NATURAL INCUBATION". 



51 



is balanced on a hard-wood edge, upon the end of a 

 broad lever, which works upon another edge of hard- 

 wood affixed to the bottom. A weight, h, placed near 

 the end of the lever, counterbalances the nest as may be 

 necessary, and a tin plate, g, attached to the end of the 

 lever will rise and close the opening b, as a door, when 

 the weight of the hen causes the nest to descend. The 

 entire side, which is absent in the diagram, should be 

 fastened on by screws so as to be easily removed, or at- 

 tached by hinges to the bottom, so as to give access to 

 the working parts. The sides of the nest must be 



Fig. 33. 



greased, and of course the tin door must move up and 

 down without any catching. The counterbalancing of 

 the nest should be so adjusted that the weight of six 

 teen average-sized eggs, say two pounds and a half, will 

 bring it down. No laying hen weighs less than this, 

 except Bantams, and perhaps some of the Hamburgs. 

 So whenever a hen is on the nest the door will be closed. 

 When she leaves it, the door will open. The advantages 

 are that only one hen will occupy the nest at a time, and 

 fighting over the eggs and breakage are thus prevented. 

 Then, when a hen is set and is likely to be disturbed, 

 the weight may be entirely removed, in which case the 

 door will remain closed, whether she is upon or off the 

 eggs. She may be let out towards evening, daily, after 

 the other hens have laid, or food and water may be 



