28 PIGEON RAISING 



end of five years, while that which had been 

 whitewashed or had not been treated at all was 

 so soft that it could scarcely hold the nails. 



When the nests are ready, throw into each a 

 handful of alfalfa, twigs or tobacco stems, and 

 mash it down in the center, then scatter pigeon 

 manure on the top. This gives them courage 

 and they will bring more material and make it 

 to suit themselves. Never give them nesting 

 material that is hollow, such as straw, as vermin 

 can hide in it. Alfalfa is solid and cheapest, 

 even if it has to be bought by the bale. If the 

 pigeon raiser has no alfalfa patch, he can buy a 

 bale of the hay and get the man that delivers 

 it to bring a hay-knife and cut it into three equal 

 parts crosswise of the bale. This will be the 

 right length for nest building. Place the bale 

 on sacks to catch all the dried leaves, which the 

 pigeons are very fond of. 



MIXING CONCRETE 



All building and mixing of concrete on my 

 place I personally superintended. I asked for 

 a man, who understood carpentering, from the 

 Associated Charities, and with his help figured 

 on the lumber required and mixed the concrete. 

 I paid him $1.50 a day. 



