618 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



two 6-light sashes on both the south and north sides of the building. 

 These windows should be made to slide so that they may be opened 

 to any extent desired. Of course, they should be covered with wire 

 netting to prevent the escape of the birds. 



Materials and Construction. The building should be placed 

 on walls of cement, of masonry, or on piers. It is thought best to 

 have the floor made of wood rather than of cement. Matched floors 

 should be used. The side walls and roof should be made weather- 

 proof and so constructed that the building will be practically free 

 from draft. 



Nest Boxes. Nesting places are made of one inch boards 12 

 inches wide so constructed that they form tiers of large pigeon holes 

 on the side walls; each pigeon hole being about 12 inches deep, 12 

 inches wide and 9 or 10 inches high. Each of these will supply a 

 nesting place for each pair of birds. Of course, there should be a 

 number more nesting places than there are pairs of birds to occupy 

 them. 



The Fly. Connected with the house there should be a covered 

 fly or loft where the birds may take proper exercise on the wing 

 in the open air and sun-light. This is constructed of wire netting 

 and so arranged that the birds may exercise whenever they desire 

 to do so. For the accommodation of 50 pairs a fly or loft 30 feet 

 long and 12 feet wide and 8 feet high will be found quite sufficient. 

 This can easily be made by the use of long posts, narrow hemlock 

 boards and wire netting. If the netting has a sufficient fine mesh 

 to exclude the English sparrow considerable annoyance will be 

 avoided. Narrow hemlock boards should be used to connect the 

 posts at the top as well as at the bottom ; so that the netting when 

 once put in place will remain taut and comparatively free from 

 sagging. _ 



Varieties of Pigeons. The best variety of pigeon to keep for 

 squab raising is the "straight" Homer. They are fine, large, healthy 

 birds, good workers, are the best of feeders and have a quiet dis- 

 position and when properly mated their eggs are seldom infertile. 

 The Dragoon is much esteemed by some, particularly to cross with 

 the Homer. "Straight" Dragoon squabs are usually five weeks in 

 growing to a sufficient size for the market, while "straight" Homer 

 squabs are ready for the market in four weeks and sometimes less. 

 The Runt is a giant among pigeons and is highly spoken of by 

 some breeders because the squabs are so large. 



Breeding. In the selection of breeding stock the beginner 

 should consult some one having experience and critical knowledge 

 and, if possible, secure his active assistance. 



Feeds and Feeding. While it is true that some breeders have 

 had fair success for a while by feeding only cracked corn and wheat, 

 under continued use of these two grains alone they fail to produce 

 as good squabs as could be secured with a greater variety of grain. 

 In their free state pigeons select a variety of grains, hence it be- 

 comes important that the breeder exercise good judgment in select- 

 ing the kinds he sets before them. The six principal feeds though 



