282 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
November, 1911 | 
The purpose of this department is to give advice to those interested in 
poultry. The manager will gladly answer any troublesome questions. 
Address “Poultry Department” and enclose a self-addressed envelope. 
The Hall Mammoth Incubator Co., Utica, N. Y. 
MORE CHICKS - BETTER CHICKS 
AND FOR LESS MONEY 
' I 'HE HALL MAMMOTH INCUBATORS hatch a larger per cent, of chicks, stronger, healthier chicks, and 
at less cost per chick than any other system of artificial incubation. 
They embody the laws of nature 
so perfectly that every essential to a 
maximum per cent, of hatch is correctly 
supplied. Heat, moisture, and air are 
furnished equally as well as nature 
does. This fact accounts for the vigor 
of the chicks when they come out of 
the shell. The temperature has always 
been just right. The moisture condi¬ 
tion has also been properly maintained 
at all times, and the air has been pure 
— oxygen laden. These three essentials 
are under absolute control. 
Our free catalog “Fact and Argu¬ 
ment" tells about artificial incuba¬ 
tion and upon what we base our 
assertion — “Hall Mammoth Excels All.” 
Send for it today. 
ONE OF THE SIGHTS IN OUR PARK 
We carry the largest stock in America of 
ornamental birds and animals. Nearly 60 
acres of land entirely devoted to our busi¬ 
ness. 
Beautiful Swans, Fancy Pheasants, Pea¬ 
fowl, Cranes, Storks, Flamingoes, Ostriches, 
Ornamental Ducks and Geese, etc., for pri¬ 
vate parks and fanciers. Also Hungarian 
Partridges, Pheasants, Quail, Wild Ducks 
and Geese, Deer, Rabbits, etc., for stocking 
preserves. Good healthy stock at right 
prices. 
Write us what you want. 
WENZ & MACKENSEN 
Proprietors of Pennsylvania 
Pheasantry and Game Park 
Dept. “Hi G.” Bucks County, Yardly, Pa. 
DON’T BUILD! 
•riting to advertisers please mention House and Garden. 
Two eggs are laid before the mother bird 
sits on them. The nests in a well-con¬ 
ducted pigeon house are placed along the 
inside wall in tiers, and should be about 
two and a half feet long, allowing space 
for two earthen or wooden “nappies,” 
one at each end, with a low division board 
a few inches high between them. To¬ 
bacco stems cut into short lengths are used 
in the nests to line them and to aid in 
keeping away lice. A spray of hot, soapy 
water to which a pint of kerosene has been 
added to each pail is another cheap and 
effective insecticide. 
After one pair of squabs has been 
hatched, the mother bird moves to the ad¬ 
joining nest and lays two more eggs, this 
arrangement being continued indefinitely. 
The father bird helps in the care of the 
squabs, which are fed at first on what is 
termed pigeon's milk. The grain swal¬ 
lowed by the parent bird is transformed 
into a thick, milky substance, which is 
gulped up and into the open beak of the 
squab. This nursing is continued for 
some time before the parent birds venture 
to carry grain which has not been pre¬ 
digested to their nestlings. 
Pigeons thrive on a variety of grain, 
including red wheat, corn, Kaffir corn, 
millet, buckwheat and hemp seed. The 
latter is fed sparingly, occupying about 
the same place in the dietary of a pigeon 
as candy in that of the small boy. Good 
red wheat is considered the staple ration, 
but variety is necessary if the birds are 
to be kept in good condition. In addition 
to grain, breeding pigeons must have a 
liberal supply of salt, oyster shells, grit 
and charcoal, these articles usually being 
kept in the pen where they can have ac¬ 
cess to them at all times. The salt is best 
prepared by wetting it and baking it hard. 
The other things may be secured at a feed 
store. 
Water is necessary both for drinking 
and bathing purposes. Pigeons do not 
dust in the sand as do poultry, and 'so 
may become badly infested with lice unless 
permitted to bathe freely. A shallow bath¬ 
tub filled iwith fresh water should be 
placed in each pen every day during the 
summer and once or twice a week during 
the winter months. In some places it is 
possible to secure running water, in which 
case the amount of work required is re¬ 
duced materially. 
Probably the best prices for squabs are 
to be obtained from hotels, clubs and pri¬ 
vate families. The boy or girl who em¬ 
barks in the business may prefer to sell 
them alive to a dealer, in order to avoid 
the work of killing and dressing them. 
In many places it is possible to hire a man 
to perform this rather disagreeable work. 
If the squabs are plump and white, nicely 
dressed and attractively wrapped, they 
usually sell very readily and it is not diffi¬ 
cult to secure regular customers, who will 
agree to take a fixed number each week. 
The secret of success lies in beginning in 
a small way and increasing the number of 
breeders as experience is gained. 
E. I. F. 
In 
