108 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap, iv, 



broken ; for casualties of that kind will some- 

 times happen, and, in such case, the broken 

 egg should be removed, along with any part 

 of the straw which may have been soiled. The 

 feathers of the hen should also be examined, 

 and sponged if necessary. 



Such is the most prudent mode of proceed- 

 ing with regard to good sitters ; but there are 

 many hens, or rather pullets, of such capri- 

 cious disposition, that after having mani- 

 fested every indication of a wish to hatch, 

 and after having sat steadily for some days, 

 yet all at once desert their nest without any 

 apparent motive, and leave their eggs to be- 

 come addled, and unfit for use. Efforts 

 should then be immediately made to coax her 

 back to her duty, by replacing her upon her 

 nest and feeding her while there with some nice 

 food. One method which is stated to have 

 been pursued by a very experienced breeder 

 in order to effect this purpose, was — " to 

 give the hen about half a wine-glass of good 

 common gin, after which swing her round and 

 round until she becomes dizzy, when she will 

 appear sleepy, or as if almost dead ; then hav- 

 ing an iron pot ready, that has been set on 



