146 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 



ing pens, say from six to ten females and one cock 

 bird. It pays to buy high-grade stock to breed from. 



FEBRUARY 



Orders for eggs to hatch should be put in early., 

 even though delivery is not desired until March or 

 April. 



Incubators should be bought this month, although 

 the first of March is early enough for the amateur 

 to start them, unless eggs from heavy breeds like the 

 Cochins and Langshans are to be set. It pays to 

 make a careful study of the incubator question before 

 making a purchase and it does not pay to buy a cheap 

 machine. 



Eggs to be used for hatching should be gathered 

 several times a day and kept at a temperature of be- 

 tween forty and sixty. Eggs over two weeks old 

 should not be used. 



If one is breeding fancy poultry, the first of this 

 month is none too early to make up breeding pens. 



If the dry mash is not being eaten freely, yet is 

 sweet and inviting, cut down on the supply of whole 

 or cracked grains. 



If there is glass in the house, wash it. If cur- 



