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to wash the egg's intended for setting ; the (Hrt should he nilibed 

 off if there is any on them. 



After many trials with the hen as a hatcher, and with sad 

 disappointments, I have concluded that the artificial incubator i> 

 far the best ; there is greater certainty about the chickens, and 

 when they are hatched there is no trouble with vermin. For the 

 room, 6 feet x 4 feet and 5 feet 6 inches high, with a solid ground 

 floor, is the most economical ; 22 feet of 3 x 2, 22 6-feet palings, 

 and a roll of 15 feet of some roofing material, will make the 

 required room. To ensure a steady temperature and prevent the 

 walls from attracting the heat of the sun, the following solution 

 is invaluable : — Six parts stone lime, two parts coarse salt, and 

 one part alum. Slack the lime ; dissolve the salt and alum in hot 

 water, and add to the lime. When properly made this should 

 have the consistency of paint. Put three coats of this on the 

 w^alls, allowing a day between each coat of solution. It will last 

 for years, and will not rub or wash off. On one occasion I 

 turned the eggs on Saturday at midday, and did not return until 

 Sunday at 9 p. m. ; as I got 35 chicks out of 40 fertile eggs, I 

 think this result speaks well for both machine and room. I may 

 state that I only see my machine once a day, viz:. 8 p. m.. when 

 I turn the eggs. 



During the first week the food I use consists wholl)- of rolled 

 oats, but this should not be fed in a way that it will sour. I 

 find that it should be crumbled a bit, and sprinkled over the run 

 for the first two days. After that I place it in a trough specially 

 made of galvanized iron, with bars of wire looped over the top, 

 and soldered on each side. This is also a good idea for the 

 water, as it prevents the chicks from getting into the water and 

 keeps it clean. 



My mixture for the chicks is one pint finely cracked maize, 

 half-pint cracked wheat, half-pint linseed meal. half-i>int coarse 

 bran, half-pint rolled oats, half-pint sea sliell grit, one pint 

 lucerne dust, quarter-pint salt. This has jiroved very good with 

 my little flock, and twice a week. I give them one teaspoonful of 

 Rpsom salts to a pint of fresh cold water. A rough shed should 

 be .supplied for them also, so that as the chicks get nkler they 

 can be put there to look a little after tliemselves. In this I place 

 some stable manure, leaves, short grass, etc., and it is wonder- 

 ful how the chicks thrive. Especially during the hot sultry 

 weather should this be sup])lied ; they have the shelter, also the 

 ventilation, and room for exercise. T think this very essential for 

 allowing the young chicks to run in. 



As soon as I can discern which are cockerels 1 pen them off, 

 and feed for the morning meal — three parts pollard and one part 

 oilcake : maize at midday, or. if it is available, thick milk instead ; 

 then maize again at night. A little green stuff' should be sifpphed 

 for them to ])ick at during tile day. — A^ S. IV. /Ip'ivnltaral 

 Gazette. .... 



