The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1901-09-06
Mhelemurrat- Star
A PIGEON RANCH.
New York Mail aud Express.


A brand new branch Of industry 10
America has been started in Southern
California-tnat Of extensive pigeon
raising The pigeon ranch at Los
Angeles is the only one OF its kind in
the world. 1t covers an area OF eight
acres and in the gigantic lofts are
over 10000 Of these birds. The cost OF
feeding them amounts to little over
S. meal. The ranch was started
three years ago with 1000 birds.
Nearly $50 squads are disposed OF
per month, except in the fall, which
is the moulting season. AT that time
Of the year it is possible to secure only
one fourth of the usual number. In
Los Angeles about SO dozen is the
usual market price of squads. During
the season when they are scarce they
sometimes bring as much as $40
dozen.
When the ranch is we'll stocked, as
it is when there are $4,000 birds flying
about, the extensive family eats one
wagon load of screenings, two sacks
of wheat and about twelve gallons OF
boiled meal daily. In addition to this
they are given three barrels Of stale
bread soaked in water during the
week.
The farm is picturesque sight,
especially at feeding time, when the
birds swarm the place picking their
way daintily over the ground--a mass
of white and gray huffinesS.
A remarkable fact in connection
with'this place is that the pigeons
never leave the ranch and it is seldom
that one ever gets beyond the large
wire fence that surrounds the yard.
+ In pigeon life the male bird is in.
clined to be fckle. He has but one
mate yet he does not hesitate to send
languishing glances and coo at other
lady birds. This is tolerated by his
mate, who is always faithful until he
gets sick or dies. when she seeks out
another partner without delay.
When selecting their homes the
male bird takes possession of the coop
first then the female flies excitedly
around making pretense of finding
better location. As she flies past
the various coops occupied by the
males each one tries to coax her to
take up her abode with him. When
she finally selects companion he
drives her out three or four times; If
she persists in returning they are
mated.
The nesting begins when the pigeon
are about six months old. Two eggs
is setting and it generally takes
eighteen days for the eggs to hatch.
The male bird divides the time on the
nest with his mate, going on duty
about nine in the morning giving her
an hour or two to fly around, eat,
drink and take her bath. Later in
the day he takes another turn. The
female bird seldom goes far from the
nest and is always ready to return at
a moments notice, providing she has
had her bath. The clear shallow
streamlet which runs through the
ranch furnishes an excellent bathing
and drinking place.
At three weeks the squads sare
ready for market and by the time
they are fairly out Of the way the
mother bird is ready to lay more eggs. |
THIS ONE DESERVED DEATH. |
Says the Memphis Scimitar:
"Do you know" said well known
business man, ''my watch was all out
of fix last night?"
swell, why didn't you have it fix.
ed"
II did, but the jeweler said it was |
hard job"
"Why?"
"He found a bedbug in it,"
"a what?" IN ! i
"a real live bedbug."
son, get OUT,
''I'll swear to it,"
"HOw on earth did it get in their?'
"Why, myfriend, it came 10 through
The ticks"
The last words came family, for he
was running, and the "biter" was
close behind with big brick which
looked dangerous.
------
When asked il he was canddatel
or the Democratic nomination forl
PRESIDENT, Hon. w. J. Bryan replied
i have said repeatedly that | am a
for no Office. However. II
would not enter into Il bond never to
'ecome a candidate. 1t would be
0olish In any man to announce him.
elf for such an Office at such time,
nd IL strikes ME as foolish question
o be continually put to me by news.
'aper men"
The Southern Pacific Railroad is
lanni1g the longest railroad tunnel
n the United States. 1t will be Dor.
q throKltsthe Sierra Nevada noun.
aims, wHl be $1,000 feet in length and
MI cost &,0OO,OO0. When the con.
pm MI tod m, mr. y n mamie o,o o.su,A |