POULTRY. 215 



the "vrarin climate of France. But this is too large a number 



for this country. 



If the purpose is to breed strong and healthy chickens, a less 



number of hens should attend a single cock than when the pro- 

 duction of eggs is the sole object, without regard to breeding. 

 Our experience would lead us to recommend that for the rear- 

 ing of strong chickens, from four to five hens to a cock is 

 enough, while for the production of eggs the number may be 

 increased to ten or twelve. 



Hens will lay unattended by a cock, and unimpregnated eggs 

 have this advantage, that they will keep fresh for a much longer 

 time than those which contain a germ. But hens unattended 

 will lay a less number of eggs, and with irregularity and uncer- 

 tainty. 



SITTING. 



The selection of eggs for sitting requires much care if you 

 wish to insure the best results. The freshest eggs should be 

 preferred, for it is much better to keep the hen waiting for the 

 eggs than the eggs waiting for her. Those from a pullet, from 

 one to two years old, matched with a cock of two or three years, 

 will be the surest to produce strong chickens. If the eggs are 

 too old, the chickens may not have strength enough to get out 

 of the shell, or if they do, will be feeble, and likely to be trod- 

 den on and killed by the hen. One test of eggs is to put them 

 in a bowl of tepid water, and those that do not sink to the 

 bottom should be rejected. 



In about five days after the hen commences her sitting, it is 

 well to examine the eggs in order to see whether they are all 

 good. By holding the egg between the thumb and finger and 

 looking through it at a strong light, some will be seen to be 

 semi-transparent. Such eggs contain no germ, and will not 

 produce a chicken. They are not spoiled, however, for it is a 

 curious fact that these unimpregnated eggs resist corrupting 

 influences for a much longer time than those which are fertile. 

 They may therefore be taken out of the nest and used in the 

 family. 



THE NE$T. 



The nest for a sitting hen should be made flat^ like a plate, 

 and not hollowing and deep, for there is danger that she may 



