52 $4223.00 IX ONE YEAR 



seen twenty females mated to a good vigorous male with splendid 

 results, but this is unusual. 



Catalog and Mating List. 



The last of January the breeding pens are mated up, and the 

 mating list and catalog are ready to be issued. In compiling the 

 circular or catalog it is a good plan to give a history and description 

 of the breed; tell of their winnings and also describe the breeding 

 pens and give the prices of the eggs and stock. This is an easy 

 matter to do after some other breeders' catalogs have been looked 

 over. The more illustrations in the book, the more attractive it will 

 be and the better results it will bring. 



Shipment of Eggs and Baby Chicks 



Before the month was over inquiries were coming for eggs and 

 baby chicks. I had about the same experience with these inquiries 

 that I had with the inquiries for stock in the early Fall. I found 

 that the mail had become quite heavy, and much of the time was 

 occupied answering correspondence. Before February was far ad- 

 vanced some orders for baby chicks and hatching eggs had been 

 received. My incubators were set and the brooders ready. I have 

 discussed the care of incubators and brooders at some length in a 

 preceding chapter, so will not dwell on it here. The time was due 

 for the first shipment of eggs, and it was important to know how to 

 pack them. There are many different ways, and different breeders 

 are indorsing different plans. The easiest way to ship, and one of 

 the cheapest, is by the use of the egg boxes manufactured by box 

 companies. On page 53 is one of these boxes illustrated. All that 

 is necessary is to wrap the eggs in paper and place in the section 

 for each egg. Scatter a little bran or chaff over them. Seal the 

 box and it is ready to go. This will do for a short haul. But if it is 

 going more than a few miles I would by all means put the box in a 

 basket and tie to the handle so it will not be tossed out. A little 

 excelsior or straw placed in the bottom of the basket will be a great 

 protection against any careless handling at the hands of the express 

 company. These boxes are more desirable for single settings. I 

 found round bushel baskets more satisfactory for shipping fifty or 

 more eggs. When orders run up to a thousand or more these baskets 

 are just the thing. Each basket will hold one hundred eggs. In 

 extreme weather I line these baskets with paper. I wrap each egg 

 in paper before placing it in the basket. The bushel basket should 

 be well lined with straw by distributing it around the side and 

 bottom of the basket about two inches thick to make a good cushion 



