INCUBATION. 103 



that even there the after-care of the chicken 

 requires the space of a month. In France 

 three months are requisite, and I should 

 think that the constantly humid climate of 

 England would demand a still greater 

 length of time. In some of our Southern 

 and Western States it might, however, be 

 worthy of trial. 



When the chicks are about to be hatch- 

 ed, a little extra attention is necessary. 

 The hen should be gently lifted up, and 

 such chickens as have broken through their 

 shell should be removed and placed in a 

 basket, with a little tow or cotton in the 

 bottom of it, and set near the fire, or in 

 some other warm place. Some hens, es- 

 pecially pullets, are so impatient that at the 

 first sound of the chick they will be restless 

 and uneasy, and leave the nest often with a 

 single chicken. Sometimes the chick ad- 

 heres to the membrane of the shell, so as to 

 require some assistance to separate it ; this, 

 however, must be done with great care. 

 As the eggs are of various degrees of fresh- 

 ness when placed under the hen (although 



