CARE OF LAMP HEATER 



247 



Start trouble. Fill the bowl of the lamp with a good grade of oil, 

 not too full, because as the oil warms it will expand and may over- 

 flow. This is not dangerous, of course, any more than it is dis- 

 agreeable to have oil spilled on things. It may cause smoke, or 

 the oil may find its way to the eggs by means of the operator's 

 hands, which will endanger the hatch. For this reason it is a 

 good plan to turn and handle the eggs before caring for the lamp. 



Regulating Flame. — If the 

 machine is of the hot-water type, 

 then, of course, the tank must be 

 filled with water before the lamp 

 is lighted. After lighting the 

 lamp and placing it firmly in 

 position, which should be accom- 

 plished without jolting the ma- 

 chine, regulate the burner so that 

 the flame is about half as high as 

 it should be finally. The reason 

 for this is, as soon as the chimney 

 or heater warms, it will draw the 

 flame upward and increase its 

 height. It is, therefore, a safe 

 practice to return about a half- 

 hour after the lamp is lighted, 

 to see that the flame is all right. 



Skilled operators visit their in- 

 cubators at frequent intervals, 

 including an inspection the last 



thing at night. The machines seldom need attention, but it is 

 gratifying to assure oneself that everything is running properly. 

 In hot weather, when the temperature of the cellar is likely to rise 

 in the middle of the day, especially toward the close of a hatch, 

 when the eggs themselves radiate considerable heat, it is often 

 necessary to lower the burner of an oil-burning machine almost 

 to the point of extinguishing it. In some cases I have found it 



(Courtesy Buckeye Incubator Company) 



Fig. 156. — Well-built incubator 

 heater protected by metal casing. 

 Heaters of this kind meet the ap- 

 proval of fire underwriters. 



