PREFACE " ' 13 



and go to war. Their pigeons, if not sold at once, were left in 

 the hands of others who sold them as conditions changed, or as 

 more essential work was needed in war time. When the war 

 was ended and the young men came home, a large proportion 

 of the farmers and small town residents went into the factories 

 of the large cities to work at %5 to $8 a day. 



Meantime grain continued high in price. Squabs did not 

 immediately double or triple in sale price. Grain not only 

 doubled in price, but its use was restricted and it became hard 

 to obtain. Such breeders who had kept going became alarmed 

 at the scarcity and high price of grain without a corresponding 

 increase in squab prices and sold out their flocks. Fowl breeders 

 did the same. However, the steady advance in, the price of 

 eggs to a dollar a dozen, with increases propori;ionately in 

 chickens and- fowls, has brought back most of the egg and fowl 

 breeders. The jtmip in squab prices has been even more 

 pronounced, much more than making up for the advance in 

 grain. There is more profit now in raising squabs than in any 

 period since I founded the squab industry in 1900. 



ELMER C. RICE. 



Melrose Highlands, Mass. 



