" However, I must keep to the subject in hand, and
that is, the question of infertile eggs in the mated pens.
As I was saying, it is quite possible to get them even when
the male bird appears to be doing his duty. That's why
I think it is somewhat absurd to advertise, as some
poultry-keepers do, 'guaranteed fertile eggs.' Talking
of which reminds me that it is not possible to tell if an egg
is fertile or otherwise until it has been incubated for a
few days. Some authorities say that the germ of a new-
laid egg (fertile) can be seen if the egg is broken into a
saucer — which would not be of much use for hatching pur-
poses ! But my eyesight must be defective. I have seen
the spots that old country people still call the germ. But
those spots are the ' strings ' that are seen in both kinds
of eggs ; they hold the yolk in position and allow the white
to be evenly distributed around it.
" Now, by boy, are there any more points you would
like mentioned before we close down for the night? "

No, I had done very well for one sitting, and I thought
I had received sufficient information on the selecting and
mating of fowls to give me a start, at any rate.
"Good," said my friend, "I will tell you something
of the feeding of fowls when you come round again for
another chat on poultry. That is the next subject you
will want to know about when you have your birds settled
and you are desirous of having your own home-laid eggs.
