several hours earlier than a stale one, and that the 

 fresh eggs of some breeds of the same species of 

 fowls will also hatch from twelve to forty-eight 

 hours earlier than those of other breeds, under the 

 same conditions. 



Some hens sit closer on the eggs and keep the 

 temperature more regular than others do. These 

 hens generally bring off their chicks in due time. 

 Other hens are poor sitters, do not settle down on 

 the eggs nicely, and frequently vacate the nest. 

 Such hens are sometimes one or two days later 

 than schedule time in completing their hatch. 



The same principle applies to incubators. Those 

 which maintain an even condition of requisite heat, 

 moisture and ventilation, will, if the eggs are all 

 right, complete the hatch on time ; while the irreg- 

 ular machine, now hot and then cold, now dry 

 and then moist, will of course be behind time. 



MOISTURE IN HATCHING. 



How much moisture should be used in an incu- 

 bator ? 



Why not ask, " How much lumber will it take 

 to build a house?" The question is as compre- 

 hensive. 



The question of how much moisture should be 

 used in an incubator, never has been fully and cor- 

 rectly answered. 



"Oh, yes, it has!" exclaims somebody, "Mr. 

 A. says he uses no moisture at all ; B., none until 

 the fourth day ; C., none until the seventh ; D., 

 64 



