98 FARMING FOR LADIES. [cHAP. iv 



which sometimes occurs, notwithstanding her 

 usual carefulness : nor should the nest be 

 attached to any part of the hen-house, as it 

 should be carefully cleaned out and aired 

 after each operation of hatching. 



When in a state of nature the hen builds her 

 nest upon the ground, and it might, for many 

 reasons, be better if the same plan could be 

 conveniently continued ; but if placed a little 

 above it, she is secured fi-om the larger ver- 

 min and the intrusion of other fowls, while 

 space is then left underneath for those which 

 roost upon the earth. It should, therefore, 

 be placed upon a shelf, with a little ladder 

 of inclined steps, to allow of the hen easily 

 ascending to it. Perhaps the best plan is 

 that of placing a row of nests — divided merely 

 by laths from the roosting-house — on a shelf 

 two feet and a half broad, with partitions at 

 a foot and a half distance, and having a sepa- 

 rate entrance to each nest, to afford the hens 

 the advantage of that secrecy and quietude 

 of which they are so fond while in the act 

 of hatching; but although the partitions 

 may be fixed, and about fifteen inches 

 square, the nests should be loose. The shelf 



