23<) 



OUR DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



are supplied in proper quantities if the machine allowed to fall below 75°, and the thermom- 

 is well situated. As to this, experience is eter must be kept in the drawer. This cooling 

 better than advice. If the hatching takes place should be done gradually, beginning, say, on 



the fourth day. It may last from four to five 

 minutes, increasing daily until at the end of 

 ten days it lasts fmm ten to twenty minutes. 

 The machine remains closed during all the rest 

 of the time. The lamp should be thoroughly 

 cleaned after each incubation. 



When the eggs have been hatching five or 

 si.x days they must be examined. Those that 



A Celebrated Specimen of the 

 Mechlin Breed 



during great heat, it is well to put a wet 

 sponge or a cupful of water in the drum ; if 

 this is not done, the air in the egg chambers 

 is liable to be too dry, so that the chicks at the 

 moment of being hatchetl may remain attached 

 to the membrane. 



Pimctuality more than science is recjuired 

 for cooling and turning the eggs. The turn- 

 ing should be done regularly twice a day, 



Cock of Fine Stature 



are not fertile should be removed and kept to 

 feed the chicks later. The proper way to tell 

 a fertile egg is to take it between the thumb 

 and forefinger and hold it before a strong 

 light. If it is perfectly clear within, it is not 

 fertile ; if, on the contrary, a little black speck 

 with red lines is seen to float inside of it, look- 

 ing more or less like a spider in its web, it is 

 certain to be fertile. The same examination 

 from the second to the eighteenth day. The should be made on the fourteenth day. 

 cooling and ventilation of the eggs recjuire If persons desire to hatch successfully, they 



;practice. The temperature should never be must take fresh eggs never more than seven 



Dutch Hen, Goudpel Kkred 



