88 GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY. 



This mother was heated by a zinc tank, shown at A. B, 

 about one inch deep, and hermetically closed, with the excep- 

 tion of 0113 aperture for filling and for safety. It was fixed 

 on the top of the mother in rather a sloping position, like a 

 roof, and along the lower edge ran a flue, shown at E, the flue 

 being surrounded by water, and heated by a small lamp. 

 The lamp consisted of a simple tube coming horizontally from 

 a vessel of benzine, up which was passed a wick, which was 

 lighted at the end. Under the slightly sloping tank was 

 made to slide from the front a framework of wood, roofed 



Fig. 21. Mrs. Cheshire's Artificial Mother. 



with strong canvas, on which are sewn numerous flannel strips, 

 K, about three-quarters of an inch wide, as already described. 

 The whole rested on a board covered with dry earth, which 

 was removed every morning, and the flannel part of the 

 apparatus reversed and deodorised, by dry earth being shaken 

 into it and out again, at similar periods. 



With this apparatus was used a small temporary mother, 

 consisting of the canvas top and flannel strips only, placed 

 in one end of a tray or small box floored with dry earth or 

 ashes, and covered by an india-rubber bag filled with warm 

 water, and wrapped in flannel. In this the newly-hatched 

 chickens were placed the first day, to familiarise them with 

 the habit of running in and out from under the flannel ; and 

 on first placing them in the larger mother, a small park of 

 wirework was fixed in front to keep them from wandering too 

 far until they had got to know their way about. Beyond 

 that, very little trouble was necessary. 



