232 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



insect pests. The lice running around over the body and gnawing at 

 the skin and feathers cause intense itching and in trying to get away 

 from these pests the hen forgets all about her desire to sit and deserts 

 the nest. If strongly inclined to sit she may desert one nest and move 

 to another, trying to escape her enemies. If a hen shows any sign of 

 uneasiness be careful to inspect her body for lice and also the cracks 

 and crevices about the nest for mites. If either is found, thoroughly 

 dust her once more, sponge off the eggs with a damp cloth and move to 

 a clean place. Burn everything about the nest and either thoroughly 

 disinfect or burn it. Wage constant warfare against lice and mites 

 during the period of incubation and the result will be a clean lot of 

 chicks. It has been said that three lice will break up a sitting hen or 

 kill a brood of chicks. This probably is not always true, but it is 

 certain that a hen that starts to incul3ate with three lice on her body 

 will probably have enough by the end of the hatch, unless properly cared 

 for to infest all the chicks and render the whole brood either very un- 

 satisfactory, or worthless. An ounce of lice powder at the beginning of 

 the hatch is worth a good many pounds after the chicks are a few 

 weeks old. 



ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 



The selection of an incubator is one of the most difficult problems 

 confronting the beginner. There is no make of machine that is better 

 in every respect than all others. Some people seem to do better with 

 one make of machine, while the success of others is secured through the 

 use of another sort. There are a lot of good machines on the market 

 and we should try to select one of these, eveu if the price is a little 

 * higher. It costs more to build a good machine than it does to fasten 

 a lamp onto a single walled box, but the good machine will soon save 

 the extra cost by hatching more of the fertile germs and saving in time 

 and temper. A well-constructed machine is also less likely to take 

 fire. Any of the better machines can be safely operated by anyone who 

 is careful enough to be allowed to clean and care properl}' for kerosene 

 lamps. 



Having decided to buy a machine,, write to the companies that ad- 

 vertise in 3'our papers. Do not depend too much on testimonials as suc- 

 cessful experiences only are related. Testimonials are most valuable 

 when they come from some one in reputable standing in the poultry 

 business. If some friend or neighbor already has an incubator go and 

 see it and get all- the information possible relating thereto. He perhaps 

 has seen or used other machines and can, therefore, advise concerning 

 them. Most of the companies have agencies in the larger towns, and 

 one can see the machines there. Buying from a local firm saves freight, 

 and may prove more satisfactory' in other ways. 



The best place to operate an incubator is often a perplexing question 

 on the farm. A great many find the cellar to be the most suitable place, 

 and it will answer if it will keep vegetables and apples without mold- 

 ing. The dining room or kitchen is sometimes used, but the variation 

 in temperature is often too great to give satisfactory results. Although 

 a properly constructed machine will do good work with a little care, 

 where the range of temperature amounts to more than 20° F., a less 

 varying temperature will be found more satisfactory. 



