518 



Fx\RMERS' REGISTER— INCUBATION OF THE COMMON HEN. 



new to nineteen-twenticths, if not to a!l of our 

 readers. We confess we leel soaiewhat mortified, 

 that the valuable hints and suggestions thrown out 

 by an intelligent and scientific stranger, should 

 have failed to attract the attention of our pubUc 

 functionaries. We are not without hope, how- 

 ever, that a subject of such vital importance as a 

 geological survey of the state, will claim the ear- 

 nest and speedy consideration of the people, as 

 well as their representatives. It is one of those 

 subjects upon which all parties, however divided 

 by sectional jealousies or other adverse views, 

 may meet on common ground, and unite in har- 

 monious action. There is no portion of the com- 

 monwealth which is not deeply interested in the 

 developement of its mineral wealth — none which 

 ought not to lend its hearty sanction to a scientific 

 surve}' of the country by a skilful geologist. To 

 say nothing of the noble example of other states — 

 among them some of our youngest sisters — our 

 interests are too deeply involved in the proposed 

 undertaking, longer to defer it. Agriculture, — 

 commerce, — the arts, — are alike concerned in the 

 successful prosecution of a work which promises 

 to each such essential benefits. The people of 

 Virginia have been too long ignorant and unmind- 

 ful of their own vast resources. Who Avould have 

 dreamed a ^gw years since, that a vein of precious 

 gold, which, for two centuries, had escaped obser- 

 vation, actually enriched our soil ? Who now can 

 form an adequate conception of the various hidden 

 treasures which science and enterprise may bring 

 to light? Can the paltry consideration of a ie\w 

 thousand dollars expense, outweigh the magnifi- 

 cent advantages which are likely to result? Shall 

 the present generation fold its arms in supineness, 

 and leave every thing to be done by posterity ? 

 We earnestly exhort our legislators to take the 

 subject into serious consideration. 



The writer of the subjoined communication will 

 be pleased to learn that, the mineral springs of the 

 state, (which might in themselves be made a 

 source of boundless wealth,) have been subjected 

 to careful analysis during the past sununer, by an 

 able chemical professor in one of our colleges.* It 

 is understood that the results of his observation 

 will in due time be laid before the public. 



THE PROCESS OF INCUBATION OF THE COM- 

 MON HEN. 



Extract from Professor Low's Elemonts of Agriculture. 



"The first in importance of the gallinaceous 

 fowls is Phasianus gallus, the Domestic Cock. 

 To what region we owe this creature is imknown. 

 He is found from the equator to the limits of the 

 temperate regions. In Asia and its islands he is 

 very abundant, and sometimes of large size and 

 great beauty. The large cock of the forests of 

 the East, termed the Jungle Cock, is one of the 

 species or varieties in its wild state, and is supposed 

 by some naturalists to be the origin of the domestic 

 kinds. 



"The male of the domestic species, were we 

 not daily familiarized to the sight of him, would 

 appear to be a very graceful "bird. His gait is 

 erect, his eyes are sparkling, he is armed with 



* Professor William B. Rogers, of William and 

 Mary College.— Ed. Far. Reg. 



spurs for his defence, and he is endowed with a 

 courage which often causes him to die rather than 

 yield to an enemy. 



"The female is remarkable beyond all other 

 birds for her fecundity; she continues to lay eggs 

 throughout a great part of the year; the period in 

 which she ceases to do so, or does so very sparing- 

 ly, is that of moulting, which generally lasts from 

 one to three months. After having laid a certain 

 number of eggs, the desire of incubation takes 

 place. This is indicated by strong emotions, and 

 a peculiar ciy; and she will sit on an}^ eggs that 

 may be presented to her. Many expeclients, 

 some of them very cruel, are practised to check 

 the instinctive passion, so as to cause the animal 

 to lay eggs rather than to hatch. 



"It is'remarkable that while some of the ani- 

 mals show this desire in the strongest manner, 

 others scarcely manifest it, or, showing it, it quick- 

 ly leaves them. Hence, while some are engaged 

 in producing eggs, others are ready to serve the 

 office of mother, and on this account there is no 

 kind of the domestic fowls that can be propaga- 

 ted so quickly, and in such numbers. 



"The period of hatching is 21 days. The fe- 

 male during this time manifests increasing watch- 

 fulness. She will scarcely be induced to forsake 

 her charge, even by the most pressing claims for 

 food, and hence food should be placed within her 

 reach. The number of eggs which one mother 

 is allowed to hatch, is generally from 9 to 15. 



"The young is gradually nourished within the 

 shell. It lies without motion; its poshion is re- 

 markable; its breast is towards one end of the egg, 

 which is formed large for that purpose; its legs are 

 bent forward to the breast; its head is couched be- 

 neath one of its wings; and its beak rises from be- 

 tween the wing and the back. 



"When the time of its maturity is at length ar- 

 rived, the desire of life and motion awakes. The 

 little creature employs its beak, thus singularly 

 placed, for the purpose of breaking its covering. 

 It is heard to tap the shell; the emotions of the 

 mother increase as she listens to the attempt of the 

 young to come forth. The beating of the beak 

 is generally continued for two hours, sometimes 

 for SIX hours, and sometimes for a longer time. At 

 length the shell is broken, and the young is ena- 

 bled to come forth from its marvellous mansion, 



"The anxious mother has no milk to give to 

 her young when the}' come into day; but Nature 

 has provided for all their wants. The mother 

 teaches The young to find their food almost as soon 

 as born, and their little bills are sufficiently harden- 

 ed at their birth to pick it fi-om the ground. 



"The change of nature in the parent is very 

 remarkable. From the most timid of creatures, 

 she now becomes fierce and courageous; she will 

 attack the largest animal in defence of her young; 

 she watches them with surprising solicitude; she 

 shelters them under her winss, and leads them 

 where food is to be found. After a time her cares 

 cease; she gradually recovers her natural timidity; 

 she finally resumes all her habits, and leaves her 

 long-cherished ofispring as if never to know them 

 more." 



