RANKIN'S DUCK BOOK 



party especially, who kept a large; number: of hftns-.hand-Jrom 

 whom he had collected the largest sh'aj-e ( of ^tiis : eggsj kept 

 no "crowers" with his hens.. This threw. some : light on the 

 subject, and stock on that incubator went up at once. The 

 next time she had parties save their eggs for her, taking them 

 in several times each day. She then obtained a hatch of ninety 

 per cent, and was uniformly successful afterwards, getting out 

 some 3,000 chicks and ducks during the season with her 

 machine. 



How to Keep Eggs for Incubation. 



The above is only one case out of many that are con- 

 stantly taking place. In nine cases out of ten, failure with 

 good machines may be traced directly, to the operator or the 

 <eggs. Occasionally there is a defect in a machine overlooked 

 by the maker, which he is in honor bound to make good. 



The best way to secure good eggs is to engage them 

 beforehand from reliable parties, who will gather them care- 

 fully several times each day in cold weather to prevent them 

 chilling, and turn them at least every other day. If these eggs 

 are kept on end it is not necessary to turn them as often. 



I kept egg boxes for the purpose, in which the eggs were 

 set on end, like the common market box. These boxes and 

 contents can be turned as readily with a dozen as when full. 

 Eggs intended for incubation should always be kept in a cool 

 place, — duck eggs especially,- — as the fertile eggs will change 

 at a temperature of eighty-five to ninety degrees, and spoil 

 within three or four days. One may safely calculate on one- 

 half of them being spoiled in a week at a temperature of 80 

 degrees. All kinds of eggs can be safely kept three weeks for 

 purposes of incubation, say, at forty-five to fifty degrees, but 

 I always liked to have them as fresh as possible. 



In filling orders for eggs at a distance I made it a point 

 never to send eggs more than four days old, or with less than 

 seventy-five per cent of fertility. Transportation, even over 

 rough roads, does not affect their hatching, except in extreme 

 warm weather, when the contents, becoming thin and slightly 

 evaporated through the heat, are apt to mix, when they will 

 surely cloud and rot. I have often sent eggs 2,000 miles, with 

 the report that every egg produced a duckling. With machine 

 ready and running steadily the eggs may be introduced at 

 once. They need no moisture now, and it is not necessary 

 to disturb them for the first forty-eight hours. 



How to Choose and Use Thermometers. 



Place your thermometer on the eggs in middle of egg- 

 tray. Be sure, in the first place, that you get a good glass, as 



I 45 ] 



