32 A POULTRY COMPENDIUM. 



nest eggs and put under her a sitting of eggs for hatch- 

 ing. The number of eggs to be placed under a hen 

 will depend upon three things — the size of the eggs, the 

 size of the hen, and the time of year. I generally 

 place twelve Plymouth Rock eggs under a Plymouth Rock 

 hen — which breed, by the way, makes admirable sitters — 

 if I wish to set one in April ; if later in the season, 

 when the weather has become warmer, I add to the 

 number, and make ij fourteen or fifteen. Hens of this 

 variety will cover and hatch even a greater number, but 

 I prefer not to use more than about fifteen. 



Twice or three times during the time that the hen is 

 sitting, the 'last time about five or six days before she 

 hatches, sprinkle her thoroughly with sulphur, to banish 

 vermin from her and her chicks. I generally sprinkle 

 upon the straw a small handful of smoking tobacco when 

 I make the nest. 



When the twenty-first day arrives be careful not to 

 be too curious, or you may lose some chickens. Your 

 hens ought to be tame enough to submit to handling, 

 but it is generdlly well not to handle even tame hens 

 at this critical period. Some advocate the removal of 

 each chick as soon as hatched, until the hen has com- 

 pleted her hatching. Such a course will probably pre- 

 vent her leaving her nest before completing her contract, 

 if she is a tame hen ; but if not, you may so frighten 

 her as to cause her to desert her nest. If the chicks are 

 removed, they must be supplied with artificial heat. It is 

 not a bad course to pursue, and one which I believe pays 

 quite as well as any, in the long run, to leave the hen 

 entirely alone, and let her do her own hatching. 



