Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-11

time. Takes less labor to attend one
incubator than several hens. 1t
costs less to operate incubator than
equivalent number Of hens would
make If producing eggs instead of
setting. Where the Mediterranean
birds are kept it is practically i'm
possible to obtain good setting hens.
Hot air and hot water are the
two general types of incubators
which range in sizes from so to 90
000.egg capacity. The smaller ma
chimes are generally heated by coal
oil lamps, gas or electricity; the
larger by coal stoves or gas. Would
not advise purchasing machine
smaller than 100 eggs as cost of
fuel and labor is no greater than on
the smaller size and most any farm
er can save 100 or more eggs in a
short time.
Small oil-burning machines are the
most common. Gas burners save
filling and cleaning lamps, but gas
is not often available on the farm.
| Electric incubators are easily OPP
Grated, but steady power is not al
ways certain.
The hot water machine will hold
the temperature longer in case the
| light should go out. The hot air
machine has no water pipes to rust
or leak. Both heating systems are
giving excellent results at the col
lege, and the selection Of either will
be according to the desire Of the
individual purchaser. 1t has been
noted, however, that students usu-
ally find the hot water machines a
| 1iff1o CT tn rao1I1af0
Select a well-made, durable-look-
| ing incubator, which is double wall
ed. Do not purchase cheap ma
chimes because it 81 cheap for they
will be found most expensive in the
| end. A well-made incubator will
| last several seasons, and with fair
matches a machine will soon pay
for itself. 1t is not advisable to pur-
chase the smallest machine, for it
requires as much care as the larger
ones. From 100 to 200-egg size is
| the best size for the average farm.
The American-English breeds,
such as the Plymouth Rocks, Rhode
Island Reds and Orpingtons, make
the best settlers, being persistent
and of gentle disposition. The
Asiatic breeds, such as the Brah-
mas, are persistent settlers, but are
too large and clumsy and are likely
| to break the eggs or crush the
chicks. The Mediterranean breeds.
such as the Leghorns, seldom be-
come broody. The exceptional in
dividuals that do become broody
cannot be relief upon because of
their wild temperament.
Having selected a good setter, the
next step will be to provide suit
able setting nest. Same should, if
possible, be away from the rest of
the flock in quiet, dry, cool, we'll
ventilated shelter. The nest should
be at least 16 inches square and
inches deep. An old barrel or keg
makes a good nest, however, some
means Of ventilating will usually be
needed. The nest should be we'll
cleaned and sprayed after each
hatch. About three inches of we'll.
puiverized dirt should be placed in
bottom Of nest to keep same from
becoming too dry. Next add two
or three inches Of some soft, clean
nesting material, such as hay, straw,
leaves, sawdust or pine needles. The
| two former materials make the best
| material, and should be cut in 5 or
S.inch lengths. The center should
be scooped out about 8 inches, so
as to make a dish-shaped nest. This
will guard against the eggs moving
! about. If scooped too deep, the
eggs would be on top Of each other.
The nest being complete, the hen
should be moved from the laying
house, preferably at night, thorough.
ly treated for lice with mercuric ONT
ment or some good louise powder. A
| good powder may be made as fol-
lows: Take one-fourth pint of crude
carbolic acid, three.fourths quart
gasoline, two and half pounds
plaster Paris. Mix liquids thorough.
ly, and then add plaster of Paris
slowly. After mixing thoroughly,
pass through mosquito wire screen
and allow screenings to dry for sew.
eral hours. It may be applied by
use of tin can with several small
| holes, making it similar to salt cell
lar. When busting hen, hold by
legs and rub powder we'll into feath.
ers. The hen should be tested for
about two days on china or poor
eggs. If she seems contented and in
earnest, then place Matching eggs in
nest. The size Of the hen will de-
termine the number of eggs to set.
Eggs should be easily covered. The
American and English breeds will
usually cover fifteen eggs nicely.
During the incubation period, hen
should have plenty Of good, fresh
water, and scratch grain containing
corn. Do not NEEDLE with hen I'M
less necessary. If eggs are broken,
clean soiled ones with warm water,
and replace soiled nesting material.
Test between seventh and twelfth
day, and remove infertile and eggs
with dead germs. Do not handle
hen during the Matching period, but
allow her to complete hatch.
Fertilizer for Irish Potatoes
G. A. ", Helen, Ca, writes:
Please advise me the best fer
tilizer to use for Irish potatoes.
The land is low black land and
fairly rich, and will make with
out fertilizer fifty bushels Of
corn to the acre. What do you