192 POULTRY BREEDING 
ideal position, as reference must often be had to the lay 
of the land as regards other permanent buildings. The 
very best location is on a southern slope where the land 
is well drained naturally, so the direct rays of the sun 
will enter the windows from early morning until late 
afternoon. Next to a direct southern slope a southeast- 
ern exposure is best and then a southwestern. Never face 
a poultry house to the north, unless absolutely necessary. 
There is still much diversity of opinion as to the best 
style of poultry houses. The arguments for and against 
are taken up in detail under the head of Poultry House 
Construction. Good housing is one of the cardinal points 
in successful poultry-keeping. This does not mean costly 
houses, for the hen cares nothing for architectural effect 
if she is comfortable. Good poultry houses may be made 
of very cheap materials and we have seen many examples 
of houses that were made from the crudest materials 
which met every need of the fowls housed therein. In 
the plans given in this book it will be found that con- 
venience and comfort are emphasized. The builder of a 
poultry house may make it as ornamental as he wishes, 
but the plans given are thought to be the best that are 
now in use and any of the houses may be built at com- 
paratively low cost. The point kept in view has been 
practical utility rather than ornamentation. 
INCUBATORS.—Incubators have been known for a 
great many years—how long it is impossible to say. 
Curiously incubators were first used with success by 
people who are not usually considered far advanced in 
the sciences of civilization. Incubators have been used 
with success in two countries as far apart as Egypt and 
China for probably hundreds of years, and notwithstand- 
ing the fact that there is no probability that one of these 
