23" 



OUR DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



are supplied in proper quantities if the machine allowed to fall below 75°, and the thermom- 

 is well situated. As to this, experience is eter must be kept in the drawer. This cooling 

 better than advice. If the hatching takes place should be done gradually, beginning, say, on 



the fourth da)'. It may last from four to five 

 minutes, increasing daily until at the end of 

 ten da)'s it lasts from ten to twenty minutes. 

 The machine remains closed during all the rest 

 of the time. The lamp should be thoroughly 

 cleaned after each incubation. 



When the eggs ha\-e been hatching five or 

 si.x da\'s they must be examined. Those that 



A Celeiirateo Si'fximex of the 

 Mechlin Bkeeu 



during great heat, it is well to put a wet 

 sponge or a cupful of water in the drum ; if 

 this is not done, the air in the egg chambers 

 is liable to be too dry, so that the chicks at the 

 moment of being hatched may remain attached 

 to the membrane. 



Punctuality more than science is recjuired 

 ff)r cooling and turning the eggs. The turn- 

 ing should be done regularly twice a day, 



DuTCfi Hex, CldUDpi:!, liui-.i-.i) 



from the second to the eigliteenth da)'. The 

 cnoliug and \'entilation of the eggs require 

 jjractite. The temperature sliould never be 



C0(. K OF FlXIC ST.4TURE 



are not fertile should be remo\-ed and kept to 

 iced the chicks later. The proper way to tell 

 a fertile egg is to take it between the thumb 

 and forefinger and hold it before a strong 

 light. If it is perfectly clear within, it is not 

 fertile ; if, on the contrary, a little black speck 

 with red lines is seen to float inside of it, look- 

 ing more or less like a spider in its web, it is 

 certain to be fertile. The same examination 

 should be made on the fourteenth day. 



If persons desire to hatch successfully, they 

 must take fresh eggs never more than seven 



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