The anti-monopolist., 1875-10-25
The Anti-AGonop0lst.

after they burst their shells. A hen lays
on an average some 100 eggs annual
", but she only sits once, Matching sell
donf more than seven during her period
Of incubation. If she could hatch the
whole number she lays, or even four
fifths only, there would clearly be far
greater chance of profit for the breeder;
and many devices have, in consequence,
been set on foot to substitute artificial
means for the motherly duties of the
hen. Prof. Corbett claims to have ac-
complished this result by his discovery;
and as he is carrying out his invention
on an immense scale at Hicksville, the
readers Of the Tribune may learn some
thing from report Of his operations.
The area OF the estate covers 100 acres,
and is handsomely fenced in. Most OF the
land is under grass, the chickens having
full liberty to roam over it, while other
portions are given 1p to the cultivation
Of corn and buckwheat wherewith to
supply them with food. The buildings
for their convenience are numerous and
extensive, but yet might be increased
ten fold when occasion demands, without
unnecessarily crowding the immense
area. The principal edifice is frame
structure. 200 feet long by % feet wide
and % feet in height; it is in two stories,
and 100 windows give ample amount Of
light and ventilation throughout. Here
the operations of incubation and
nursing are carried on, the sole coloric
agent employed being horse manure
The so-called ''incubators" are peculiar
ly shaped wooden boxes, capable of
hatching 100, 200, 500 or 1000 eggs at
time, according to size of apparatus.
The eggs being placed in their proper
receptacle, the incubator is then covered
around and over with the strongest horse
manure-that produced from oats and
corn. not grass, hay or clover. A ven
tilating chimney carries off the gases
and efluvia from the box, and enables
the operator to regulate the temperature
of the interior at the required 14Oo Fahr-
enheit The apparatus might now be
left entirely alone until the usual term
of incubation. that differing according
to the species of fowl being hatched !;
but it is customary to examine each egg
separately on the third or fourth day, the
"clear" or unproductiye ones being re-
turned to the basket.
When the chickens are hatched they
are forthwith removed to the "artiicial
mothers; !; and the little ones apparently
take to these scientiiically-c
shelters with as much gusto as as to a
loving hen. These smothers" caused
the inventor two years severe study and
an enormous loss in eggs; and it was
not until how to do away with all cor
ners in the apparatus, and to make the
cover, or root. rest without weight on
the backs OF the little ones, that ne ;tc-
complished his purpose. This included
the gradual rising OF the cover with the
growth OF the birds, as also the proper
selection of materials Of construc ion so
as to insure the exact amount of heat re
quired within. No stronger or health
ier chickens can be seen than those
hatched and raised by this process; and
there is an entire absence of lame chicks
which we always find when brought up
with brood hens.
Another building, 100 feet long by IL
feet wide and three stories high is set
apart for the young pullets and egg-lay-
ing hens. Prot Corbett, who is IN ac-
curate observer Of the habits OF domestic
poultry, and a well-known writer and
authority on such subjects in France and
Belgium, has done away with the night
ly fighting, scrambling, pushing and
iowlswearing at ro0sting time by placing Q
all his perches at the same level. Most
truly Democratic is this (not in our par
ty, American sense) but according to the
old Greek meaning-den,os, the peopi-
SO the fowls. young and adult, 60 to res.
atfectionately.
A first consideration in stock-raisinc
OF all k nds is pure, fresh water and alb.
solute cleanliness. In the establishment
described. the drinking fountains are
cred over the grounds, some being
OF earthenware, others in iron, and the
water is changed frequently. All the
buildings are lined on the inside with
brick and pl .ster, constant use OF wnite
wash on the i.terior and the sprinklino
4 carbolic acid on the floors insurina
perfecs cleanliness.
/. Not Tar removed from the last named
building, but completely isolated, is ar
extensive duck-house, with lake In
front. rhe ducks. like all other fowl.
) ia the establishment, are hatched ant
H0tSCu ~ Tue slupie use OIL U0TSt ma
nure. and their goodly appe,ites, sleel
and close plumage, and qaickness 0
movement. show their perfect healthfu.
ness.
i All known descriptions Of domestic
poultry are hatched and raised on thi
estate BY the above means. These de
scriptions include common bArnyar,
towis. Dorkings, Game, White Leghorn
Black Spanish. Brihmas. Shanghais
and. IS some amateurs choose to cal
them. Cochin Chinas, and Brahmapoo
tras- They are all alike 1menabic t.
the same system. as well As geese, tur
keys. ducks, partridges. &C., and all o
them are equally productive and rcmu
nerative.
Prof Corbeit asserts that his process
enables any one to raise poul,ry-wheth
er on . small or large scsle-at from
% TO 30 per cent. less cost than bv ta,
ordinary method. He states, moreover
that > farmer will os,tain far more remu
neraiiye Results from An equal area o
land in raising poultry than from anv