CHAP, n-.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 109 



the fire with some straw in it, until rather 

 hot, put the eggs upon the straw, and cover 

 the pot, but so as to leave a space for air, 

 though so very small that the least light possi- 

 ble may be permitted to enter ; and in a day or 

 two the hen and the nest may be moved to any 

 convenient place, as she will then sit as closely 

 as if nature had directed her."* This has been 

 called " a barbarous practice ; " but there is, 

 in fact, nothing really cruel in it, though 

 ale, we imagine, would make her sufficiently 

 drowsy, without swinging, and she might then 

 be replaced in her nest without being put 

 into the pot. Either that, or something like 

 the means used by Madame Portebois — as 

 stated at the close of our account of artificial 

 hatching— should be adopted ; for no time is 

 to be lost, and it will seldom happen that you 

 will find another hen ready to sit and com- 

 plete the operation. If, therefore, you should 

 not be successful in prevailing upon her, you 

 must lose the eggs ; but even if by these 

 means you get them hatched, you should not 

 trust her to bring up another brood. 



The fecundation of the egg — or the prin- 



* ' Parkinson's Treatise on Live Stock,' vol. ii. p. 353. 



