Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 90.djvu/949

 Popular Science Monthly

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���On the second day the straw is pulled back and the circle of wire fence is enlarged so as to leave a i-ft. open space all around the hover, into which the chicks may run without getting far from the blanket. Several times this first day a minute's work contracts the wire fence, by sliding one end past the other, and so huddles the chicks under the hover again. This is for education as well as to guard against chilling off too much, for many of the chicks will, on that first day, thus learn that the hover, with its comforting blanket and strips on their backs is the place to find warmth, comfort and security. This hover is open all round and the chicks can dodge back under it at any instant. At night, or if the weather strikes in cold through the day, a minute's work closes in the fence and a few kicks put the straw protection around the outside. After the first two days the chicks take full care of themselves. Only at night are the closing up "and the adjustment of the straw necessary. The only objection to a cold brooder is that the sudden change from the 103 or 105 deg. of the incubator to the cold floor, cold litter and cold blanket — if there is one — is likely to cause mischief and a serious check to develop- ment, although a large number of chicks raise the temperature ver>' quickly. In this brooder this trouble is eliminated by the use of heated bricks. The night before the incubator is to be emptied a dozen bricks are heated in an oven, and are placed beneath the hover. Then heavy blankets or grain sacks are laid over them. In the morning the floors, the bedding and burlap are warmed so thoroughly that the chicks get no shock. After that no more artificial heat is needed.

About a week after the chicks are put in, the wire fence is taken away and they have the run of the house. — Geo. F. Stratton.

��Rings of iron covered with a burlap blanket to which strips of felt or flannel are stitched to hang down and cover about three hundred chicks

��Distributing Cards in a Pack and Disclosing Them

SELECT the four kings from the pack, also two other court cards — preferably jacks — and spread them fanwise, being careful not to show the jacks. In adjusting these cards place the two jacks back of

the first king. As these jacks are hidden behind the king they are invisible to the audience, who must be satisfied that the cards are all kings and nothing else. These cards are then placed on top of the pack. State that you are about to distrib- ute the four kings in various parts of the pack. Take upthetop card, which is really a king, and exhibit it, if need be. The next card, being a jack, should not be shown to the audience, but should be taken up carefully and placed anj'where in the pack. The next card is also a jack, and it is placed in another part of the pack. The next card can be taken up carelessly and replaced on top. Three kings will be at the top and one at the bottom of the pack. When the cards are cut the four kings will be in the center.

��Making a Bit Point Take Hold in a Knot

THE wireman frequently finds places, especially when boring overhead, where his bit stops feeding, and it be- comes almost impossible to make it take hold again. In such cases, take your bit out of the brace, and substitute one a size or two smaller. This will usually start to feed without any great trouble. After boring three or four turns, put the right size bit back in the brace. When it commences to bore, a little care may be necessary to prevent it from feeding too fast. If it should later on lose its hold again, the same method may be repeated.

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