THE CAKE l IF THE NESTS 31 



Personally I do not care for a two-compartment nest. I have had 

 more eggs broken in two-compartinent nests than in single apartments. 

 The fact that some types of traps require so large a box led me to aban- 

 don such types and design a new type and fully protect it by letters 

 patent. My customers can use any kind of box that (hey choose, pro- 

 vided it is large enough, in combination with the Ideal front and trap 

 device. 



THE CARE OF THE NESTS. 



The nest-containing portion of the nest-box should be deep enough 

 and tight enough to contain and retain a quantity of straw, or hay, 

 sufficient to make a good nest. One that in use will always provide an 

 elastic cushion to break the fall of the egg. A hen stands when laying 

 an egg, paradoxical as it may seem to some. Sand is good for use 

 under the nest material. 



This supply of nest material should be maintained. I have allowed 

 my nests to remain entirely devoid of nest material for months at a 

 time. The nests were used just the same without the nest material as 

 with, its absence or presence made no difference. Eggs that had strong 

 shells were not broken, weak-shelled eggs often were, as they are 

 likely to be in any nests. In practical use an abundance of nest ma- 

 terial should be provided. 



The nests, if kept clean, will discourage the breeding of lice and 

 ensure greater cleanliness of the eggs. When droppings are found in 

 the nest they should be removed. It is said to be a "mean bird that 

 will foul her own nest" but in practice very nice birds will do so. It 

 is not always due to the hen remaining in the nest box too long, not by 

 any means. Hens very frequently void excrement at the very moment 

 that the egg drops. For this reason soiled eggs are not entirely pre- 

 ventable. 



I have found common kerosene oil an effectual preventative of lice in 

 the nest boxes. I spray it in, on and around them thoroughly with a 

 50 cent tin sprayer that gives a mist-like spray. But little oil is wasted. 



By spraying the nests late in the afternoon, after laying has practi- 

 cally ceased for the day, the hens are disturbed but little by the sound 

 of the escaping spray. The oil will evaporate from the nest material 

 sufficiently before morning so that the eggs laid the following day are 

 not impregnated with it. At least 1 have found it so. If in doubt this 

 test can be made with caution at a time when the eggs are not being 

 used for hatching. I spray the nest material thoroughly with this 

 fine sprav at any time when I feel like it, and eggs used on the family 

 table are all right. Remember: I counsel caution in this regard. Nest 

 material damp with kerosene will not injure the hen. I have never 



