ARTIFICIAL HATCHING 127 



the following rules is advisable. The best time to take care 

 of the lamp is at noon. Never trim and fill it just before 

 the eggs are to be handled, as kerosene on the eggs will be 

 detrimental to the hatch. After trimming and filling the 

 lamp put it in the burner box. Be sure that the chimney 

 fits tight. Wipe off all oil from the lamp and burner. Clean 

 the box or bracket frequently so that there will be no soot, 

 charred wick, or kerosene within it. On first placing the 

 lamp in the machine turn it low so that it will not flare up. 

 After a few minutes it may be raised to the desired height 

 without danger of smoking. The incubator should be 

 situated where it will be protected from drafts. Drafts are 

 apt to cause smoking, which will always result in lowering 

 the temperature and sometimes cause fire. 



Humidity. — By humidity we mean the water or moisture 

 which is in the air. Artificial incubation calls for a high 

 degree of humidity. There are three ordinary methods of 

 providing it. One is by wetting the floor and thus keeping 

 the incubator cellar damp. Another method is to place 

 trays filled with sand on the bottom of the incubator and 

 keep the sand well moistened with water. Another common 

 mode is to sprinkle the eggs with luke warm water. In 

 rooms which are very dry these three methods may be 

 combined. If eggs are sprinkled, the best time to do it is 

 just before they hatch. 



Putting the Eggs in the Machine. — In putting the eggs 

 into the machine they may be allowed to cover the tray 

 entirely, but should never be piled one on top of the other. 

 This would increase the labor of turning the eggs, and those 

 on top would be subjected to a higher degree of temperature. 

 Before putting the eggs in the incubator, if they have pre- 

 viously been kept in a cool place, they should be gradually 

 accustomed to greater heat. If they have been shipped a 

 considerable distance, they should be unpacked and allowed 

 to^tand for a few hours with the large end up before putting 



