296 
GENERAL MANAGEMENT 
larly afforded the pullet for its gradual growth and comple- 
tion. Hence it is that myriads of fowls live and die with- 
out laying half the complement of eggs that nature has 
implanted within them, because they have not had food 
enough to bring them to perfection ; thus proving thereby, 
that the great economy of fowl-keeping consists in feeding 
them well and regularly, and then a hen may lay her full 
complement of eggs in about three seasons ; but if irregu- 
larly and indifferently fed, she cannot possibly complete 
her allotted task. Here, then, is the real cause of com- 
plaint with many who keep fowls, and declare them unpro-^ 
Stable. They give them just enough of food to keep them 
alive, and to keep them from laying ; and thereby the food 
is of course all wasted. Now if this be not a penny-wise 
and pound-foolish philosophy, it is at least what the good 
people of Yorkshire would call, " Spoiling a pig for a ha'poth 
of tar." 
The Incubator, or Egg-hatching Machine. 
In my humble opinion this machine is a most valuable 
invention, both for farmers and poultry breeders in general, 
because there is no chance of addled eggs ; since every perfect 
egg will surely come to' maturity, and there is warm 
and dry accommodation for the young chickens till they 
are fit to be taken away. Neither are there any chances of 
the eggs being broken or spoiled from the fractious disi)osition 
of the hen, or by her deserting them, or quarrelling and fight- 
ing. Indeed the machine surpasses hen-hatching altogether, 
both for the quantity and quality of the chickens it produces. 
Then, again, there is this advantage, you will not want your 
hens to sit ; consequently, when they begin to cluck, just 
douse them in a bucket of water, and in two or three weeks 
they will come on again to lay ; thereby saving both time 
and money. 
Still, these are matters I merely lay down for your 
consideration. But, under any and every consideration, 
get rid of your vermin, or I can hold out no hopes whatever, 
either of pleasure or profit from your poultry-yard, even 
though you might purchase the most noble specimens of 
birds the world ever saw. 
