’ 
9. The first joint of the forefinger is divided into how many parts 
for the purpose of determining “condition,” or represents how many 
fingers out of ‘“‘condition?”’ 
10. Ifa hen hasa one-finger abdomen or “‘capacity’”’ and is three 
fingers out of ‘condition,’ about how many fingers abdomen or ‘‘capa- 
city’’ would she have if this same hen was in ‘“‘condition?’’ or, in other 
words, each finger out of “‘condition’’ means how many more fingers 
“capacity” or depth of abdomen if the same hen was in normal ‘“‘con- 
dition?’ ee 
‘11. If a hen is three fingers out of ‘‘condition,’’ should she ever 
be used again as a breeder? 
