150 



POULTRY PRODUCTION 



general rule that the early layers were the heavy layers in 

 point of annual production. Evidence obtained- at the Maine 

 Station indicates that in all probability a close correlation 

 exists between the rate of growth of a pullet during the first 

 sLk weeks after hatching and her subsequent performance 

 as a layer. 



TABLE XVIII.— RELATION OF EARLY LAYING TO HIGH 

 PRODUCTION. 



At the same time the point may well be raised, whether 

 early maturity and longevity are not characters that are in 

 more or less mutual opposition. The completion of records 

 at the various experiment stations throwing light upon the 

 question whether the precocious bird, so far as maturity is 

 concerned, does not tend to be a short-lived bird will be. 

 awaited with interest. PearU remarks in discussing the 

 inheritance of fecundity in domestic fowl that "after two 

 years the fecundity of Plymouth Rocks, in all cases which 

 have been observed at the Maine Experiment Station, 

 becomes greatly reduced." 



' Maine Bulletin No. 205. 



