is 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
good. It does not do to have the machine on a boarded floor where people are constantly walking about or 
slamming doors, as the vibrations and jars are deadly to the embryo chick, and many of those that do hatch 
will be deformed. If the machine has to stand in a living room or kitchen, place indiarubber packing under 
the legs of the machine. 
Having decided on the spot for the Incubator to stand, get it into position facing the light if possible, so 
that the thermometer can easily be read. See that it stands quite level and firm, and then fill with boiling 
water, first removing the capsule which works the regulator. The object of using boiling water is to heat the 
machine throughout thoroughly ; the woodwork, packing, etc., all absorb heat, and it is better to have the 
machine too hot at first, and let the heat gradually absorb and diminish. Rock the machine gently, so as to 
allow all air to escape from the tank, and do not fill to overflowing, but just to the bottom of inlet pipe. All 
the ventilators, both at the sides, ends, and bottom, may be plugged with corks for the time being. If 
preferred movable covers may be provided for the ventilators, the underneath ones working with a piece of 
wire at front or side of machine. 
Line the egg-drawer with a piece of thick, porous flannel, and insert the glass thermometer through the 
hole in front of the drawer. Put a block in the drawer the height of an egg for the thermometer to rest on 
until the eggs are put in ; thus you can get the correct temperature while testing the machine. The temperature 
at the bottom of the drawer is, of course, less than at the egg-level. I have seen people place eggs on top of 
ethers, and fondly imagine they will produce healthy chicks, although subjected to at least 3 deg. more heat. 
Then light the lamp, and see that it burns properly, and that it can be turned up or down freely. Remember, 
under no circumstances must the lamp be allowed to smoke in any kind of Incubator, as this closes the flues 
and coats the heating surface with a non-conducting material, lamp-black. Using a Bismarck burner, the 
chimney may be half an inch from the bottom of the boiler; a lamp without a chimney, not closer than one 
inch. Use only the best kerosene ; it is cheaper in the long run, and is much safer, as the flasliing-point is 
so much higher. Let the machine stand now for a few hours, and from time to time watch the thermometer ; 
as a rule, in an hour it will show about 108 deg. Now test the water in the tank, and make a note of the 
temperature ; repeat again in an hour, and see if the lamp is powerful enough or otherwise. By this means 
you will discover the height of flame necessar)-, as there is no use in wasting kerosene. After a few hours 
turn down the lamp, and let the machine cool down to 103 or 104 deg. Then put the capsule on its stand ; 
see that it has a fair bearing, and that the turned-down end of the lower rod of the regulator is in the circular 
bearing, then close the egg-drawer and take in some of the slack of the regulator by turning the adjusting 
screw, and as soon as the thermometer registers, say, loi deg., turn the adjusting screw until the damper just 
rests lightly on top of the flue. If the regulator is made properly it will now act ; if the front rods are too 
long, and the adjusting screw too short, take off the top bearing marked " C'in Fig. 28, and place a piece of 
packing under it of the required thickness, and screw the bearing on again. If the thermometer stands 
exactly at 101 deg. you will know that all is well, and if the machine is well made all the ventilators are 
properly balanced, and the lamp is not too high or too low. You will always find the damper hovering over 
the flue, and if you touch it you feel the contact of the two metals, the damper swinging clear when you 
lift the finger. While testing the machine get ready the eggs and Incubator book. You will always get the 
best results from fresh eggs, say none more than a week old, and by filling the machine straight off. Have 
the eggs all one size, rejecting those of small or extra large size, or in any way malformed, or with harsh 
rough shells. Put a cross or distinguishing piark on each egg with a lead pencil (black, not aniline). Take 
out the cgg-drawcr and pack all the eggs with the mark uppermost, packing the drawer as full as it will hold ; 
see that the thermometer runs in and out easily, and lies fairly on the eggs, then shut the drawer and wait 
awhile. It generally takes some hours before the eggs absorb sufficient heat to allow the thern^ometer to 
register lor deg. Those machines. in which the thermometer is some distance- above the eggs do not show 
the exact degree of heat at all times, but when the thermometer is at the egg-level you know the temperature 
of the part that concerns you. If none but stale eggs are to be had it is advisable to start the machine at 
about 90 deg., and let it gradually work up to loi deg. during not less than 24 hours, because the greater 
