GENERAL INFORMATION 
Eggs intended for incubation should be gathered 
several times a day during freezing weather, as 
Eggs for otherwise the germs will become 
Hatching chilled and will not hatch. After the 
eggs have been gathered they should be kept in a 
room where the temperature ranges between forty- 
five and sixty-five degrees. The sooner they are set 
after being laid, the better; but strong germs may 
be held for three weeks and give a satisfactory 
hatch. However, the author finds that it pays 
never to set eggs that are more than ten days or 
two weeks of age; fewer chicks die in the shell 
and there is more vitality among the chicks that 
hatch. Turning the eggs while saving them for 
hatching is unnecessary, unless they are held for 
more than a week or ten days; in the latter event 
it may be found beneficial to turn them half over 
several times a week. Wash all dirty eggs before 
setting. Discard all ill-shaped and all very large 
or very small eggs; also those having chalky shells, 
as they are too porous and not properly finished. 
If you have to buy eggs for hatching, be sure 
they are carefully selected and perfectly fresh and 
fertile. Eggs secured at the grocery or picked up 
promiscuously over the country seldom give satis- 
factory results. Secure your eggs of a reputable 
poultry breeder, or produce them yourself if possi- 
ble, and then you will be sure of what you are 
.. getting. 
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