CHAP. IV.] FARMIiS^G FOR LADIES. 95 



blood, or using other expedients which it is 

 unnecessary to detail, as they are not always 

 efficacious, and some not very humane. The 

 attempt, it may be well supposed, is seldom 

 made ; but, when intended, the most effectual 

 is to coop her for a few days in a cool place, 

 with plenty of water and a short allowance 

 of food. In mentioning this, we are, however, 

 far from recommending the practice ; for when 

 the hen entertains a desire to sit, or becomes 

 what is called " broody," she is no longer in 

 perfect health, as may be perceived by the 

 flaccidity of her comb ; and the eggs after- 

 wards layed by her will not then be so good 

 as the former. Nor, it may be observed, 

 should eggs layed by a hen after she has be- 

 come broody, be preserved for hatching ; for 

 it is not likely that the chickens will be so 

 good as those produced from eggs layed by 

 the hen when she is in full health. 



The propensity to hatch is best ascertained 

 by placing the hen which has displayed such 

 an apparent wish, upon a few eggs ; upon which, 

 if she remains contentedly, a nest should be 

 carefully made in the same box or basket in 

 which she has already layed her eggs, and 



