The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-07
FIND CARBON DIOXIDE
Is NOT AN ESSENTIAL
Experiments Show That Al
though Gas Is Always Found
It Is Not Needed.

Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station
Bulletin No. rs. by O. II. Lamson, Jr.. and
H. D. Edmon. has considered at great
ensth the subject OF carbon dioxide In
incubation. Artificial Incubation has fur
nlshed a problem for study. the results Of
which have always left something to be
desired The standard set by the hen.
kept In cases where she decides not TO
sit, or when she brushes eggs or chickens.
usually so high that the attempt on
the part OF those who desire to duplicate
her results In artificial incubators has
nearly always met with but partial success
The chief factors In artificial incuba-
ton Of good. fertile eggs are an follows:
Temperature turning the eggs. moisture
Ind ventilation. In studying these fac
tors there has been e search to determine
what the conditions we're under the hen
II has been found that the eggs must come
to fairly high degree OF temperature.
must be turned or moved more or less and
receive fresh supplies Of air. The chick
enbryos. particularly those Of the strong
est vitality. tolerate such a wide latitude
u variation that the question resolves
.tselt into determination OF what Is the
degree for the maximum efficiency.
IL has been to the question OF what Is
The proper ventilation during the process
Of incubation that our attention has been
turned, owing to the conflicting opinions
IS TO the effect OF that product Of animal
expiration carbon dioxide or carbonlc
lcid gas upon the development Of the
,hick embryo That the chick embryo
Eliminates carbon dioxide In an increasing
mount during the process OF incubation
vas determined some time ago. but the
effect upon the Matching. and the amount
o be found In the commercial incubator,
was uncertain. and the question OF tbs
beneficial or harmful effects was a con-
aictlng one, though there was some weight
n favor OF the beneficial effects Of carbon
lioxide on tie Matching vitality OF the
rhick.
To study the problem carefully It was
necessary 20 make an apparatus In which
air could be introduced without any pos
siplity OF being mixed with lamp fumes.
md be measured and tested at various
Intervals by chemist. The factors OF
ventilation. moisture and temperature had
10 be measured and controlled. Such an
experimental apparatus must OF necessity
have various attachments which would not
be practical In ordinary incubation on q
small scale. or possibly In any form OF
commercial incubation but II was believed
by the experimenters that II certain def
mite facts In regard to artificial inouba-
ton could be accurately determipad with
an experimental ncuphtof inc tHc-
tors thus found could be applied to the
improvement OF artificial incubation.
The experimental work on this subject
extended over a period or i've years. dur
Ing which time the best incubation sea-
son, usually lasting from February until
the middle OF July. was devoted TO In
"ubatine eggs. Nearly ten thousand eggs
have been used IN these tests ana foiiow-
ing viii be found q summary OF the re-
suits:
The amount or carbon oioxlde IN fresh
air is about three parts In 10000 parts
by volume. the amount OF carbon diox-
'de FOUND In the egg chamoer or an 'ncu-
bstor containing FERTILE eggs is dependent
upon the following Factors: Rate OF VEN
tilation. NUMBER OF emnryos' PERIOD CT
incubation. SIZE OF egg chamoer. temper-
allure. ana carbon dioxide IN the air or
the incuoatins room' eAciudihg the pos
sioility or lamp Fumes from directive
neater. Inc cnlei soures OF caIoon u'o]-
loe III the 'hcuoaton - tho empryo' other
minor sources are the egs sheii' hsn. nest
material ana room ar
CARBON oloxioe increases from tne De-
ginning TO the emo OF the period or incu-
oat'on, VIVID TINS exception. tnet the
amount rslls sHshty atter tne hrst ana
sixteenth Gays AFTER the th'ro Gay the
increase OF CARBON o!ohine u proportion
ate TO the increase OF the DEVELOPING en-
oryo' Inc amount or carbon oioxtde
nndsr sft'ns mems AZ the beginning OF
the PERIOD OF INCUBATION 10 much HIGHER
tnan for the room and increases to 80 or