16 



figure on raising a much larger percentage of chicks from the former 

 eggs than from the latter, owing to the chicks being stronger and 

 having greater vitality. 



Setting the Hen. — It is generally agreed that, in order to secure 

 a good hatch, the hen must be placed where other hens are not likely 

 to disturb her; for, as a rule, we seldom get good hatches where 

 other hens lay in the nest with the sitter. Some farmers do not set 

 a hen until one becomes broody on a nest where no others lay, which 

 often necessitates late chicks. The difficulty can be overcome by mak- 

 ing a new nest for the broody hen. Get a box about twelve inches 

 square and six inches deep; put some earth, or an overturned sod, in 

 the bottom, taking care to have the corners very full so that no eggs 

 can roll out from the hen and get chilled ; next put on about two inches 

 of straw or chaff ; and then put a few earthen eggs into the nest. Place 

 the nest in some pen where nothing can disturb the hen, and put her 

 on after dark. Feed and water must be within easy reach and a dust- 

 bath should also be convenient. If the hen is sitting quiet the next 

 day, you will be safe in putting the eggs under her. In our experi- 

 ence we get 90 per cent, of the hens to sit by following this method. 



It should be remembered that the hen will be in better condition 

 if dusted with insect powder when set, and also a few days before the 

 hatch comes off. This will usually keep the lice in check, especially 

 if some tansy or mint leaves are used in making the nest. 



Incubators. — There is really very little known about the running 

 of incubators. Some people succeed in hatching a large percentage, 

 while others, under exactly the same circumstances, fail. The exact 

 reason why, we do not know. This much, however, can be said ; the 

 machine should not be placed in a direct draught, nor yet in a build- 

 ing where there is a lack of ventilation. Fresh air is one of the most 

 important things in an incubator room. I have known machines to 

 hatch in well-ventilated cellars, kitchens, dining-rooms and bed-rooms. 

 Hardly any two people agree as to which is the best place to operate 

 the machine. As a general rule, it is wise to follow the manufacturer's 

 directions. I find that different makes of incubators reouire different 

 treatment, both as to temperature and otherwise, and we generally 

 get the best results when running closely to the directions. Where 

 possible, the temperature in the room should vary but little; for, if it 

 varies 30 to 40 degrees in 24 hours, it is very hard to keep an even 

 temperature in the machine; and it is absurd to expect that the 

 machine will not vary with such changes in the surrounding tempera- 

 ture. We are conducting a large number of experiments with incubators. 

 The results of these experiments will be published in detail in another 

 bulletin to be issued at an early date. • 



Rearing Chickens. 



Experience and observation has led me to believe that chickens, in 

 order to do their best, require to be grown on fairly good land, prob- 

 ably a clay loam or a sandy loam being the best. I have never been 



