eders.

The cost of raising squabs depends entirely on the price of feed and
the number of squabs produced during a given period. Before the war, it
cost $1.25 a year for feed for one pair of pigeons. At present, the
cost per pair for feed is $3.00, according to our records. Now, how
many squabs will a pair of pigeons produce in a year? That question we
cannot answer, but we know how many squabs we have produced from our
breeders. In 1919, we raised an average of 14.3 squabs per pair, for
our entire plant. Our average pen production ran from 10 to 16 squabs
per pair a year, and as we always select our breeders for their fast
breeding qualities and plump squab, we fully expect to average 15
squabs per pair in 1920.

Considering the useful breeding life of a pigeon, which continues for
five years, the question of profit in raising squabs should answer
itself.

The selecting of breeders will be treated in full, further in the book.

CHAPTER II.

DESCRIPTION OF PASSAIC VALLEY SQUAB FARM AND HOUSING IN GENERAL.

The Passaic Valley Squab Farm, I feel, is an ideal plant in an ideal
location. It embodies all the best points and has few detriments.

I am going to describe it rather carefully, pointing out its advantages
and how it might be improved upon. The diagram will give a general idea
of the floor plan, and photo in beginning of book gives a view of
entire plant and water tower.

The plant is situated in a valley, protected from the full sweep of the
wind. The buildings cover about one acre of land and consist of 86 pens
combined into one large connecting building. (A) is granary and stock
house. (B) is picking and packing room. (C) is office. The granary has
entrance to sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, by halls. Each section is divided
into 20 pens, each 10 feet by 12 feet, with entrance on hall. Each pen
has its own aviary, 10 feet by 20 feet, for the pigeons to exercise.
The pigeons nest and raise their young inside, but bathe and exercise
outside, where they have running water. Each pen accommodates 50 pairs
of pigeons, so the plant capacity is over 8,000 birds.

Water is supplied by an artesian well and electric driven pump, that
pumps to tower shown in picture. Each section is watered by one pipe
running full length of building and perforated at each pen. The pan at
each pen fills and when full runs down an overflow pipe into a drain
under building. In this way a whole section of 20 pens is watered with
one