NATURAL INCUBATION. 4:9 



the space in the center of the frame, the edge of the 

 black cloth or ribbon fitting close to the shell. When 

 the egg is held close to a bright light, the light passes 

 through the egg, and shows a fresh or infertile one 

 to be perfectly clear, while a fertile one that has 

 been sat upon, or that has been in the incubator two 

 days, will show the embryo, as in the engraving, as a 

 dark cloudy spot. Infertile eggs may then be taken 

 from the nest or from the incubator on the third to the 

 fifth day. 



CARE OF SITTING HENS. 



March is the month to set hens, for the earlier after 

 this they are set, the better the chicks will prove. Of 

 course every hen has been set that would stick to her 

 nest during the past month ; but as hens must lay out 

 their clutches before the sitting fever takes possession 

 of them, the larger number will not be ready for the nest 

 before this month. Sell none but surplus eggs now, but 

 crowd the hens by setting all that can be relied upon. 

 When it comes to finding them all nests, much discre- 

 tion is needed, that confusion does not cause trouble 

 and loss. Of course, the simplest way to set them is in 

 rows in the hen-house ; but the hens will not all remem- 

 ber their own nests, and will crowd two or three on one 

 nest, leaving their own eggs to become cold and perish. 

 It is advisable to set the hens in different rooms and apart 

 from one another ; but if the nest rows must be used, 

 then there must be careful watchfulness. A good rule 

 is to keep the windows well darkened, so that the hens 

 will not be tempted to leave their nests until noon. 

 When you give the other chickens their noonday meal, 

 and while they are feeding, go into the hen-house, taKe 

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