1909.] Notes on Experiments with Poultry. 637 



The entire cost of the materials and fittings is under 205., 

 and would be much less if a number were made. 



Experience with two cf these brooders during this season 

 has shown that chickens can be reared successfully without 

 artificial heat, but, as operations did not commence until 

 April 25th, that fact must be kept in view, as it would not 

 be safe without further tests to adopt or recommend for use 

 in the colder weather a system which was successful from 

 May 1 st onwards, when the temperature is favourable to 

 chicken rearing. That, however, is part of the natural 

 chicken season, and the question is suggested whether the 

 heat afforded by a hen to her brood is necessary or not. 

 Hitherto we have accepted the former contention, and the 

 entire system of modern artificial rearing has been conducted 

 on that basis. 



Certain it is, however, that the chickens raised in the 

 "Philo" brooders have grown steadily and have feathered 

 better than in heated brooders; the mortality has been small, 

 and the birds have been active and healthy. Taking them 

 as a whole, they have not made equal growth with those 

 under heat, though some White Wyandottes have attained 

 greater weights in the " Philo" than others in an ordinary 

 brooder hatched at the same time and fed in the same manner. 



Considerable improvements could be made in the brooder 

 and coop, and there is no special advantage in the form 

 adopted. In fact, brooders of the types generally used could 

 probably be made serviceable at a very small expense. It 

 may also be that modifications in feeding would help materi- 

 ally to secure that quicker growth which appears to be the 

 lack of the system, so far as our observations have gone. 

 The method seems to be one which deserves the attention of 

 chicken rearers, as, if generally successful, it would solve 

 some of the difficulties and simplify the work considerably. 



Earth Salts. 



Some time ago communications were received almost simul- 

 taneously from Mr. Herbert Ingle, formerly of the York- 

 shire College, Leeds, and late of the Transvaal Agricultural 

 Department, and Mr. C. Devonshire, of Barberton, Trans- 



