CHAPTER VII. 
INCUBATING THE EGGS. 
Everything in perfect working order—Everything well seasoned—Preparing 
the grilles—Laying down ova—Picking—Beware of fungus—Sediment—Effects of 
concusston— Washing eggs—The eye spots—Embryo as seen through the microscope 
— The eggs commence hatching. 
FOR the incubation of ova it is very important that everything 
should be in perfect working order. No work should be 
delayed in the preparation of the hatching house for its important 
duties. All painting and varnishing should be done three months 
beforehand, so that it may be not only dry but thoroughly 
hardened. Having completed all necessary work and alterations 
in good time, the water should be turned on a month before 
spawning time. All that will then be needful will be to cleanse 
the hatching boxes and aqueducts prior to the laying down of ova. 
However clean and pure the water may be this operation is 
desirable, for some sediment will probably have accumulated, as 
the filters have not been working, it being needless to put in the 
filter cloths or screens until a day or so before the laying down of 
ova. They should be all ready in good time so that nothing is 
required but to slip them into their places. The filter tanks 
should be cleaned as well as the hatching boxes, and before the 
water is turned on again the filter screens should be in their 
grooves, the lids should be on the hatching boxes, and all should be 
in thorough working order. It is a great comfort to have all in 
readiness beforehand, and is a necessity where good work is to be 
done. There are many little items that require attention, and it 
is only a case of exercising a little forethought, and not leaving 
everything until the hatching season. 
