ISEASES AND REMEDIES I07 



the propriety of using it is doubtful. The worst afflic- 

 tion of lice the writer's pigeons ever suffered was when 

 he used sawdust. The nest pans fairly swarmed with 

 them. When he got rid of them, vvhich required he- 

 roic treatment with kerosene and dusting the birds 

 with Persian insect powder, after thoroughly cleaning 

 the house, he never used sawdust again. 



Attention to cleanliness and regular baths for the 

 birds are essential in avoiding these pests. Birds that 

 have three baths a week, houses well cleaned weekly, 

 carbolated lime scattered in nests, and tobacco stems 

 for nests will not be troubled with body lice. In 

 buying new stock carefully examine for lice, and if any 

 are found dust Vi^ith Persian insect powder or snuff, 

 keep them separate, and be sure that you have killed 

 all lice before placing them with the breeding flock. 



Sweet fern tea. — In addition to the specific reme- 

 dies already mentioned, there are several general ones 

 which are most useful in squab raising. Gather the 

 leaves of the Sweet fern, or Meadow fern, (Myrica 

 asplenifolia) in August. Dry them in the shade and 

 hang them in strong paper bags. . To make the tea, boil 

 a double handful of the leaves in two gallons of water ; 

 let it boil away one-half ; strain and put away in bottles 

 or jugs where there is no danger of freezing. Use a 

 teacupful of the tea in two gallons of water, putting it 

 in the drinking fountains. This tea is an excellent rem- 

 edy for diarrhea and looseness of the bowels. 



.Tincture of gentian. — This is an excellent tonic for 

 birds. It can be used throughout the year, but es- 

 pecially during the molting season. We also find it 

 good whenever the birds do not seem to be in prime 

 condition. We use the compound tincture or extract 

 in the drinking fountains at the rate of one table- 

 spoonful to a gallon of water. 



