TESTING EGGS. 115 



time, and retaining the services of the sitting hen. Over 

 each nest the date shonld be distinctly pencilled, thus — .^ '\^ , 

 which means fourteen eggs were set on Ajn-il 10, 19U(i. 

 About the ninth day the eggs should bo examined, and 

 all tliose which appear perfectly clear, as when first set, 

 should be laid on one side as useless for hatching, but as 

 perfectly good for feeding the poults." 



This examination of tlie eggs after they have been sat 

 on for a few days is very desirable, as those that are 

 unfertilised may be removed, when tliey serve as food for 

 the poults, and leave more room for such as contain live 

 birds. 



]\Iany instruments dignified by the title of oviscopes and 

 egg-testers have been devised for this purpose, some with 

 lenses, others with reflectors, &c. I have tried the whole of 

 them, and do n(.it find them superior to the following simple 

 contrivance, the description aud engraving of which is re- 

 produced from my work on " Table and ilarket l^oultry " : 



"The most simple egg-tester is made out of a piece of 

 cardboard ; the cover of an old book answers very well. An 

 oval hole sliould be cut in it, not quite large enougli to allow 

 an egg to pass through, and if the cardljoard is white, <jne 

 side should be inked or painted black. The eggs are more 

 convenientlv removed from the hen at night, or if in day 

 they should be taken into a room from which daylight is 

 excluded. A single lamp only should l^e used. The card- 

 board, with the darkened side towards the observer, should 

 be held near the chimney (if the lam]i, and the eggs, one after 

 another, should be held a.gaiiist the hole. Those that con- 

 tain cliickens will be observed to l)e quite dark aud opaque, 

 except at the larger end, where the air-s[)ace exists. These 

 should be repla.ce(l under the lieu. Those that have nut Ijeen 

 fertilised, and are cousecpieutly sterile, are sufficiently 

 transparent to allow the light to ]iass through, and look as 

 fresh eggs would if examined in the same manner. Such 

 eggs are usually termed ' clear.' The>e clear eggs are 



