146 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 
ing pens, say from six to ten females and one cock 
bird. It pays to buy high-grade stock to breed from. 
FEBRUARY 
Orders for eggs to hatch should be put in early. 
even though delivery is not desired until March or 
April. 
Incubators should be bought this month, although 
the first of March is early enough for the amateur 
to start them, unless eggs from heavy breeds like the 
Cochins and Langshans are to be set. It pays to 
make a careful study of the incubator question before 
making a purchase and it does not pay to buy a cheap 
machine. 
Eggs to be used for hatching should be gathered 
several times a day and kept at a temperature of be- 
tween forty and sixty. Eggs over two weeks old 
should not be used. 
If one is breeding fancy poultry, the first of this 
month is none too early to make up breeding pens. 
If the dry mash is not being eaten freely, yet is 
sweet and inviting, cut down on the supply of whole 
or cracked grains. 
If there is glass in the house, wash it. If cur- 
