A COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW. 47 



peted to receive tlie chickens as they leave their shells. 

 About twelve inches from the bottom are four brackets, 

 to receive the water tank ; the lid has a perforated border 

 for the escape of the vitiated air and steam from the 

 water. The sides are provided with handles for carrying 

 the box from one place to another, and it stands on four 

 knobs to allow a free passage of air underneath. 



The water-tank is made of tin, and a little smaller than 

 the box, so as to allow about half an inch free passage of 

 air all round. 



The floating vessel is also made of tin, and is a trifle 

 smaller than the water-tank, so as to allow of its floating 

 in it. The centre of this vessel has an oval opening, in 

 v^hich a registering thermometer is kept to show at all 

 times the temperature of the water. The bottom of this 

 vessel is covered about one inch deep with silver sand, on 

 which tlie eggs are placed. By means of the central 

 opening, and that between the tank, the temperature is 

 kept in a constant moist state. The lamp can be for oil 

 or gas, but gas is certainly preferable. 



The management of the apparatus is so simple that it 

 can be attended to by a child, and only a very few direc- 

 tions will be necessary : — 



1 . Fill the tank with hot water till the floating vessel 

 reaches the top level, then see that the water has a tem- 

 perature of about one hundred and twelve degrees, afl:er 

 which light the lamp, and should the heat of the water 

 increase, reduce the flame ; but if the temperature rises or 

 decreases but slowly, it can be regulated by admitting 

 more or less air through the door of the box. 



2. The principal point, however, is, that the tempera- 



