302 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap, xv, I 



ing at this rate, without accident, there would, 

 in the space of four years, be produced up- 

 wards of fourteen thousand birds ! Eight or 

 nine broods of this race may be counted upon 

 in the course of the year. 



Such frequent changes are made by pigeon 

 fanciers in the plumage, size, and apparent 

 species, that, as we have already remarked, 

 it would be an endless task to enter upon a 

 description of the different sorts ; for there 

 are various clubs established, both in Eng- "^ 

 land and on the continent, of persons as-^ 

 sociated for the purpose of improving the 

 present breeds, and large sums, so much as 

 five to five-and-twenty guineas, are some- 

 times given for pairs of those of a new or 

 superior appearance. We however consider 

 the ordinary kind to be the best, both as 

 breeders and nurses ; and in the purchase of 

 a stock, we should recommend this class of 

 constant breeders, whether hybrids or of 

 a pure race, of a good sort, but without 

 paying any large price for the fancy. j 



In making the purchase you must, how- I 

 ever, be careful to buy only squabs before 

 they are fledged ; for if they have been once 



