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An old champion pigeon-flyer, who 

 was very popular five-and-twenty 

 years ago, gave me a few lessons on 

 pigeon flying, and I have always 

 found them a very good recipe. 



When you commence to train your 

 birds for a match, see that you have 

 them moderately fleshy, as they will 

 stand the training far better, and 

 will have all the more strength for 

 it. The first week feed them on the 

 very best barley that can be procured 

 every night and morning, and after 

 drinking take the water away till 

 the next meal. Second week, give 

 them barley as usual, the forepart 

 of the week, and for the latter part 

 of the time, dried peas and Indian 

 corn, only allowing them the water 

 when they feed. The night before 

 the final fly, feed them on dried 

 wheat and rice and a small quantity 

 of hemp seed. In the morning, feed 

 them with sago and canary seed, with 

 threepennyworth of Scotch whiskey 



