The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-01-29
By MRS. JOHN c. MOSES MisxiSsfppf City. MfSx.


 Figs cannot be expected from lthistles, and neither can a full hatch of strong chicks he expected from poorly-selected, carelessly y-handled matching eggs. The
 hens may be faithful sitters or the incu-
 bator. if one is used, be on it's best be- havior but the best of incubation can
 not overcome the handicap of poor eggs.
 Many a person who gives the chicks the best of care as soon as they are out of the shell. bestows on the eggs he is say- ing for matching only the most cursory attention and then when<only a few birds hatch out is surprised and grieved at his
 poor luck. Luck, those who know, say, doesn't enter into successful poultry rais- ing. It is eternal care and vigilance on the part of the owner of the flock that spells success or failure.
 Strong, fertile eggs are the prime es- sential in good matching. These can only be obtained from stock properly mated and kept under the best possible condi- tions to secure health and vigor. Eggs from over-fat breeding stock do not usu- ally produce large percentage of strong chicks. If breeders are confined they should be fed a varied supply of grains, meat and green feed The green feed assists in keeping the fowls in good ! breeding condition. The range is usually an important factor also in the produc tion of hatcnable eggs
 From 8 to F females of the American. or general-purpose class, and F to 15 of the Mediterranean class can be mated with one male depending on his age and vitality. Abundant ventilation in the house is a great help in keeping the stock iil~good breeding condition.
 Abnormal, small and poorly-shaped eggs should be- discarded. Do not set eggs which have thin or very porous appearing shells. Eggs should be set when fresh, if possible, and it is not advisable to use eggs for matching which are over three weeks old in the winter and two weeks old in warmer weather, although stale eggs will frequently hatch. Selecting uni formly large eggs for matching, which are of the same color, is one of the quickest ways to secure uniformity in the offspring and increase the size or the eggs
 Dirty eggs should be cleaned by rub ping lightly with a damp cloth, but care should be taken not to rub off any more of the natural bloom of the egg than is absolutely necessary. Broken eggs in
 the nest may coat the rest with albumen. If this is not washed off the matching qualities will be impaired.
 Eggs for matching should be collected two or three times a day in freezing and very cold weather to prevent chilling. Broody hens allowed to sit on eggs in
 the laying nests all day may hurt the matching qualities of the eggs.
 Eggs in large numbers are generally kept in cabinet or turrmg rack, for con- venience in handling, in a room where the temperature is between 50 and t0 de- gfees F. if possible, although they Will stand considerable variation It is not necessary to turn eggs kept only for few days, but it is advisable to turn eggs daily which are to be Kept over week. Various commercial turning devices are sold by poultry supply companies. or the eggs may be kept in cabinet drawers and shuffled about with the hands by re- moving a few eggs from the trays com.
 nercial egg cases are sometimes used for holding the eggs for matching
 Eggs from different varietien of the same class of poultry may be incubated together. but it is not advisable to mix white eggs with brown eggs as white eggs often hatch a little earlier than brown eggs.
 Neither the hen nor the incubator wA