SOME OPEN SECRETS 129 
there is barely space for a single finger, few eggs 
are being produced. My personal faith in this test 
is not great. 
The limitation of the method lies in the fact that 
it shows only what the hen is doing in the egg- 
laying line at that particular time. At the sea- 
son when eggs are coming abundantly, all the hens 
of the same age and brought up together should 
be laying and one may feel safe in disposing of 
such as are derelict. This test may be used when 
one is reducing his stock in the late Spring, and the 
hens apparently not laying at that time selected for 
market. It is a decided saving to get rid of such 
hens as are not laying in June and July; and of 
course, it is foolish to keep drones at any season. 
The condition of the comb and general appearance 
of a hen are indications to practical poultry keepers 
as to whether a hen is laying or not. 
Amateurs often find it wise to “ put down” eggs 
in the Spring, when they are cheap, for use the fol- 
lowing Winter. There are several ways by which 
eggs may be preserved, but the best one is so simple 
that there is no reason why it should not be gen- 
erally used. Silicate of soda, or water glass, may 
be purchased at any drug store and is diluted with 
