I. AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY. 333 



nation to set, but became very thin, although they afterward 

 fattened up somewhat. The total number of eggs laid by the 

 hens amounted to 257, or 86 eggs-each; and 392, or 131 each 

 for the ducks. Although the eggs of the ducks were rather 

 smaller than those of the hens, yet they proved to be decid- 

 edly superior in nutritive material, so that the superiority in 

 productiveness appears to be decidedly with the ducks. 13 

 C> August 11,1870,1140. 



COOLING OF BROODED EGGS. 



An inquiry is made of the German Poultry Journal wheth- 

 er eggs brooded upon and allowed to become cold can be 

 hatched ; in reply to which it is stated that, from extensive 

 observation, it has been shown that eggs which have remain- 

 ed cold for two days or more may even then be- successfully 

 brooded, and that the nearer to the period of the escape of 

 the young, the longer may this cooling last. It is, however, 

 necessary that at least half of the brooding period be passed, 

 as, if eggs are left too long in the first half of the period, es- 

 pecially if this is repeated many times, the embryo will, in 

 almost every instance, die. In the second half of the period 

 the chick is already so far formed that a prolonged cooling is 

 not especially injurious to it. It is also established that eggs 

 thus cooled require a longer time than usual to come to ma- 

 turity. 8 (7, February 2, 40. 



STIMULATING HENS TO LAY WHILE MOULTING. 



According to a good authority in poultry-raising, it is con- 

 sidered inexpedient to encourage hens to lay while moulting. 

 When new feathers are forming the ovary usually remains 

 perfectly dormant, and, in fact, sometimes becomes greatly 

 reduced in size. When, however, the feathers are renewed, 

 if a hen be judiciously fed, and in good health, the produc- 

 tion of eggs will soon recommence. 2 A, December 24, 1870, 

 464. 



FEEDING NETTLES TO LAYING HENS. 



The Vienna Agricultural and Forest Journal states that 

 hens fed in the winter with chopped and boiled nettle-leaves, 

 or with the seeds, and kept in a warm place, will continue to 

 lay during the entire winter. The experiment was first sug- 



