i8 THE PIGEON BOOK 



As to the whitewash brush, at least twice a year this 

 should be brought into requisition and the loft white- 

 washed from top to bottom. For this purpose I use 

 ordinary whiting (about a dozen of whiting to 2lb of 

 size), and I add to this plenty of carbolic. I generally 



A STEEL SHOVEL. 



have my lofts cleaned in this manner before and after 

 breeding. 



Grit-boxes. 



It is usual to keep a store of grit in the loft. The 

 same hoppers are suitable for this as the ordinary food 

 hoppers. 



By far the best course for the beginner to adopt is to 

 gain the acquaintance of some successful fancier who 

 breeds the variety he thinks of taking up, visit his lofts, 

 and make a note of the various appliances he uses. By one 

 or two visits of this description much more information 

 can be gained than from theory. 



