EGGS FOR SITTING BROKEN. 89 



EGGS for SITTING should be kept in bran and in a 

 cool place, never exceeding the age of a month, the 

 newer to be preferred, as nearly of a size as possible, 

 and of the full middle size ; void of the circular flaw, 

 which indicates the double yolk, generally unpro- 

 ductive, nor should there be any roughness or cracks 

 in the shells. NUMBER of eggs, according to the size 

 of the hen, from nine to fifteen, an odd number being 

 preferable, on the supposition of their lying more 

 close. The eggs to be marked with a pen and ink, 

 and examined when the hen leaves her nest, in order 

 to detect any fresh ones which she may have laid, 

 and which should be immediately taken from her, 

 as they, if at all, would be hatched too late for the 

 brood. It is taken for granted, the box and nest 

 have been made perfectly clean for the reception of 

 the hen, and that a new nest has not been sluggishly 

 or sluttishly thrown upon an old one, from the filth 

 of which vermin are propagated, to the great an- 

 noyance of the hen, and prevention of her steady 

 sitting. 



EGGS BROKEN in the nest, should be cleared away 

 the instant of discovery, and those remaining washed 

 with warm water, andquickly replaced, lest they adhere 

 to the hen, and be drawn out of the nest : if necessary, 

 the hen's feathers may also be washed, but always 

 with warm water. 



With respect to the CAPRICIOUSNESS of some hens 

 in the article of SITTING, it is a risk which must be 

 left to the judgment of the attendant, who has to 

 determine whether or not the hen which appears 

 desirous of sitting, may be safely trusted with eggs. 



