48 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



prefer the natural moisture of a damp soil, which may be 

 supplemented by pouring warm water on the ground freely, 

 round the nest, several times a week. The application of 

 water must therefore depend upon the weather and com- 

 mon sense. In damp springs none is needed : in dry times, 

 more or less according to circumstances. 



When the number of eggs set yearly is considerable, it 

 is worth while to withdraw the unfertile ones at an early 



Fig. 1 3. Sterile and Fertile Eggs. 



period. About the eighth day let the hen be removed by 

 candle-light, and each egg be held between the eye and the 

 light. If the egg be fertile, it will appear opaque, or dark 

 all over, except, perhaps, a small portion towards the top ; 

 but if it be unimpregnated, it will be still translucent, the 

 light passing through it almost as if new-laid (Fig. 13). After 

 some experience, and by using one of the various " egg- 

 testers" sold for the purpose, which more completely stops 

 the light, the eggs can be distinguished at an earlier period, 

 and a practised hand can tell the unfertile eggs even at the 

 fourth day. Should the number withdrawn be considerable, 

 four batches set the same day may be given to three hens, or 

 even two, and the remainder given fresh eggs ; but if not, 



