The Washing of Pigeons. 137 



exhibitor, he should politely, yet boldly, ask to be 

 allowed the privilege of seeing his friend put a bird 

 through the process. Not only will an ocular 

 demonstration show him clearly how to proceed him- 

 self, but it will also remove all or much of his fear 

 as to the successful issue of his first attempt. 



VAI,UE OF A GOOD START. 



In the washing of Pigeons, as in many other 

 things, a good beginning goes a long way towards a 

 good ending, and if one is to feel that all's well that 

 ends well one must start right. In the washing of 

 Pigeons one must keep on the track the whole time, 

 as the operation is a continuous one, and any slight 

 deviation from the right road may spoil the whole of 

 one's work. 



To start with, a good steady fire is needed, and 

 the best way to secure this is to commence bv well 

 stirring the fire, getting all the dust out of it, also 

 pieces of slate and other objectionable matter. Then 

 proceed to build it up so as to get the full value of 

 its combustion. This can best be done by using equal 

 quantities of coal and coke. Nice knobbv pieces of 

 about the size of a cricket ball, not larger, because 

 if larger they will require smashing on the fire, and 

 thus spoil the gradual combustion which is required, 

 and also waste a quantity of heat. Dusty coal must 

 not be used, because the gas in it is quicklv liberated, 

 gives out great heat for a short time, and then vour 

 fire becomes a dead mass. A fire made up of small, 

 even pieces of coal and coke burns steadily, and 

 throws out a nice steady heat, and this is just what 

 is required to drv the birds properly. Further, a 

 fire so made produces less smoke and less ash, two 

 Aery important considerations, especially if one is 

 washing a large team of from twenty to thirty birds, 

 as 1 have done before now. 



GETTING READY. 

 During the time the fire is burning up, the articles 

 necessar\' to a successful wash may be collected 

 together. These are three good-sized bowls — bed- 



