CHAPTER XX 

 HOW TO SUCCEED 



LEARN YOUR BUSINESS 



To make the greatest success, one must strive to learn all the 

 things about pigeons that others know and with this knowledge 

 he must add knowledge gained from personal experience. A 

 careful study of the business is necessary. One cannot cut 

 corners nor expect good results without mixing brains with 

 backbone, with a keen desire to master the science of squab 

 culture. 



At the same time one must not jump at conclusions. Too 

 often opinions are formed too hastily and the unusual thing 

 is taken for a basis on which a wrong idea is formed. It takes 

 a large number of birds, a period of time and many experiences 

 to get an average and be able to know what ordinarily will 

 happen under certain conditions. Short tests and quick con- 

 clusions are of little or no value. The unusual is liable to 

 happen and if that experience is taken as a criterion, the exact 

 opposite would probably be nearer right than the conclusion 

 reached. It is better to take the other fellow's word for it and 

 abide by the advice of those who have had long experience 

 than to depend too much on short experiences of your own. 



Like most other things worth while, there is considerable to 

 learn about the squab business and all its branches. 



The habits of pigeons and the raising and marketing of 

 squabs is in a way foreign to the things that most people are 

 accustomed to. Those entering the business and those engaged 

 in it, must not conclude that their knowledge regarding other 

 affairs will to a large degree equip them with all that is neces- 

 sary to know about pigeons and squab raising. 



As an example, a person might be an expert on chickens and 

 chicken raising but unless he had made a thorough study of 

 pigeons and had some practical experience, his chicken knowl- 

 edge would do him more harm than good if he tried to apply 

 it to squab raising. 



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