220 TO DISTINGUISH EGGS. 



dubbed a new name, to confuse and bewilder tlie public. 

 This practice is becoming a nuisance at our poultry exhibitions. 



TO DISTINGUISH EGGS THAT PRODUCE COCKS 

 AND PULLETS. 



I have never made any experiments in this matter, yet I 

 am informed by many who have thus experimented, that they 

 have, as a general rule, been able to select eggs that will pro- 

 duce cocks, and also those that produce pullets. The only 

 reason why I have not endeavored to reduce this question to a 

 " science," is, probably, the lack of leisure time to spend in 

 such things, however important to the breeder. That such a 

 knowledge of selecting eggs is very important, no one will 

 deny, and I regret that we have no decisive rules for the 

 breeder's guide, since cases often occur of a great disproportion 

 of male birds, much to the disadvantage of the fowl raiser. A. 

 T. Newbold, Esq., of Philadelphia, writes me in reference to 

 this subject, as follows : 



Any one with a little care, may know the eggs that will produce 

 cocks, and those that will produce pullets. The cock, or male egg, 

 has a quirl on one end, thus : [Here he draws diagrams of the shape 

 of these quirls, that look like the signs for quantity in a physician's 

 prescription. AUTHOR.] The ends of eggs that produce pullets, are 

 smooth. I have selected two hundred eggs on this plan, from which 

 but one pullet was hatched, all the rest being cocks, and I think that 

 the egg that produced the pullet was laid in the nest after I had made 

 the selection, and set the eggs. Again, I have selected eggs that pro- 

 duced fifty pullets, without a single cock, and this I consider proof 

 positive. 



This appears to settle the case, truly; and I hope that 

 breeders will experiment till all doubts shall be removed as to 

 the way of distinguishing the cock and pullet eggs. At 

 present, I fear that few will have as good success as Mr. New- 

 bold had. 



TO DISTINGUISH EGGS THAT ARE IMPREGNATED. 



A correspondent of the Northern Farmer says that he can 

 always tell when an egg will hatch, and when not. He says : 



All those having setting hens would do well to take notice of the 

 following remarks, and they will have a chicken for every egg they 

 set. Take eggs not more than three or four days old, and have a 

 candle or lamp, hold the egg in one hand, with the broad end upwards, 

 close to the caudle, place the other hand on the top of the egg, and 



