106 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. it. 



a-day from the nest, and feed her in the yard, 

 after the other fowls have heen fed, as the air 

 will purify both her and the nest, not only 

 without causing any danger to the hatching of 

 the eggs, but in reality benefiting the opera- 

 tion. 



An absurd recommendation has been put 

 forward in some essays on the subject of 

 hatching, stating — " that it is advantageous 

 to put several hens to hatch at the same time, 

 so that if any accident happen to a sitter, 

 it may be remedied by giving up to another 

 those eggs which are then being hatched :" 

 though, as it is always the custom to put as 

 many eggs under each hen as she can cover, it 

 must be evident that she could not hatch any 

 additional number ; and, even should she make 

 the attempt, it would probably occasion every 

 egg in both batches to be addled.* 



The hen frequently changes the position of 

 the eggs, in order to expose different sides to 

 the heat of her body ; and inexperienced peo- 

 ple — who often imagine themselves better qua- 



* The term " addled" is applied to eggs upon which the 

 hen having sat without completing the object of hatcliing, 

 only some portion of the chick has been formed. 



