122 
EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN. 
insect pests. The lice running around over the body and gnawing at 
the skin and feathers cause intense itching and in trying to get away 
from these pests the hen forgets all about her desire to sit and deserts 
the nest. If strongly inclined to sit she may desert one nest and move 
to another, trying to escape her enemies. If a hen shows any sign of 
uneasiness be careful to inspect her body for lice and also the cracks 
and crevices about the nest for mites. If either is found, thoroughly 
dust her once more, sponge off the eggs with a damp cloth and move to 
a clean place. Burn everything about the nest and either thoroughly 
disinfect or burn it. Wage constant warfare against lice and mites 
during the period of incubation and the result will be a clean lot of 
chicks. It has been said that three lice will break up a sitting hen or 
kill a brood of chicks. This probably is not always true, but it is 
certain that a hen that starts to incubate with three lice on her body 
vill probably have enough by the end of the hatch, unless properly cared 
for to infest all the chicks and render the whole brood either very un¬ 
satisfactory, or worthless. An ounce of lice powder at the beginning of 
the hatch is worth a good many pounds after the chicks are a few 
weeks old. 
ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 
The selection of an incubator is one of the most difficult problems 
confronting the beginner. There is no make of machine that is better 
in every respect than all others. Some people seem to do belter with 
one make of machine, while the success of others is secured through the 
use of another sort. There are a lot of good machines on the market 
and we should try to select one of these, even if the price is a little 
higher. It costs more to build a good machine than it does to fasten 
a lamp onto a single walled box, but the good machine will soon save 
the extra cost by 7 hatching more of the fertile germs and saving in time 
and temper. A well-constructed machine is also less likely to take 
fire. Any of the better machines can be safely operated by anyone who 
is careful enough to be allowed to clean and care properly for kerosene 
lamps. ' • 
Having decided to buy a machine, write to the companies that ad¬ 
vertise in your papers. Do not depend too much on testimonials as suc¬ 
cessful experiences only are related. Testimonials are most valuable 
when they come from some one in reputable standing in the poultry 
business. If some friend or neighbor already has an incubator go and 
see it and get all the information possible relating thereto. He perhaps 
has seen or used other machines and can, therefore, advise concerning 
them. Most of the companies have agencies in the larger towns, and 
one can see the machines there. Buying from a local firm saves freight, 
and may prove more satisfactory in other ways. 
The best place to operate an incubator is often a perplexing question 
on the farm. A great many find the cellar to be the most suitable place, 
and it will answer if it will keep vegetables and apples without mold¬ 
ing. The dining room or kitchen is sometimes used, but the variation 
in temperature is often too great to give satisfactory results. Although 
a properly constructed machine will do good work with a little care, 
where the range of temperature amounts to more than 20° F., a less 
varying temperature will be found more satisfactory. 
