to the amount of carbon dioxide as given in Bulletin 160 of the Ontario Station, would be unfortunately confusing to the novice, but would make amusing reading for the old poultryman.  Speaking of a comparison of two hatches, the writer, on page 53 of the bulletin says, “The increase in vitality of chicks from the combination of the carbon dioxide and moisture over moisture only, amounting, as it does, to 4.5 per cent. of the eggs set, seems directly due to the higher carbon dioxide content.”  I cannot refrain from suggesting that if my reader has two incubators, he might set up a Chinese prayer machine in front of one and see if he cannot in like manner demonstrate the efficacy of Heavenly supplications in the hatching of chickens.

The practical bearing of the subject of ventilation in the small incubator is almost wholly one of evaporation.  The majority of such machines are probably too much ventilated.  In a large and properly constructed hatchery, such as is discussed in the last section of this chapter, the entire composition of the air, as well as its movement, is entirely under control.  Nothing has yet been brought to light that indicates any particular attention need be given to the composition of such air save in regard to its moisture content, but as the control of this factor renders it necessary that the air be in a closed circuit, and not open to all out-doors, it will be very easy to subject the air to further changes such as the increasing oxygen, if such can be demonstrated to be desirable.

Turning Eggs.

The subject of turning eggs is another source of rather meaningless controversy.  Of course, the hen moves her eggs around and in doing so turns them.  Doubtless the reader, were he setting on a pile of door knobs as big as his head, would do the same thing.  As proof that eggs need turning, we are referred to the fact that yolks stick to the shell if the eggs are not turned.  I have candled thousands of eggs and have yet to see a yolk stuck to the shell unless the egg contained foreign organism or was several months old.  However, I have seen hundreds of blood rings stuck to the shell.  Whether the chick died because the blood rings stuck or whether the blood rings stuck because the chicken died I know not, but I have a strong presumption that the latter explanation is correct, for I see no reason if the live blood ring was in the habit of sticking to the shell, why this would not occur in a few hours as well as in a few days.

In the year 1901 I saw plenty of chicks hatched out in Kansas in egg cases, kitchen cupboards and other places where regular turning was entirely overlooked.

Mr. J.P.  Collins, head of the Produce Department of Swift & Co., says that he was one time cruelly deserted in a Pullman smoker for telling the same story.  The statement is true, however, in spite of Mr. Collins’ unpleasant experience.  Texas egg dealers frequently find hatched chickens in cases of eggs.