THE TESTING OF LAYERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 28 September 1907, Page 1

THE TESTING OF LAYERS.

In a letter in the September issue of tho "New Zealand Poultry Keeper (a copy of which is acknowledged) a correspondent, "X Rays," dealing with tho testing of layers, says :— There has been a very considerable amount of talk and money expended upon the so-called "infallible tests which are now upon the market. The people are acclaiming them the poultry press is booming them, the Government experts endorse their efficiency,

tho egg-laying competition managers are testing tho entrants and then carrying on for a year to see whether the bird's capability as a layer is to bt> decided by the system of selection or by the egg-yjeld — personally, I prefer tho latter. There are, no doubt .those who have gone into ecstasy of the new "toy" — but that? is nsthing — some_ people aro inflicted with very "violent distraction of the mind" over anything new. The reason of my contribution to your columns is to ask whether results have so far proved that the poultry press, and our poultry experts are people, tiie poultry press, and our poultry experts aro infalliblo in their judgment, or whether all this epidemic of "tests" will fizzle as fast as it has come. lt is quite easy for any person, whether he be imbued with tho terrible secrets of solecting layers or not, to select by observation the birds which will lay the most eggs. It. is admitted by those having Yankee tests that they are not quite sure on the first application, whether the subject of the test deserves immediate annihilation or whether it is advisable to allow the hen to have a little time to develop and then bo finally adjudged. What I want to know is this : — 1. — Can the systems bo successfully used on pullets? 2. — Is it safe to use one test and not have to go over the fowls several times to bo certain? 3. — Does ono examination ascertain tho capability of a hen? 4. — Is it necessary to wait until the fowls are four months old before the systems are operative? 5. — Is it not a fact that the "Systems of Selecting Layers," even when the instructions are followed faithfully, tho selection is a slow and uncertain process— that it is in fact, practically on a par with ordinary selection by observation? I know I will be called a crank for not swallowing everything the advertisements declare, and also for not believing tho fiat of the poultry experts; but who cares for public opinion or poultry experts? I am a seeker after truth. If natuie's own law is revealed in the working out of the testing, well, that is not everything. No hen will lay unless she is given something to manufacture eggs from, and it is yet to be proved that the outside physiological structure has any bearing upon ■ the egg-producing capabilities of the ' hen. 1 I hope the champions of tho Potter and Hogan tests will defend their positions.