60 THE: HOME POULTRY OOK 
store them in cake or bread tins with closely fitting 
covers. Each plan serves to keep the eggs away 
from the light, which is desirable. It is especially 
necessary that they be kept in a place which is not at 
all damp, or they will be likely to be touched with 
mold. They should not be packed in sawdust. It 
should not be understood, of course, that eggs kept 
in a basket on the pantry shelf will not yield any 
chicks; the point is simply that eggs properly cared 
for will give a higher percentage of strong young- 
sters than those which are neglected. 
It is rather better not to set white and brown 
shelled eggs together, as the latter have slightly 
thicker shells, which fact may serve to prolong the 
hatch. Eggs of uniform size, smooth and without 
any abnormal features are the ones to select. 
Probably the average amateur will use hens for 
some years to come. The incubator is a wonderful 
invention and indispensable on large plants, but the 
man hatching from fifty to one hundred chicks will 
doubtless find it an advantage to rely on hens. 
When a larger number of chickens is desired or 
when they are wanted very early in the season, the 
question of investing in an incubator should be 
seriously considered. 
