556 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



the nest of dry grass, hay, fine straw or some other suitable 

 material. Now the very important part of the preparation 

 comes in thoroughly disinfecting this temporary abode of 

 the hen and making it proof against lice. Disinfect by burn- 

 ing sulphur inside, during which the slat door should be 

 covered with a blanket to prevent the fumes from escaping, 

 so that they will more thoroughly penetrate every crevice of 

 the box. Sift a little insect powder and supply some ashes 

 in which to allow the hen to dust herself. This may also 

 be arranged in another corner like the nest. It would be a 

 good plan to whitewash the box thoroughly inside and out 

 after the fumigation with sulphur. The setting box is now 

 ready ; direct your attention to the hen. 



We have assumed that she is now free from lice, but 

 should this not be the case must be got rid of. For this 

 purpose refer to Chap. XIV, Sect. 1. 



Place the hen in the box and a china nest egg or another 

 egg in the nest, a little clean, fresh drinking water in the 

 pan and a small quantity of food on the floor. Close the 

 door and leave her quietly alone. Upon examination the 

 next day, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, she will be 

 setting quite contentedly on the nest. 



When you are thus satisfied that she intends to attend 

 to business, place eleven to fourteen eggs under her, accord- 

 ing to her size. Place only so many as she can nicely cover. 



All that is further necessary is to supply fresh water 

 every day and a little food and be on the alert to detect tho 

 presence of lice. This is absolutely necessary for the well 

 being of the chickens when they are hatched. 



It may be added that good results have accrued by 

 placing two or three hens in the same setting box, there be- 

 ing plenty of room for exercise, dusting, etc. This, however, 

 is not recommended. 



Egg Testing. — We strongly recommend removing the 

 unfertilized eggs from- the nest, and for this purpose they 

 should be tested. This may be easily done even by the 

 inexperienced at about the end of the fifth day after placing 

 them under the hen. 



Make an egg tester as follows: Cut four boards abour 

 eighteen or twenty inches long and from four to six inches 

 wide — just large enough so that when they are nailed to- 

 gether to form a box without ends it slips down over the 



