Laying capacity of crossings between Black Rhinelanders and White Leghorns. Die Legetätigkeit aus der Kreuzung schwarzer Rheinländer mit weiszem Leghorn. H. R. von Langen. Archiv für Geflügelkunde, 1930, p. 40.

The F. 1 generation showed good laying capacity (average 189,5 eggs). The laying capacity of the F. 2 hens was not so good (136,6 eggs). In the F. 3 generation the production was 127,8 eggs, accompanied by a great variability of the hens viz. from 32 to 211 in 53 hens.

Culling of Young Poultry and of Layers. A. A. Grebenshchikov and N. P. Churilov. Under the title of the U.S.S.R. Poultry Research Institute of the Soiousptize product. State Agricultural Publishing House. “Telkolkhosguis.” U.S.S.R. Moskva, 1931. Circulation 25,000 copies, 40 pages, 23 illustrations.

In the introduction it is told that 1932 will be the last year of performing the Five Year Plan (in four years). That now in all collective as well as state poultry farms, the work must be rationalised, and as a means of the rationalisation, culling out the non-producing hens is recommended.

Studies of the Vitamin Potency of Cod-liver-oils. XXI. The Stimulation of Reproduction by Fat-soluble Vitamins. A. D. Holmes, A. W. Doolittle and W. B. Moore. Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, 16, 1927.

Experiments are made with F5 Rhode Islands. The results were as follows:—

Rapid-blood-agglutination Test. Technik der Frischblutschnell-agglutination zum Nachweis der Pulloruminfektion der Hühner. H. Mieszner and G. Schütt. Hygienisches Institut der Tierärztliche Hochschule, Hannover. Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift, 1931, p. 3.

The technic of the new method, in which a drop of fresh blood is examined, and the preparation of the antigen are accurately described as well as the pseudo-agglutination.

Investigation into the differences between Barneveld and White Leghorn breeds from a genetical and breeding technic point of view. Report to the Committee of the Netherlands Genetic Society regarding breeding tests with poultry in 1926–1927 and 1928–1929. A. L. Hagedoorn. Züchtungskunde, 1930, p.450.

The investigation was carried out in four directions: 1) It was to be ascertained whether a correlation exists between various continuing characteristics appearing in combination in two breeds of poultry (Aziatic and Meditteranean breeds) (coloured eggs, white eggs, white ears, light body weight and early puberty in the other). 2) It was to be investigated whether it was possible to incorporate the qualities of „Brown Egg” and „Early Puberty” in a good laying utility breed. 3) The question was to be treated what gens have influence on the colour of the egg, the colour of the plumage, the colour of the feet etc. 4) Finally data, relating to the value of cross-breeds and their progeny as utility poultry were to be gathered.

Harmful Action of Fatty Fishmeal. Deutsche Landwirtschaftliche Geflügelzeitung, April, 1931.

Five groups of chickens were fed for a period of 8 weeks with the same basal ration and fishmeal of varying fat content. The chickens fed with fishmeal of 1,5% fat were the heaviest at the end of the test period and per pound body weight had consumed the least food. Among the birds fed with fishmeal of 18% fat content there was a death rate of 23%. A high percentage of fat also left much to be desired in connection with the colour of the plumage, the development of the body and the formation of yellow pigment in the legs.

The Inheritance of Black and White in Rose Comb Bantams. A Pioneer Cross in Poultry Genetics, illustrated by Photographs. Morley A. Jull, Joseph P. Quinn. Journal of Heredity, Organ of the American Genetic Association, Washington, D.C., Vol. XX, No.8.

The manner in which the characters black and white are inherited in a cross between Rose-Comb Black and Rose-Comb White Bantams will serve to illustrate the mechanism involved in the inheritance of most pairs of characters. The first and the only reference to such a cross having been made is reported by Bateson and Punnett in 1908. The same authors reported that the White of the Rose-Comb White Bantam is recessive to color.

Comparison of the Efficiency of the simplified Method of Bunyea, Hall and Dorset and the Standard Tube Test for the Identification of Carriers of Pullorum Disease. Wm. L. Bleecker, University, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Journal of the Am. Vet. Med. Association, 1931, p. 518.

Conclusions:

It is concluded that in the hands of an experienced operator if from three to five minutes be allowed before a diagnosis is madet the simplified agglutination test for the detection of carriers of pullarum disease infection is fully as efficient as the tube test. It has a number of advantages over the tube test.

Invitation to a Pullorum Conference in Hannover and the World's Poultry Congress in Rome. By Dr. te Hennepe. Sixth Congress of Specialists in Combatting Young Animal Diseases. Deutsche Tierärtzliche Wochenschrift, 1931, p. 661.

A congress of veterinary surgeons interested in the combatting of young animal diseases was held at Leipzig from October 3 to 6, 1931; 140 veterinary surgeons attended. Pullorum disease was discussed.