5 8 4 



Laying Competitions. 



[OCT., 



One of the most interesting features is the difference of 

 individual hens in the same pen, which in some cases is very 

 great. It would be of value to know whether the hens sent 

 in one pen were sisters, or merely birds selected by the com- 

 petitors regardless of relationship. As showing the import- 

 ance of even laying, the four White Wyandottes, which 

 stood highest in the competitions with 301 eggs (an average 

 of 75*25 eggs), produced 73, 75, 76, and 77 respectively, 

 though one is stated to have gone broody. As against that 

 record the birds in the Buff Orpington pen, containing the hen 

 which made the highest individual score (103 eggs), produced 

 8, 48, 49, and 103 eggs respectively. Two of these moulted and 

 two became broody. Other similar instances could be cited, 

 but these will suffice. A careful study of the figures published 

 reveals that to a large extent the position secured was deter- 

 mined by whether broodiness or moulting supervened. Per- 

 haps the uncertainty in these directions adds to the interest of 

 the competitors. Breeders cannot have any guarantee against 

 either. In this case, again, the average is all-important. 



In Table I. the figures are worked out for the entire flock, 

 and also for each breed. Here are shown standard deviations 

 from the mean of all the contestants and of the respective 

 races. For example, with the 68 Buff Orpingtons the breed 

 mean was 4772, which was 4*88 above that of the entire 

 flocks; one hen did not lay at all. She was, therefore, 42*84 

 below the general mean ; another hen laid 103 eggs, and was 

 60' 16 above the general mean, and so on. Thirty-seven hens 

 were below, and 31 above the breed mean. In view of 

 what is shown in connection with the South Australian 

 competitions, the White Leghorns came out badly. Only 

 48 birds were entered for competition, of which three did not 

 produce a single egg ; the breed mean was 35*92, or 6*92 below 

 the general mean ; 26 were below, and 22 above the 

 breed mean. The highest breed place was occupied by 

 Anconas, with a breed mean of 60*62, but of these there 

 were only eight competitors. With smaller numbers the risks 

 may be minimised. 



South Australian Competitions. 

 The contests in Australia are promoted and controlled by 

 the Agricultural Departments, and are on a larger scale than 

 is usual in this country. They have been for one and two 



