182 



SEASON 1875-76. 



They also formed the supports for the hatching-boxes, which 

 rested on the batten at the top end and on the down-fall spout at 

 the lower. Fig. 131 is a diagram of the down-fall spouts. 



FIG. 131 scale ^. 



The two old wooden boxes of last season were placed at the 

 two ends of the house and numbered 1 and 6 ; they were partly 

 carried on brackets, as the single down-fall spout was thought 

 insecure. Four new boxes were made similar, only about double 

 the width, with a moveable division in the centre to support the 

 grilles. This division was held in its place by cleats jammed in 

 between it and the sides. These cleats also kept the water back to 

 a sufficient extent to make an even top flow, so that the eggs got 

 all the current and the still water on the bottom held all the 

 sediment. Lids were fitted to all the boxes ; they were made as 

 light as possible. Inlet screens of zinc were used this season ; they 

 are shown in Figs. 71, 72, and 73, page 128. 



The house was provided with five duplex lamps, one hung over 

 each path, so as to drip clear of the boxes if there was any leakage. 

 This enabled us to work in the long winter evenings if necessary, 

 and also to warm the house in frost ; but oil occasionally did get 

 on the boxes, and, sinking into the wood, it gave trouble for many 



