SOME OPEN SECRETS 129 



there is barely space for a single finger, few eggs 

 are being produced. My personal faith in this test 

 is not great. 



The limitation of the method lies in the fact that 

 it shows only what the hen is doing in the egg- 

 laying line at that particular time. At the sea- 

 son when eggs are coming abundantly, all the hens 

 of the same age and brought up together should 

 be laying and one may feel safe in disposing of 

 such as are derelict. This test may be used when 

 one is reducing his stock in the late Spring, and the 

 hens apparently not laying at that time selected for 

 market. It is a decided saving to get rid of such 

 hens as are not laying in June and July; and of 

 course, it is foolish to keep drones at any season. 

 The condition of the comb and general appearance 

 of a hen are indications to practical poultry keepers 

 as to whether a hen is laying or not. 



Amateurs often find it wise to " put down " eggs 

 in the Spring, when they are cheap, for use the fol- 

 lowing Winter. There are several ways by which 

 eggs may be preserved, but the best one is so simple 

 that there is no reason why it should not be gen- 

 erally used. Silicate of soda, or water glass, may 

 be purchased at any drug store and is diluted with 



