55« 
THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 
the nest of dry grass, hay, fine straw or some other suitable 
material. Now the very important part of the preparation 
comes in thoroughly disinfecting this temporary abode of 
the hen and making it proof against lice. Disinfect by burn- 
ing sulphur inside, during which the slat door should be 
covered with a blanket to prevent the fumes from escaping, 
so that they will more thoroughly penetrate every crevice of 
the box. Sift a little insect powder and supply some ashes 
in which to allow the hen to dust herself. This may also 
be arranged in another corner like the nest. It would be a 
good plan to whitewash the box thoroughly inside and out 
after the fumigation with sulphur. The setting box is now 
ready; direct your attention to the hen. 
We have assumed that she is now free from lice, but 
should this not be the case must be got rid of. For this 
purpose refer to Chap. XIV, Sect. 1. 
Place the hen in the box and a china nest egg or another 
egg in the nest, a little clean, fresh drinking water in the 
pan and a small quantity of food on the floor. Close the 
door and leave her quietly alone. Upon examination the 
next day, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, she will be 
setting quite contentedly on the nest. 
When you are thus satisfied that she intends to attend 
to business, place eleven to fourteen eggs under her, accord- 
ing to her size. Place only so many as she can nicely cover. 
All that is further necessary is to supply fresh water 
every day and a little food and be on the alert to detect the 
presence of lice. This is absolutely necessary for the well 
being of the chickens when they are hatched. 
It may be added that good results have accrued by 
placing two or three hens in the same setting box, there be- 
ing plenty of room for exercise, dusting, etc. This, however, 
is not recommended. 
Egg Testing. — We strongly recommend removing the 
unfertilized eggs from the nest, and for this purpose they 
should be tested. This may be easily done even by the 
inexperienced at about the end of the fifth day after placing 
them under the hen. 
Make an egg tester as follows: Cut four boards about 
eighteen or twenty inches long and from four to six inches 
wide — just large enough so that when they are nailed to- 
gether to form a box without ends it slips down over the 
