EGGS FllOM I'lllZK BIRDS. 125 



procured from a breeder of known honour and probity. 

 3. That especial directions be given that they are well 

 packed. 4. That they be " rested " about twenty-four hours 

 after arrival, but then placed with no more delay under the 

 hen. And 5. That in cold weather the eggs be divided, so as 

 not to exceed the number stated under each hen. 



Eggs are best packed in small baskets, with the top tied 

 down. If in boxes, the cover should be tied down or screwed, 

 not nailed on any account, or every egg will be endangered. 

 The best packing is to wrap every egg rather loosely in a 

 piece of paper, and then very carefully in a separate wisp of 

 soft hay ; and, finally, to imbed the eggs thus guarded, and not 

 too tightly, in a basket with more soft hay, with the large 

 end down. Chaff or bran is too solid. Eggs so packed will go 

 hundreds of miles without injury. 



The chickens being hatched, let the utmost care be taken 

 of them in every way. The object in this branch of poultry- 

 breeding is not, as in the last, section, to get a profitable 

 amount of meat with the least possible expenditure in food ; 

 but, the birds being presumably good in quality, to get them 

 by any means to the greatest possible size. For although size 

 is never the first point considered, except perhaps in the case 

 of Dorkings, it not unfrequently gives the casting-vote between 

 two contending pens, and is itself a most desirable point in 

 nearly every fowl. Game and Bantams may be excepted. 



The best stock food is undoubtedly oatmeal and old wheat, 

 and for valuable chickens it should be used liberally. With 

 respect to this part of the treatment, however, we will give at 

 length the remarks of one of the most successful breeders of 

 Brahmas (the largest variety of fowl known), whose birds have in 

 point of size been usually all that could be desired, and who has 

 most kindly described for this work the system which has had 

 such satisfactory results. The same feeding is applicable in 

 every case where size is a point of merit 



