114 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. iv. 



weakly state, and the attempt should not he 

 made until the chick's trials have been con- 

 tinued for at least four and twenty hours. 

 Should it happen, as it frequently does, that 

 the feathers of the bird — which are as soft as 

 down when partly hatched — adhere to the shell 

 through the viscidity of the albumen which 

 sticks them to it, the shell must then be re- 

 moved by gently wetting the membrane with 

 the feathered end of a quill dipped in warm 

 water, to disengage it from the feathers ; but 

 the greatest caution and the most tender care 

 are required in the operation, which none but 

 the delicacy of a female hand can properly 

 perform. 



The eggs are sometimes dipped in warm 

 water towards the time when the chicks may 

 be expected to come forth ; in the idea that 

 the shells will thus be rendered either softer 

 or more brittle, and that thus the hatching 

 will be rendered easier. It is, however, a very 

 foolish and objectionable practice, both as 

 interfering improperly with the hen, and in 

 not having the intended effect on the shell ; 

 and, therefore, can do no good, while it may, 

 for many reasons, do much harm. It also fre 



