19 
about the size of a hickory nut in each fountain. At least three times 
a month the fountain should be disinfected by using- 10 drops of car¬ 
bolic acid to a two-gallon fountain, leaving the acid in the water for 
the birds to drink that day, as it will do them no harm. 
OTHER DETAILS OF MANAGEMENT. 
No success can be achieved in squab raising even with the best of 
houses, fine well-mated stock, and proper food, unless the flock is 
given good care and management. 
Bathing.—Birds should alwaj^s have a supply of water in which to 
bathe. Bath tubs made of galvanized iron or zinc, 3 inches deep, and 
about 30 inches square, and set in an open boxing of inch stuff, are 
placed in the end of the fly opposite the coop. These furnish conven¬ 
ient bathing places for the birds, which are much used and enjoyed by 
them. Some use these bath tubs instead of fountains for the supply 
of drinking water, but when a bird bathes a milky scum appears on 
the surface of the water and it soon becomes quite foul, and unless 
changed several times daily is surely unfit for drinking purposes. 
After the birds are through bathing the tubs should be emptied and 
turned upside down. 
An excellent way to manage the water question is to provide a 
trough to run through the flies across the ends. This trough can be 
made of inch stuff, 12 inches wide, and 3 inches high; and, when city 
water or other running supply is available, a small steady stream can 
be allowed to flow in at one end and out at the other, which should be 
slightly lower to cause a current. The escaping water should empty 
into a barrel sunk so as to bring its top level with the ground. 
Whitewashing.—A first requisite is that the new house should be 
thoroughly lime-washed inside before occupancy. Carbolic acid 
should be used in the preparation of the wash in the ratio of a teaspoon¬ 
ful of the acid to 2 gallons of wash. The crude dark acid is as good 
for this purpose as the refined article, and costs much less. The acid 
serves to repel lice. This wash should be thoroughly spread over the 
entire surface of the inside of a new coop, and this whitewashing 
should be repeated once a year thereafter. Besides adding to the 
appearance of the house and making it lighter, it sweetens and freshens 
the interior and destroys any lice or mites. To make the application 
more effective the wash should be carefully worked into the corners 
and crevices. 
Cleaning.—Some breeders do not clean out nest boxes and pens more 
than twice a year, and often only when they need some manure for 
gardening operations. It is a very dangerous practice to allow the 
droppings to accumulate, and, in protracted damp weather, a decided 
menace to health. I invariably clean all my houses regularly once a 
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