168 INCUBATION. 



Although the domestication of the turkey 

 is comparatively recent, yet several varieties 

 have been already obtained. The most re- 

 markable of these is the Top-knot or tuft- 

 ed turkey, which is, however, very rare, 

 the tuft being white in some instances and 

 black in others. I am not aware that this 

 variety possesses any advantageous proper- 

 ties over the others. 



The turkey should be confined to the poul- 

 try-yard until she has finished laying, when 

 she should be supplied with a suitable nest, 

 in a quiet and retired situation. Many per- 

 sons prefer to place her eggs under the com- 

 mon hen, as she makes a more quiet and at- 

 tentive mother. There is no occasion to 

 feed the turkey during incubation, for if your 

 yard is provided with the feeding-hopper al- 

 ready described, she will help herself when- 

 ever she requires food. 



Incubation with the turkey lasts from twen- 

 ty-eight to thirty days. As soon as the 

 chicks are hatched, they should be taken 

 with the mother and placed on a piece of 

 grass within an enclosure about ten feet 



