COLONIAL COMPETITIONS 181 
are the highest layers, it is unfair to ask the heavier Asiatic breeds 
to compete on equal terms. One of the 1917 conditions, therefore, 
will be separate classes and prizes for the light and heavy breeds. 
This, we think, will do much to preserve such a good breed as 
Black Orpingtons. 
“The six-hen pen competitions have served a good purpose, but 
their usefulness at present is mainly confined to demonstrating the 
quality of the flocks of various breeders. In view of this it seems 
imperative to insist that those accepted in the competition should 
be in a position to supply the market with both settings of eggs 
and young stock. That is, only bona-fide breeders should be ad- 
mitted to the six-hen pen test. Another phase of poultry-breeding 
has been inaugurated at the college for this year’s competition. 
One hundred and twenty pens, each to hold a single hen, have 
been erected. The object of this is to submit each hen to a year’s 
test for the purpose of selecting the highest producing strain for 
breeding. This, we are convinced, will go far to still further 
improve the egg-laying capacity of the various breeds. The eager- 
ness with which breeders seek inclusion in the single pen test is 
sufficient evidence of the importance of this innovation. 
“In the competition recently concluded, the total number of eggs 
laid during the twelve months was 70,848, an average of 1336-75 
per pen, or 222°8 per bird. The total value of the eggs laid was 
£441, 6s. 4d., while the cost of feed was £185, 12s. 5d., thus leaving 
a profit, exclusive of labour, of £805, 13s. 11d. This is the highest 
profit we have yet made in any competition, and is largely due to 
the very high prices at which eggs have sold during the year. 
Nineteen birds died during the year—one from enteritis, four from 
liver disease, and fourteen from heat apoplexy, or its after effects. 
«As in previous years, great care has been taken to get the best 
results possible without unduly forcing the birds. For the benefit 
of beginners we are giving the average amount of food used each 
day. It must, however, be distinctly understood that these 
amounts must not be fed at all seasons of the year. For instance, 
say it takes 24 oz. of food per day to keep a hen in good healthy 
condition when not laying, it will take over 4 oz. to supply her 
