ARTIFICIAL INCUBATIOK. 73 



look at the thermometer as quickly as possible, as it varies 

 quickly. The drawer should be at 103 degrees, and if 

 warmer than that leave the drawer out a little while 

 until it cools down, always shutting it up first, in order 

 to let the heat accumulate a moment or two before look- 

 ing at the thermometer. Never try to cool it with cold 

 water, for the heat is in the packing, and you can never 

 tell what the effect will be for several hours. Should 

 you add hot water, it will be from two to four hours be- 

 fore the increased heat appears. It is due to this fact 

 that the incubator is so reliable, as the heating and cool- 

 ing is gradual. When the thermometer reaches 110 

 put in the eggs. The eggs will cool the drawer, but do 

 not be alarmed. Let them remain for an hour or two, 

 and if the temperature is then below 100, add a kettle- 

 ful of water (nearly a bucketful), which will return the 

 heat to about 103 in an hour or two. If the weather is 

 moderate, once a day will only be necessary for adding 

 water, but the better way to work the incubator is to 

 divide the twenty-four hours into three periods of eight 

 hours each, say 6 o'clock A.M., 2 P.M., and 10 P.M., when 

 a gallon of water may be added at each time, and the 

 eggs turned. This avoids late night work, and gives 

 but little trouble. 



Be sure and practice with the incubator for three or 

 four days before putting in the eggs, for by so doing you 

 will know just how much water to use. 



The colder the weather the more hot water. All in- 

 cubators do best in an even temperature. 



Keep a pan of water in the ventilator, "changing it to 

 fresh water daily. 



Keep the heat as near 103 as possible, and the last 

 three days not over 102. 



Take the..drawer out in the morning and let it remain 

 out for the eggs to cool down to 70. Then turn the 

 eggs half way round, and place the drawer back. Make 



