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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 chick-. The difficulty can be overcome by 

 making a new nest for the broody hen. Get a box about 12 inches 

 square and 6 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 experience 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. 



When hens are to be set in large numbers, I know of no better 

 method than that adopted by the Rhode Island farmers. Early 

 in the spring, the hens aie set in any old outbuilding; later on they 

 are set as seen in the cut, that is, the nests are stacked tier upon 

 tier; a few boards serve as a shelter; and the wire run gives room 

 for some green food, a dust bath, etc. The hens are generally let otf 

 to feed and water every other day. It is considered advisable to have 

 an attendant present to see that the Ijens get back to the proper ne.^ts ; 

 also to prevent their fighting. 



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 

 well in well-ventilated cellars, kitchens, dining-moms 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 

 direi-tions. I find that different makes of incubators require different 

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

 get the best results when runninir 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 mach- 

 ine will not vary with such changes in the surrounding temperature. 



