564 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



3. Moisture necessary for incubation and much or little as desired at the time of 

 hatching. 



4. Constant, and natural supply of pure air, to promote general good health. Indeed, 

 most all of the inconveniences of artificial incubation are avoided by this apparatus. 



Having once placed the incubator in a position well sheltered from atmospheric changes, 

 firmly fixed and on a level, take care to have it filled with warm water. Should the incubator 

 have a gas attachment it will be necessary to allow this to pass through the regulator, and to 

 open the other cock only when an accident or the absence of the gas has occasioned too much 

 cooling, and never to leave this cock open without observing scrupulously the temperature 

 inside the incubator, for it would be very easy to bring mortification to the operator. If the 

 incubator has a lamp attachment, it is necessary to note well that this is only for the purpose 

 of preventing the water from cooling too quickly, and that the 102 to 104 should be attained 

 only by the addition of boiling water. One or two days should suffice to regulate this 

 apparatus. 



Before placing the eggs on the frames these latter should be covered with a thin layer of 

 wool in such a manner that the heat does not come altogether on the under side. The glass 

 cover of the incubator should also be covered with a bit of cloth or linen to darken the 

 interior. The thermometer should be placed upon the eggs. The gutty eggs should be taken 

 out of the incubator, as well as those marked with grayish blue spots, by which the air comes 

 too quickly to the interior. 



The eggs should be turned morning and evening without shaking; in fact, they must be 

 handled very delicately. Those on the side should be placed in the center, or in some place 

 other than that they previously occupied, so that during incubation they will occupy all the 

 parts, more or less warm, of the apparatus. It is also a very good plan to procure a small 

 greasy feather from the breast of a Cochin China, if possible, and with this to touch lightly 

 the surface of the eggs before returning them. This procedure will procure for them a small 

 quantity of that grease which gives to them the brilliancy which they obtain during incuba 

 tion under the hen, and which softens the shell so nicely. 



It is necessary to always take care to replace the warm water and obtain the proper 

 degree before returning the eggs. If you do not wish to be exposed to the chagrin of a 

 failure, it is prudent to open the doors only in the morning and evening, when the eggs are 

 being turned. 



On the twentieth day it is necessary to be very careful in turning the eggs when they are 

 propped upon the side. The chicken at this time having made an evolution in such a man 

 ner as to bring his head to the air, we expose him in this case to the necessity of again 

 making another turn, to the labor of which they most always succumb. It is a matter of 

 great importance to diffuse as much moisture as possible in the incubator, either by placing 

 small jars of water in the incubator, or by sprinkling it upon the wool. This water should 

 be lukewarm, not cold. It is also necessary to take care not to put the eggs in warm 

 water to see if the young chicks stir, for these eggs, not having the shell greased as those 

 covered by the hen, will absorb too much water and the chick will surely die. 



Incubation by means of the artificial incubator should be conducted for twenty-one 

 days at a temperature of 102 to 104. This heat should be maintained for ten out 

 of twelve hours, if we wish to have much success. If it should descend to 50 or 54 at the 

 time of turning the eggs, there will be no inconvenience, provided it returns within twenty 

 minutes to 86 or 95, and a few minutes afterwards to 102 or 104, remaining at this tern, 

 perature for at least ten hours, as above stated. This is why we should not open the doors 

 between the regular times for turning, except in case of accident. If, owing to some outside 

 influence, change of temperature or other, the heat of the incubator should rise to 109}, wo 

 need not disturb ourselves, provided it lasts no longer than two or three hours. In this case 



