106 PIGEON RAISING 



I shipped to these same men exclusively dur- 

 ing the entire time I was in the pigeon business 

 and always found them kind and considerate — 

 prompt in payment and in the return of the 

 shipping baskets. I reciprocated by being 

 equally prompt in shipping by the same train on 

 the same day of each week and as nearly as 

 possible the same number of squabs, so that 

 they could count on my supply. And, as my 

 squabs were first-class in every way, they gave 

 me good prices all the year round. 



I had eight or ten strong, roomy, well-venti- 

 lated baskets made at a basket weaver's for 

 $2.25 a piece. There was a partition across the 

 center to prevent crowding into one corner and 

 causing smothering, and as my squabs were 

 large, I rarely put more than eighteen in a 

 basket — nine on a side. 



I cannot remember the exact dimensions of 

 these baskets, but think they were thirty inches 

 long by fifteen wide and nine inches high. Two 

 of these nine inches, at the top, were open 

 slats. The remainder of the basket was closely 

 woven. The opening part of the lid was five 

 or six inches wide, running the full length of the 

 basket. At first I used padlocks, giving the 

 marketmen duplicate keys, but after the keys 

 were destroyed in the fire I simply tied the 



