Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-24
ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION.
HatchtnR Chickens by Wooden
MOther How to Succeed - Advice
From an Expert.
To the Editor Of THE EVENING SrAR.

To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR:
Inc nigh price which early chickens bring is
caused oy the difficulty experienced In getting
the natural mother to incubate In winter time
which season is unnatural for most feathered
species to set and raise their young. The ques-
ton how to overcome this difficulty, in order to
supply the increasing demand for early broilers.
mas attracted the attention Of inventive genius.
who brought into existence the incubator,
which, though success, is not perfect. The
strongest advocates of the old-fashioned natural
way OF doing Things admit that chickens can be
natched IN wooden mother, by heat from a
coal-ol lamp. 1t must be source Of consola-
ton TO lovers of spring chicken to feel that the
days Of GO cents per pound for them are num-
bered. and that chickens. like ice and flowers,
can be produced out of their natural season.
Artificial incubation was first practced in India
and Egypt, where the eggs were placed in large
ovens, but never attracted much attention until
1851 when CantelO exhibited INSTRUMENTATION
in London. and induced the French to EXPERT
ment with them, which resulted satisfactorily
In our country the subject claimed the attention
of Corbit, Wright, Halsted and others. who have
met with much success.
IN ORDER To SUCCEED
IN Matching eggs artiicially it is necessary to
observe certain natural conditions, such as reg
ular temperature from 1902 to 1862 Fahr, applied
at the upper surface Of the eggs; moisture; and
after the sixth day adequate ventilation. The
source of heat is immaterial so long as these
essentials are observed; however, hot water or
hydrO-incu5ating and heat from q lamp have
proved the best. Place the incubator in an out
house on the ground floor where the tempera-
ture Is even. good ventilation, and no jar. Pro-
vide fresh, clean eggs. have the temperature 9Oo
then carefully place the eggs In the tray gradu-
ally raise the temperature to 1862 but in no
case higher. There Is
DANGER IN OvERHEATING
Place beneath the egg-tray moist sponges. or
pans OF water, to obtain moisture. Turn the
eggs half over every twenty-four hours. The
day before the eggs are to hatch sprinkle with
an atomfser. After the first week they should
be aired daily and cooled down to 9Oo Examine
them on the fifth day with an egg tester, and
reject those which do not show embryo and dis
tinct veining; they will do for cooking After
the sixteenth day, be sure to remove
ALL OFFENSIVE DOORS,
such as coal oil, asphalt, and decaying matter of
any kind. The chickens will then begin to
breathe through the pores Of the shell, and are
easily killed at this stage. If you fail in the first
attempt, do not get discouraged. After you
have had some experience, be satisfied with
Sixty per cent. II your expectations run as
high as ninety per cent, you will be disappointed
The hen will not do that well, and we cannot
equal her.
There are many small farmers who practice
mixed husbandry who would find the raising OF
early chickens profitable adjunct, especially If
they have idle time in winter, as many do.
Many men think the poultry interest too insig-
nficant to claim their attention; but If it re-
ceived the attention In our country that it does
In France, It would equal any other product; but
as our country becomes more thick1y populated
we will find it of great Importance to pay more
attention to minor industries.
w. E. MANAKEE, Burnt Mills, Md.