XXIII 



PRACTICAL LAYING CONTESTS 



"Somebody" and Public Contests — Two Opponents of 

 Competitions — Australian Reports and Methods — 

 Proportion of Food Cost to Value of Product — Four 

 Leading Breeds — The Leghorn Adapted to Mild 

 Climates — i8 Pens with 200-egg Averages — Mor- 

 tality During Tests — Deductions from Australian Ex- 

 periences — New American Competitions, Connecticut 

 and Missouri 



During the 20 years previous to 191 1, there were a 

 number of attempts at laying contests in this country. 

 In these contests, birds were usually under the handling 

 of their several owners, the proof of results required be- 

 ing a sworn statement before a local notary. A certain 

 book on heavy laying was based largely on tlie published 

 results of such a contest. The author has since " re- 

 canted." One College Bulletin was made up of the 

 history and outcome of a certain competition conducted 

 by and reported by the owners of the several flocks. 

 While only supposedly reliable men would be selected 

 for such work, there is abundant room for lack of 

 public confidence in a contest of this stamp. As a 

 matter of fact, in any contest whatever, there must be 

 some leaning on the character of the men engaged in the 

 work ; since we must have human instruments. But 

 there is good reason for requiring that such contests be 

 conducted in a way such that temptation toward and op- 

 portunity for deceit shall be minimized to the last pos- 

 sible degree. 



287 



