FOOD AND DRINK 49 



work. This cannot' be done unless the best of ma- 

 terials are furnished. Let us see just what the in- 

 crease means. A squab at birth weighs about half an 

 ounce; at four Weeks old 12 ounces; that is, at the 

 rate of 9 pounds to the dozen. In view of the rapid 

 growth necessary to attain such weight, the squab 

 must not suffer any check for want of food or any 

 other cause. Suppose now that by putting double the 

 regular quantity of wheat in the ration, both parents 

 and squabs are thrown into diarrhea; and suffer from 

 the effects of' this malady a couple of days. before it 

 is stopped. The growth would be' checked and the 

 squabs could not possibly regain their plumpness. It 

 cannot be made up. 



Musty grain or grain which has been heated might 

 cause even more serious trouble. Foul water for a 

 single supply might also cause loss in weight if not 

 death. The neglect to furnish grit, charcoal, shells 

 or salt may also be a source of loss.' If grit is withheld 

 the food cannot be properly ground and assimilated. 

 The system would soon be thrown out of order with- 

 out these adjuncts. This also is true, in a measure, of 

 charcoal and salt. If there is an insufficient supply of 

 lime, soft-shelled eggs will result and a single sitting 

 of such eggs would cut off one-sixtH the profits of a 

 pair of birds. 



