NATUKAL INCUBATION. 47 



dip the eggs in tepid water every day to keep the pores 

 open, and to facilitate the hatching. This moistening 

 of the eggs will be found of special service in the hatch- 

 ing of the eggs of water-fowls set under hens. Follow 

 ing this method, good success with sitting hens is almosl 

 certain. 



The selection of the eggs for hatching is an important 

 matter. Some of our leading Asiatic fanciers make it a 

 point to select eggs which have a particular cast of 

 color. They claim that dark mahogany color in the 

 shell of Brahma eggs alone indicates their absolute 

 purity. While there are others of equal note as breed- 

 ers who say it is all nonsense to regard the color of 

 eggs that are deemed fit or unfit for hatching. But it 

 is well, however, to look to shape and size, for it is 

 clearly demonstrated that the regular, medium, well- 

 formed oval eggs without extreme length, very small 

 or very large ends, without wrinkles or furrows of any 

 kind, are the best for hatching. 



It is important, too, in the selection of eggs, to look 

 to size. A happy medium must be secured in this as 

 well as in some other things. In size they should be 

 neither too large nor too small for the variety. When 

 eggs of any kind are over-sized, they are usually double- 

 yolked. and are, therefore, useless for hatching. And 

 when they are under-sized, they are not so good as the 

 average. Select from your best layers smooth, hard- 

 surfaced eggs, without indentations, and of fair medium 

 dimensions and proportions. 



EGG-TESTEKS. 



A bad egg is never welcome, and any simple device 

 (hut will quickly and satisfactorily detect the quality of 

 an egg is important. A very simple method is shown in 



