STRENGTH REQUIRED IN EGGS 



257 



and secretory process combined. It differs from milk-making 

 in this respect, which is purely secretory, consequently egg- 

 making is a lot more exhaustive and vital. The perfect egg not 

 only contains the embryo from which the chick is developed, 

 but it also contains the materials for the embryo to draw upon, 

 a complete shelter for the chick during its development, and 

 last of all it provides the chick with several days' food after it is 

 hatched, and until it is strong enough to learn to eat. We are 



Fig. 162. — " Doing the work of four hens with a small incubator." 



speaking of the yolk, which is absorbed by the chick before it 

 pips the shell. 



Thus, if we consider that the profitable hen is expected to 

 produce at least ten dozen eggs a year, and in some cases speci- 

 mens have laid three hundred and over, which is many times the 

 weight of the hen, it is easy to understand what a terrific strain 

 this must be on the fowl's constitution, and illustrates as nothing 

 else can, what a really intensive organism we have in the hen. 

 17 



