MARKETING 111 



be clean limbed, as a booted bird makes that 

 much more work in plucking. 



If they are to be shipped some distance and 

 the weather is warm it is best to pack them 

 with ice in boxes or kegs, placing a layer of 

 cracked ice at the bottom, and alternating with 

 birds and ice, finishing with a generous topping 

 of ice. Place a secure covering over this and 

 mark full directions to whom shipped, as well 

 as the address of the shipper and the number of 

 birds. The boxes should not be larger than two 

 feet square and one foot high. 



For short distances I have merely used lay- 

 ers of lettuce leaves so that the birds would not 

 press on one another. Never ship in anything 

 made of pine as it affects the flavor. The box 

 or keg should under any circumstances be lined 

 with cheap white paper so that the birds are 

 not in direct contact with the wood. 



Pigeon raisers should be cautious how they 

 antagonize marketmen by working up private 

 trade. The marketmen can at any time under- 

 sell him and throw him out of business, and still 

 his grain bills go on. 



The marketman keenly appreciates a pro- 

 ducer that upholds him in his business and he 

 reciprocates whenever he can by giving good 

 prices, paid in prompt checks, and the quick 



